Tag: opinion

Words

Published on by Susi Bocks18 Comments
Karly Santiago – Unsplash

Recently, my dear friend, Chuck, posted about The Magic Power of Words, which prompted me to comment…

“It took me years to become a writer. I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up until I was in my late 40s but what finally pushed me in that direction was finally understanding what I loved so much – words – how they sounded, their definitions, how I enjoyed forming sentences or thoughts and what made music and reading so special to me. I had been in love with words all my life. It was time to honor them.”

… and he later asked me to expound on those thoughts. Interestingly, I had already created a draft to do precisely that! I will happily double down on the view that words are special and wonderful and every positive adjective out there – in other words, they are indeed magic to me! But I will also compliment my friend on putting into words for himself how divine words are—then capping off his last sentence with the title and intention of his blog – sublime!

Furthermore, I felt it was important to delve deeper into the subject on a more emotionally-evoking aspect of it for me, and purely because words are that exciting. I see many new blogs on WordPress, where it feels like the commitment to writing and using those precious words well is lacking in the presentation of their work. I’m not just talking about me being a Grammar Nazi (which, at heart, I am) but just taking words and placing them willy-nilly without any forethought to whether they rightly belong in that order or in that thought process. It feels like massive disrespect to those words I hold so dearly. Add to that, they sadly also don’t care enough to spell them correctly, in the right context, or even in a flow that makes sense. It diminishes the glow I feel that words deserve to be bathed in.

Now, I’m fully prepared to be called out that reading is subjective, and maybe the things I’ve mentioned here, another writer could feel about my pieces – I’m not perfect, I do make mistakes in my writing, and gotten called out about it to which I happily thank them. What I’m referring to primarily is a gross misunderstanding of how to write a coherent thought. Words are meant to deliver information about the subject matter, concept, or story idea – not take away from the purpose of what those definitions are relating. Sadly, I’ve read many who, as I said, don’t seem to be that committed to pulling off a sound thought. That makes me sad because I revere words. I hope that we all remember how unique and magical words are, letting this opinion and concern of mine be recognized the next time a post begins to percolate in a writer’s brain.

Thanks for reading! Comments and/or slap downs encouraged. 😉

Will As A God

Published on by Susi Bocks18 Comments
pxhere.com

we all ponder what is truth
not one with the same outlook
theories and hypothesis’
as varied as the lives which surround us

haven’t we all witnessed people…
who have such a zest that life never seems to end
and have written a multitude of stories over the norm
possessing a zeal which feels absent in us
accomplishments being even fewer

and those at the end of a relatively long life saying “it’s enough”
with need or a want to move on
having endured so much hardship and pain
just wanting it over with

or those who just plod along
living relatively simple
but meaningful, loving lives
contributing a harmony of sorts

if god is life and life is nature and nature dictates our decisions
then maybe it’s the sheer will to remain alive
that what drives us should guide us
deciding our ultimate purpose or names this so-called god we want to prove

this belief of having a much needed pull
for when the chips are down
something we engage with
when it’s all too much

i would submit that sheer will is supreme
this internal force is a pressure to endure
and can be what rules us
wow, what a concept to get behind

they say you can manifest what you want
yeah, but not without effort
i would submit you are your own god
and that god is will

These thoughts were inspired by this conversation about belief systems between Ricky Gervais and Russell Brand. The bit about it starts at approximately 33:40, but feel free to listen to it in its entirety as it was an interesting conversation.

Letting It All Go

Published on by Susi Bocks9 Comments

Inspired by Sadje’s Sunday Poser #2

Relaxation can occur when I put my mind to it. Sounds silly, doesn’t it? But I really do have to plan for it! And the place where that is best accomplished for me is at the beach. Give me blue water, palm trees, white sand, a cabana to relax and there is literally nothing that will stop me from relaxing. How could I not think I’m in my personal paradise laying next to my semi-conscious hubs listening to the sounds of the ocean and the wildlife circling above? To me, a cloudy day at the beach is better than being embroiled in the day-to-day of the hectic life or even doing the things I enjoy in the privacy of my home. It’s a sense of completely letting go of control, and that is very relaxing to me. The beach is the only place my mind seems to just dispense of the focused habits I force myself to manage in my “real world”. The pics above are from our favorite resort in Cancun and a trip we took to Tulum, Mexico.

