Persephone Arbour

James Bonser is a regular contributor to this site. The piece below came in yesterday and I hope may coax some of you into doing the same! Persephone

I have a strong feeling, that expressing ones thoughts and emotions on a website such as you have, is somewhat like the old tape recorder or the answer machine. Many people just do not like the sound of their own voice and become uneasy knowing that somebody, anybody, can listen to that recording.

I, on the other hand, love the sound of my own voice, be it recorded or written. That’s why I became a teacher. People just couldn’t shut me up. My father always said, “empty vessels make the most noise”. But, I think if you have something to say, then by God, say it.

I have met thousands of people and listened to their life stories, their pain, their fear and loneliness. Self-expression was just not their forte. We in England, and those of us that have moved, unlike the Americans were never taught to sell ourselves on any level. We were never encouraged to be outrageous. We were taught to know our place and speak only when spoken to.

So many of us have grown up with a presentation anxiety syndrome. To step out of that prison takes great courage and a deep understanding of who you are and what you are capable of. Many people will find an outlet for their inner most feelings through music, sport, and unfortunately war. Hitler was a prime example. The daily beatings given by his father, created a pain and a fear of failure that became the principle driving force behind the German nation for so many years.