Speak Up

Christian, nature, photography, poetry 1 Minute

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Speak Up

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Fueled by their own fear and ignorance

A bully can come in any shape or size

attacking those they don’t understand

  abusing and overpowering those they despise

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Toxic words and deeds load their guns

while their hearts spew molten lava of hate

Intolerant of those who disagree with them

and seeking out the gentle to shove and berate

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How many lives have hung by a hopeless rope

woven of strands of isolation and rejection

because no one had the courage to speak up

thinking the risk was not their obligation?

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Wendy ❀ 2014

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I took these pictures of the Sea Lions at Fanny Bay, Vancouver Island.

They were a happy and noisy bunch.

But there was one that the others seemed to dislike.

It looked like a classic case of bullying.

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Hating back is not the answer.

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Do you have someone in your life that you’ve spoken up for?

Bullying can happen anywhere.

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These creatures might look sluggish

 but they can swim up to 25 mph when threatened.

They are able to dive as deep as 600 ft for seafood

and not need air for about 40 min.

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Their natural enemies are great white sharks

and killer whales.

Plastic garbage on beaches and waterways

are also dangerous for them if swallowed or wrapped around their necks.

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These pictures show both Steller and California Sea Lions.

The larger and lighter colored ones are the Stellers.

They molt annually.

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I found it intriguing that they prefer to remain cuddled up

 even when there’s no shortage of room.

In their natural habitat, their lifespan may as much as 25 years.

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 The Steller males can get up to 1500 lbs ( females considerably smaller)

and 11 feet long.

As humans we need to stop environmentally bullying these animals.

 We need to stop littering and polluting.

Let’s clean up our act.

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God asked us to exercise dominion–not destruction over creation.

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Speak Up Blessings ~ Wendy ❀

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Here’s a link to a 39 second video I took of the boisterous choir.

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Here is a link to the CBC news report about  a rescue

 done in the same bay my video taken was in:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/sea-lions-rescued-from-slow-death-in-fanny-bay-b-c-1.2570471

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Published by Wendy L. Macdonald

Living for Jesus, loving Him, and listening for His voice bring me great joy. I'm an inspirational writer, blogger, and podcaster who also loves to photograph creation. ~ My faith is not shallow because I've been rescued from the deep. ~ Blessings ~ Wendy ❀ http://www.wendylmacdonald.com

Published

49 thoughts on “Speak Up”

  3. So very relevant and courageous. Yes, we do have to speak up. And this is such a meaningful post, Wendy. Have a lovely Easter! 🙂 Love, Iris.

    Reply

  4. Definitely we have to speak out– right now in Canada the seal slaughter goes on as I write. I just supported PETA in its fight against this horrendous slaughter of unspeakable cruelty. Thanks for posting this, Wendy, and it is a beautiful post, as always.

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  5. ★ ★ ★Wendy★ ★ ★

    A very enlightening and engaged post… Your words are so revelant and it would be great for us to keep them in mind.
    I loved the poetic cards you have added here, particularly the last one:

    “Don´t leave me to fly alone… It takes a community to make a home”.

    Absolutely touching, thanks fro sharing and wishing you a great Easter over there.
    Aquileana 😉

    Reply

    1. My husband, who drives by there regularly says, “Yes, they’re always loud.” I could have sat and watched them for hours. ❀ Thank you for your visit.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words. Each time we reach out to someone in our part little part of the world we are helping–even if we just have a smile to offer someone. ❀

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  10. Thank you, Wendy, for encouraging us to speak up today. We loved your video of the sea lions talking! God bless you and your heart for the hurting!

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    1. Debbie, it made me smile to think of you both enjoying those chatty sea lions. Thank you for your visits and comments. It’s so nice to see your new poems on your always peaceful blog. ❀ You draw us to the Prince of Peace with each one that you write.

      Reply

  11. This is such a lovely post Wendy. Bullying is so horrible. I remember ithappening to one of my children and when I spoke up about it I was trembling and it made me fel ill so it has ripple effects to upon everyone involved.

    What gorgeous photos here and I love how the sea lions all cuddle up to each other.

    Love and blessings x

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    1. Christine, I can so picture you standing up for your son. Your heart must have overflowed with motherly love. Yes, bullying affects those around the injured. Bless you for being a bold mom. ❀ I’d rather be accused of caring too much than not enough.

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  13. Beautifully correlated the pictures of the Sea Lions and the wisdom in ‘speaking-up’! Empower yourself and live life must be practiced! Thanks Wendy 🙂

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    1. Dear Mary, thank you for your visits. I hope that you are enjoying the changing colors of autumn as much as we are pleased with the spring flowers over here. ❀

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    1. Thank you so much, Aquileana. I’m honored that you have nominated me. Your blog is teaching me so much about mythology–which is something I’ve neglected to study. I don’t participate in awards anymore;however, I will gladly mention you and your wonderful blog on my next post. Are you by any chance working on a book? ❀ (I’m posting about writing next week.)

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      1. Hi Wendy,
        Thanks for your nice words, Really Good to read them. As to your last question, woefully I am not… I think It would take me too much time and right now I don’ t think I would be able to do It… Maybe later on, starting next summer…Who knows… Anyway it makes me glad to know that you have thought of me… If you are interested I am thinking that Maybe I can suggest you any friend out there… As you wish, my dear… Let me know If I can help.
        Best wishes, always, Aquileana 😉

        Reply

  21. You know, Wendy, this post struck me as particularly touching because to this day as a grown adult I still see others bullying each other and this beautiful earth that God created. It saddens me deeply to think about how people just live their lives so self-centered that nothing outside their “zone” matters.

    I love your photos. But I love your words more. You’ve always been such an inspiration. <3

    Reply

    1. Heather, thank you so much for your encouragement.

      I’ve recently been reading about narcissism. It seems that our N.A.culture has many of the symptoms of this personality disorder. But nothing is too difficult for God–a sincere and Spirit-filled revival could clean us all up in short order. ❀

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  22. Wise and wonderful words and photos. Thanks also for the research you’ve put in, makes for fascinating reading. And thank-you for your recent ‘like’. Blessings!

    Reply

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