Words – Page 2 – She Be Fierce

Photo Credit: www.layersofred.com ‘Girl at The Window’

Meaning: Fear of going outside and being in public places or of being in a situation from which it might be difficult to escape or in which help might not be available.

Agoraphobia is derived from the Greek word ‘Agora’ – Agora were central public spaces found in the city-states of Ancient Greece.

The Athenian Agora, in particular, lies beneath the northern slope of the famous and still standing today Acropolis. It is there that Athenians of Ancient Greece assembled to discuss business and affairs of the state by democratic thinking individuals of all ages and class. It was also a melting pot for the arts in all its forms from acting, singing and listening to the notable philosophers of the day. It truly was a place to hang out for everyone.

Sounds right up my street! Meeting friends, listening to the coolest new sounds, talking freely in the open about life, love, why some relationships turn sour and how other couples seem to have the whole work-life, love-life and having a life balance completely down! I can even see a dancefloor at the very core of this welcoming scene inviting everyone to express their souls through dance and movement whilst being enveloped by the whisperings of mythology and great meaning.

Normally, I would be totally down for going out, excited that I would enjoy some sort of memorable experience (within reason and standards) however, something in me has changed over the last few years and I must admit that I find this change exhausting. There was a time when I would arrive and swing the doors wide open, announcing my arrival with confidence and courage; I cannot remember the last time I did that. It is the intimate social gatherings I am nervous about and I hold my hands up to say that for anyone reading this who has sent me an invite and I didn’t show, I know that I have let you down and for that, I am so sorry.

When I think of the times I have missed out on, the opportunity to make more laugh out loud memories with my friends, meet new acquaintances and connect with the world at large; a new world at that. I find every reason not to go unless I have a wingman waiting for me at the door or I am going with a group of friends or family. I ask questions of myself all the time to get to the bottom of my debilitating behaviours. I do recognise that protecting myself is at the heart of this anxiety, the irrational fear that I am not safe and if I do not have a safety net arranged or waiting, panic and paranoia move in for the night.

I can see my ancestors right now, high up on Mountain Olympus debating how the Agora that brought so much joy, freedom and evolution, is now out of rational reach for so many. There are varying levels of Agoraphobia with symptoms depending on individual experience and whilst we find physical connections a strain, we can reach out to one another from behind our laptops and smartphones. This is not a long-term solution, but it is a step taken. A virtual Agora if you will, where we can debate and discuss how we can kick Agoraphobia’s butt – democratically of course!

family, life, mental health, music, Poem, Poems, poet, poetry, positivity, wordpress, words, writer

She Be a Poet – My Musical Youth

January 30, 2021February 10, 2021 shebfierce

Raised on a council estate, the only Greeks on the block,

Playing on the green outside where the local kids would flock.

Belinda Carlisle told us, that ‘Heaven Is a Place on Earth’

Only Bucks Fizz swore it was ‘The Land of Make Believe’,

A mixed tape of my musical, spiritual birth.

Confusion reigned in ‘Our House’ still,

‘Teardrops’ drenched my cheeks,

My story behind SMASH HITS poster covered walls,

Memorizing tunes, my world, lyrical geek.

Dancing tall on tip toes, Thursday nights, TOTP,

‘Running Up That Hill’ of teenage life,

‘I Want to Break Free’.

blog, chromophobia, color, colour, understanding, words, writer, writing

Give me a word, any word and I will show you the root of that word is Greek ~ Chromophobia

November 7, 2015February 22, 2021 shebfierce

(Irrational fear or conditioned response to colour)

The Greek Cypriot in me occasionally awakens with words I have never heard of before; even though their existence has manifestations in many forms. It can take just one Grecian word to open a kaleidoscope of topics for discussion, debate and provocative thinking. The word Chromophobia was introduced to me by a dear friend who has made a career out of creating beautiful colours whilst changing perceptions in the process.

Maybe, you have an irrational fear of the colour green? Unable to eat your peas or any vegetable with a greenish hue for fear they will choke you. Perhaps red is the colour you avoid? I mean red is dangerous, isn’t it? It commands you to stop and forbids you to go there; wherever there may be. There are symptoms of Chromophobia and hate is one of them. Hate through fear, hate because Chromophobes see nothing but dark, foreign bodies and not the full spectrum.

Generally, we all see things in black and white, right and wrong. These views may be part of our genetic make-up, ideas without foundation from our teachers or peers; misguided without a full understanding of the global pallet and its variety of colours. If we choose not to live in colour the canvas will always be blank. If we choose to explore and understand, we lose the fear imbedded in our psyche long before we first opened our eyes to see complexions.