Much Ado About Something

What do you do when the walls close in on you? Do you stay put or get away from the situation? With hope or fear? Do you feel that you need to speak to someone? Has anyone actually listened to you? Would you like guidance? Nonjudgmental dialogue up your alley? Confidentiality ... and many more solutions. Read on… The lady Miriam Imam has been in the field of counseling for over a decade and the return rate of her clientele speaks volumes. Her clear cut precision with regard to working together with people who are in a tight spot has earned her the title of being an avid listener. You can be rest assured that when you meet her, there is absolutely no fluff as she is extremely down to earth and helps you help yourself iron out your problems. As a trained NLP (neuro-linguistic programming)specialist the lady uses her talent in every aspect of the counseling ‘game’. Getting a certification is no big deal, we agree. It takes immense dedication and a deep calling to ...

Forgiveness is what keeps a person sane. It also means that an individual has moved on from bad experiences to better pastures. In the Bible Jesus replies to Peter’s question of forgiving someone saying that he should not forgive someone seven times but seventy times seven. There are many of us who would like to multiply the numbers to even out our scores. But the heart of the matter is that we must try to forgive our neighbor irrespective of how hard it is. And it really is! I cannot preach about this good dead having been in a state of unforgiveness for years on end because of some chip or the other that I had (have?) on my shoulder. There are many who hoo and hum about this fact, but who can throw the first stone without some backlog of their own anyways, huh? Incidents come to mind about unfair practices where I have been at the receiving end. However, moving on has always been the norm primarily because trying to keep score with an old wound makes it fester. While the o...

Here's a nice painting from a favorite section of the teenager's thought process. What is on her mind? Any ideas me dahlings? Copyright - AJD

I woke up this morning to an incessant drone of dogs barking. Glanced out of the window and saw a group of boys who looked absolutely bored, but appeared that they did not want to leave. I guess they preferred the outdoors rather than getting back home, I thought. The dogs continued their barking but stopped after a while. The boys were still there. I suppose both the animals and humans were used to each other's presence! Got me thinking, imagine how sad it is for people who have no place at home where they feel loved, wanted, needed, accepted, respected, etc. When the place that one is supposed to feel safe and carefree is not an option, what else is there to look forward to at the end of the day? A home is where the heart is – an oft repeated chant that people sprout. But when the place is just that a place, what more can one expect? Parents expect too much from their children and vice versa. Couples face a breakdown in communication because of the incessant work draw...

Her face stares back at me with mystery Pretending she doesn’t hurt Pain envelopes her being She must try everything … She has to she says Don’t go sweetheart I plead But I have to – there is no choice I try to keep her safe But she longs for comfort That has never been part of her life The yearning stays… She goes… returns A trifle different perhaps Or am I misreading the signs? Do I want to change her? No way… Do I want to comfort her? You bet I do But she wants … Someone who she claims can be there for her She leaves Returns Leaves And she’s back with a sad stance Acceptance is grim But she has to face reality It is a blow But she does She blends in Settles down… But the restlessness creeps in She wants the illusion There is nothing I can do I accept… Let her live life her way And hope that she doesn’t get hurt again.

Birth – New kid on the block. Preteen – Waiting to break out with acne! Teenage – A time for self discovery, confusion, acne and problems. Early Twenties – Throw caution through the window and experiment. Late Twenties – Trying to forget the earlier years. Thirties – A time to reach somewhere in your career or home! Late Thirties – Proclaiming to everyone that you are still in your twenties. Early Forties – Grey area, wannabe thirty! Late Forties – Bring back the glory days where teenage is fondly remembered. Fifties – You've survived the cruel jabs. Get ready for over the hill pokes. Mid Fifties – Visit the doctor often and keep recurring pests and illness at bay. Sixties – Grey hair doesn’t bother you. Walking is endorsed with a keen interest on politics. Late Sixties – Embrace the family more. Early Seventies – Walk, garden, limit food intake. Late Seventies – Walk slower, enjoy the garden and tick people off. Eighties – New set of teeth, kindne...

Madness envelopes me with the nonstop creations from the nieces all around me - what can I say except that they drive me mad and practically insane. Every day is such a revelation with the nonsense that they sprout. There are times when they claim that I am the originator of such craziness. Now can anyone vouch for this, except them? Sometime ago we decided to put the funnies to work and started a silly dance step that brought on the giggles like nothing anyone had ever heard before. In fact, the animals (cats and dogs) from the neighboring houses added to the noise and before we knew it a tempo established itself. I’m sure there was a new quickstep in the making - humans and animals alike! What can I say except that the kids are a nutty lot and every minute with them makes the peppery white on the mop disappear! They even add fuel to the fire which was apparent with the cheekiness displayed the other day. The not so little one tells the other one who is growing taller by th...