Things That Give Me Hope

Art Throughout the Ages

2010-11-28T23:14:00.000-08:00

If you want to learn about an area in specific time period, examine it's art throughout the ages: literature, paintings, sculptures, crafts, music, tools.... It's amazing what you can gather through these things. Sometimes they can provide you with information that history books can't. Art is influenced by many things ... political movements, religion, a new discovery, technological advances or even a moment of self awareness and clarity.

The message of art varies. Sometimes it seems obvious ... sometime you can't make heads or tails of it. Sometimes there isn't a message, sometimes it's deep and meaningful. It can show you the beauty of an era, or it's dark times.

Art, no matter what the medium, is a beautiful way of expressing one's self, of expanding the imagination, all the while telling a story about the time period it is from.

Art isn't as appreciated as it used to be in our era. ... I wonder what people will think of this time period. What will be considered art?

Regardless it gives me hope. It's a wonderful, freeing outlet - without it, I'd drown in my own thoughts.

Organization ... or lack there of.

2010-11-27T23:00:00.000-08:00

Organization - Neat and tidy, brings order and stability. It gives off a good impression, and I like that I am a capable of such a skill. What I lack though ... is keeping it, but that's okay, I like the mess. The disorganization, it makes me feel at home and the place lived in. I won't lie. I am a bit of a slob ... and I hate cleaning, but I try to keep my mess confined to my area, but that never seems good enough ... but that's a rant, and that's not for this blog. I live in a cluttered mess. Maybe I'm just lazy, but I appreciate the chaos and disorder ... it brings something into my life ... defines me well, and I sometimes like seeing how my living area can transform to a hurricane aftermath to something ... I don't know ... maybe "tolerable" is a better word. And it's got nothing to do with respect or lack of it as to why I don't keep my living area tidy. I simply see it as mine, my space, my sanctuary, and I love the disorder ... and the organization that eventually follows. It's me. And quite frankly... the transformation give's me hope ... I kinda look at it as life. There's a lot a shit around, but eventually, things are going to shape up and balance will be restored ... Sometimes shit happens and everything is thrown back into chaos just as soon as you're done, maybe you can hold onto order for a while. Regardless, it shows that change can happen, good and stability can happen, sometimes you gotta do it yourself to make it happen ... or have encouragement, whether you want it or not.

Books

2010-11-27T13:55:00.000-08:00

Books, there's so many of them! While I don't enjoy all types of genre's I do respect the art. It takes so much hard work and dedication. Writing is a beautiful way to weave tales or get a message across. A few words can go a long way.

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but a thousand words can depict a lot in itself, in ways that a picture can't. Words can give moment, life, death, flow. A picture captures the moment and that's just as precious, don't get me wrong. I just think it's beautiful how written words can say so much, can do so much, sometimes better than the voice.

I personally love stories and I'm quite fond of fiction. I love how a writer can take the ordinary and make it extraordinary, bending views and maybe even show a new light on the matter. And don't you just love how someone so frail and weak can work hard and show the world the true meaning of inner strength? I do. The outcome could be saving the day, saving the world, a friend or a love one, all in all, while saving themselves.

Teachers

2010-11-27T11:00:00.000-08:00

These people work before the school bell rings until the wee hours of the night. They work constantly and most times than not, unappreciated. They work hard to impart knowledge onto you, the students. Their accomplishments are you learning and growing as an individual, using the tools they gave you to as a step up the ladder toward your success.

Students often don't realize the importance of teachers because of their own ignorance (for whatever reason), and yet they sit there, unknowingly being shaped and molded, crafted into individuals that will use the skills passed on to them in some form or manner that they learned in the classroom, in the real world.

Now of course there are teachers who don't care.

And then there are those that do. They go the extra mile, whether it's smiling and asking about your day, to a simple conversation to going out of their way to be there when you need someone.

I am so thankful to have had you for a teacher Mrs. Ahner. Your kindness and hope helped me, even when I didn't even realize I needed help, even when I didn't realize how much you were there for me. Thank you and for all the others like you that have helped me along the way. I wish I would had realized how much you were there for me a lot sooner. Thank you. I wish I had known, I wish I had realized. I love you.

Video Games

2010-11-27T10:34:00.000-08:00

It's a nice little escape from the harsh realities that real life brings. Here in these worlds you are the expected to the unlikely hero that saves the world. Enemy after enemy comes at you, ready and willing to cut you down but you, the hero, keeps going strong and over comes those foes even when it all seems bleak and hopeless.

These days people cut themselves, take drugs, develop disorders- usually eating, use sex, anything as a means to make them feel something, anything, even if it's pain whether it's hurting themselves or others. They want to feel whats real because everything around them feel so bleak, cold and empty. It took growing up to realize I was one of those people.

No I didn't cut myself. I thought it was foolish and petty to want to give yourself so many scars that you can't remove. No I didn't starve myself or eat too much ... though I am an eater. I do loves me some food so why would I want to forsake that when someone else barely has enough? I was always thankful for the food that was placed in front of me. Sex? I'm 23 and still a virgin. I've dated 'online' and while the world doesn't count those, I do. But actually dating someone? I've only had one boyfriend so far. It lasted a few days being 3 months. He ended it. Months later I mention getting back together and you know what his answer was? "Sex is too important. It's not worth it." Meaning I was worthless because I wanted to keep my virginity. It tore me apart, but you know what? When he said that to me, I was done with him. He made me move on because an asshole like that doesn't deserve me, that was two years ago. I'm still a virgin and damn proud of it. I don't need sex or a man to make me feel beautiful, deserving. I can do that myself.

I am a hero in my own world. I will save myself.

And you know what? Ever since I started loving myself, video games are no longer my escape ... but stories that deserve to be read and explored. They are no longer my escape but they still bring me happiness and joy. I play them because I enjoy them, not because I can't deal with reality.

The Taste of Hardwork

2010-11-27T01:57:00.000-08:00

I come from a family that believes in home cooked meals, and damn do I enjoy those. There's always something extra delicious and healthy about a hard cooked meal. You can practically taste the love and effort put into it. It's comforting and fills the body and soul quite well. It's a shame that family's these days don't get the chance to enjoy home cooked meals - they either don't have the time, or don't want to take the time. It's actually cheaper as well. I feel that there is more satisfaction when you take the time to put effort into something so simple or complex as preparing a meal. Or maybe it's just me.

Wagging Tails

2010-11-26T14:11:00.000-08:00

Joy for me is the excitement I see every time I step outside. Furry friends that are always so happy to see you no matter what you've done or where you've been. Their eyes radiate innocence and happiness whenever it's time to play. And when it's time for food, they're appreciative of what's been given to them, even if they do want more. I love my pets, my precious seven dogs. Every time I come home they crowd around, so eager and happy to see me, so eager to say hello and be petted. They give me hope. Life would be so empty without them.

The Little Things

2010-11-23T11:51:00.000-08:00

Everyone has secrets both good and bad. This blog will be my effort to keep myself strong. This will be my diary to share, my crutch to keep me standing. This blog will be about the little things that give light to my world, no matter how dark and lonely it gets. I will be strong and I will face this world in my own little way, even if I have to do it alone.

Everyone is so focused on the bad in their life, they fail to recognize the good, despite how big or small it is. This is a reminder that there is good out there and that there is hope. This will be my reminder.

This is my first secret and my first step in the right direction.