The chains that weigh us down,
that smother or dim our spirits,
that throw us off balance are
the ones we forge ourselves –
links of resentment, bitterness,
selfishness, greedy grasping, attachment
to who or what is not really ours to have.
Iron loops and lead links fashioned
of mean-spiritedness and judgment -
masking guilt for wrongs we’ve done
or holding grudges for those done to us
that we have not forgiven.
This chain that we create in life
as self protective mail
to wear upon our spirit,
to cloak a tender heart,
to armor ourselves against hurt,
to keep others from “taking advantage”
is such leaden weight that we become
earthbound specters, mere shadows
of who we could be – like Marley,
shackled forever – by wanting and need –
to the lowest impulses, desires and energies
we’ve allowed to hold dominion over us.
The ghosts of past and present
confront us in our darker dreams,
illumining with painful honesty
the person we’ve let ourselves become.
To find our peace and happiness,
and, like Scrooge, live Christmas every day,
we must shed that chain now link by link
and for that the only tools that we possess
are the pliers of letting go of selfishness and
the wire-cutters of compassionate love.
© Lianne Schneider October 2008
Marley's Chain
In Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” Ebenezer Scrooge is warned by the ghost of his old business partner, Jacob Marley, to change his ways before it is too late. Taking a good look at ourselves, at our choices past and present, can be a frightening undertaking certainly. But as Scrooge did in this classic story, we must face the potential consequences of not changing and the hope and promise of doing so. Speaking to the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come, “Men’s courses will foreshadow certain ends, to which, if persevered in, they must lead,” said Scrooge. “But if the courses be departed from, the ends will change. Say it is thus with what you show me!” Of course, we are not as fortunate as Ebenezer to learn this lesson in a series of overnight dreams, or to change what we must so quickly and easily, but if we are to be happy and bring happiness to others, then change we must.
I didn’t ask permission to do this but I didn’t want anyone to miss this loving and insightful comment from my beloved friend Butchart
which so powerfully speaks to a precious truth regarding breaking our chains.
butchart, about 2 hours ago
we do indeed forge our own chains…. the deconstruction process… can be just as long and painful as the chains themselves…but i believe we don’t have to attack them on our own… with the loving help and wisdom of our true and dear friends the work to free ourselves becomes easier…
Jaybe, about 1 month ago
Lianne, I was meant to find this today…..touched deep my friend and I thank you….xox
hickerson, about 1 month ago
Thank you, lianne
lianne in reply to Jaybe’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thank you Jacqui – I felt the same way about your new icon the day I saw it (even if I did call you Jan!) Sometimes we are just each other’s teachers for the day. I appreciate you so very much my friend! Your comment means a great deal to me!
lianne in reply to hickerson’s comment, about 1 month ago
And thank YOU Donna – I’m pleased you liked it!
aspectsoftmk, about 1 month ago
i just smile…..and read and read again…yes to the words you write and how you feel….wonderful words my friend…touch my heart!
shilohlin, about 1 month ago
this is one of the most profound writings I have ever read Lianne….....the truth in each line lights my day like the rising sun! this is awesome dear lady….....just amazing writing :)
shilohlin, about 1 month ago
and the title is superb!!!!
lianne in reply to aspectsoftmk’s comment, about 1 month ago
I doubt you need this lesson at all Terri – you are such a giving person there can be no chains on you! And it’s not a lesson directed so much at others as myself always – lol. I’m so glad though to be affirmed, my friend, by one who knows this lesson so well! Thank you!
lianne in reply to shilohlin’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thanks so much Shiloh, my friend. I’m honored by your lovely comment though I very much suspect that you don’t need the lesson in the words – lol. On the other hand, perhaps there are a few times in our lives when we all need “A Christmas Carol” lesson. I so appreciate you!
