Haiku: Witness Protection

“To be a witness does not consist in engaging in propaganda, nor even in stirring people up, but in being a living mystery…” Emmanuel, Cardinal Suhard

Haiku: Witness Protection & Self-Preservation Options

Witness Protection
When Truth and Wisdom help us
from prying eyes … lies

In the Lions’ Den
True friends stir us from foes … to
wondrous pathways

This is an interesting exercise because it uses the term “Witness Protection” in a completely different context than usual; it’s used more like Self-Preservation. It is a play on words that forces us to consider: Do you prefer to be surrounded by friends or strangers when you do scary/stressful things? For starters, I’m not given to doing scary/stressful things as I have an aversion to both. I’m comfortable speaking in public because years of teaching helped me overcome that, and I don’t like heights, so goodbye to Ferris wheels, bungees, and such. However, the prompt made me think about why others might need that kind of indulgence from friends and/or strangers. If, in a hypothetical situation, I needed support like Daniel in the Lions’ Den, I’d turn to my faith and friends for sure. What about you?

“What’s the point of being the first to arrive? Nobody is there to witness your commitment.” Jarod Kintz, This Book is Not FOR SALE

Haiku: Witness Protection & Self Preservation Options

Witness Protection
When Peace and Justice guide us
from mines in war zones

In scared and stressed times
A stranger’s touch can’t replace
the embrace of friends

I’ve always marveled at folks who live life as if on a dare to prove their fearlessness. I don’t see the point of taking anything to extremes, so I’m not drawn to that kind of behavior or interest. I think day-to-day functioning, keeping a roof over our heads, putting food on the table, and supporting our friends and loved ones, brings its own share of stress. For those who live in war zones, they have the additional stress of living under siege and the fear of obliteration. What could be scarier?  Who would want to be around strangers under those conditions?

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“Anyone can perform good deeds for an audience; the best among us do their greatest work when no one is present to bear witness.” Ken Poirot

Haiku: Witness Protection & Self Preservation Options

Witness Protection
When Facts and Figures teach us
of divergent roads

Why ask the question?
No time for stress or scary
Each moment … SACRED

As I mulled over this post, what stood out was that each day, each moment, is sacred. When we value our sacred spaces and our time, we don’t want to fritter it away on scary and/or stressful situations. Life is short and full of challenges, surprises, and memories. I’d rather spend mine building joyful moments than being scared or stressed … just saying. And you?

My fellow bloggers were equally creative with their selections. Check out how others interpreted the theme – Witness Protection.

This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Witness Protection: When you do something scary or stressful—bungee jumping, public speaking, etc.—do you prefer to be surrounded by friends or strangers? Why?

Positive Motivation Tip:  May our witnesses help us preserve and protect all that is sacred in our lives… Choose your company wisely.

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my Personal Collection and/or Scary Pathways: Daniel in the Lions’ Den by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, Daniel in the Lions’ Den, Ruth and Wisdom by Jacob de Wit, Sacred Spaces/Burning Man 2013, Witness Protection, Daimonzaka Sacred Path Scary, Stressed, via Wikipedia.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet