Mary Graziano shared Michal Madison Art

DARE GREATLY

Learn to be proud of your authentic, messy, self.
It’s who you are, even when you feel lost
within yourself thinking you are a failure!!
Failure can be turned around,
empowering you to keep going.
A challenge, to change. Accept it!!
Make it a turning point to who you really are.
Never mask your authenticity,
show your genuine self.
Never be afraid to feel, to speak up.
Say what you mean without trepidation.
With courage, to be heard for what you believe in!!
Our world, often saturated with chaos.
Being optimistic, you achieve, having tenacity
to persevere through the bumps in the road of life!!
By showing love for yourself first, only then
can you guide others to find love within themselves.
Our lives, often messy, never perfect.
It’s impossible!!
We all have imperfections. Not one person
is better than another. Our Creator
made us unique for a reason.
Our imperfections show us who we truly are.
Empowering others, showing them how
accepting of ourselves we are. In turn,
they too may learn to accept their genuine self.
Demonstrate respect for others, listening to their views
never tearing it apart!!
Words are like a jigsaw puzzle, can be broken
apart by hate, or put back together
solidly, bringing love, understanding,
hope to the world!!
One word can change the whole meaning.
Learn to be proud of your vulnerabilities.
Dare greatly, be yourself.
Authentic, Messy, Imperfect!!

There is so much hatred in this world, we lost kindness and love, two great virtues, but all the world is in turmoil. We must stop hatred, begin to love again, bring serenity back into our world, or we will forever lose it. 

What this world of ours needs is more love. We live in a world where hate dominates. A world filled with hatred for others. Whether it be race, religion, sex, gender. Seems everyone has something to say!!! Why can’t we live in peace, harmony, with love all around us?  Is that a “fairy tale?” Does it not exist any longer? 

Hatred does sneer at love.  Children learn almost from birth to hate.  And it’s not their fault, it’s a learned behaviour that needs to change.  In some parts of the world, children are handed a machine gun, learn how to kill, learn that they are the superior race.  Innocent children are killed, told they will be martyres. They are brainwashed so badly, will this ever change? 

How do we spread love? One way is to start at home, sharing with your child the meaning of love, that we should all love one another, not hate someone because of the way they look, the colour of their skin, the ethnic background, their sexual orientation,  etc.  Children learn this at an early age, when going to school, they will sneer at someone because they look different, they learn to judge others, this usually happens when they are with their peers.  

We are such a diverse society now.  We need to learn to get along with each other, to learn to love each others cultures, and those coming into our countries need to learn to adjust to our culture, not change it for their purposes.  This has caused so much hatred among cities, countries. it needs to stop!!! Let’s wipe out hatred!!!!…Mary Graziano©

     Uniqueness is a wonderful thing. Can you imagine if we were all the same in this world? Nothing was different about us?  We all looked the same, had the same qualities, shared the same beliefs.  How boring would that be?

     I think that society needs to realize that there is a void in our world. The void; not enough love. Not enough compassion, Loving one another.  Reaching out to each other, having compassion, giving of oneself, Showing empathy, having faith in mankind.  Where and when did we start losing this? Where did we go wrong?

     There is so much hatred in all parts of the world, especially of late.  Is that the way things are going?  Are we as a human society beginning hate more? Believing that hate is deserving, because of someone’s nationality, religion, ethnic background.  The colour of one’s skin, who one loves?  Why does it matter? Our world has changed drastically because of this ideology. Racism, which covers, race, creed, sexual orientation etc., is one problem that is persistent in so many parts of the world.  We need to feel deep within our souls. Remembering that we are all in this world, supposedly to make it a better place. But we are destroying one another with all this hatred felt by so many.

     Prejudice attitudes bring with it ignorance and fear. So much is based on not having the knowledge of what another nation per say is all about. People are too quick to judge. This judgment brings with it stereotyping because we are so often not caring enough to find out about who one person or group of persons really are. We ignore the real picture, we tend not to care because they are different!!! All of this leads to discrimination.

     I guess it is a normal human response to have some sort of prejudice, whether it be racial, sexual, or other, because of one person or race being different than you. But does it make it right? No!!! Not in this day and age. I thought we had become far more accepting of others. It saddens me to see that this is not the case. Wars are fought today because of these differences. One nation wanting to take over all other nations. Life is too short to feel hatred for another.

     We are all unique.  Individuals. No one is better than the other, not in our Creator’s eyes. Not in my eyes either.  When we hear about all the violence in the world, for most of us it makes us sad. Violence tears lives apart, violence is hatred, violence ends discussions of peace, violence is like a weed, thriving, growing, can’t be stopped!! We must learn to love again, stand up for all the injustice in this world. Our Creator is a loving God, wanting us to love one another, not tear each other apart. 

     In closing, I would just like to say that kindness within society, within our world overall, could change how we see things. It can bring hope to the world, to humanity. This world might just become a little more positive, and a far better place to live in.  Let’s learn to embrace each other with love, compassion, kindness overall goes a long way.

