Inspiration From a Stranger (Music by Yanni)
Until the Last Moment
Words can transform us
More than two decades ago, a friend passed me a page from a magazine and said simply, "I know you'll appreciate this." Thanking her, I placed it in my pocket as I hurried back to my office.
It wasn't until after five hours of verbal sparring, and some researching, that I kicked off my shoes and reached for my cold coffee. Another day, another headache.....let me see, what was that Denise handed me?........I began to read the crinkled page........
After awhile you learn, the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning and company doesn't mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promises.
And you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead, with the grace of a woman, not the pout of a child.
And you learn to build all your roads on today, because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans.....And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.
After awhile, you learn that even sunshine burns if you bask too long. So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn.....that you really can endure, that you really are strong, and you really do have worth.
And you learn......and you learn......with every good-bye......you learn.........
I was thoroughly entranced by the words I had just read, I wanted more. But all that was left was one bottom line, in parenthesis......(Norah......an anonymous woman in a Massachusetts prison)
Twenty plus years later, I vividly recall the thoughts that entered my mind. I recall unexpected emotion at that moment. I read it again.....and again.
I wanted to know this stranger named Norah, and so, I envisioned her. Imagining her, I could speak to her. The Norah of my imagination looked like so many young women I knew, even me. Her words, echoed words I'd heard before, softly uttered within my head. I felt her despair and confinement of a prison, yet the awareness and audacity to empower herself with hope and wisdom.
I found myself needing to confess that I was consumed by a self-imposed prison for many years. I began to accept that I myself may hold the key to be freed from this nightmare. But like a woman who had been confined, whose heart had been wrapped and placed aside, I feared liberation into a world of living with freedom.
And so, I saw that Norah was you and she was me. I could boldly ask her how a woman of such eloquent words and profound dreams, would be sharing her knowledge through steel bars from a cold, damp prison. I would ask her if she found a sense of self-worth and consciousness of purpose by pitting her soul against her memories of the depths of hell. Is it only while in darkness, we search for light? I could hear Norah's voice as she spoke to me.
"I sense your curiosity and feel your need to understand my circumstance. I see confusion in your eyes, yet compassion for my tortured soul. I believe my words have awakened the dormant desires of the woman within you. It frightens you to see how real she truly is.
You must not cry for me. I am building a stairway from Hell toward freedom once more. I prepare now to live again, protected by all the truths of life I have learned. I am finally strong enough to embrace the realness and wholeness of my being.
You have been where I am, where I have been and where I am going. You have fallen and broken and felt pain. You ran beyond your imagination and have seen through the veil of denial. All this and far more we can know if our hearts are softened and our eyes wide open.
Yes, Norah......we learn to plant our own garden and decorate our own soul.....and we learn that we are strong and really can endure. We have worth and we learn....and we learn.....
..
Never Feel Lonely
© 2011 Paula
Comments
Was locked up for six months once. I think it was last 3 of 2002, and first 3 of 2003. Wasn't so bad, but then again 6 months isn't so long. I bet I spent at least 12 hrs/day reading. Sharpening the old sword, you know.
Thankfully, Norah has found the inner strength she will need to endure prison. Her words are truly an allegory for life.
On another note: Is it your birthday? If so, I wish you a joyful new year of life!
This is in my news feed again....I emailed you. I agree that it's a beautiful message.
What a beautiful message, Paula. Norah is very wise, despite her place in life. I guess she had plenty of time to reflect and redirect.
Love that you chose Yanni. I've seen him in concert four times. He's amazing!
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Paula, my friend,
Flattering as it sounds--no, I don't think I'll write such a book. Namely, awakening is not for everybody. Those who are willing and ready will find their "awakening call" in a hub or two--and for those who are not, a whole library is not enough.
People love their comfort zone even when it's hurting them. Addictions come in many expressions. And then their truth sounds like a very loud alarm clock--something to be silenced in a hurry.
In my case, it would translate to a book covered with a lot o dust.
