It’s November 13th, day 13 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. It’s 3:13 in the afternoon. Not prime time for me to talk about inspiration or to get inspired. I am a little weary after making, consuming and doing lunch dishes. To top that off, I received a phone call from a neighbour. She was inquiring the name of my neighbour right next to me. She was going to file harassment charges against her. It brought back alot of bad memories and feelings. But at least I feel somewhat exonerated – that it was not I who was behaving badly. I’m not the only one who had trouble with her.
I am feeling better now that I’ve let that breath out. Words are powerful. They’ve always helped and inspired me. I’ve written many posts on my relationship with this woman. I am happy to have curtailed the need. I can sing a different song now. Perhaps we shouldn’t be so hard on ourselves when we hang onto things/people/issues for seemingly too long. Perhaps it wasn’t the right time yet. Perhaps there’s a lesson we have to learn first. That is what I tell myself. There’s comfort in that.
Words and stories inspire me. My mother excels in story telling and is great inspiration to me. She doesn’t set out to tell a story but the stories come out just in our every day conversations. Here’s my words on her in a post from 2018:
If there’s anybody that I aspire to be, it would be my mother. She gives me inspiration on how to be, how to live. She teaches me through her story telling. That’s how I’ve learned everything Chinese, the culture, my ancestors, my very being. Don’t get me wrong. I find faults with her, too. Our mother/daughter relationship has had many difficulties like all such relationships. I’ve had my share of ‘I hate my mother’. Growing and maturing has enabled me to understand my mother and see from her point of view. Sometimes, especially in recent times, I feel as if I am my mother.
Words and pictures speak to me. I see pictures in words and I see stories in pictures. They give me inspiration to tell my stories with ink, paint and thread.
My energy tank is running low. Let me finish by acknowledging that the Ultimate Blog Challenge and Paul Taubman, our digital maestro, also give me inspiration and a platform to tell my stories.
onethousandandtwo 
I love your post today—so real and honest. My dad was the storyteller in my family and I hear his voice in my head all the time. I love the place your mom has in your life! What a tribute to her and your heritage! Keep telling the stories!
Thank you so much, Larada.
I like Sammi Kay’s advice in the photo at the beginning of your post… tell stories about our lives. That could prove to be quite therapeutic.
Growing up in the Caribbean, stories were a natural part of my life. One thing I’ve learned as an adult to be careful about is the stories I tell myself about myself. Self-talk is crucial to our mental health and general advancement in life.
I am sure those stories from the Caribbean would be so interesting. Yes, we have to be careful about the stories we tell ourselves.
Lily, what a blessing that you had your Mom to learn from, especially about Chinese culture and family history. And definitely, Paul Taubman is a cheerful source of inspiration!
Thanks so much, Kebba.
I always love to come here and read your posts, finding you still tap tap tapping away on your keyboard is a joy. You tell stories of courage and resilience and creativity and love. Thank you. Jan
Thanks so much, Jan.
Since I’m new to your blog, I know nothing about your neighbors. I just hope the issues are not the cause for your feeling drained.
May your creativity help recharge your batteries!
I feel like the older I get, the more I turn into my Dad, which is not always a good thing 😉
What more can I say about the magic in your words that I have not said already, Lily.. Love that photo of your sister and mom.. and every family does have a storyteller. I do believe you are doing what you set out to be – tell your stories like your mom
Thank you so much for all your visits and comments. You are so kind.