LindaR, about 1 month ago
such a timely piece ~ timeless in it’s wisdom ~ the struggle to come to be free and live every day like Christmas Day ~ in joy and celebration ~ you’ve nailed it again in your close ~ the pliers and wire cutters ~ ever wonder where those tools are when you need them? ;) brilliant write ~ you know this one touches me ~ xx
aspectsoftmk, about 1 month ago
i smile lianne ….but we all have our chains…..i have mine…and words like these help make them lighter…xx
DottieDees, about 1 month ago
You really it the nail on the head!! I just wish I could borrow a pair of pliers and wire cutters…..Excellent work!
lianne in reply to LindaR’s comment, about 1 month ago
Linda my dearest – I don’t know where my tools might be but I have a friend – you – who is always willing to lend me hers! It’s these damned arthritic hands maybe that’s holding me back – lol. Just kidding – I know it’s painstaking work, lifelong work that intellectually we know we have to undertake, but sometimes the other “selves” make it difficult! I can’t tell you how much your comment touches me dear Linda!
lianne in reply to aspectsoftmk’s comment, about 1 month ago
Well we all do have them Terri and most of us spend a lifetime trying to throw them off! Thank you my friend!
lianne in reply to DottieDees’s comment, about 1 month ago
You can borrow mine any time Dottie – if I can find them that is! Perhaps that’s a part of the story I left out – sometimes you need a friend to lend you theirs! I so appreciate your comment – thank you!
hilarydougill, about 1 month ago
beautiful words, so very beautifully written, and so very visual., and also so very true. Everyone needs to remember they cannot take it with them, there are no pockets in a shroud. love and hugsxxx
lianne in reply to hilarydougill’s comment, about 1 month ago
Well thank you Hilary – yes, Scrooge’s greed was for money – but our own is often for other things, feelings even, that we hoard rather than give away. You are so very intuitive my dear – and I appreciate your insight so much – as always!
Nancy Fischer, about 1 month ago
Now THIS is the perfect Christmas gift! Should be read to children all over the world, along with the other classics. Well done and thank you so much for sharing the love. It takes a lot of guts to put a piece like this out there and it speaks to all of us, I am sure. Love you, Nancy
lianne in reply to Nancy Fischer’s comment, about 1 month ago
I’m just overwhelmed by that gracious compliment Nancy – and the lesson is more for myself than anyone else though I suspect we’ve all been there. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate you, my friend – and love you too!
Nancy Fischer, about 1 month ago
And with any luck if we haven’t been there, we will. It’s the best cleansing in the world. Reality, truth, acceptance.
Sally Omar, about 1 month ago
Lianne, A writing to treasure and be handed down to the next generation…What amazing
wisdom…we all have our chains…no matter what they may be…a definite fav…Hugs,
Sally xxxxoooo
Tina Hogg, about 1 month ago
... and those tools are also perfect for removing the large bolt across the door of one’s heart so it can be flung open!
I really enjoyed this, Lianne, so clear in its’ analogy, so heartfelt. Will read the bit about Dickens now, just wanted to read this first – as soon as I saw the title I knew it was going to be brilliant!
butchart, about 1 month ago
we do indeed forge our own chains…. the deconstruction process… can be just as long and painful as the chains themselves…but i believe we don’t have to attack them on our own… with the loving help and wisdom of our true and dear friends the work to free ourselves becomes easier…......... you have written a
beautiful brave work… that speaks to a truth in us all…...... truths for the art of living in joy and harmony with ourselves and the souls around us…....... bravo my dear friend…........ love…......b
lianne in reply to Nancy Fischer’s comment, about 1 month ago
Very true Nancy – and look how well that turned out for Scrooge! He didn’t back off from the truth and none of the ghosts tried to make him feel as if he’d been a “good guy” – they just made him face the truth.
lianne in reply to Sally Omar’s comment, about 1 month ago
Awww Sally – thank you – such a lovely compliment. Yes we all do have our chains – we’re human – the job is to keep snipping away at them!
lianne in reply to Tina Hogg’s comment, about 1 month ago
Oh they really are Tina – and it’s so nice to know that because we’re human beings who live in a community of other “chained” people, that we can borrow each other’s tools from time to time to get to places we can’t reach! Thank you soooo much!
lianne in reply to butchart’s comment, about 1 month ago
Butch my darling man – the first part of your too beautiful comment needs to be right up there with the description or the poem itself. The truth is it is virtually impossible to break these chains alone – though ultimately we are responsible for committing to doing so. It is with the help, the insight, the love of friends and others that we are inspired, encouraged and sometimes aided in doing so!
