Nice story and good lessons. If her family had really been educated they may known that cancer can be cured rather than symptoms “treated” with chemicals.
Excellent writing Julie- it gets to the deep self. We unfortunately have been living in a world where the Narratives of the system are intended to polarise, compare, compete- old v Young, black v white, gay v straight, country v country. I’ve often wondered why we don’t collaborate and compliment- To make the world better when we work together. But was so busy trying to earn a living and battling the local injustices in my life that I missed the big picture of narratives until I retired a few years ago.
Then I started to research why, why are these polarities pushed so hard by those who run countries and corporations.
I’ve blamed them for so much over the last 6/7 years and been horrified by their intent and lack of empathy for the ordinary people affected by these narratives (Post Office Scandal to name a recent one). Always amazing me how people will do awful things behind the protection of a label - country, corporation, religion etc.
after much soul searching I’ve come to realise as you eloquently articulate in your story that if we all started to be the change we want to see the world would change and that’s the ultimate power we have in our hands but we have e to stop being so busy to observe it.
Many thanks- I had a good cry at your story. On a macro level, It tells the tale of so many even if the details are so very different. Well observed and articulated. 💜💫
Life isn’t fair! I remember the first time I taught at a prep school and I saw how much help the kids had getting into top schools. It made me realize how little help I had, and how I likely *could’ve* gone to a top school if I’d only had the same amount of help.
It’s so easy to get bitter about the should haves and would haves. I learned to let it go but you’re right, these are important lessons to learn. Life isn’t fair and you lose some but hey, you win some too.
Beautifully written as usual Julie. Poor Rachel , young on the verge of adulthood losing her biggest supporter . You never know what people are going through or what’s around the corner , being kind is a cliche worth remembering.
This is an astonishing piece of writing / sharing / thought-provoking essaying. You have a gift for perspective. And a skill for gently educating with that perspective. Thank you so much for doing the hard work to write this and post it.
Mid-life and beyond should be the time to reflect on life lessons and endeavor to impart in ways that make that imparting worth the while. Your honesty here works as self-reflection and not preachiness. Although, I must admit, I'm beginning to come to a place wherein I believe much of this backwards musing is, in the immediate, for ourselves and our own generation. The gift of such ponderings is to be found in work such as this piece in which the teaching really becomes a subtle subconscious whisper.
This is a beautiful piece of writing. If only the teachings of the major religious texts were written in such a heartfelt, relatable, humble way - instead of parables and commandments - the world might be a kinder, more forgiving place.
I’ve had two emails this morning from people who don’t like/comment saying this piece touched them. If it makes just one person reconsider something and give grace then that’s encouraging, especially in these troubled times when so often, groups of people are pitted against each other.
Life is for living and learning, money and having a profession are an asset in our society.Surving is important and knowing who you are comes ,as we grow health is wealth ,l hope Rachel reached her goal.Thanks Julie 🦋 very wise .
Thought provoking Julie. Life is never fair, my Mum was correct- again. I'm now wondering what happened to Rachel. Did she forge a successful path in life?
Nice story and good lessons. If her family had really been educated they may known that cancer can be cured rather than symptoms “treated” with chemicals.
The Cancer Act 1939 has a lot to answer for.
Yes theres a lot of profit in cancer, sadly.
My great-grandfather used to say that every house has their own cross you may not be aware of.
As you say, so many these days are pitted against each other. People with very short or no fuses.
Hopefully people will start thinking twice before saying anything.
I’ve not heard that saying before but yes it chimes.
We all feel, don’t we? We are all human x
We do and we make mistakes, we’re not perfect. Just need to learn from mistakes X
Interesting heart-felt piece Julie. Everyone has their cross to bear, as you say.
That they do! Thank you :)
Excellent writing Julie- it gets to the deep self. We unfortunately have been living in a world where the Narratives of the system are intended to polarise, compare, compete- old v Young, black v white, gay v straight, country v country. I’ve often wondered why we don’t collaborate and compliment- To make the world better when we work together. But was so busy trying to earn a living and battling the local injustices in my life that I missed the big picture of narratives until I retired a few years ago.
Then I started to research why, why are these polarities pushed so hard by those who run countries and corporations.
I’ve blamed them for so much over the last 6/7 years and been horrified by their intent and lack of empathy for the ordinary people affected by these narratives (Post Office Scandal to name a recent one). Always amazing me how people will do awful things behind the protection of a label - country, corporation, religion etc.
after much soul searching I’ve come to realise as you eloquently articulate in your story that if we all started to be the change we want to see the world would change and that’s the ultimate power we have in our hands but we have e to stop being so busy to observe it.
Many thanks- I had a good cry at your story. On a macro level, It tells the tale of so many even if the details are so very different. Well observed and articulated. 💜💫
Thank you.I absolutely agree,we change the world by changing (or being) ourselves. It’s all we have. And all those beautiful vibrations add up. 😍
Life isn’t fair! I remember the first time I taught at a prep school and I saw how much help the kids had getting into top schools. It made me realize how little help I had, and how I likely *could’ve* gone to a top school if I’d only had the same amount of help.
It’s so easy to get bitter about the should haves and would haves. I learned to let it go but you’re right, these are important lessons to learn. Life isn’t fair and you lose some but hey, you win some too.
Indeed
Yes. Profit for global Share Investors who also profit from the sugar which feeds the cancer.
De-pop has to be random and slow to go unnoticed.
Beautifully written as usual Julie. Poor Rachel , young on the verge of adulthood losing her biggest supporter . You never know what people are going through or what’s around the corner , being kind is a cliche worth remembering.
Thank you. Yes you’re right, none of us know what’s round the corner which is why we have to do what we can whilst we can and show compassion. X
This is an astonishing piece of writing / sharing / thought-provoking essaying. You have a gift for perspective. And a skill for gently educating with that perspective. Thank you so much for doing the hard work to write this and post it.
Thank you, I appreciate that. I suppose I just like to pass on my reflections. I’m 50 now so I must have learned something…….hopefully!
Mid-life and beyond should be the time to reflect on life lessons and endeavor to impart in ways that make that imparting worth the while. Your honesty here works as self-reflection and not preachiness. Although, I must admit, I'm beginning to come to a place wherein I believe much of this backwards musing is, in the immediate, for ourselves and our own generation. The gift of such ponderings is to be found in work such as this piece in which the teaching really becomes a subtle subconscious whisper.
You tell the best stories. NGL I shed a tear. 😢
❤️ bless you
This is a beautiful piece of writing. If only the teachings of the major religious texts were written in such a heartfelt, relatable, humble way - instead of parables and commandments - the world might be a kinder, more forgiving place.
I’ve had two emails this morning from people who don’t like/comment saying this piece touched them. If it makes just one person reconsider something and give grace then that’s encouraging, especially in these troubled times when so often, groups of people are pitted against each other.
Life is for living and learning, money and having a profession are an asset in our society.Surving is important and knowing who you are comes ,as we grow health is wealth ,l hope Rachel reached her goal.Thanks Julie 🦋 very wise .
Yes, health is most definitely wealth!
Thought provoking Julie. Life is never fair, my Mum was correct- again. I'm now wondering what happened to Rachel. Did she forge a successful path in life?
I don’t know.
We lost touch - it was before the age of social media.
I hope things worked out though best they could for her. She was lovely.