Say it with me “Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!” Thanks, Sadje! I will never tire of talking, thinking or being at a beautiful beach! 🙂

Reflecting On Thankful Things

Published on by Susi Bocks22 Comments
pxhere.com

Inspired by Sadje’s Sunday Poser #1 – I am grateful this year for…

Many things have gotten me through these last 58 years in no particular order of preference or admiration. A lot has tried to take me down too, but here I am anyways. 😉

In 2020, I’m grateful for my good friends even though the hugs, the conversations, and the interactions are few and far apart. Thankfully, my husband is my rock and a strong support person, as well as my boys, who I’m in contact with just about every day. I’m genuinely missing their hugs, though. But we’ll get there!

Working from home was the norm for me before Covid-19, so that hasn’t changed. I will always be immensely grateful I get to do my gig in the comfort of my surroundings. My “prison,” which some people might call it, is my she-cave, and it’s safe. It works for me!

My family and close friends have, until this point, been spared in this pandemic, and that calms me. I’m hoping that a vaccine will soon reduce the cases and the death rates we are currently seeing. I would be most grateful for that!

Even with all the health issues I’ve dealt with and am dealing with so far this year, I’m glad that I have a strong will and determination to overcome these challenges. Although my outlook has not always been positive, it has remained solidly in the corner of “you can get through this.” So, that’s something I’m eternally grateful to possess.

When I look back over the last three years, the WordPress community also gives me much to be thankful about. The friends I’ve made, the incredible work of others I get to read, the conversations – good and bad – I’ve had, all of it has made me a better person. I thank you all for that. Being able to create, to articulate my world and my thoughts, and do it in such a loving and supportive environment, well, I’ve not had it this good in a long time. I’m truly grateful for what I’ve gotten out of this writing journey.

Going back even further, I’m thankful to be here. Life is draining, but it’s also thoroughly excellent. So, I’m grateful to be able to take the good with the bad. Here’s to the next moments that await me. 🙂

Wordle #480

Published on by Susi Bocks8 Comments
Dan Dennis – Unsplash

I hope we all answer the call for justice. Voting in this election is paramount! It would rattle me if things went differently than I hope they will. Word on the street is victory belongs to us, but until it’s confirmed, who knows? 

These last few years, I’ve been feeling shame for this country for choosing a path of hatred and division. Yet, I’ve also seen hands come together for the common good. This Fall, a bell will toll for one side.

We are at a crossroads, and I suspect there will be quite a few butthurt people. 

Maybe me?

Inspired by The Sunday Whirl

A note to all eligible voters out there, PLEASE do you civic duty and VOTE!!
We need you now more than ever!

Politics

Published on by Susi Bocks12 Comments
Joakim Honkasalo – Unsplash

the stench of foulness emanates
from the building of the people
every utterance witnessed
feels like diabolical chicanery
the detriment evident to those they claim to represent

we the people need to rise to the occasion
remove the blatant unseemly behaviors
replace dishonesty and deceit
restore the ethics of governing
we the people deserve honorable service

