My Cardboard Balcony

Self by Belinda Roddie I do not believe in the concept of human enlightenment. Why? Because human enlightenment signifies human perfection within a human mindset, which is so painfully fragile and imperfect that it makes a fractured tibia look sturdy. There is a difference between "enlightenment" and self-awareness. Self-awareness is not simply being aware of oneself; it is also being aware that the self is constantly changing, and in a larger sense, the world is constantly changing. To claim that one is enlightened is ironically limiting oneself to new knowledge. We do not know everything. No one knows everything. If you're spiritual or religious, you are probably familiar with the idea that only God knows everything. And thank Him for that, because without the persistent pursuit of knowledge or recognition, there is no purpose in living because all method, mission, or soul-searching would be rendered obsolete. Self-awareness provides the opportunity to grow and lea...

The lady who approached me in front of the office had a beehive and full pink lips, sticky with the gloss I had seen her apply at her desk. As she offered a limp hand, hooked almost like a talon, for me to shake, I looked at her. "What's this?" I asked. She furrowed her penciled brow at me. "It's a lady's handshake. You're a lady. We shake hands like ladies." "Uh uh," I dissented. "You shake hands with me like a real person. See, a gentleman's handshake is not gender-specific. You have a firm handshake if you're authoritative. Professional. Powerful. I don't care how much estrogen courses through both of our bodies. You give me a real goddamn handshake."