EPISODE XXII - "COUCHE-TARD" and SELF HARM
I stopped by the local convenience store to take a chance at the 6/49 lottery, a task I perform religiously twice a week, am I a gambler, perhaps. On my way there, I came across two young grown men, one of which unwrapped some package of goods he had bought and just tossed the wrappings on the ground, loitering the environment. He laughed at me nervously, when I called out to him to stop littering "my world".
Behind the counter was this young woman, who asked me in French, "Tout ensemble , monsieur?" I was puzzled by this statement and struggled with my French to ask...she responded in English, "All dressed, like ordering a pizza", she clarified. "That is how some customers ask", she emphasized, "when they want the "encore" and stuff on their lotteries, all included". We both laughed. I purchased the lottery "not dressed" and left.
A half hour later, I was again passing by that plaza, when I noticed this young lady standing outside the convenience store smoking a cigarette. I could not help myself but "interfere" and mimed to her that it was not good for her to smoke: I often do this when I want to help people stop from hurting themselves; somehow I feel responsible yet uncomfortable that I intrude in their space. She responded back by saying, "I know, I know". This was my signal to strike a conversation.
I soon learned that "Monique" was a nineteen-year-old, who worked hard to make a living; she was working long hours at Couch-Tard, yet felt little reward for her effort and sacrifice. She complained about members of her family and that her life was "screwed up". It was quite apparent to me that she had taken on a large burden in her life. The issues surrounding her were issues that she allowed to become larger than what they were and so she "numbed the pain" by hurting herself. She was caught in a perpetual spiral where she would "numb the feelings", by using artificial stimulant (s) (nicotine) and perhaps other drugs. They, in turn, would mask over issues that she could deal with head on if she had full control of her faculties and not masked over by these toxins. It reminded me of someone having fallen into a sinkhole or quicksand, where the more they struggled to get out, the deeper they sank. Upon my arrival to my apartment, I decided to lay down on my couch and entered into a short nap, which took me into the Elysium for guidance.
In a vision of time nonexistent, by a solid and immense boulder of one, to which chains hung lonely, there appeared a Titan whose name I could not relate but a voice clearly distinguished the Oracle of Delphi. A voice penetrated the sound of the raging waters of human thought which flowed past.
"Επιτρέψτε μου να σας υπενθυμίσω , νέοι κομιστή του φωτός του Οιδίποδα , νέοι Νάρκισσος , Prometheus και άλλοι της παλιάς , οι οποίοι είχαν παγιδευτεί σε μια δυσάρεστη κατάσταση των άλλων .: Δεν θα μπορούσε να εξηγήσει , αλλά ήταν αλυσοδεμένος στο βράχο της ζωής Νέοι παρθενική που σας επιδιώκει να καθοδηγήσει , είχε κάποια ανακούφιση από τη φροντίδα σας . βαριά καρδιά της απώλειας , βρίσκεται υπό την φροντίδα από τους άλλους που τους αρέσει σας , δείχνουν συμπόνια , να υποστηρίξει και να αφαιρέσετε την κριτική και την κρίση των νέων . Νέων στην αναζήτηση για απαντήσεις σε ένα άξονα της ζωής των οποίων τα νήματα είναι περίπλοκη , αλλά θα δώσει τελικά ένα ύφασμα πάνω στο οποίο πρέπει να πει μια υπέροχη ιστορία . " Ήξερα τι να κάνω ."
"Let me remind you, young bearer of The Light, of Oedipus, young Narcissus, Prometheus and others of the old, who were trapped in a predicament of others. They could not explain but were chained to the rock of life. The young maiden, who you seek to guide, has had some relief from your care. Her heavy heart of loss lies in the care with others who like you, show compassion, give support and remove criticism and judgment of the young. Young, in search for answers in a spindle of life whose yarn is complex but will eventually yield a cloth upon which a fabulous story be told." I knew what to do.
The following day, I called upon a good friend of mine, named Philip: Philip is a social worker who works for one of the school boards; he specializes with at-risk youth. I explained the situation to him and my observations of what I had seen of Monique and the scars I had noted on her forearms.
He agreed that this was self-harm, which unfortunately he was noticing only too frequently with young people, much younger than Monique, "It is an epidemic" he noted. I explained to him that I wanted to help but did not know how to approach Monique since she was only a passing acquaintance. We devised a plan.
Most recently, my daughter had spoken to me about a lady who practiced "Bio-magnetism" a non-evasive therapy, whereby using multiple small magnets, cures are to be had from both physical as well mental ailments. I had visited Claudia and was impressed by her "humanity": Claudia had suffered much in her native country of South America, and her psychological wounds ran deep. While she was "healing me", I too was transmitting the essence of "The Light", back to her. After three sessions of "shared healing", Claudia had now received an additional empowerment and understanding of her sacred work. When I called Claudia and discussed with her the issue of Monique, she was more than ready to help.
I sought the opportunity to meet with Monique the following day while pretending to have coffee at a shop next door. When I observed Monique come out of her place of work, I pretended that I was once again "just passing by". Passing by her place of "smoking", I remarked to her that I had thought much about what we had spoken about, the day earlier. I described to her how Claudia had helped my daughter and niece deal with work-related anxiety and stress. As I spoke, I could see by Monique's questioning, that she was very eager to learn more. When I offered to her a free session with Claudia; she became overwhelmed with joy. I handed her Claudia's information and left.
