In memory

Life like water can stream and stop. 

Yesterday I celebrated the start of my life and I feel gratefull as many remembered the day.

I spend this day of birth with some dear friends here in Holland.

Together we shared a piece of cake in honor of my life.

Together too we shared thoughts and emotions.  

Emotions of joy and  grief, laughter and sadness.

Thoughts of life and death while remembering the life of a man called Aat.

His earthly life force had left him Wednesday last and Saturday his body was cremated.

He was a gentle quiet man. He was a person to rely on.

His family and others came to him for advise which he provided gladly.

He  would explain what could happen if they chose this or that without pushing them towards a certain direction.  He left the responsibility where it belonged; with them.

I felt special these last few days to listen to stories, to share emotions  and memories; to be part of such love and to experience that love flowing freely.

I feel proud to have known him and to have shared my birthday with him and his dear ones.

His body has left but his consciousness, his energy has been and will be shared as life streams.

Ladies in Malaysia and Kuwait

In Malaysia a group of Muslim women say they will fight divorce, domestic violence and other problems  by appealing to wives to be more obedient.

In Kuwait a female political activist and former parliamentary candidate has recommended the legislation to the provision of enslaved female concubines for Muslim men in Kuwait. In a bid, she says, to protect those men from committing adultery or corruption.

When I read this my mind went  ????????

Bewilderment  is a word what comes up.

But let me see if I can understand what these ladies are aiming at.

The ladies, like all of us are influenced through nature and nurture.

Men and women are born out of women and unconsciously the child is influenced from the beginning.

We are influenced through our character, our thoughts, beliefs, emotions, feelings, our upbringing, parents, siblings, family, loved ones, teachers, institutions, rules, laws, circumstances etc. etc.

To me it looks like the ladies in Malaysia and Kuwait are searching for ways to experience stable loving relationships . The lady in Kuwait specifies protection.

All seem to look for a ways to undo hurt and harm.

All turn to other women to look for a solution.

In a way they seem to believe other women are holding the key to change.

They suggest that other women need to make a difference.

It seems they forgot to look at themselves.  Did they lose their ability to make a difference themselves or don't they know how? 

I like to tell these ladies that they are right when suggesting women can make a change.

Yes ladies in Malaysia and in Kuwait…..you can!

It takes courage, trust and respect.

Yes change is needed!

It starts by keeping condemnations at distance.

It starts through sharing experiences of love, harm and hurt. By saying out loud what is bothering the heart, mind and body.  

It starts through comparison of  ideas and beliefs. Not only of people you like and know but of others too. 

It starts through asking questions and through listening.

It starts by taking responsibility for words and deeds.

It needs standing up for one self and to support one another.

It needs to look the fear in the eyes!

Yes ladies you can create love and protection. Please start!

Articles :

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/International/2011/Jun-04/Malaysian-women-launch-The-Obedient-Wife-Club.ashx#axzz1OH3n3w48

http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MzQxNDA4NDA2