Life is full of joy and sorrow. For real growth to happen, we have to be willing to suffer, so that we can truly understand what it means to be happy. And then there are all the other emotions we experience, thrown into the mix. To help us remember what it means to be alive.
Our highs and lows, teaching us, guiding us, helping us to move forward and grow.
As I look back over this year, when it felt like the world was perhaps, returning to some sort of normality, (on the surface at least). I know that I am not alone, when I say, that it has been a challenging time. We have been pushed to our limits, physically, mentally and spiritually. As we finally began to reflect and process what the whole world, went through.
What we are still going through.
Living in a world that is hugely out of balance. Where the lives of many, are dictated by a few, which lets be honest, has been the way for a very long time. But it is only now that so much of the injustices have been coming to light. Where we can see the true colours of those who claim to hold the power and also of those who live around us.
What is happening on a global scale, will always filter down into our daily lives. That is the way of the world.
My Greatest Sorrow
I for one, have witnessed a lot of cruelty this year. Cruelty towards animals and even though I have tried to help them, very little has changed. Because the animals continue to suffer. One of them, I managed to bring one into my home, but the others remain with the people who claim ownership over them.
They continue to live in horrible conditions, where they are treated so cruelly. A donkey (yes, that donkey who used to graze on this land), two horses who live on the property opposite me (where I have been told I am not welcome) and around 15 dogs that live on a property behind me. I have been able to get food to the dogs and at time some remedies, as they have numerous injures, that go untreated. But I hear the donkey everyday and it breaks my heart, not being able to visit him.
But I find it so difficult living with all of this cruelty happening around me, I feel helpless, as there really is very little I can do. Animals have very little rights here. I have no where to keep all of these animals and the rescue center that is in this area is so full, they simply can not keep up, with the amount of animals that need to be rescued.
Witnessing this, living here, surrounded by animals in need has to be my greatest sorrow this year. But if I did not live here, what then. Even though I feel helpless, I know I have helped a little. I just hope that in the future I can acquire the funds to get some land, so that I could rescue them all and more animals that are in need.
My Greatest Joy
And with the sorrow, comes the joy. The joy of discovering, a way to explore the power of human connection and it's wonderful ability to heal us.
I could of course talk in length about the many joys that my children bring me. Seeing them thrive and grow, as they explore the world around them and become more confident each day. But that goes with out saying, when you are a parent.
Instead I want to talk about the one thing that has had a huge impact on my life this year.
BioDanza. Yes I know, I have written about it, quite a few times already. But it has been one of my greatest medicine's and with everything that we have gone through and with me living where I do, it has really helped me to deal with the heavy loads that I now carry.
Every week, I get to be in a safe space, where I travel deep within, releasing all that needs to be released and creating more space so that I can fill my life back up again. It has helped me to recognise different behavioral patterns within my life and shown me the way in which I can change them. A way that is so subtle and so nurturing.
Which has really allowed me to open myself up and be seen by others. Exploring intimacy and human connection, bringing so much joy into my life.
This is my entry for the latest Ladies Of Hive Community Contest.