Saturday 28 November 2009

Soundless Saturday No. 57

63 comments:

kj said...

oh jeez, renee, this one to close to home...how i wish i/we could do something about this, one by one, family by family, nation by nation. and it's not just words: it's lousy schools, it's ignorance, it's lack of opportunity, it's alcohol, drugs, neglect, self absorption, lack of support, etc etc etc.

i have the same thing to say i did a few posts back. sympathy only goes so far. it starts with me. do something, anything, a pebble that ripples is a good start.

love you girl.

kj

Alexandra MacVean said...

This photo says a lot and makes me think of a NUMBER of things. When clicking on the photo to make it larger so I could read the text, emotion starting building up.

One, it reminds me of ALL the neglected and abused children of the world. It breaks my heart that there are so many homeless children. I may not have much money right now from starting completely over in life, but it will NOT stop me from sponsoring two children this year at the holidays to give them a Christmas. I've done it for the past 5 years and will hold to it.

Secondly, this photo also reminds me how we ALL can be so judgemental at times of others. Especially those foreign. Just because one or two foreigners cause harm or do wrong, does not mean ALL foreigners do. It upsets me that we can be so quick to "label" others.

I'm with KJ...it's starts with us as individulas. I'd like to be one of those ripples in the water making a difference.

Hugs! xo

Arija said...

Renee, this is a very powerful image, I agree with kj . This sort of thing can only be stamped out by starting with ourselves and rippling outward. There is an immense inertia to overcome.

Love you girl.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

One of the biggest of many big lies we're told is that "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

tomkiddo said...

cute lil kiddo...look at his eyes :D

Karin Bartimole said...

Wow Renee, this one sure delivers a punch to the gut - really powerful and so vividly true. I imagine the picture created with kind words of love and encouragement that build up a child, rather than tearing them down...
love you and the light you shine,
Karin

Unknown said...

Words do hurt...and stay with you a long time...

Love you Lovey xoxox

Deborah said...

WOW does that make a statement. So very disturbing, as it should be. Who ever thought of that image was very brilliant. I can remember quite clearly what it was like being out with a screaming baby or a toddler who DONE with shopping, so I have a self-rule that when I pass a situation like that in a store I talk to the child to distract him to other things, use the "strollers have the right away" rule and let moms with little ones ahead in line...there is a lot we can do in very little ways to help overwhelmed moms out so it does not escalate to verbal abuse. Very powerful picture.
**blows kisses** Elf Deb

studio lolo said...

I ditto KJ. Start with a ripple.

It amazes me how some people underestimate the power of words.

This is a very powerful image dear sister.

xoxoxo

Jos said...

... this I remember. I do. There is a stain on every society that fails to protect innocents. There is a shadow of it in the hearts of these innocents too ... that will not wash out despite repeated attempts. But I suspect that the stain on those who hurt innocents lasts much longer still ... through eternity in fact. xx Jos

Nevine Sultan said...

Oh, Renee. That just makes me cringe. But, sadly, it is a reality. Thank you for reminding us, as we so often watch and feel so helpless.

Nevine

Annie said...

This image makes me cry. Kj is right, but where to start?
Love and hugs to you this weekend.
xoxo

Deborah said...

Oh it is NOT crazy Queen Elf Renee, for all of us wee Elves know that it is true; you ARE Santa's very favorite of all time. We speak of longing to be reduced to pure love like you...ah, but we fear the heat of the potter's kiln.
**blows elfin kisses** Deb

Jos said...

Ah Renne, you ask what is wrong with people who do these things? Well for some I guess they are repeating what was in turn done to them in the hope of ... what? ... I can not tell you. Perhaps some people are so damaged that they are themselves unable to do no harm. They seek redemption in twisted ways ... having been themselves twisted beyond repair. Not all though. xxx

Kelly Lish said...

That picture makes me sad.

clairedulalune said...

What a powerful picture that says it all. I work closely with disadvantaged children and i will move hell and high water to try and make them feel safe and loved if only when they are with me. If i had all the money in the world that would be the first thing i wuld invest my money in, safety of children. Love to you always Renee!

Jos said...

No Renee, not ridiculous at all. I totally understand the inability to comprehend ... in fact I am happy that you can't in the same way. Even I do not understand it myself. And yet ... there is some part of me that glimpses how the pattern repeats itself. Can you imagine the inner turmoil ... the guilt ... the shame. As I say, some people are damaged to the point where they cannot see beyond their own pain. XXX

Debra Kay said...

