I'm like a pencil;
sometimes sharp,
most days
well-rounded,
other times
dull or
occasionally
broken.
Still I write.
j.g. lewis
is a writer/photographer in Toronto.
Month: June 2019
Think about it:
you are an individual.
Look around.
Each one of us is unique.
There is nobody like you, or
me. Culturally and genetically,
we share as many differences
as commonalities.
It’s more than DNA.
Think about it.
If you expect or are worthy
of respect, doesn’t the same
consideration apply
to everybody else?
Look around. Think about it.
Diversity and inclusion
is the only conclusion.
Celebrate your differences,
and those of your neighbours,
today and everyday.
06/21/2019 j.g.l.
Posted on June 20, 2019 by j.g.lewisLeave a comment
I used to live here
and only remember how it felt.
I used to know you, and
now remember what it meant.
I used to know friendship,
but know, now, what it means.
06/20/2019 j.g.l.
Posted on June 19, 2019 by j.g.lewisLeave a comment
Gratitude flows two ways. It must.
For gratitude to be gratitude, it has to be given, as it is accepted; free of conditions; without demand; without expectations.
As an exchange, there needs be, at its most crucial point, equality. Both the giver and the receiver should, even if only for a moment, bask in the state of grace allowed, and furthered by, the humane act of giving.
Gratitude is ‘you are welcome’ as much as it is ‘thank you’.
Sadly, and often, in this give-and-take society, there is an imbalance of power. The provision of aid or assistance is viewed as strength, with the acceptance, or receiver, as weak. Charity — a worthy and necessary act — is boastfully promoted and endorsed. The ‘look at me’ or ‘look at us’ attitude removes the true shine from an otherwise generous act as it makes the giver more important than the need.
It’s pretty ugly out there. We, as humans, have continued to allow this to happen. Captains of industry, politicians, plumbers, and the powers that preach have continually deceived us. We have almost become pre-conditioned to accepting this conditioned eye-for-an-eye type of attitude of gratitude.
It should not be more difficult to understand, as it is to accept, gratitude.
We need to help each other, more. The spirit of giving should be fostered among us, but we end up asking too many questions. Even if just by questioning where any form of gratitude flows, we are suspicious. We look for ulterior motives and hidden reasons.
How do we get past the doubt, or the disingenuous, to not only show our thankfulness, but share the act and purpose bestowed upon us?
We, perhaps, need to be more thankful of what we’ve got and more gratified in how we share our place and purpose.
Indeed, as with the adage ‘the hand that gives is the hand that gathers meaning’, it must be more than exhibiting kindness towards others as a means of benefiting the self. We need to recognize the profound connection of the hand that gives and the hand that receives.
The benefits are shared, are equal, and are needed. There is a deeper meaning in not only accepting selflessly, but in giving graciously.
© 2019 j.g. lewis
