This is an entry i started writing ages ago and like many things never got around to finishing. I always have some sort of idea running around in my head but then at times with the craziness of life actually getting around it and doing it.... But I thought that since I am in Belfast and Northern Ireland and how there has been so much hurting and conflict in the beautiful country then it would be appropriate.
Yesterday I went on a bit of a tour of Northern Ireland, and part of that was a walking tour through Londonderry/Derry. For political correctness you need to use both names as the protestants refer to as LondonDerry under English rule, governed by London. However the majority of the population in the city are Catholic and refer to it as Derry which came from a gaelic word that meant oak trees. A town famous for a huge amount of conflict, pain and hurt. Our driver explained that in Northern Ireland these days there is 98% peace and 2% conflict, that there is still huge divides between Catholic and Protestant communities where they will not mix in shopping centres, bars, workplaces etc. The above photograph is a statue in LondonDerry/Derry. The two men pictured were very instrumental in developing peace between the communities, however the statue itself shows that there is still work to do as they are not quite shaking hands, there is a small gap between them.
There is an amazing artist in Australia called Lior, and I was listening to this song 'heal me' the other day and it just really stood out to me how easy it is to hurt other people, both purposefully and not on purpose. In Australia it is a very typical cultural thing to tear people down at times rather than build them up, the tall poppy syndrome". Consciously, successful people who achieve more than others are 'put in their place' and brought down to earth, mostly when they display negative attitudes such as arrogance or are perceived as being aloof. However it does tend to come into every-day life more where there is a tendency to put down rather than build up. So I've been making a conscious effort lately to try and reverse that mentality or attitude in my head, be more of an uplifting and encouraging person. All around there are people hurting in so many different ways and positive encouraging words can make such a difference.
Yesterday I went on a bit of a tour of Northern Ireland, and part of that was a walking tour through Londonderry/Derry. For political correctness you need to use both names as the protestants refer to as LondonDerry under English rule, governed by London. However the majority of the population in the city are Catholic and refer to it as Derry which came from a gaelic word that meant oak trees. A town famous for a huge amount of conflict, pain and hurt. Our driver explained that in Northern Ireland these days there is 98% peace and 2% conflict, that there is still huge divides between Catholic and Protestant communities where they will not mix in shopping centres, bars, workplaces etc. The above photograph is a statue in LondonDerry/Derry. The two men pictured were very instrumental in developing peace between the communities, however the statue itself shows that there is still work to do as they are not quite shaking hands, there is a small gap between them.
There is an amazing artist in Australia called Lior, and I was listening to this song 'heal me' the other day and it just really stood out to me how easy it is to hurt other people, both purposefully and not on purpose. In Australia it is a very typical cultural thing to tear people down at times rather than build them up, the tall poppy syndrome". Consciously, successful people who achieve more than others are 'put in their place' and brought down to earth, mostly when they display negative attitudes such as arrogance or are perceived as being aloof. However it does tend to come into every-day life more where there is a tendency to put down rather than build up. So I've been making a conscious effort lately to try and reverse that mentality or attitude in my head, be more of an uplifting and encouraging person. All around there are people hurting in so many different ways and positive encouraging words can make such a difference.
Heal Me - Lior
Why do we turn our backs on each other
Are we not strong enough
We can't heal our wounds
So we'll bleed in the dark
How many times have we broken down
On this tired and familiar road
Cos we never stop
To figure out what's wrong
Heal me
Love is a roof made out of leaves
And I'll bask in your shade
But all shelter is lost
When it rains
Skip in the puddles know where to move
Drops become a lake
Stranded in your garden
I can't find the gate
Heal me
So no more dragging each other through the mud
oh
Been keeping score for much too long
Trying to see which one of us is wrong
We build a city of steel
Looking at a pink sky above
You said you want to catch the sunset
While we're still in love
Well I don't wanna look at these structures
and feel nothing but terrified
I don't ever wanna forget why we tried
Heal meWhy do we turn our backs on each other
Are we not strong enough
We can't heal our wounds
So we'll bleed in the dark
How many times have we broken down
On this tired and familiar road
Cos we never stop
To figure out what's wrong
Heal me
Love is a roof made out of leaves
And I'll bask in your shade
But all shelter is lost
When it rains
Skip in the puddles know where to move
Drops become a lake
Stranded in your garden
I can't find the gate
Heal me
So no more dragging each other through the mud
oh
Been keeping score for much too long
Trying to see which one of us is wrong
We build a city of steel
Looking at a pink sky above
You said you want to catch the sunset
While we're still in love
Well I don't wanna look at these structures
and feel nothing but terrified
I don't ever wanna forget why we tried
Heal me
The Lord is close to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18
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