Wow.

angela recada said...

What a heartbreaking image. So many terrific comments have already been made by your wise friends, especially our dear big-hearted kj, who helps so many.

Verbal abuse is horrific, more so because no one else can see the painful bruises and scars. My husband and I both had verbally abusive childhoods. We both purposely waited until we were in our 30s to marry and have children, so we could be completely mature and fully committed not to pass it on to our children. Like kj said, it starts with me. I wish I could do more. . .

Love you,
xoxoxo
Angela

angela recada said...

You know I wish the same for you, too. No suffering of any kind, ever.

xoxoxo
Angela

kj said...

moon sister, my ego is dancing around the refrigerator.

Elizabeth said...

He looks like he's asking the universe, "why?"

Thank you for posting this powerful image to mull over and perhaps act upon.

Melody Sage said...

Beautiful image, very moving!

@eloh said...

Makes me want to ... scream.

yoborobo said...

Wow - this is a powerful image. I never did buy into the 'sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me' school of thought.

Love you (now those are some NICE words!) xoxox Pam

Bella Sinclair said...

ACK!

RNSANE said...

Having worked the last 21 years of my life as a forensic nurse in the field of child physical and sexual abuse, this photo brings all of that back to me. So often children could not speak of the horrors done to them or, if they did, they were not believed. It was heartbreaking.

Michelle said...

Ouch.

Doris Sturm said...

OMG, this is awful! I have to tell you, Renee, the longer I live, I discover that I have less and less faith and hope for the human race as a whole. Not only are we cruel to one another and our offsprings - none like I've never seen in the animal kingdom - but we rape the land, using the globe as our personal toilet all in the name of selfishness and greed. There is so much greed, it makes me want to vomit.
Personally, I think the animals are better people than we are...so sad! I know there's a lot of good in the world too, but unfortunately it's not enough to erase the damage of evil and bad. I give up!

Anonymous said...

This picture speaks much more than a thousand words. It reminds us that kids are always watching and observing and taking to heart the things we say to them. Why do we find it so easy to criticize, yet find it so difficult to praise children?

xxx said...

:(

strong thought provoking image



xoxoxo ribbon

xxx said...

words are just that aren't they... words.
but like a stick it's just a stick until we shape it and use it like a weapon.

one word can travel in so many shapes

there's one word I know that no matter what you do with it ... it stays the same.. LOVE

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Renee,

Such a powerful image and so very sad.

I hope that your weekend is going well and sending hugs your way.

Hugs
Carolyn xo

Manon said...

This image is pretty disturbing but at least it creates dialogue. Many think that an abuser is one who hits another but verbal abuse can be equally damaging.

Love you Renee!!

manon
xooxoxo

Linda said...

A powerful image says it all. You know what it is and what to do in an instant. I'll never forget this one.

xoxo right back at you

Ces Adorio said...

Who is the brilliant artist provocateur? She or He is the kind of person with whom I'll sit down to tea. Not a lot of words just a lot of punch. I like people like that, not a lot of empty words. Mental ninjas.

Jasmine said...

Renee, this is so powerful. one picture that captures so much, teaches, reminds ad guides. May we all be gentler in our ways xxx

Barbara said...

Powerful. Words can be just as destructive as fists. How fragile children are. How fragile we are still as adults... How easy it is to just say a kind word.

Thanks for this thought-provoking post Renee. I hope you're well and your sister and mom, too. Hugs!

Jos said...

There are of course no easy answers to such complex matters Renee. If we look solely to healing the "done to" then I know some people think that in time there will be no "doers". I guess what I'm saying is wouldn't it be quicker to look into healing both in the knowledge that some become the other.

I refuse to believe that "doers" are so divorced from reality that they don't know that they're doing wrong. If I'm even close to being right then perhaps even doers are redeemable?

Some people believe healing only comes from forgiving the doers from our own pasts. Maybe that's true, but forgiveness and outrage are not easy bedfellows. xx Jos

Marie Rayner said...

How very disturbing . . . I just want to pick him up and hug him and tell him everything will be ok . . .and that someone loves him, no matter what.

Marion said...

Wow. What a powerful image. I don't think I can add much more than what has already been said.

