Culture Constraints

Constraints, it sounds to millions a heavy word to talk about. We used to pretend or make it look like something that so hard to talk about or try to understand what does it really mean? and which phase of life we do sometimes live it or experience it. My talk here at this moment is about cultural constraints that shape walls and enmity among individuals, groups, communities or even nations. What is allowed to some and what is not allowed to others and a whole list of excuses of why yes, and why no. with each constraint, there is a list not included with the surficial rules that is clear to everyone.


This list is made to exclude certain minds, and cultures from understanding the whole picture as this may be against the flow of operations or the whole structure is build on common interests. Going through this ambiguous, uncompleted picture that doesn't make sense as you know there is alot of pieces are missing and here you find certain minds are in-boxed in a certain way of treatment, living or communication. Secrecy is a major element in these cultural constraints.  It is not a comfortable state to find yourself in. A state that can mislead the true path of your life and distract your life aimlessly. That is true, how many could be clear and aware of their surroundings and able to draw a clear picture of their present or future? How many of us are able to push away these cultural constraints and announce their existence as human beings are here on earth to grow, to do, to contribute and to know their value within the way they are not like the way is required from the world. To not be ashamed of who you are, the way you think, live, believe or look like? how many could find the clear path without the detours that consume us alot and takes away the best of us sometimes? How many are able to decide their relationships without judgments or fears as they are not the same? How many are able to live complete freedom of choice and decision making?


All this is challenged with cultural constraints. Your socioeconomic status,  everything revolves around this, there are limits, always the voice you don't fit or qualified, it is a cultural constraint. to have part of the knowledge, experience, roles, all are cultural constraint' the elimination of power, is a cultural constraint.   If you did this or that to be accepted of included, it is a cultural constraint.

Freedom always comes with a price , a heavy price. With all the cultural  constraints, you have to keep your awareness of the true self , try hard not to be walked on and lose your identity and the true you. Cultural constraints as the new deep cultural shock strike for the 21st century. Not each nation is aware of it as it is embedded in our everyday life as regular human being are trying you make their path within a very tough world that includes all the contradictions your mind can imagine through your whole entire life.If you are not be aware of your way, you will get smashed with each feet step on you. That what brings unaware nations to be destroyed and vanish.

Cultural constrains are man-made law that is in a constant change, no consistency or ye/no answer.Lots of gray and excuses , escapes and run ways. i can't tell that everything I see does mean it is real or inside is the same as outside. With the deep cultural constraints strike,Iam shaping my way into a world has no guarantee for anything, for we walk by faith not by sight and that what i do believe, by: Manal Eweis  

Christmas 2016

Like a child years passed by, getting my first memories about past Christmas seasons and how the child is growing in her understanding of what the season is all about. Like a child gets the picture of celebration through songs, late church services and home dinners that celebrate long fasting with oil and water for over 40 days. That what my memory comes back, new clothing and big dinners, yes this is the spirit of the Middle Eastern Churches. quietness all around the corners while churches are alive.

That is the outside frame I witnessed each year, yet no good news sharing is allowed the story of Christ birth is acknowledged in all religions, the outlines, the facts no more deep into the spirit of the story and the essence of Christ birth to represent the new gift from heaven for human salvation and what is salvation? and what joy Jesus brings into our lives in a very pure simple way. It is the forbidden territories to be understood or even shared. Many are losing their lives, everything and being excommunicated only for the name of Jesus. How hard that the pride of humans allow them to judge one another without inviting God's love into their mind, heart and soul?

First years I had the chance to celebrate Christmas I was so anxious to worry about all materialistic things and go with the flow which year by year is changing and no longer the same picture in my mind. Getting deeper with Jesus and inviting him to reign over my life. To be my best friend, my refuge and my true companion when life get tougher than I thought or expected, the meaning of salvation is getting more deeper and deeper. He is alive, his birth is present each single day in my mind, heart and soul. Remembering all the monks and nuns that touched my life since my childhood  and understanding their sacrifices to live only for service and how selfless they are inside out, living the simplest life in the continuous changing world that its materialistic race never ends. Yes, their dedication of service and teaching the world how to live in the way of Jesus, serving as nurses, teachers , caregivers , management and community outreach to see how to get people together , praying for the salvation of each troubled soul on earth, they are highly educated though they choose to humble themselves and see where God is calling them and they answer the call, their presence is so powerful within the community they serve and the conferences they attend. Their selection of being present is so remarkable whatever is helping them to grow, to be skilled, to learn and advance their services they do it collaboratively, living the true sisterhood and brotherhood within the body of Christ. They are so clever at reading people and can get through you so quick to understand you and read if you are sincere or not. They don't hesitate to help those who truly in need, reaching the poorest and the outcast. Many suffering around the world they know what Jesus told 2000 years ago His word is true. He never breaks a promise or promises something he can not deliver. His faithfulness to us is proven over the years. Looking at Jesus is the only hope you can see within their eyes.


