Too Comfortable to Care?
Look around and look within...Let's be honest
**********************************************************************(this is meant for breaking patterns of self-destruction in individuals/families/communities/ and our country)
Recognize your own apathy, please
Even though your own family hasn't been touched
Could this be part of America's problem?
Is turning a blind eye helping or hurting?
Does the heart of others count towards their healing?
Imprisoned in their own patterns of self-destruction!
Victims within and without...
It is truly all of our problem, not just "theirs's."
Seek to be a solution
Make life better for everyone...we are all sinners!
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This article/video is for me. This article/video is for you, too. Even though we don't want to admit it, it is!
Even if we have been blessed enough not to be touched by prison, addiction, or self-destructive behaviors, we probably know someone that has. We certainly know that these issues effect our communities and country!
But...does it stop there? Do we say that "it's really not my problem!"
I know right about now, this gets uncomfortable.
I know this is when we might turn our backs. BUT please don't!
Can we roll up our sleeves and come up with some good ideas or a simple change of heart that might have a positive effect on others/our communities/our country?
I urge my readers to take an hour out of their lives and listen to this video. There are some great tips on coping. We all need healing on some level. And we should all care about helping others.
I would love to have conversations in regard to this article. We can all improve. We can all be kind. Mercy and justice go hand in hand.
I have had more than one loved one incarcerated. I have had loved ones who have been prisoners to addictive behaviors. I've lost a loved one to addiction. I have loved ones who still struggle with addictions.
Like me, I'm sure that your desire is for your loved ones to thrive in health and success. Like me, when our loved ones hurt, we hurt also...I want to see your life get better, too. Let's heal together and not repeat hurtful patterns/behaviors!
I am posting this in ART...mainly because of the word limit in communities like PSYCHE or FAMILIES or CRIMINAL, but in away, this is just the right spot for such an article. Healing is an ART...an expression or a skill.
I am including stories I have previously written on addiction/incarceration/unhealed hurts topics:
Even though Vocal guidelines ask us not to promote our stories in the comment section, I urge you to share a story/poem about these topics in my comments section. Thank you!
About the Creator
Shirley Belk
Mother, Nana, Sister, Cousin, & Aunt who recently retired. RN (Nursing Instructor) who loves to write stories to heal herself and reflect on all the silver linings she has been blessed with :)
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More stories from Shirley Belk and writers in Art and other communities.
The Crossroads of Becoming
I found it by accident. Tucked between a laundromat and a shuttered bookstore, half-hidden by ivy and time, stood a rusted phone booth. Not the sleek glass kind from movies, but an old metal one—peeling paint, cracked receiver, a dial so stiff it groaned when turned. No one had used it in years. Probably decades.
By KAMRAN AHMAD5 days ago in Art
Catherine: The Unshakable Heart of the Monarchy
The House of Windsor is facing a subtle but undeniable shift. Tension runs high, and the once-clear lines of loyalty and influence are now blurred. At the center of it all stands Catherine, Princess of Wales—a figure who has long been admired for her grace, calm, and unwavering dignity. But recent events have brought a storm to the palace doors, one that threatens to test the very foundation of royal stability. For years, Catherine served as the quiet anchor of the monarchy. She carried her role with elegance, weathering constant scrutiny from the public and press alike. Then came a serious health challenge, a period of uncertainty and silence that left many wondering if she would step back permanently. But she did not. Instead, she returned stronger, her poise and presence commanding renewed attention and respect. Public admiration for her soared, culminating in headlines that celebrated her as more than a royal figure—they crowned her a symbol of strength. This rising public affection, however, has created ripples behind palace walls. Reports suggest that King Charles feels overshadowed, and Queen Camilla may be aligning with palace traditionalists in response to Catherine’s prominence. What was once a harmonious center of royal life now shows signs of friction. Influences are shifting, whispers and press narratives become tools of subtle power struggles, and Catherine, the stabilizing force, is suddenly cast as a threat. This isn’t about Catherine versus Meghan Markle, though the comparison is inevitable. Meghan, once seen as the disruptor, now observes the palace from outside. Her era of controversy shaped her influence, but today’s narrative highlights endurance over disruption. Catherine doesn’t need confrontation to command attention—her consistency, humility, and resilience naturally draw public support. This quiet power is precisely what unsettles those who rely on control and manipulation. Catherine’s return demonstrates a fundamental truth: legacy outlasts noise. She embodies a rare combination of grace under pressure, emotional intelligence, and unshakable composure. Her strength is evident