Category: courage

A Voice for the Voiceless

Barbara Bullock, M.F.A. Spiritual writer

 

Sometimes you have to stand alone for what is right so others can shine. Barbara Bullock, writer

Throughout my life, I have often found myself in situations in which I was told to stop. Told to stop talking, stop doing, and stop caring. It works for a while. For a moment, I do stop. For an instant, I am still until my soul whispers a voice for the voiceless.

Ever since I was born, I have been the kind of person who would care about others. I was the child that would run up to strangers talking to them, smiling at them, even wishing to hug them. One could excuse this kind of behavior as childlike innocence. Or, one could attribute this kind of openness, feeling oneness with other human beings, and kindness to the fact that I am an empath and an old soul, who knows what it feels like to suffer and not have a voice.

Those of you, who follow my blog regularly, know that I often write about subjects dear to my heart. Those who know me in person, know that I often talk about the same ones. Civil rights, spirituality, charity, and Mother Nature, are indeed important to me. When discussions on these topics arise, you’ll often find me joining in not only participating in a debate but, sometimes, becoming almost a bit defensive standing for what I believe is right and caring about others.  Yes, I admit that my talks can be long. My written word can fill pages. I might run up to you although you are a stranger. I might love in unconventional ways and see beauty in others not considered so by learned standards.

Society and upbringing have both tried to make me still, done the best possible to help me fit in, conform, be silent, and just live a simple, ordinary live. Too often have I heard the question “Why can’t you just be like everyone else?” Being seemingly different and caring about what are frequently controversial topics, have brought me many problems in my life. I often find myself lonely talking to God, the angels, and my spirit guide, why I cannot simply be me. The answer comes quickly every time. “Stay the way you are and keep caring about others. You have a voice for the voiceless.” More to come.

With unconditional love,

Barbara

 

Copyright © 2017 by Barbara Bullock, M.F.A., spiritual writer

barbarabullock.wordpress.com

Photo credit © 2017 by Barbara Bullock, M.F.A. Photo taken by Barbara Bullock, M.F.A. Taken in Japan in 2008.

#voice #voiceless #civilrights #civil #rights #environment #mothernature #unconventional #beauty #unconditionallove #love #unconditional #alone #lonliness

Two New Beginnings

Barbara Bullock, M.F.A. Spiritual writer

 

Sunset in Venice, Italy, signifying the end of a day. A new beginning follows the next day.
Sunset in Venice, Italy, signifying the end of a day. A new beginning follows the next day.

This month, June, has turned out to be a very eventful month leaving me with two significant occurrences that will change my life forever. As I walked across the stage of the Petco Park Stadium in San Diego celebrating the achievement and conferral of my degree, I got emotional when I shook the dean’s hands. Certainly, it was an exciting day that I had looked forward to for months. Certainly, my accomplishment was worth being proud of. Certainly, I had all rights to shed a few happy tears. However, those cheerful tears were not only mine. As I walked off the stage and looked into the crowds of families and friends applauding the graduates, I thought of my dad. He had passed away a few days earlier. He was the kind of person, who would not always express his feelings directly. Rather, he did so in silent whispers and small gestures. He could not cheer me loudly on that day. Nevertheless, I could feel that he was proud of me. Perhaps it was him crying cheerful tears on that day.

Several speakers at the commencement pointed out that it is not necessarily the degree itself that will make a difference in the world but what we do with it. While a commencement ceremony signifies a celebration of achievement and the end of a student’s studies, it is a new beginning. It is a chance for the graduate to use the knowledge received for the greater and make a mark in the world. It is a chance to leave the world a little better than before. It is a chance for a new beginning of success. Some students use it to better the lives of others in their communities, other students fly to the moon to change the entire world. A student becomes a graduate, a professor becomes a former instructor, and a university an alma mater leaving memories and wisdom.

The same can be said when a parent returns to our spiritual home leaving many memories of childhood and transferred knowledge behind in the hope that the next generation would carry on the tradition and legacy, a kind of new beginning although heavily disguised. It takes courage to love because suffering and loss is an inevitable part of loving. It takes courage to let go. It takes courage to graduate and venture out into the world. Thank you, Dad, for your courage. I hope I’ll make you proud again someday. Meanwhile, fly with the angels to the moon. I’ll see you there some day.