Yes, this is a deep piece shaped in my heart since my childhood, whenever I am in the midst of a storm, they are the ones who come to my mind without a second thought. It is hard for the world to fully understand them as they entered the realm of His earthly kingdom and working on the field to plant His goodness as much as they could. Farming in the LORDS field that is their main job. Farming is not an easy work and it needs lots of patience, awareness of the good seeds and the bad ones and how the presence of the weed strengthen the good seeds in producing perseverance and endurance. Yes, as a beginner I cried alot, drained and lost hope many times that convinced myself that Iam a complete failure, I can not do anything probably allowing self doubt to grow and grow , the weeds overcame the seeds so no longer able to understand which is which and this is the test I have to learn and seek His guidance and leadership to carry me through this. As a beginner you ought to believe everything you see and is being told. Actions are revealing something very shaking my grounds and unable to understand yet.


So pausing is the right action to take, how long this pause will take, I have no idea. All I know is Jesus I am not aware of anything else. Christmas 2016 comes with lots of hits in the wall and confusion, unable to see the true picture of things and what they do mean. Jesus came so we may have life not taking our lives. Jesus is pro life not against it and decides who can live on this earth and who don't. Jesus came with a clear message and a direct speech to the whole world to heal , to sustain us in the time of troubles not to put us in trouble. Many deep questions at this time of the year, trying to understand what does it mean to have life in Jesus Christ, a life of choice and embracing us as we are. This Christmas is different as many contradiction messages Iam receiving within the day....y prayers for this Christmas is to live the true joy that Christ brought to the world and He paid His life for this to happen for us not the opposite. By: Manal Eweis  

Not By Wishing

Many thoughts are calling back at this time of the year, for almost 10 years now, each year is different from the other, when our old conceptions contradict wit what we call if reality. Uncovered skies and multitude of unexplained structure and design. What is being said is not by all means each time is addressed to you, sometimes it is a template has to be said in this time of the year , the words are not addressing you and you lost yourself within all these unexplained or hard to understand structures and designs.


Culture, laws, life style, socioeconomic structures all are fractals within the main cell or unit of foundation. By yourself you are a weird structure, not easy to be understood or being who you are without labeling or judgement. Wherever you will go , you will be a question mark or a threat for a foundation of certain design or structure, conflict always exist where your exist, your presence does not bring peace to everyone around , always stress, suspeciousness, and unrest, losing days and years in illusionary views and nothing but to break the uniqueness that was created within you.First I participated in this  illusionary views through fight or flight, run, being angry, hypertension , everything could result from a person is surviving PTSD who hears or think that could be the true picture of all the drama around.


As a captive into the illusionary view, body , mind and heart living the hurt with burying all the feelings and emotions under a heavy weight of wishing and hoping everything will come to end. Ignoring the negativity , abuse and misuse lived day by day, looking for a ray of hope within the world nothing but coming back to my cocoon to read, write, paint or draw something to reflect how I am doing at this time of my life. Many hopes and dreams passed by the years, the way I look at myself changed alot. Seeing this shadow moving around , she can't feel the same way she used to many years ago, no more the silly idiot naive person who easily trust and get the lashes in her face after that. Maybe Iam not the only one . Being a woman of her mid life made lots of sense how many women over there no one can understand them and this can destroy their lives from the start to the end. My journey is to shape another path other than the stereotype that we witness through the ages, dysfunctional woman never get up on her feet again.To be her own voice , proving her individuality of each path she takes in her journey.

Wishing and hoping won't be the answer without doing and fighting for what is right. No shame to lose your life so you can have a life you have a choice within , yes, it is hard not easy when the world is telling you many messages to bring you down not to lift you up. Hard to hear thank you, or having transparency about everything bad before good as if you are not my mirror so your role in my journey won't bring me any good.

Yes, many years have been wasted in battles that haven't to be done and yet, in your journey of individuality which is not the common type around , many obstacles will be on your path. Again misunderstanding and labeling are the easiest judgment I get with each phaseI walk through my life. Breaking new ground is not wishing for something Iam not created for as an old woman , it is the call that God is leading me through. Yes, my word may impact someone or may bring others who are in the same situation , trying to breakthrough their individuality in a world only accept groups that share the same belief and strategy to proceed within life, no place for someone is different , does not follow the same role even it may bring harm on the level of our humanness.

Yes, not by wishing as you can wish all day long, without believing in yourself first, no one is willing to believe in you or understand you, it is all starts within you knowing who you really are and this conflict of identity will end and be solved and accepting your individuality and the importance of being who you are, the true you before being with anyone else. losing your identity can lead you to lose life itself and the dynamic awareness of what matters most, no more waste, it is not only by wishing , role your sleeves up and dig deep to know who you truly are not someone else, Manal Eweis