not in headlines or controversy but in her ability to maintain dignity amid chaos. People don’t just admire her; they trust her. They feel her presence, and in her, they see continuity, reliability, and hope for the monarchy’s future. The palace may attempt to manage narratives, deploy commentators, or subtly influence the media, but they cannot manufacture the connection Catherine shares with the public. Her influence is organic. It is the result of years of consistent, visible dedication, and it resonates far beyond the confines of Buckingham Palace. While power struggles may unfold within, the world watches, and the audience has already chosen a champion. Meanwhile, Meghan’s story, once loud and all-encompassing, fades into the background. Her brand of influence—rooted in challenge and controversy—cannot compete with Catherine’s enduring presence. The public craves stability, someone who embodies calm, resilience, and authenticity. Catherine provides that in abundance, and the contrast is unmistakable. Enduring legacy outshines transient disruption. Ultimately, Catherine’s rise is not a threat to the monarchy—it is its lifeline. She is the bridge between tradition and relevance, connecting generations with quiet confidence. The very qualities that some may perceive as challenging palace control—her popularity, her grace, her resilience—are precisely what sustain public trust. This isn’t a story of rivalry; it’s a lesson in the power of character, the influence of consistency, and the enduring appeal of authenticity. History has a way of remembering who strengthens institutions and who allows petty conflicts to erode them. Catherine stands as a testament to steadfast leadership, quiet courage, and the enduring bond between a royal and her people. Those who underestimate her do so at their peril, for her strength is both visible and deeply felt. The narrative is clear: Catherine isn’t merely surviving; she is thriving. She faces pressure, criticism, and palace politics with unflinching dignity, reinforcing her role as an indispensable figure in the monarchy’s future. Her story reminds the world that true influence is built on resilience, authenticity, and the unwavering commitment to serve, rather than to command attention. As the palace navigates shifting alliances and personal insecurities, the public stands with Catherine. Her legacy, already forming, will outlast the temporary noise of gossip and speculation. She is the embodiment of stability, grace, and leadership—a woman whose presence strengthens the monarchy and whose endurance inspires the world. The House of Windsor may grapple with internal tension, but Catherine has already secured her place in the hearts of those she serves. In a world of fleeting attention and manufactured drama, Catherine proves that true influence is quiet, steady, and lasting. She faces life’s storms not with theatrics, but with poise and resilience, leaving a legacy that no palace intrigue can diminish. The world watches, admiration grows, and history quietly notes who stood firm, who served with dignity, and who became a true icon of endurance. Image Creation Format for This Story: Subject: Catherine, Princess of Wales, standing gracefully in a sunlit palace courtyard, with subtle shadows representing tension behind palace doors. Mood: Elegant, dignified, serene, yet powerful—contrast of calm versus tension. Style: Realistic digital painting, slightly cinematic, focus on light and expression.
By Behind the Curtain3 days ago in Art
Comments (9)
I agree, we are too comfortable to notice, too much so, to care. Interesting to know, through watching the video what recidivism is : the return to criminal behaviour after being incarcerated. You also wrote a powerful line in your poem: 'does the heart of others count towards their healing' amazing how fixing our core for the whole, could start the change we are after. The more I listen to the video, the more it sounds like once the crime has been committed, they are all pretty much left on their own. Your plea after your poem has been heard, I hope that we can all heed to it and start making the changes we need for the future. This was well written, creative and also informative. I like that towards the end of this piece you reminded us to move the goal of life from concerns related exclusively to family, to concerns related to the border community. Your empathy shines through 👌🏽👏🏽
Lovely Insight 🩷
Thank you for sharing this!!❤️In my community it is imperative that they are helped to begin doing trauma, grief and loss work and if the counselor can't do that, then it is important to refer that out. I saw this as a revolving door without this kind of help. I see all forms of art as healing work and a part of the needed work! ❤️
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This really hits home. We all need to care and take responsibility to help break these cycles. Healing starts with us.
Healing definitely is an art. Loved your poem. Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️
Sb - Perhaps a bit Pollyanna-ish but workable..! Jk
This really hits home. I've seen firsthand how these issues tear families apart. It's not just about those directly affected; it impacts all of us. We can't just turn a blind eye. I think we need to start having more open conversations about this. How can we reach out to those in self-destructive patterns? What small changes can we make in our communities to help? Let's share ideas and work together to make a difference.
Interesting topic. Great job with this, Shirley!