Weekly Wisdom from Karen
#empowerment #historyofart #lifelessons #nature #collaboration
We’re shaking things up this week. We can do that on Medium and ILLUMINATION. Nothing has to remain the same. Unless you want it to. I like new and shiny. Different and interesting. How about you?
We have some new to ILLUMINATION writers and some experienced favourites. You’ve also got an introduction to a new external blog from three amazing like-minded women writers who met on Medium.
This educational and engrossing article from Brian Loo Soon Hua was trending a few days ago, meaning it could go viral! You’ll understand why when you read it. My take on it is that it flows perfectly, the subject is intriguing whether you are male or female, and you have to read it all right to the very end. Not because you’re forced to but because you want to.
Nude carvings and paintings have always been a feature of European art. Right from the moment Stone Age hunters learned how to carve rock and ivory or how to shape clay and fire it to produce little statues with surprising detail, the female nude — whether meant to inspire, titillate or just represent how women dressed in that period — has been a constant archetype.
For this distressing story from Biswanath Datta, you will need tissues. Mary is a beautiful character and her circumstances would have broken many others without her strength. Biswanath tells us Mary’s story of hardship yet never giving up.
It was an early morning in July. The sky was dark grey with torrential rain falling. Outside, perhaps the road had an ankle dip sheet of rainwater splashing down. The monsoon rain was in full fury, forcing everyone to stay indoors. At least that was a solid excuse to remain in bed; for as long as Bob could.
I hope you don’t mind me including a second story from Biswanath. Again, his chosen story title intrigued me. How can a mango be generous when surround by cruelty? I wondered for a while before bookmarking it.
Only one day passed before I treated myself to reading the saved story and finding out the answer to my question. I make a point of this because one day I intend to read the 407 stories I have on my reading list.
Clusters of sap green and mildly scented tiny flowers blossomed spreading their youthfulness with an eager anticipation all around.
I was not disappointed. Biswanath’s mango tree delighted me. When the generous mango tree was cruelly mistreated, I cried. Yes, about a mango tree.
When I moved into the newly built house with my family some fifteen years ago, I discovered with surprise sapling of a mango about eight inches high standing on the south-eastern corner. Its long dark green leaves were lightly fluttering in the spring wind. The mid-day sun shone brightly on it. I thought of uprooting it and throwing it away but something stopped me from inside.
Star reads
While scrolling through my enormous reading list, I found a poem and a short story that I’d bookmarked last year. This writer is actually now a star and top writer. I should have introduced readers to her work already. So this week we are having an extended Star reads section.
I apologise to R Tsambounieri Talarantas for taking so long to read this excellent poem. In fact, I haven’t met a poem from Rigópoula that wasn’t excellent. Her poems have both a magical and educational effect on me. Her knowledge of Greek history and her fantastic vocabulary bowls me over every time.
Rigópoula’s short story paints some breathtaking images.
It was a scorcher, as I remember. Those types of a high-noon summer day’s where not a leaf flutters, the Etesian winds that ravage our island had suffocatingly stilled, even the winds were gasping for breath.
Further inspiration comes from Michele Thill. Her gift of wisdom through empowerment, mindfulness, and gratitude makes her one of my favourite uplifting writers.
I have developed a be well method, a body, mind, soul approach for total inner and outer wellbeing.
Every single post I’ve read of Michele’s lifts my mood, makes me feel blessed to be living life. Maybe her words can do the same for you.
In one of Michele’s earlier posts she says:
I moved out of the vibration of fear and into the vibration of love.
When we come from a place of love, we create peace in our lives and also for the lives around us.
Michele’s most recent piece as of the date of writing this is an excellent reminder to us all that spring is here! I have friends that worry about things that may never happen. I’m in total agreement with Michele on this matter.
I realized that worrying just wasted my time.
Homelife and professional life — bringing me opportunities each year in the spring, which to me represents NEW beginnings. As I watch nature come back to life — my life calls me to wake up and blossom as well.
New Blog
A super new blog launched by three amazing women! From Lemons
Unusual I know, to include a blog outside of this platform, but I think the serendipitous meeting of the three women on this platform warrants a mention and a share.
We three aim high when we finally smoosh our lemons into something more useful and elaborate. Lemonade seems just too…well, you know. Whisper: basic
These three found each other through Medium. It’s a remarkable example of what can happen when people engage and get where they each are coming from. And then work together to help other people. Wow! Congratulations, Amy Marley, Paroma Sen, Suzanne V. Tanner.
Because we know that feeling alone is the loneliest feeling in the world. We’ve been there. And we believe in the power of women, with all our learned and inherited powers of nurture, holding up those that need it. We believe in the power of community.
On that jubilant note, have a great weekend.
Thanks for reading.
Here are my editorial bulletins for your delight. A quick way to discover new and upcoming writers on ILLUMINATION, ILLUMINATION’S MIRROR, and Technology Hits.
