**Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child. Listen to the DON’TS. Listen to the SHOULDN’TS,. the IMPOSSIBLES, the WON’TS. Listen to the NEVER HAVES. Then, listen close to me–Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.**Shel Silverstein

During childhood, keepers listened (attentively) to each and every MUSTN’T and DON’T and SHOULDN’T. We took to heart each and every IMPOSSIBLE AND WON’T. Our future was predetermined by the NEVER HAVES that were heaped upon us long before we could think for ourselves. You see, keepers accepted (without question) the truth of these words simply because they were our childhood teachings. Each one of us was much too young to see and know the actual brainwashing that was contained in each individual prophecy set forth by these words as they were repeated to us time and time again over the span of a great many years.

The brainwashing of keepers went something like this. Mommy says keepers MUSTN’T be prissy or act in girlish ways. Daddy says we MUSTN’T try to think for ourselves. Grandpa says keepers MUSTN’T run and laugh and play like other children do. Nana says we MUSTN’T make a bit of noise. But, mostly, Uncles say that keepers MUSTN’T ever tell. Mommy says keepers, DON’T ever think you are as good as your brothers. Daddy says, keepers DON’T expect caring or respect in this world. Grandpa says keepers DON’T giggle or put on airs. Grandma says keepers, DON’T tell me your tales of woe. But, mostly, the uncles say keepers DON’T ever let anyone know. Mommy says, keepers SHOULDN’T have a Barbie Doll. Daddy says keepers SHOULDN’T ever ask for help. Grandpa says keepers SHOULDN’T cry tears like real children do. Nana says keepers SHOULDN’T be immature. But, mostly, the uncles say keepers SHOULDN’T whine and whimper. Mommy says it is IMPOSSIBLE for keepers to learn. Daddy says it is IMPOSSIBLE for keepers the act like little ladies. Grandpa says it is IMPOSSIBLE for keepers to learn responsibility. Grandma says it is IMPOSSIBLE for keepers to be as good as our brothers. But, mostly, the Uncles say it is IMPOSSIBLE for keepers to tell the truth. Mommy says keepers WON’T ever amount to anything. Daddy says keepers WON’T ever be ladies. Grandpa says that keepers WON’T ever be as smart as our siblings. Grandma says keepers WON’T ever be mature. But, mostly, the UNCLES say that keepers WON’T ever be free. Mommy says that keepers will NEVER HAVE the brains of a bag of rocks. Daddy says that keepers will NEVER HAVE a life worth living. Grandpa says that keepers WILL NEVER have the fancy house. Nana says that keepers will NEVER HAVE a chance in this world. But, mostly, the uncles say that keepers will NEVER HAVE any proof. The truth of the matter is that keepers did listen closely as our future was laid out by the words of those who brought us into this world. Keepers listened and we learned and we believed and we allowed our lives to be shaped by all the MUSTN’TS; DON’TS; SHOULDN’TS; IMPOSSIBLES; WON’TS and NEVER HAVES. In fact, keepers took our childhood teachings so much to heart that we carried them with us well into adulthood–completely accepting that we had been cast into a life of nothingness.

Along the way through our adult years, Nana passed away and Grandpa followed. Grandma left this earth and Mommy was not far behind. Daddy was gone as well and the Uncles died off one by one. Slowly but surely, their MUSTN’TS didn’t seem to matter so much any more. Their DON’TS lost the power they once had over keepers. Their SHOULDN’TS seemed much less important. Their IMPOSSIBLES came into the light and keepers saw them for what they really were. Their WON’TS became nothing more than idle words from people who never understood. But, mostly, the NEVER HAVES showed their true colors and were laid to rest.

Keepers move forward knowing that these childhood brainwashings still exist in those who bequeathed them to us. Letting go of these teachings is a lifelong process. Some days keepers do well and move ahead. Other days, keepers remember what we were taught and buy back into the life that was predestined for us. Most of the time, it is–truly– a matter of keepers taking five steps forward and three steps back and then four more steps forward and so on and so forth. But the progress keepers have made shows in the fact that we believe in ourselves enough to be doing KEEPERSKORNER and the fact that keepers now stand straight and tall against the world.

What keepers know is that Shel Silverstein had a profound message when he wrote this poem. Keepers needed to listen to the voice that keeps on telling us ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. ANYTHING CAN BE. Who would have thought that voice would be coming from within our own system of alters? Who would have ever thought that keepers will to grow and thrive could have been strong enough to negate the brainwashings of our own childhood?

peace and blessings,

keepers