This Is My Dream

Originally, I was going to post this bare on facebook. Honestly, I don't see the point in putting things like this on facebook, that's what blogs are for.

But we all have dreams. There are dreams that last a month, or some you had as a child. Or maybe you have dreams you haven't discovered yet. Some are of our selfish desires, and some are from God. My writing passion has  been with my since I was a child. Even to this day, with each book I pick up I think, "Hmmm...someone will pick up and read my book one day."

It's a common dream, but one I think I can achieve with God's strength. He's brought me this far.

Writing isn't the career most people seek. If it is, a writing career requires another job on top of it. Why? Most books barely make enough income to support one person, and if they have a family, they'll need another job to feed them. But that doesn't stop us from pursuing writing. Writing is about more than money; it means something different to everyone.

My passion for writing has been driven by people; we read because we love stories. I love stories. But I love people; the audience of these books. I love reading their reviews and understanding their perspective on the stories they've read. I love creating characters that are different from one another, and watching how they interact. I love throwing situations at them, and watching their reaction.

When I read, I don't just sit there and stare at the words, my imagination goes. I picture everything and when I have difficulty, I try anyway. Writing is not just a book, its an adventure.

I'll never be ready for this January when I start working towards my Writing Certificate at Flemming. In fact, I'm kinda of nervous. I mean, with everything I said, and my doubts towards my own abilities, who wouldn't be nervous? Plus I have seen some of the masters of writing and read their work, its hard. Will I ever have the ability to write like that?

I shouldn't have doubts about my creativity. I mean, I sometimes have "story dreams" and this is common among authors. In fact, so many popular, best-selling stories have come out of story dreams. Hahahaha, I kinda made up the name, I bet now everyone is confused. The name story dream is self-explanatory; it's a dream with a story. No randomness, or weirdness. It has the basic structure of a story, it has a beginning, a middle and sometimes an end. And it makes sense. I've had everything from escaping a school full of zombies, to being in a love story with action and adventure.

But still most people will call me crazy, they will say, "no one wants an education for something like this", but then who is no one? Not one person knows everyone, so this statement can't be made.. I have been led towards this path, and with open arms I smile. I will embrace this, despite my doubts and my belief in my writing limitations I will remember Philippians 4:13, "I can do anything through him who gives me strength."

When Struggles Break In, God Will Show You The Way! :)

As the end of the winter semester of University draws to a close, life has already begun to get hectic and busy. Papers are due next week, exams are stepping towards us from around the corner, and then there's that small voice that says, "Don't forget to breathe!" We barely have time this semester to even do that.

Since we are almost at a close for this year, and since we are all engaged actively in the world of academics, I felt like I wanted to share something that has been on my heart since last night as encouragement, because that is honestly what we all need right now.

I know for a fact that every one of you is strong, you all have the potential to be a leader someday. God has created each one of you to do something amazing, it says so in Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 29:11, " 'For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.' "

When God creates us, he forms us. He creates a plan for our lives and gives us direction. God brings to us a new challenge, and something he wants us to achieve. When the time is right, we will know what God wants us to do with our lives.

Though this is very cliché we head towards Gods plan like a athlete who runs a race. The athlete works hard, trains for weeks (months even) on end, and all of this is to achieve his/her goal. As Christians, we do the exact same: we work hard in school, we train our bodies and minds through scripture readings and devotions. And then, when we are ready, we begin to run towards God goal.

I believe that for a lot of you, that's where you are right now. Some are beginning University (or college if) and others are finishing. For what purpose though? Because God put a dream and a passion in your heart. He gave you something you want to do, and a goal you want to achieve. That is totally worth something!

Even if you don't have any goals, or you still don't have an idea as to what you want to pursue, God still has a plan for you...and you are still running the race. God doesn't always reveal to us right away what he wants us to do, and sometimes when we are standing in a spot where we need to make choice, and choose the next mile of our race, God does something totally unexpected. But no matter what, as long as we follow him, we can do it.

So as you finish your papers, and as you study for your exams remember this:

You are beautifully and wonderfully made!

God has a plan for you!

Through prayer and scripture, God gives us strength!

God placed you inside an amazing school with an amazing community!

Do not fear, for God is with you! (I remember this one song I learnt as a child, "Be strong and courageous, do not be terrified, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God is with you whenever you go! :D Joshua 1:9 I believe is where it is located...lol).

And finally...no matter what, God will NEVER forsake you! :)

All of you can do it because you are wonderful, amazing and i could go on and on and on :)

Rock those exams, and show those papers your the boss!

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Frozen - Be Like Elsa!

I apologize for my lack of updates. University has picked up the pace as this winter semester ends, and even though its almost midnight and I am working on two papers, I wanted to share with you some thoughts.

Most of us know of Frozen, a movie released by Disney during the latter parts of last year. In a few short months it's become the new "old". That is to say, it is being compared to some of the old classics, it's currently #2 on the list of movies which ranks animation films based on how much money they brought in. Now, I saw the movie and I loved it but one has to ask...why? It's got some cliche themes, and unrealistic concepts, we've heard similar story-lines a million times in other Disney movies.

Everyone will have a different answer so this is one out of the many voices; but I believe Elsa is the reason.

The "villain" of the story who just wants to be who she really is.  A Disney cliche theme, but its presented in a unique way...one that maybe some people can relate to because of how realistic it is. How? I will elaborate.

