What are you made of?
Wikipedia provides the following description of silk:
Silk has a smooth, soft texture that is not slippery... Silk is one of the strongest natural fibers, but it loses up to 20% of its strength when wet. It has a good moisture regain of 11%. Its elasticity is moderate to poor: if elongated even a small amount, it remains stretched.
Oh dear, how many of us can say that we are smooth – yet not slippery – and made of the strongest of fibers? Speaking for myself – because I’ve learned that is the only person for whom I can speak – I declare that I’ve had my silky moments, but I’ve also had my rough, slimy, and weak moments.
But ups and downs in life are normal, aren’t they? So, I would say I am doing just fine, and I bet you are as well, or you are on your way there.
We all have different catalysts that stoke our fire, improve our circumstantial flexibility, and get us going again, and what works for one person may not work for another. Our individual needs are different so the panacea will be equally as different.
The best elixir is the one that works.
I am still figuring out what that might look like while knowing that a cure-all isn’t really a cure-all but a benefit in the moment. I will therefore continue to seek individual moments that build me up going forward, hoping the effects will be lasting, and not just momentary.
Silk has a smooth, soft texture that is not slippery... Silk is one of the strongest natural fibers, but it loses up to 20% of its strength when wet. It has a good moisture regain of 11%. Its elasticity is moderate to poor: if elongated even a small amount, it remains stretched.
Oh dear, how many of us can say that we are smooth – yet not slippery – and made of the strongest of fibers? Speaking for myself – because I’ve learned that is the only person for whom I can speak – I declare that I’ve had my silky moments, but I’ve also had my rough, slimy, and weak moments.
But ups and downs in life are normal, aren’t they? So, I would say I am doing just fine, and I bet you are as well, or you are on your way there.
- I’ve been stretched to my limits when my circumstantial elasticity has been challenged, yet I’ve also purposefully stretched myself and discovered abilities and attributes long forgotten, or never before experienced, and was better off as a result.
- Strength is relative. One can be physically strong, and/or one can have an unbendable constitution and be able to endure hardships under which the rest of us would succumb. At least for the hardship aspect, I’ve done my share of overcoming, not just succumbing. No doubt the same can be said for you.
- My hopes have been greatly dashed during my life, but a fire was lit underneath me that sufficiently increased that hope quotient to where the thought of giving up was just a thought, and not an action.
We all have different catalysts that stoke our fire, improve our circumstantial flexibility, and get us going again, and what works for one person may not work for another. Our individual needs are different so the panacea will be equally as different.
- Whether we immerse ourselves in the company of others or separate ourselves for a time – if we are built up in the process, that solution is the right solution.
- If we choose a spiritual path – however that may look – perhaps we do so, knowing that openness to what is needed directly affects the benefits we receive.
- And of this I am absolutely certain: when I give to others, even though my well is utterly dry, I become richer and healthier as a person.
The best elixir is the one that works.
I am still figuring out what that might look like while knowing that a cure-all isn’t really a cure-all but a benefit in the moment. I will therefore continue to seek individual moments that build me up going forward, hoping the effects will be lasting, and not just momentary.
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Irene Frances Olson
Author of Requiem for the status quo, a novel that celebrates and encourages family caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. You can find that book HERE. In her second novel, A Jagged Journey, Ms. Olson encourages all who have ever hit speedhumps and roadblocks in their personal life, whose opinions and judgments about others may have taken abrupt and unexpected turns, to evolve and arrive at a place where hurt begets joy, where smarts don’t necessarily equate to intelligence, and vulnerability guarantees increased strength. Seems impossible, doesn’t it? Her new novel will make a believer out of you. Ms. Olson authors a blog, www.babyboomersandmore.com, a multi-aged community of diverse interests that is also known as Living: the ultimate team sport. Her weekly contributions have been enjoyed by readers for more than ten years. |