TeriLee, about 1 month ago
WOW!! Lianne this is truly touching…your writing is….wow….I feel you…I hear you xo :)
Yool, about 1 month ago
I am silent….....you know what i think …..great writing!!!!
lianne in reply to TeriLee’s comment, about 1 month ago
Thanks so much Terilee – I’m so glad you do and I hear you too! So glad it touched you!
lianne in reply to Yool’s comment, about 1 month ago
I so appreciate your comment Mariola – it means a great deal to me. Thank you so very much!
devotee1, about 1 month ago
Yes, I also need to borrow your pliers and metal-clippers. The most difficult chains, at least with me I have found, are not so much the ones I won’t admit to, are the ones I don’t even know I have. All of them seeming to me as attributes. My wife points this out to me daily, while either laughing hilariously or shaking her lovely head from side to side. God bless her. This is a splendid written work. Another magnificent poem you have brought us for inspiration! Thank you!
lianne in reply to devotee1’s comment, about 1 month ago
Ah dear Joe thank you so much – it’s that “self-awareness” of our chains that comes the hardest perhaps! I’m constantly working – often less than successfully – at the ones I know I have but I have to keep looking at the hard to get at places for the links I can’t see so well! You are an absolute jewel dear Joe – thank you!
Cheryl Lunde, about 1 month ago
This is such a powerful piece, I awed by your ability to put words to paper. Congrats on being a shining star for the group!
lianne in reply to Cheryl Lunde’s comment, about 1 month ago
What a lovely thing to say Cheryl – I’m so pleased that you liked it. Thank you so much – I was honored by the selection.
beast, about 1 month ago
very good piece lianne, brings great thought
lianne in reply to beast’s comment, about 1 month ago
Hi Luke – so good to see you my friend! Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! Just a bit of introspection – sometimes the old stories have a lot to tell us!
Jen Whyte, about 1 month ago
Oh Lianne my dear what truly inspirational writing … this is so true as we do chain ourselves to unimportant things all through our lives and when we do become enlightened it is sad that we have so little time left to spread universal love and compassion. Maybe it is something we all have to go through to understand so that our souls can move on! I absolutely love this poem! xox
lianne in reply to Jen Whyte’s comment, about 1 month ago
It is a shame that it takes us so long to learn isn’t it? But, I firmly believe that it is never too late and though we sometimes struggle with the task and find some links particularly stubborn to cut through, there is value in the continued effort. Even enlightenment doesn’t come without some maintenance work – lol. I’m so very pleased that you liked this dearest Jen – that really touches me very much. Thank you – from my heart.
Trudi ~, about 1 month ago
Well there is nothing l can say to this that has’nt already been said my friend ,but beautifully written and very thought provoking, human nature is a very strange and sometimes cruel thing,even though we try to talk ourselves out of these feelings, invariably somewhere along the line the rot sets back in and we have to fight our way back out again a constant struggle x
lianne in reply to Trudi ~’s comment, about 1 month ago
Oh my Trudi you have indeed identified the heart of it!! That IS the struggle always – and God knows just as soon as I clip one link I forge another!! I think though the key isn’t so much talking ourselves out of feeling these things but to acknowledge them for what they are and try to let them arise and leave us more quickly before they create another link in the chain. Being truthful with ourselves, facing that truth about ourselves courageously is probably the first step. I so deeply appreciate your lovely comment, Trudi, your honesty and your thoughtfulness. Thank you so much!
Helene Kippert, 29 days ago
Profound and very true – and I agree totally about letting them arise and then pass away!
lianne in reply to Helene Kippert’s comment, 29 days ago
Always easier said than done Helene but we keep on trying! Thank you so much for such a lovely comment!
loramae, 28 days ago
I imagine I will read this several more times Lianne…I think we all have a link or two to cut away…sure has me rethinking some things in my little world…Thank you for being you…I am blessed…I pray you will be blessed ;O)
lianne in reply to loramae’s comment, 16 days ago
I do not know how I missed this lovely comment Loramae – must have been just as I left for TX. But I thank you so very much for always being so supportive. I feel so badly to be so far behind in your lovely work – and still have at least one more day with no time for RB. But I promise, you’ll be one of the first people I visit! I so appreciate you!