Of Our Concrete Pylons

Of our Concrete Pylons

The idea for this little reflection came to me when I had the indulgence of visiting Stonehenge. Huge big chunks of stone in a circle, some capped with more blocks of stone.

It occurred to me that sometimes we are tempted to encircle ourselves with impenetrable  lumps of grumpiness and ‘hoomphiness’. Sadly I know this to be so, not only because I have seen it in others and myself.

This process is different to just having some time out to be by yourself to recharge, and revitalise because the aim then is always to come back re energised and restored.

When we surround ourselves with an edifice of concrete self pity and anger, the aim is to allow no-one else in and not to come out.. perhaps ever.

This is not a healthy way to exist and while we are hurting and smarting and we might feel self justified and self satisfied we become seriously close to self destructing and we are in fact being selfish.

Outside there are usually others who are concerned, worried and perplexed. ‘Was it something I did, something I didn’t do, could have, should have?’ Where to now? What needs to happen and how can I help?

Some ’S' words that might be useful for the helpers. Sit in Silence. You don’t have to say anything. Sometimes the dollop of silence brings its own form of healing and helps to erode, almost imperceptibly, the concrete slabs.

‘Sorry’ is another  ’S’  word. It’s terrifyingly simple and yet often difficult to utter. Saying it will cost us and hurt us, yet I can think of no more effective way to begin the conversation that needs to happen. There are trained people whose gift is to release others from their Stonehenge and there are people who simply care, worry and pray.