I wrote this little ditty for a writer's party on St. Patrick's Day, and I challenged myself by using every prompt given!  Best of the Irish to you!

When we face challenges, or even better, when we choose to challenge ourselves, when is friction enough? Or is it always enough? Or are there times when fight is needed? I don't know! But explore these questions.

This is a story about the Seven Deadly Sins, and the Eighth who rules them. We have Wrath, Greed, Pride, Envy, Sloth, Gluttony, and Lust. But don't forget the Eighth Temptation, Sorrow. Perhaps she is the most powerful. After the Mother's of course, Destiny and Desire. But they are shadowed by their own Mother, Darkness. And she too is shadowed by her parents, Time and Space. Yet, who are their Masters? And who is giving the reader advice? What oracle knows more than this realm reveals? 

These are my final thoughts about offering advice to someone who is going through a rape trial. And I hope that, although my experience may not be directly relevant, perhaps the energies needed for such an endeavor are transferred and all can be just a little more well than it is now.

I have often told myself, during difficult times, that I hope to help others who may find themselves in such difficulty. Today I had a direct request for advice on how to navigate a rape trial. Not that I know the answer, nor that there is one, but since I tried, in my own way, perhaps sharing what I learned can help another. 

My initial doorway of learning was pain. Just the one. It was the only way to get my attention. I’ve since learned there are many other doorways available, if I pay attention. And yet, sometimes pan is still the way to deepest learning. So how do I learn from pain?

GREED! We finally get to meet Greed! This is a story about the Seven Deadly Sins, and the Eighth who rules them. We have Wrath, Greed, Pride, Envy, Sloth, Gluttony, and Lust. But don't forget the Eighth Temptation, Sorrow. Perhaps she is the most powerful. After the Mother's of course, Destiny and Desire. But they are shadowed by their own Mother, Darkness. And she too is shadowed by her parents, Time and Space. Yet, who are their Masters? And who is giving the reader advice? What oracle knows more than this realm reveals? 

Two, 12-minute-timed, impromptu, short stories from a dinner party -- and what they taught me. Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou. A quote by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, which I can't quite recall. The two writings are very distinct, one is the joyful part of my soul, the other is a deeper, contemplative part of my soul, shining light on things I haven't yet seen or understood.  

Do I take how others feel personally? Do I let their opinions define me? Especially when they all feel so differently about me! Who is correct about me? Anyone? Maybe not even me 😆 And when I take it personally, how does that affect my ability to care. Truly care. 💛 Is there a way for me to care without getting involved with their opinions?

A story about the Seven Deadly Sins, and the Eighth who rules them. We have Wrath, Greed, Pride, Envy, Sloth, Gluttony, and Lust. But don't forget the Eighth Temptation, Sorrow. Perhaps she is the most powerful. After the Mother's of course, Destiny and Desire. But they are shadowed by their own Mother, Darkness. And she too is shadowed by her parents, Time and Space. Yet, who are their Masters? And who is giving the reader advice? What oracle knows more than this realm reveals?