Written by Mary Graziano©                                                 June, 2016

     In the wake of all that happened in Orlando Florida, I as a Canadian am saddened by all that took place. What gets into the mind of in this case an individual, to go inside an establishment, and start shooting at random, killing and injuring innocent people!!

     Friends out with friends, couples out together with other couples, enjoying a great evening of dancing etc. What gives a person the right to take another’s life?  Where is their conscience?  Certainly not where it should be, caring and having love for their fellow human beings.  I just can’t wrap my head around, all the senseless killings that have taken place.  It happens here in Canada, but not as often as it does in the U.S. and other parts of the world.  Here in Canada we have stringent gun control, and yes, if someone wants to get a gun they can.  

     There have been many reasons stated in the media about why this young man chose to gun down innocent people.  Doesn’t matter, what he did was wrong.  The colour of our skin, our races, our sexual orientation, should not matter.  We are all God’s children, we don’t have that right to kill another human being because we don’t like that they are White, Black, Asian, Iranian, etc. or that they are gay, lesbian, straight, bisexual, etc. Who cares!!! That is their choice and we should respect it. The colour of our skin should make no bearing on how we feel for another human being. Like my prose says, we all bleed the same.  Colour is just colour, it’s what’s on the inside, in our hearts, our souls that  matter most!!!

     There are good people and bad people in this world and there always will be.  Good and bad in all races, religions, sexes, it doesn’t matter, and it doesn’t give ANYONE the right to gun down another  human being in cold blood!!! They are someones, son, daughter, cousin, aunt, uncle, husband, wife, lover!!!! We are humans, let’s start acting like it. Let’s bring more love into this world, subtract hate, all it does is bring more hatred.

     Our world is crumbling all around us.  Hatred spews out everywhere.  You see it on the news, read about it, see it first hand.  What kind of an affect is this going to have on the next generation?  If we don’t turn things around, our children’s children are going to continue this hatred for others, the world will not last.

     We have forgotten how to love, how to be kind, how to live harmoniously with each other.  Our diversity, is so unique, makes us all different,  can teach us how to live in peace, not live with being afraid to walk down the street because you are different.  

     Feel it in your heart and soul, don’t hate others, because someone tells you you should or that what they do is wrong.  Let us all unite together.  Bring back peace, diversity.  Our differences make us who we are.  Let sameness prevail over differences. 

How can anyone expect to help a child be free from their abuser if you turn a blind eye and pretend that it didn’t happen, that it doesn’t pertain to you, you say “let someone else worry about it.”

 I’m sorry, but it affects all of us.  We as adults need to be vigilant in children.  Just because it isn’t your children, or family member doesn’t mean you can forget about it.  If you know that a child has been abused, or you suspect it, you have a duty to that child to report abuse.  If it turns out to be false, that’s okay, because you will feel better knowing you did something.  If it turns out to be true, again you have saved a child from abuse, may have saved their life.  All these things help children of abuse.  They are often silent in fear, or have been told that they better not say anything or their are consequences.  An abuser will traumatize a child into silence!!!

In this day and age where abuse has come out into the spot light, you would think that more people would stand up for the rights of a child, be there for them, but those blinders are still on, I’m afraid..But how many times do you see animal abuse in the forefront?and right away people jump on it and are appalled at what abuse an animal has gone through.  T.V. Stations have commercials for animal abuse.  I love animals and I am also appalled at what someone does to an animal, but please remember, humans come first.  Why is not enough done to show that children are being abused?  People often say they don’t want to see disturbing pictures of children.  But they look at these types of pictures of animals..How does that make sense?  It is time, to take off those blinders, stand up for the rights of children.  They need us., we need to stop the abuser from hurting another child.  By turning a blind eye, the abuser often gets away with it.Shame on us!!!! HELP STOP ABUSE!!!! OF AN INNOCENT CHILD!!!

Tomorrow, May 8, 2016 is Mother’s Day.  It is suppose to be a happy day, where many embrace their mother’s love, celebrate that love with them.  How many won’t be able to do just that?  How many did’nt receive a mother’s love?  Too many to count!!! As children we look up to our mothers, look for encouragement, understanding, a feeling of being wanted.  Wanting nothing more than the love of a Mother. Their kind touch, hug, kiss.  Many children didn’t or will not ever know that kind of love.  Living in a world of abuse, a world they have known all their lives.  Suffering often in silence.  Being neglected in many ways. Emotional, physical, sexual abuse is devastating to a child.

When a mother emotionally abuses you as a child, it leaves a scar inside of you that may never heal.  We carry that scar with us from childhood to adulthood.  Words spoken are ingrained into us, we never forget.  How can a mother do this, seemingly not caring for her child. A child she gave birth to?  Even a child she adopted as an infant.  I was one of those children. Adopted at 6 months of age, supposed to be loved.  Told I was “special” because they chose me.  I didn’t feel loved.  I don’t ever remember being hugged, or told “I love you.”  That hurts, and still hurts.  My mother is now deceased, and have now forgiven her in the past year. I will never know if she truly loved me.  Always being put down, told “You will never amount to anything!!” This hurts.  Although I hid it inside me growing up, pretended that all was fine in our family, but it was a dysfunctional family, like so many who lived their lives the same way.  My mother never knowing about the incest that went on, or did she know? Didn’t care, turn a blind eye?  These are things I will never know, others may never know either.  