Love, Barbara

Copyright © 2016 by Barbara Bullock, Photo credit © 2016 by Barbara Bullock, taken in Venice, Italy, May 2016

Sources:

National University www.nu.edu

Petco Park, San Diego http://petcoparkevents.com/

#Graduation #University #Beginning #End #Death #June #Transformation #Commencement #NationalUniversity #PetoPark #SanDiego #Parent #Dad #Father

 

A thought on Colette V. Paul’s Butterflies Dance in the Rain, a collection of poetry and prose

Barbara Bullock, M.F.A. Spiritual writer

 

Butterflies Dance in the RainDear friends,

As many of you know, I try to live my life in truth and honesty. When I tell you that I love you, I mean it. When I tell you that I don’t, I also mean it. When I review a book, I won’t tell you what you want to hear so you’ll buy it. I won’t tell you the story in an objective, journalistic style. However, I will tell you what I feel, hear and see when I read it – from my heart to yours. Be inspired by my review of Butterflies Dance in the Rain.

To be honest, I don’t remember how I know Ms. Colette V. Paul. What I do remember is a video of her that I had come across on the Internet. As I listened to her speaking one of her poems, I realized that the way she spoke reminded me of someone. Colette’s soft yet strong voice articulating words of wisdom resonated with me immediately. Colette’s outer beauty is a reflection of her inner world of love, faith, hope, and the wonderment of life. Colette has a light around her that shines brightly and enlightens everyone who knows her. However, as Butterflies in the Rain shows its readers, this wasn’t always so. Lessons of life likely propelled Colette into higher spheres of her own spirituality.

I believe that Butterflies in the Rain reflect that to the point. Filled with the sadness of a broken heart, Colette is a true artist with an understanding that there is a higher power we can all call upon in times of distress. Dear God Letter is the quest of such search for healing. It opens the poetry collection and leads me, the reader to the realization that we are all eternal and a part of this higher power whatever name one wants to give it. As Colette realizes that she is a part of this eternal power, her spirits seem to lift and carry me to the next poem. Many poems read like Japanese haikus when so much can be expressed in just a few lines. Colette seems to know instinctively when this is the case. Stillness, aspiration, intuition, love, renewal, music and human tragedies are described boldly without complications as they do not need more words but the recognition that only one thing is needed – love.

Back to reality and everyday problems, Another year feels rushed at first suffocating me, the reader, with stress, disturbance and problems. However, the last three lines free my mind and entail the deep message that I found buried under the problems. Cursed is another favorite of mine and deeply touches my soul. It is as if I almost can feel Colette’s soul crying out for help and freedom. Now the poetry collection gains in speed and depth as I learn more details on Colette’s life changing experiences, newly given responsibilities, facing prejudice and difficult circumstances in I’m Doing Just Fine. Colette puts into words what others cannot express. Suddenly, I knew who Colette reminded me of in the video. I am Woman is a masterpiece filled with dignity and strength of a woman. Elevations and Vibrations bring me back to my memory of watching the video and help me realize that, Colette is, as Dr. Maya Angelou would likely call her, a Phenomenal Woman.

Indeed, Colette is a creative soul on a journey. Life might have knocked her down a couple of times. However, her gift of words lifts her high and let her soul fly freely through life’s turning points and complications. I call Colette the next Dr. Maya Angelou. I don’t say this lightly. I mean it with my heart and my soul. Let Butterflies Dance in the Rain take you to higher spheres. Follow Colette on her journey here:

https://www.facebook.com/cocopoet1

To Colette: Next time, look up into the clouds. I am sure Maya would be proud of you. Perhaps she’ll put a rainbow in your clouds.

Love,

Barbara

 

Copyright © 2015 by Barbara Bullock

Photo credit © 2015 by Colette V. Paul

Works cited:

Paul, Colette V. Butterflies Dance in the Rain. Atlanta : Southern Butterfly Publishing , 2015. Book .

https://www.facebook.com/butterfliesdanceintherain

https://www.facebook.com/cocopoet1

Dr. Maya Angelou www.mayaangelou.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barbara-Bullock/277533425653786

#ColetteVPaul #Poems #Poetry #Soul #Love #Writer #Review #MayaAngelou #ButterfliesDanceintheRain #butterfly #butterflies #rain #dance #poet

All views and opinions expressed in this review and other posts are purely personal views of the author Barbara Bullock. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of any person mentioned. My blogs are for information/entertainment only and are not meant to replace any spiritual, psychological, medical or legal advice.