16/01/2016

Caged bird no more

So, I had a long break recently. A break from TV, and from The Internet. Yup, I went offline. I wish I could say totally offline, but hey, Rome wasn't built in a day, right. No miracles. Let's just say I was mostly offline, and a tiny bit online. Yes, I realised: it is actually do-able to be offline for quite a long time (we are talking hours here, even some whole days!). And as shocking as it might sound: I confess: I enjoyed it! So did. It was this feeling that it was me... and the world, you know. And some real people. And it felt good that hardly anyone knew where I was or what I was doing. I didn't need to show or tell. The world and I - more than enough.

So, no tv, no internet, what did I do instead?

Well...

I went for walks to clear my mind,
for exercise, and to be kind

kind to my soul and body too
An offline day! Now what to do?

A chance To Be, to sense and see
the sky, the wind caressing me

To smile, feel free, just like a bird,
my own voice: only one that's heard

It tells me that it's Here and Now
that life is great, I told you so

Choose to be happy, strong and free
only You decide your destiny

oh, and go on -  take time to read a poem too!


Yes, that is what I did on my offline days. Feeling free, strong, happy. I socialised, And I did read some poems. The sense of freedom overwhelmed me. I did made this promise to my self: not to be caged. Ever. To always stay free, to think, act, laugh, love, talk, cry and make my life as I want it. That is freedom and that is what making friends with yourself is all about. Do always listen to that inner voice of yours. Choose your life and your freedom. Choose to be happy. Choose You.


One of the poems that I rediscovered was Caged Bird by Maya Angelou. May we always be free birds, with no cages even in sight:

The free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.


Have a lovely weekend - maybe an offline one? Then what will you do? Please share:-) 

32 comments:

  1. Wow! That was impressive, Eli! Offline for hours! You know, I think I need to do it too..At least once in a week. It would really give me some much needed peace of mind! 😊

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  2. That is a great feeling to be off line and with your own company

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  3. Good on you Eli! :) I believe most of us should need an internet detox every now and then. Remember what we spent our time on doing before computers and mobiles. Here in the countryside we often have powercuts and I must say they're a blessing. Important rememberings about what's important in life.

    Have a lovely weekend sweet Eli.♥

    Charlie
    xx

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    1. Oh, so you have a few off line moments then..:-) Thanks for visiting my dear friend and for always kind words. Sending you warm hugs

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  4. I was offline too for around fifteen days, and I had a great time. Lovely post, and I love this poem caged birds by Maya Angelou. :)

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    1. Thats great:-) Thank you for visiting:-)

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  5. That sounds positively wonderful, Eli. It is true that we are too much online these days. How lovely an offline day sounds. I try to do it every Sunday. Must do it more often :)

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  6. Sounds very relaxing indeed. Glad you had the opportunity to refresh yourself!

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  7. That sounds like a great idea. It is surprising how stressful the internet can be, and how much time we can spend on electronic devices without even realising it.

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  8. Such a great feeling of making friends with yourself and spending time offline... Just you and the world! I'm so happy for you Eli! Such a positive, relaxing start to this year. Wish you all the love my friend.

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    1. Thank you so much dear Aditi:-) Wish you the best my friend:-)

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  9. Long walk? Gosh I miss taking walks, I forgot how refreshing it feels. Okay, I'm taking a long walk this week, haha!

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  10. A beautiful poem by Maya Angelou. It must be an awesome feeling to push the refresh button and doing your own things, free of distractions.

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    1. It sure is:-) Thank you so much Vishal:-)

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  11. That's such a beautiful poem.
    And I am also putting more rules to stay away from distractions. Hope they work well and these baby steps encourage me to go offline.

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    1. Thanks Parul, and best of luck. Sending hugs:-)

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  12. Good decision and I too have been doing it occasionally.life is do much fuller when we look around us.
    Lovely poem.

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    1. So true:-) Thanks Inderpreet - sending hugs:-)

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  13. Dearest Eli,
    Oh wow, that would be pure bliss and I would LOVE to if it were not for losing my web presence in connection with my website. HOPING to sell most of my things soon so I can retire from the WorldWideWeb and do some more walking, biking, traveling, cross stitching and crocheting...
    Hugs to you,
    Mariette

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    1. Thank you alot dear Mariette! May the new year get you to what you would like to do. Our life. Sending the best wishes and big hugs

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  14. Going offline is sometimes discovering your true self..!! And the way have expressed your emotions in the form of this beautiful poem, I am falling short of words!
    Wonderfully you've written!

    Cheers

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    1. Awwwee, you are so sweet, thanks alot for your kind words:-)

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  15. We could all do with a break from time to time. Thank you for the inspirational reminder, Eli!

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  16. I discovered freedom from the Net recently when on a holiday I found there was no network. And I surprised myself with how much fun I could have without the phone. I birdwatched, clicked pictures, chatted with family members and wrote - over large cups of tea. Good times. It's liberating.

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    1. True, liberating and pretty nice, my friend. Thanks for sharing. Sending hugs

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