PLEASE VOTE FOR INTEGRITY THIS AND EVERY ELECTION CYCLE

About Fables

Published on by Susi Bocks4 Comments
Amazon.com

A Love Story
One day, as you walked outdoors, you found a stone. At first you thought it might be a toad; but it was not warm, it was not slimy, and it did not quiver as you held it in your hand. You left it in your pockets. I occupied space. It had mass. But it was not an abrasive or obtrusive stone. You were not troubled; and the stone, in turn, was probably content. When you came home that night and undressed for bed, you took the stone out and set it on the dresser. It is possible, of course, that the stone watched you all night long. But then it must be remembered that the stone had no eyes. It is much more likely that it merely sat. It was contiguous in space. It was, if you like, a contemporary of yours. The following morning you lost the stone. You may have noticed its absence in your pocket. The stone may have sensed the increased distance from a source of warmth. But that was all. It is not conceivable that anything else could possible have been felt. I conjecture, of course. The tale is, after all, a fanciful invention, a playful variation, on the species of love.

~~~

My talented and exquisite writer friend, Candice Daquin, sent me this book. As I mentioned to her, I’m not usually a fan of fables. In my youth, I grew up with Struwwelpeter. While the stories, written to be valuable lessons, more often than not, were very frightening rather than helpful. Traumatizing, almost.

Even into adulthood, I’d steered away from books like these. I preferred to learn things through my actions rather than receive frightful warnings about consequences. Or at least, this is what I expected about most fables. Since I do enough damage to my psyche, supposing what events could occur, while telling myself, I’m just preparing for “if in the event,” I felt it was best to leave books like this on the shelf. Who needs to invite more drama into their imagination? That was my thinking.

Well, it seems things have changed. Or maybe I have? First, this was not a traumatic read, and second, the morals of the stories align very closely with my own. As it says on the back cover, these are artful feminist fables that highlight, yet camouflage well, the stories women have told around the globe for millennia. The characters were highly relatable, and at times, the words were infuriating. We are still dealing with much of what the stories share with the reader. But still, well-written, and more than once, I found a wry smile on my face after reading them. I think you might too.

If you are interested, click on the link to Amazon underneath the image of the cover.

Wordle #475

Published on by Susi Bocks16 Comments
pxhere.com

The hypocrisy of the GOP is astounding! 

I harshly wrapped the foil around the sad filet. Hopefully, the dill, butter, and lemon would liven the salmon up a bit. 

This whole administration is a hoax! 

I am growling as I prepare my cat‘s nice lunch. 

Why, how did we end up with such an uninformed electorate? I miss sanity. How can people watch this crap on Fox? How can they trust that show? They are liars, these so-called friends.

I prepare to leave for my cottage. Far, far away from the news, social media, everything which negatively taints my reality.

Inspired by The Sunday Whirl

Invaluable

Published on by Susi Bocks27 Comments
Les Anderson – Unsplash

The word invaluable, defined as something extremely useful or indispensable, means powerful and positive. I despise this word. The problem for me that many of the words I’ve learned over the years, which begin with ‘in,’ describe something opposite the definition of the word that follows said ‘in.’ So, my mind has to shift from it being something negative to it being positive. Why is the English language so damn wishy-washy about its rules?

Here is a list of just a few of the words we’ve all grown up to understand as the opposite just because the ‘in’ is in front of it:

incompatible
incomplete
incomprehensible
inconsequential
inexpensive
incommunicative
infallibility
ineffective
ineligible
incomparable
incapable
inappropriate
ineffectual
inconsistent

Add to that, pet peeve #2, people using the word when I’m already conflicted about having to rethink it when I read it! How come they aren’t just as upset as I am?!? And why can’t anyone give me a reasonable explanation as to why the word should even exist?

Then recently, I’m reading a book called 180 more, a book filled with poetry curated by Billy Collins. I adore his work! But right there in the introduction, HE used the word. I was stunned! I had to stop reading for a bit and compose myself. And possibly rethink my relationship with him.

While I realize that words have meanings, and it is in the dictionary, I cannot wrap my mind around the inconsistency (< again LOOK!) of the use of ‘in’ at the front of words which clearly mean to indicate the opposite or worse action of the word.

Anybody else have this quandary?

#Billy Collins – I sure hope you see this. I would love your input. 🙂