But I do appreciate the praise. Well, who wouldn't recognize a big and generous heart behind it. -- Hugs, Val
Dear Paula,
I am agog that I've not read this before - so happy you shared again with us.
We never know when or where a piece of life's wisdom will fall into our life. Norah's life perspective is certainly applicable to us all.
And you know you can't go wrong with Yanni for inspiration.
Love you and have a peaceful day, Maria
Hello Paula,
In her quest for inner freedom, your Stranger wanted to say that there are "bars of interpretation" separating us, and we can't be free by removing those bars--but within our prison cell giving to ourselves what we expect from those on the other side of the bars.
Thus, by "begging for attention" we are knocking on the wrong doors. Others interpret us using their own, personalized tools of understanding, and to them we are merely distorted mirrors of themselves.
And what appears as our "prison cell" is our own neglected inner world. It looks empty--because we have allowed our consciousness to be a Stranger in it. And it appears full of pain because we have allowed our vulnerable ego - our tormentor - to run our inner show.
Your Stranger's story is filled with metaphor-- and it's a liberating one.Be well, my friend. Always your friend Val.
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Hello Paula - I see that I missed the first publication date. What a strong message. Your podium should reach many more. In a slanted system, where the playing field is skewed, the earlier this message is realized, the better. With a bit of work, this could be a college course. Yes indeed, plant your own garden, there is plenty of manure around.
Look at the names in the comment section, Sis. It's like a Whos Who of HubPages. God I miss some of those people. The Golden Age of HP right here.
And yes, this is a beautiful message. How come I didn't comment before? Did we not know each other six years ago? How would I not know my sister? It doesn't make sense.
Welcome to my world!
Hugs, Sis, and love always
bill
This is beautiful Paula from start to finish, top to bottom and the dedication, is the cherry on top!
Hiya Paula, my friend said to me many years ago 'We make our own prisons' and I was totally gobsmacked! she was right! and I have never forgotten that saying, the same way that you remember the above, amazing isn't it? always good to see you!
I agree, Yanni is a craftsman. Sad his mush with the Mash Miss didn't hold together, but I will bet she and his mother had a love and respect for each other which survived. The music filled my composition space on this snowy, winter day.
Great wisdom, and Norah was able to share it and make a difference in the world even from her prison cell. I wonder if everyone who writes online realizes the power they have and how easily their words can be read around the world within minutes. With the Internet the ripples go much further and there's no telling what affect one's words may have on people we will never know, how their thinking or their lives may be affected, and who they will share our ideas and thoughts and words with. The keyboard, like the pen before it, can be a mighty and powerful thing . . .
Pinned to Awesome HubPages, Posted on FB. Sharing with followers. I love Yanni. He's a musical genius. Hope you are having a great day!
A little bird told me it is your birthday! Who am I kidding...I don't need a bird to tell me...Happy Birthday my Effer!!
Isn't it funny how we all have to learn these truths for ourselves? Maybe the reason it takes some of us so long is that with time we are also building strength. If we knew all these things at the beginning of our journey we might be overwhelmed or afraid, but as we gain strength through experience we also gain knowledge and wisdom, one day at a time.
A wonderful first article. Voted up, BUI, also shared.
THIS was a magnificent piece of writing! I once met a stranger who said something to me that changed my entire life. I never got her name, but I will never forget her.
Inpiration can come from anywhere...enjoyed this. Thanks!
I'm actually watching the Golden Globes. It's very entertaining even though Keith Urban lost to Adele for motion picture song. It's ok, he's way better looking;)
Your first hub! You've come a long way Effer and you keep on getting better and better!! Woohooo to YOU!!
Only one word needed here:Brilliant!!!!
Eddy.
This was a fascinating read. We go through life seeing glimpses of what could be and what can be.
You comment
'Is it only while in darkness, we search for light?'
Seems to be the truth of it, in my experience.
When life is burbling along we can miss so much. Only when something diverts this flow, do we see alternate states of being. That we could take.
