✨ Wednesday Whisper 7/20/22
Jul 19, 2022
And hello to July! Summer reminds me of cloud watching. 🌤
I remember this:
July 15, 1971, was a Thursday. This day sticks in my mind because I was gazing at the sky and it saved me from running away from home.
It was the last school day before the summer break and promised freedom. I feared the school; it felt like burning in hell all year. The nuns had their laser focus on four girls because we didn’t look or act like good girls.
In their opinion, our behavior was disrespectful. We loved The Beatles and mini skirts. They demanded chastity. The skin was a sin.
When the head nurse, Sister Theophana, again demanded that I come to her office, I only felt one thing - fear. The slap in the face burned holes in my soul. The letter to my dad commending him to her office meant more punishments.
But instead of celebrating the two-month, summer break, I felt furious. Sister Theophana called me out and spat her garlicky breath at me like a shotgun: "Berg," she hissed, "this is your last chance to graduate next year. I expect you to write a one-page essay about how you helped in the house daily.”
Berg is my maiden name. She only called the good girls by their first names. And it got worse: "Here's the letter to your dad. He needs to sign your homework daily."
I was afraid. My dad didn't tolerate misbehavior.
I biked hard on my way home to get rid of the anger. I fantasized about where I'd escape, leaving this hell forever.
My mom had lunch ready at home, and God had mercy, my dad was already gone working a night shift.
My mom understood. I can still see her put the letter into the pocket of her apron: “I’ll take care of it later.” And then she did an unusual thing as she spread a blanket in the yard: "Let's count clouds."
As simple as this. I don’t remember my mom ever taking a break like this in the afternoon.
My fear, fury, and frustration eased. Having an ally and counting clouds did its magic.
EVEN THOUGH IT’S BEEN 51 YEARS NOW, I REMEMBER THAT SKY AND HOW WONDERFUL I FELT JUST TO BE THERE. OUR BRAIN STORES INFORMATION RECEIVED THROUGH OUR SENSES. MORE SO IF IT HAS A STRONG EMOTIONAL CONNECTION.
What can you do?
Ease your sense of sight.
Our sense of seeing is critically overused. And because of it, our sensory system is out of balance, which adds to our daily stress and anxiety.
Let your eyes see beauty today and collect Tiny Joys delivered from the sky:
🌴Tiny Island - Enjoy Clouds
Pause. Close your eyes. Relax. Breathe.
Look at the sky.
Be in awe like you have never seen a sky before.
What colors or shapes are the clouds wearing today?
Look in all directions. See colors and shapes.
Now close your eyes and rest them for a few moments.
Create a new memory in your brain and heart!
If you like my Whispers, please share them with your friends; you never know whose lives are changed by being inspired by them.
Much love always,
Manuela 🐘✨🌴
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