Yes, there is always the possibility of change, in all things, and this is a source of great hope. And in my experience, when big changes happen, they all come very quickly. Important events are not spread out at random, but rather, they seem to cluster in bunches. Which probably gives a clue to the workings of fate.
With regard to relationships, in the more general meaning of the term, I’ve never had any problem making friends, whether in the Pagan community or anywhere else, as I think I’m a fairly sociable sort of person. In particular, I’ve never had any hang-ups about mixing with sighted people, which is not the case for all blind people. In fact, I prefer it. And this goes back to the previous point about not blurring the lines between the two communities. My purpose in becoming involved in a Pagan group or event is to take from it what it offers on its own terms. I have no wish to change the nature of the event to suit my own needs, or bring people along for support, who may be there mainly for my sake, rather than the event itself. And yes, being blind does indeed set me apart from all the others at such events, but this needn’t be a bad thing. It has certainly opened doors for me that wouldn’t necessarily have opened otherwise.
Ah, Enya (or “Enema” as a friend of mine at school used to call her, yes, very juvenile, I know), another excellent choice. And from Enya we move quite naturally onto Clannad.
youtube.com/watch?v=zWtVNfMDfSg
Newgrange is one of those places I’d really love to visit one day, though I’ve never actually been to Ireland.
You still have cassettes? I do, but that’s because a lot of audio books, especially older ones, come in that format.
He probably chose Blindness as the title of his book for its shock value. It is, after all, something that most people fear quite badly. It’s also a very good metaphor, of course.
I think most people have an inner voice, a conscience, that tells them when something they’re doing is right or wrong. At least, I like to think that’s the case. Often, though, people will ignore their conscience, and persuade themselves that what they’re doing is right, or for the best in the long run, or whatever. A million excuses to tell themselves that they’ve done the right thing, when in fact, they know they haven’t. But then, there are always grey areas. Take vegetarianism, for example. I can fully understand the argument of those who say it’s wrong to kill and eat a living, conscious creature. I don’t happen to agree with it, simply because that’s not how humans have evolved. I do, however, think that we owe it to these animals that we keep for food to make their lives as comfortable as we can, beforehand. And obviously, we should never waste the food so provided. As for myself, I’m currently in a vegetarian phase, but that’s primarily as part of my drive for physical and spiritual purification that I mentioned before.
I hadn’t heard that thing about Saturn before, I must admit. But then, I’m not an expert on astrology. I know that blind people were put to work in the middle ages, rather than just left to vegetate. For example, on building sites they were often employed in groups to walk round giant treadmills to provide lifting power for wooden cranes and things like that. Sounds particularly dull and repetitive, but quite a lot better than just being left on the streets to beg. Which also happened, though. Prior to the Reformation, many welfare services were provided by monasteries (hospitals, hostels, alms, and so on), and the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII caused quite a major crisis. So the state had to step in, and began to get a lot more heavily involved in welfare legislation during the reign of Elizabeth I.
Yes, the old saying, what you’ve never had you never miss. And, you know, it’s true in a way. But only up to a certain point. I would dearly love to know what it’s like to see, if only out of intense curiosity. Having said that, I can’t imagine what it must be like to lose one’s sight. Truly awful, presumably.
In terms of physical attraction, it’s smell that does it for me, and that’s something I pick up on the moment I meet anyone (actually, usually just before I meet them).