It is said that there is a curse within each and every one of us. It is not an external curse placed upon us by some supernatural force, but rather an internal curse that we carry within ourselves. This curse manifests itself in various ways, impacting every aspect of our lives. One way in which this curse manifests is through our negative thoughts and beliefs. We often doubt ourselves, criticize ourselves, and focus on our flaws and shortcomings. These negative thoughts create a veil of negativity that clouds our minds and prevents us from reaching our fullest potential.
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Left For one, if you venture into a dark space -- an attic, the woods, anywhere you don t see any children -- a child s giggle can scare the hell out of you, horror historian Tananarive Due said. Kjeldgaard-Christiansen, drawing on past researchers work, wrote that evil laughter stands out for its vulgarity, but also shows audiences that they are right to hate the villain and to uphold the moral order implicit in the fiction.
These negative thoughts create a veil of negativity that clouds our minds and prevents us from reaching our fullest potential. Another way in which this curse manifests is through our self-destructive behaviors. We engage in habits that harm our physical and mental well-being, such as unhealthy eating, excessive drinking, or drug abuse.
A Walk in the Footsteps of Lugh and Balor of the Evil Eye
The beautiful village of Dunlewey Dun Luiche lies at the foot of Errigal Mountain, the highest peak in Donegal.
During last summer’s Feile an Earagail, I joined a guided walk from Dunlewey into The Poisoned Glen Gleann Nemhe, a U-shaped glen believed to have been formed in The Ice Age.
The pleasant weather attracted a large group, that included local families, tourists, walking enthusiasts and curious locals like myself.
After crossing an ancient bridge, we admired the beauty of the area.
It is the site of a mythical battle between Lugh – king of the Tuatha De Danaan, and his grandfather Balor of the Evil Eye.
The Legend of Lugh and Balor of the Evil Eye
A Druid prophecy foretold that Balor would be killed by his grandson. Balor’s only child Eithne, was thus imprisoned in a stone tower on Tor Mor, on the island of Tory. Twelve women kept Eithne company, and were warned that they should never speak of a man and Eithne should never see a man.
Balor’s demise unfolds with the stealing of a cow belonging to a swordsman called Gaibhidin from the mainland tribe, the Tuatha De Danaan.
Cian, a Tuatha De Danaan chieftain was sent to find and return the cow to the mainland.
Miraculously, with the aid of a Druid woman called Birog, Cian entered the tower and fell in love with Eithne, who delivered triplets some time after Cian’s visit.
Balor fell into a rage, beheaded Cian and threw the poor triplets into the sea. However, one of the triplets was rescued by Birog and christened Lugh.
Lugh eventually became king of the Tuatha De Danann, and made his home in a fort at Dunlewey.
Some years later, Balor paid a visit to Gaibhidin’s forge, and bragged of killing Cian and the triplets. Unaware that Lugh had survived, Balor succumbed to the prophecy, when his grandson plunged a fiery rod from the furnace into his head and out through his eye!
Another version of the story has Lugh leading the Tuatha De Danaan at the second battle of Moy Tura, and killing Balor with a slingshot that sends Balor’s eye shooting out of the back of his head!
Balor’s head is said to have been thrown onto a rock – seen in the centre of the photograph below.
This legend suggests The Poisoned Glen Gleann Nimhe is named after the poison that flowed from Balor’s Evil Eye.
Heavenly Glen
An alternative theory on the naming of this beautiful glen, comes from the translation from Irish into English.
Neamh is Irish for heavenly, while neimhe translates as poison.
No matter which theory is true, The Poisoned Glen is indeed a heavenly place, and is well worth a visit.
You can read more about Balor and his fort on Tory Island, in my post:
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from debilitating illness.
She lives in Donegal, Ireland – an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Neamh is Irish for heavenly, while neimhe translates as poison.
We know deep down that these habits are detrimental to our health, yet we continue to engage in them, trapped in a cycle of self-destruction. This curse also impacts our relationships with others. We may find ourselves constantly pushing people away, sabotaging potential friendships or romantic relationships due to fear and insecurity. We may also struggle to trust others, always expecting the worst and feeling betrayed even when there is no evidence to support our suspicions. Perhaps the most insidious aspect of this curse is that it often goes unnoticed. We become so accustomed to living with these negative thoughts, destructive habits, and strained relationships that we accept them as normal. We fail to recognize that we have the power to break free from this curse and live a more fulfilling and positive life. Breaking free from this curse starts with self-awareness. We must recognize the negative thoughts and beliefs that hold us back and consciously challenge them. We must be willing to confront and change our self-destructive behaviors, replacing them with healthier habits that promote growth and well-being. Additionally, breaking free from this curse requires us to seek support and guidance from others. We may need the help of therapists, support groups, or trusted friends to help us navigate this journey of self-discovery and healing. While the curse within us may seem daunting, it is not insurmountable. With dedication, self-reflection, and support, we can break free from the negative patterns and beliefs that hold us back. We can live a life free from the curse and embrace the happiness and fulfillment that we truly deserve..
Reviews for "The Curse of Loneliness: Understanding the Impact of Social Isolation"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Curse within us" based on all the hype it was getting online, but I was ultimately disappointed. The plot felt convoluted and confusing, with too many characters and subplots that didn't seem to tie together cohesively. The writing style also left a lot to be desired, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I found the book to be a letdown and not worth the hype it received.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I couldn't even finish "Curse within us". The writing was so pretentious and self-indulgent, it felt like the author was more interested in showing off their vocabulary than telling a compelling story. The characters were flat and uninteresting, and I couldn't bring myself to care about what happened to them. It's rare for me to give up on a book, but this one was just unbearable.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - "Curse within us" had potential, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long stretches of nothing happening and then sudden bursts of action that felt disconnected from the overall story. The author also relied heavily on clichéd tropes and predictable plot twists, making the reading experience feel unoriginal and uninspired. I found myself losing interest as I continued reading, and by the end, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
4. Emma - 2.5/5 stars - While "Curse within us" had a promising premise, it failed to deliver on its potential. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them on any emotional level. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, which hindered the overall reading experience. Additionally, the plot twists and revelations were predictable and didn't come as a surprise. Overall, "Curse within us" left me feeling indifferent and wanting more from the story.