challenging – Rebel with kindness

Language is a diverse communication in my home.

From a child who takes everything literally to one who only listens when it suits him.

Diverse is interesting but at times it’s so frustrating.

Ever asked a child to take to their earphones upstairs only to later find them literally up the stairs. It wasn’t disobedience I hadn’t asked her to put them into her bedroom had I ?

Or found yourself repeating yourself numerous times to a child who has decided to switch off simply because he doesn’t care for what you are saying?

Diverse, different, challenging

Yes I guess you could say this.

Also not all our language is in the spoken form a variety of written cues and makaton a form of sign language is used too.

Language is a fascinating thing and as a lover of words I find beauty in the sound of certain words as they fly across the air.

I love the art of poetry creating images in prose. Transporting me to different places, different times.

The entrapment of a story which takes you into the world of make believe.

I adore the language of love, those heart felt words spoken in a tone only shared between two lovers.

Or that sweet gentle tone of a parent to a child. The language of compassion.

Language is unique to each and everyone of us.

Words the same but spoken in a way that is truly only ours.

Diversity of language can be found in countries, cultures, religions.

Language can be found in many forms.

These days it’s less verbal than ever as we send millions of texts from our mobiles.

Or emails from our computers.

Yet nothing is so special as that face to face three simple words. That has span across generations.

Those three simple elegant beautiful words that make our hearts sore.

I love you.

The best language of them all.

The language of love

So as today is International Woman’s day I’ve been thinking about women who have inspired me.

Now I apologise to mom’s’ Nans and aunts out there but I’m talking this time about women who we don’t know, who we aren’t related too.

Women we dream of meeting.

These are my top three inspirational women who have in someway may a difference to my life.

Maya Angelou
Mother Teresa
Mary The mother of Jesus

Now why Maya Angelou? I could just simply write its just the beauty and raw honestly of her writing that inspires me. I first read her first book “I know why the cage bird sings ” when I was a teenager it changed me then as it does every time I read it.

Yet it’s her audaciousness to change pre-conceptions and her dedication to civi-rights violations that brings my admiration to such great levels.

This is one inspirational lady.

Then we have Mother Teresa, do I really have to explain why I find this lady inspirational. This quiet unassuming nun has been the salvation of so many. In the slums of India she has nursed, cared, fed the poor and worked so tirelessly for the improvement of their lives.

If this wasn’t enough this wonderful lady has written the most beautiful heartfelt words that I have ever read. Her devotion to God is something I inspire to and all this is without mentioning her nobel prize.

My last choice today (all though these woman are in no particular order. ) Is Mary the mother of Jesus.

Now I have written about Mary before, my reverence for the mother of Jesus is something I openly discuss.

For me it’s wasn’t that God chose her to be Jesus mothers though that is certainly an honour. No for me it was her courage to say yes.

Mary knew that her family would shun her, the whole town would judge her. Even her husband to be, yet still she said yes.

She also knew that the son she brought into this world was never going to be leading a normal life, she feared for him but still stood by his side.

Her strength of faith is something I admire so much.

Though beyond remembering women who have inspired us, International Women’s Day is so much more.

It’s a day of remembering the inspirational women we wish to be.

Inspiring us to be the best moms we can be, the best wives, girlfriends etc.

The best friends, colleagues, neighbours etc etc.

Inspiring us to take steps to change the world, stand together to fight poverty, famine and human rights violations.

Times are changing and as women of today we have a voice.

Let it be heard

So happy International Women’s day to every woman in the world you are all inspirational.