That very evening, I received a call from Claudia and to my surprise, Monique had called and set up an appointment for Thursday of that week. The very next afternoon, I was at the Couche-Tard pretending to buy a lottery for that evening, Wednesday and looked for an opportunity to hear something from Monique behind the counter. Sure enough, she leaned over, smiled and said, "I have an appointment tomorrow with Claudia. I mirrored her delight and wished her well.
I am happy to report that young Monique today is a very positive forward-looking individual. She has since left Couche-Tard, has reentered college, where she hopes to graduate as a nurse...she wants to help other young people find their way to "The Light". I spoke of guideposts of wisdom earlier in my stories and the path to the Elysium Fields but know this. There are many people out there, interested in your health and well-being. When you are sinking in the "sinkhole of loss", drowning and trying to numb the pain of loss, seek out such well-meaning people. ASK for help; there will ALWAYS be a passerby who will offer you help. As it is stated in Desiderata:
"Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.'
The state of mind Monique was in was one of distrust of others, a sense of loss and rightly so. That is also true of the need for you to "exercising caution", as I have stated earlier. I was just a person off the street and my intentions towards Monique may not have been so genuine. It is therefore very important that if you were to find yourself in such a state, where you are uncertain of your life and desperately so. That you seek out established community services where they can help you gain the straight you need, but there must be trust. Sometimes, "trust" or lack there off, is why young people lose hope. I am here to offer you hope and promise. If you follow "The Light" within you and you continue reading my stories, I will help you in your journey to the Elysium Fields- I PROMISE! Be well and thank you for reading.
By Elias Leousis,
(Η αγάπη είναι το μελάνι, η σοφία είναι το μήνυμα.)
Love is the ink; wisdom is the message!
Click here to go to the main menu.
"Let me remind you, young bearer of The Light, of Oedipus, young Narcissus, Prometheus and others of the old, who were trapped in a predicament of others. They could not explain but were chained to the rock of life. The young maiden, who you seek to guide, has had some relief from your care. Her heavy heart of loss lies in the care with others who like you, show compassion, give support and remove criticism and judgment of the young. Young, in search for answers in a spindle of life whose yarn is complex but will eventually yield a cloth upon which a fabulous story be told." I knew what to do.
The following day, I called upon a good friend of mine, named Philip: Philip is a social worker who works for one of the school boards; he specializes with at-risk youth. I explained the situation to him and my observations of what I had seen of Monique and the scars I had noted on her forearms.
He agreed that this was self-harm, which unfortunately he was noticing only too frequently with young people, much younger than Monique, "It is an epidemic" he noted. I explained to him that I wanted to help but did not know how to approach Monique since she was only a passing acquaintance. We devised a plan.
Most recently, my daughter had spoken to me about a lady who practiced "Bio-magnetism" a non-evasive therapy, whereby using multiple small magnets, cures are to be had from both physical as well mental ailments. I had visited Claudia and was impressed by her "humanity": Claudia had suffered much in her native country of South America, and her psychological wounds ran deep. While she was "healing me", I too was transmitting the essence of "The Light", back to her. After three sessions of "shared healing", Claudia had now received an additional empowerment and understanding of her sacred work. When I called Claudia and discussed with her the issue of Monique, she was more than ready to help.
I sought the opportunity to meet with Monique the following day while pretending to have coffee at a shop next door. When I observed Monique come out of her place of work, I pretended that I was once again "just passing by". Passing by her place of "smoking", I remarked to her that I had thought much about what we had spoken about, the day earlier. I described to her how Claudia had helped my daughter and niece deal with work-related anxiety and stress. As I spoke, I could see by Monique's questioning, that she was very eager to learn more. When I offered to her a free session with Claudia; she became overwhelmed with joy. I handed her Claudia's information and left.
That very evening, I received a call from Claudia and to my surprise, Monique had called and set up an appointment for Thursday of that week. The very next afternoon, I was at the Couche-Tard pretending to buy a lottery for that evening, Wednesday and looked for an opportunity to hear something from Monique behind the counter. Sure enough, she leaned over, smiled and said, "I have an appointment tomorrow with Claudia. I mirrored her delight and wished her well.
I am happy to report that young Monique today is a very positive forward-looking individual. She has since left Couche-Tard, has reentered college, where she hopes to graduate as a nurse...she wants to help other young people find their way to "The Light". I spoke of guideposts of wisdom earlier in my stories and the path to the Elysium Fields but know this. There are many people out there, interested in your health and well-being. When you are sinking in the "sinkhole of loss", drowning and trying to numb the pain of loss, seek out such well-meaning people. ASK for help; there will ALWAYS be a passerby who will offer you help. As it is stated in Desiderata:
"Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.'
The state of mind Monique was in was one of distrust of others, a sense of loss and rightly so. That is also true of the need for you to "exercising caution", as I have stated earlier. I was just a person off the street and my intentions towards Monique may not have been so genuine. It is therefore very important that if you were to find yourself in such a state, where you are uncertain of your life and desperately so. That you seek out established community services where they can help you gain the straight you need, but there must be trust. Sometimes, "trust" or lack there off, is why young people lose hope. I am here to offer you hope and promise. If you follow "The Light" within you and you continue reading my stories, I will help you in your journey to the Elysium Fields- I PROMISE! Be well and thank you for reading.
Don't harm yourself because of others who exploit our innocence. Empower yourself to prevent such harm to others!
By Elias Leousis,
(Η αγάπη είναι το μελάνι, η σοφία είναι το μήνυμα.)
Love is the ink; wisdom is the message!
Click here to go to the main menu.
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