Living a life of pretending, that all was okay in our family to the people on the outside. I hid it well, as so many other children did and do. All we want was a mothers love but often only got yelled at for every little thing. Yet, I still needed to hear her words of praise, her words of love. Telling me I did a good job. Sadly, so many children face this every day.  It saddens my heart to know what these kids are going through.  Abuse will happen even on Mother’s day.  We can’t stop abuse, but we can help by seeing the signs, not turning a blind eye.  A child has a right to feel happy, to feel the love of a mother.

I write this not for me. I have moved on and yes the hurt still lingers, but I am in a good place now.  I write this for all those who are still in a dark place in their lives, who need to know that there are others out there who know what they are going through, who care, and want them to know that they are not alone.                                                                                                           Mary Graziano                                                                               copyrighted May 2016…

A MOTHER’S LOVE

To be a mother, God’s greatest gift
To cherish a child for life.
Our Creator blessed you to care for them
Never abusing, hurting, to neglect.
A mother is a mentor, to shape a child’s life.
Not hate, ridicule, ignore them.
That is not the way it should be.
A mother is their shining star.
Someone a child looks up to.
To be held in their arms, told “I love you.”
Bringing comfort, as they go to sleep.
No mother should ever humiliate.
Break a child’s spirit in any way.
Their child will carry this forever.
A heart that will be broken,
Sometimes never to be repaired.
Children are our special gift
Loaned from Creator above.
To always love, cherish, protect.
A mother love a child’s wanting gift.

Prose by Mary Graziano
Copyrighted May 7, 2016

Mary Shared Michal Madison Art

http://www.MichalMadisonArt.com

Creativity has helped many of us heal, both on the inside and outside.  So many survivors are able to express themselves through the arts, whether it be painting, writing, music.  It’s a way to express ourselves.  Giving us a chance to finally have a voice. A voice that was silent for so many years.  WE are now able to come out from the shadows of the past, feeling positive in ourselves, in our feelings.  The negatives that we felt for so long, can now subside within our minds.  Many survivors as children only heard negativity.  Often told they would amount to nothing.  Are stupid, worthless!!! Their minds believed this.  Never believing in themselves.

Now as adults, so many survivors know that this is not true.  It is far from the truth. Their abuser wanted them to believe this. Knowing that they could keep you in the dark.  Afraid to tell!!!

Being able to change their mindset, brings about a fulfillment within themselves.  A chance to fulfill their dreams. Believing in their dreams. Of leading a life with so many possibilities for a better tomorrow. The arts gave them that outlet, to use their voices not by words per say, but by creating what they felt inside…..By Healing Through Creativity!!!!                                                                                                                               Mary Graziano                                                                                                                                           Copyrighted                                                                                                                                                  May 1, 2016                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

SADLY ~ HE CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE

He stood outside the school that day.
Scared. So all alone!!
His heart beats fast. He contemplates.
What’s going. To happen next.
Slowly. He trudged up the steps. Of the school.
He peered. Inside the door.
Kids were running. Down the hall.
With a deep breath. He walked inside.
Slowly. He trudged. Head bent down
He felt so very lost.
Unsure of himself. No knowing. Where to go.
Kids stared. Pointed. Laughed. At him.
Tears filled his big brown eyes.
A bigger boy. Comes up to him.
Pushes. Kicks him hard!!
He falls against the lockers.
His head. It hits the ground.
“This is my school.” The bully said.
He laughs. As he kicks him again!!
His face turned white. Much pain he felt. Painfully. Got up. From the ground.
He just couldn’t take. Much more of this.
Every school. He went to. A bully would hound him down.
Home that night. Sad. Depressed. He locked his bedroom door.
Shaking. He wondered why. He was a bully’s target.
No longer could he take it. Sadly. He had had enough!! His will to live. Was gone.
Tears clouded his eyes. As he wrote.
“Dear Mom and Dad I’m sorry.
I can’t take this any-more.
Bullies are always hurting me. Thought. I could take care of it myself.
Didn’t want to worry you both. Goodbye.
To the angels I go.”
Prose by Mary Graziano©
September 10, 2013

Revised April 11, 2016
Children can sometimes, only take so much. Feeling they are targets of bullies, for some reason. No matter how many schools they go to, their lives become a living hell. Some feel suicide is their only resort. They can’t talk to anyone because of retaliation by the person bullying them.
We need to see the warning signs. Learn about them. Whether you are a parent, teacher, friend, whoever. If a child isolates him/herself, talks about suicide, gives away their possessions, are loners, depressed, these are signs that must be taken seriously.
Talk openly to your child about feelings. Reassuring them that they CAN talk to you about anything. Don’t dismiss what they say, LISTEN, you may just save a life. It may be the life of your very own child!!                                       mgraziano©