Homeless kids are the ones who truly break my heart. I was once a foster mother, and know first hand the difficulties and pain these children feel...how they always, always want to go home...no matter how terrible the circumstances. It still can make me cry.

Debbie said...

It's very sad that so many children suffer this type of abuse. I wish there was a way to stop it.

rochambeau said...

Sad art here.
But good one to think about. Words are powerful and can strangle the mind of a child (or adult for that matter. Choose them carefully. Especially around children.

Love to you!
Constance

Finding Felix said...

What an amazing image Renee. Very powerful and heartbreaking. The perfect image for Soundless Saturday - no more words required.
Love to you.
xxx

secret agent woman said...

God, that one hurts to look at. Brings back unpleasant memories and makes me also cringe at my own moments of unkindness.

Barry said...

I'm just bouncing over from Sweet Mango's new blog where we both seem to be on her prayer list.

That was a very touching picture you posted today.

Sending positive vibes your way.

GlorV1 said...

Hi Renee. I feel about this post like everyone else. I hope you are well and that your Thanksgiving was good. Have a great week, take care.

Alicia @ boylerpf said...

What a picture and so very well portrayed. Words can be so hurtful to a child...

Poetic Artist said...

This is so sad. Words can break a spirit and the children suffer.
This is so powerful. The sad thing is the people who harm these children with words are full of ignorance and will never see the
harm.
I do hope you are having good days.
Katelen

Unknown said...

oh man oh man!!! this is so sad and so strong an image....I love your soundless saturdays...amazing what a picture can tell...I guess that phrase is very true...a picture is worth a thousand words!!!

Hugssssssssss
Diana

~Babs said...

So innocent,,,,
vulnerable.
Leaves me speechless.

A.Smith said...

My darling dearest, much missed friend of a lifetime: I am not going to worry and neither should you. This too shall pass. Things come and go and some times simple reactions to some chemistry creates havoc with our systems. You know this and I know this. We are going tomorrow for the first radiation treatment and I will divide my Light between the people I love and care for. And you will be wrapped tight in all of my sisterly love to keep you safe and well until I can hug you again.

Sending you love and sending Jacquie love for you to remember:
LALF.

Lila said...

Renee this is heartbreaking.
The look on that little boys face is so upsetting. I ditto Kj.
Love and hugs,
Lila xx

Chrisy said...

oh darlin...such a painful pic to look at...
my love to you dear girl...

A Cuban In London said...

This image is so powerful that it leaves you speechless. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

Wine and Words said...

Oh this kills me. I have this spot that turns to severe agression whenever I see kids abused, neglected, bullied. I saw this kid on roller skates being picked on and pushed on the way home from school. I pulled my car over and gave the bullies a piece of my mind. Of course they told me to F*ck Off, but I just followed the skater kid all the way home while the bullies ate my dust. Yeah, one of these days I'll probably get myself killed. Oh well.

Leslie said...

Oh, how heartbreaking! Very powerful image!

Woman in a Window said...

Oh my...
this is what Jos was referring to.
I can't tell you.
What I feel is so multifold.
And one of the things is guilt. Perhaps I've not gone this far, but of course I have screwed up in word or tone and to see it reflected here is painful. And that is good.

Now, let me be a better mother this morning in waking my children.
xo
erin

Caroline said...

I thought I'd left a comment here before but perhaps blogger ate it - everyone has said it all I think but it is indeed a sad and thought provoking image - and one that I'd like to see redone in the positive, as Karin suggests.

Calli said...

Hi Renee~ Found you though Jos at The General Whirl. This is definitely disturbing and unfortunately a way of life for so many. Sad but true. Heartbreaking image and it is the verbal that can harm so much more than the physical.

All of your content here is just amazing. I read your 'about me' and further into your blog. Bless you for everything you've been going through. Healing energy sent your way!
btw~ I am partial to the name Renee as that's my middle name...:)

So nice to meet you, Renee~
Calli

Unknown said...

Heartbreaking... this one picture says so much about ALL the abused, lonely children in the world... :-(

Nina said...

Such a powerful photo. Words do hurt deeper than we ever realize. We need to be fully aware of how young ears are ever listening, young eyes ever watching, and young hearts easily hurt and broken. We must learn to sow love and compassion to all people, young and old. Thank you for sharing this with us. Love and Light, Nina P

Marie S said...

What a statement this picture is!
Do we all have a shadow side, and is the victory when we do not impose it on to another? Or ourselves?