Society tells its citizens how to behave; the "leaders" tell its followers, without them knowing, the ideal person. Barbie was created based on a similar concept; what a women should look like. Tall, thin, blonde hair...you get the idea. As unrealistic as these ideas are, they are still presented...people just don't care what others have to go through to meet these unrealistic concepts.

The father wants his daughter to hide who she is, to be the good girl. Ring a bell? That's what the world tells its people...the lecture society sparks out. We have to be good, and if we aren't good, we have to pretend. The pretend creates fear, which forces us to hide who we really are and suffer for it because we believe that we are evil...because we believe everyone will hate us.

Those who don't care or try to speak out are silenced with unnecessary methods we teach children not to use; unkind words and hurtful approaches. Leaders of society (now, just making sure I clarify, I am not addressing politicians but individuals within the social structure who, on purpose or indirectly, stand up and set the standard for humanity. In other words, tell society how to act with the expectations that they will) make sure that this is emphasized, or worse, turn around and act out the very thing they just told the people not to do...and get away with it.

For this reason, many find themselves in a similar situation as Elsa. They want to reach out, they want to try and find the extent of their own abilities...what they can do on their own two feet, but the pressure of the world on their shoulders and because of the fear society has created, they cannot.

And then it gets worse. Society will reach out to try and help, but by the time they do its too late. The damage has been done, and they blame the Elsa's for it.

Two path's are now available; the first is for individuals to continue closing themselves in...and live in fear until they die, or be like Elsa, and reach deep within to realize that life may suck, but there is beauty in the world, you just have to find it. Find those gifts. Find those people who matter. Trust me; a world of darkness is never truly dark, there is always a glimmer of hope.

Look in the story, try to discover the other things that Elsa is saying to you. You can't live in fear, and you can't live isolated from the world. If you hate it, then help change it. If you were bullied, mentor children and help them go through what you did as a child. If you believe you suck and that no one wants you, it isn't true. There's a MINORITY out there, feeling the same way...so you aren't alone.

Be like Elsa, discover beauty and discover that you can help change some people's lives positively!

Introduction

Though I am only a young University student, I have struggles. Everyone does. To admit to not having struggles is like admitting that there is no evil in the world when, with evidence, the nature of evil does in fact exist. History claims genocide's, world wars, revolutions; and all this couldn't exist with the presence of evil.

But my struggles are nothing like the ones history claims. I was not alive during the world war, I was not there when the Rwanda Genocide took place, and I do not know what it is like to fight against a greater evil power.

To introduce myself is to give my identity, and I would rather just use this blog as a way to let out my voice and speak. However I shall give some information to you for you to know your speaker a little bit.

I'm a University student studying English. My grammar is horrible, my punctuation is the worst and I have difficulties with writing in active voice. However, I did not pursue the study of English because of those details. I pursued this line of education because I wanted to gain knowledge about literature.

Why? I love literature. Every detail. Every aspect. I grew up with an understanding that stories thrive from one core; society. Since literature, and modern age books, were the only aspect I could truly admire in any group of individuals, I grew up reading and fantasizing my own journeys. One day, it would be a pleasure to be a an author.

But why do I want to be an author? Certainly there are more appropriate careers with a better, more sustainable pay check. I do not want to be an author for the paycheck, I want to be an author because of my creative mind and because I love to write.

Sometimes, I walk down the road, and a random idea for a book will jump into my head. I do not know where these ideas come from, or why they come when they do. All I know is that at any time and at any place, it will occur.

My passion for writing began as a child. I would read Nancy Drew books all summer instead of going to camp, and wrote random stories instead of doing my homework during the school year. As I grew, my intimate love for writing grew too. In grade eight I wrote a children's story about an puppy loosing its mother and finding a home. My teacher, with a smile on her face, praised the story.

In grade nine, our class was given the task in English class to write a short story. My short story was about a teenager who was solving a mystery (though at this time I no longer own a copy or remember much about the story. I do remember, however, that she had to stop a train from bashing into a station). My teacher said, several days after we had handed it in, that my story was by far the best and that everyone should read it.

Again in grade twelve, I wrote a short story. This time, I grasped the emotions of a child going through mental abuse from his peers, and what he was thinking at his last moments before jumping to his doom. The story flashed back to what had happened to create this mindset, and at the end before the boy was to jump, he started reciting out loud all his future plans had been. With each item he spoke, he took steps away from the ledge and walked home.

Which brings me to where I am now; struggling to write and create a larger picture. As an author, I one day hope to bring new genre's into this society and demonstrate new kinds of protagonists.

But there was one more reason why I wrote often. At school, it was hard for me to come by friends. As a unique individual with different perspectives and a unique taste, people would treat me like I was an infection. "If only I could be like them," I would think, "if only they could see me." But all the wishing in the world did not make those statements true.

Which brings me back to where I started, struggles. The point of this blog is to reach out other people who feel the same way. To open my mouth and produce a voice, to understand my problems and relate to other people. This is for all those who have been labelled as misifts.

As a Christian I do not intend to preach, for my goal is not to sit here and lecture but to speak about the truth of today, and listen though I may be speaking at the same time. But each blog will close with a verse for anyone who would like encouragement, for anyone who would like a prayer.

I will be posting every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday started tomorrow. The topics may change, one day it may be school and the next post may be about peer problems. Sometimes, I may stray and go fan girlish for a little bit.

Either way, to anyone who will be reading this, I offer my encouragement to any struggle that may be pulling you down in your life right now.

Verse
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.