Voted up and 4/5 buttons.
Great hub, Paula. I really enjoyed it. It often takes a half a life-time or more for some of us to find the woman within -- and when we do the energy and love we feel for her is powerful. Femininity is not the weaker, it is the epitome of womanhood and the power of the soul that brings into our balance with others. May you always walk in peace and harmony.
This hub reminds me that each day is a fresh day and yesterday should be forgotten. I agree with the sentiment that, "you learn to build all your roads on today, because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans.....And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight."
This is a truly inspirational message and i love the story of how you came upon it. there is so much wisdom in those words and eve though we don't know exactly how this came to be, the message lives on, thanks to your beautifully written hub, Paula. Glad I read this.
I believe the note could be the greatest gift that we can share it with the ones we love.. .and yes, with strangers too.
God bless,
I loved this. I used to find it hard to get my head round why certain people have a profound effect on you despite only talking to you once. Yet others, you see day in day out but make no impression on you in any way. It's a funny old world! There are so many people out there that frankly disappoint me in terms of their behaviour and attitudes, it restores your faith in human nature when you meet a kindred spirit. Fabulous first hub!
According to the Hindu World View, word is God, what ever is expressed through words, always influence people. Your words are sublime, sometimes ethereal, and very sonorous to ears.
There is profound depth in your writing.
Wow. Powerful words. Those words were actually written by someone in prison? Amazing. Talk about accepting one's circumstances and coming to grips with it. Glad I came across this one! Many votes. Beautiful!
fpherj48,
This is a double mind-blowing night—first the story is remarkable from a woman in prison reaching out in an effort to help others---maybe because no one helped her---a repented Angel---climbing the steps of freedom.
And then this your first hub—after I have seen that pretty smiling face all over HubPages, I am astounded, and happy I am commenting on your first hub.
Your Hub Friend,
Bobbi
Stories like this always make me feel warm and fuzzy. The Universe seems to be very good at orchestrating a set of circumstances perfectly in order for us to be inspired in just the right way. Thank you for sharing Norah's words and your vision of her. Well done. Voted up and beautiful.
That would be so cool to have Norah stumble upon this awesome hub!
Stranger things have happened...
Wow, this was your first hub? I'm very impressed by your creativity, and you've done Norah a service by spreading her beautiful words even further. Do you think she knew, all those years ago, that her words and thoughts would continue to be spread and to help people decades later?
I found those very profound words in print a couple of decades ago and was, like you, inspired by them. Over the years, I've shared them more times than I can recall with other women who seemed to be going through rough times in their lives or needed more self-esteem.
Very good hub. Welcome to Hubpages....Jaye
Very nicely done....Norah wrote some powerful words...my favorite would be Kisses are not contracts and presents are not promises.....like others have commented you can learn lots from a stranger....great hub and even more impressive great first hub.
^ how awesome is that!
Hello friend!
I used to live on Huckleberry Finn Drive which was off of Mark Twain Blvd. I gained alot of wisdom living there for 11 years :)
(I'm serious, it's a residential community in Orlando)
That's a great saying :)
What wonderful lines of wisdom shared on that piece of paper. We should all learn to incorporate those words and feelings into our daily lives. Welcome to HubPages!
Congratulations on publishing your first hub. Outstanding! I've learned so much from strangers and they'll never know it. A good friend of mine reminds me almost daily, to "pay it forward" and that's my mission to continue to give back as my thanks to all the strangers that have inspired me. Thank you for your wisdom :)
Haha, maybe it's our small town girl roots, that make us friendly and less cautious. I know my town was pretty safe, so I sometimes forget all of the violence in bigger cities.
I think strangers offer THE BEST inspiration. I've always said the best advice comes from the person you'd least expect to say it. & Strangers just offer this viewpoint that's different, from the people you normally see and hangout with. It's a wonderful thing, and it's a shame that we have to be so cautious about strangers and violence these days, otherwise who knows, the world could be a different, more friendly place.
Thanks for sharing :D
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