Songs of the forest of men

I feel inclined to inform you of a recent development in my life. I have become a poet. Yet who can say if it is just a passing phase, or something i am committed to.

I find myself writing poems about things i have not quite experienced, but I know they are there. There was once a time when i was not inclined to poetry, though we did tend to do a lot of it is school. I think that perhaps my horizons have grown and i am expressing myself in different ways. However it could just be a deep seated yearning to return to those days when life felt the same, but now i look back it was different.

Your potential is unlimited, if you wish to apply yourself. Success is not how much money you have from a job, but how happy your job makes you, and then how that happiness makes other peoples lives better

A strange direction or just life?

What strange paths the journey of life takes us on. Yet we say strange in that context rather freely, as if we have had some pre-birth experience of life with which to compare our present life. Is any situation in life strange? Or are we to just expect or in fact, hope for everything that comes our way?

People, humanity has existed for a long time, and in that time it is safe to say that people have gone through all sorts of trouble. But none of them are inconceivable, as even now writers are coming up with some almost impossible stories, which capture the people’s imagination because of their likelihood.

So what can we say about the paths of life? These “strange” directions that our lives can follow? I would say this; there must be a finite number of paths, they may be as numerable as the stars, but I recon at least one human has traversed each path. Not saying that one man has travelled them all, but that in fact each path has had one traveller upon it.

And thus there will always be someone who has experienced what you have. Meaning that advice is always out there in one form or another, and people who care will try to help. How "strange" life is! Or just maybe, what an adventure today is!

Also it is important to realise that the world doesn't revolve around you. If you feel life is unfair and these "strange" twists are taking you into worse and worse situations. Perhaps your the one getting in the way. Maybe these directions are trying to show you the way forward while you're too busy concentrating on your job or looking behind you. Just follow them. But be careful not to follow all of them. Some will try to lead you off into worse places, it takes understanding, selflessness and faith to pick the right strange twists.

Back to a 'Well Worn' Topic

Ah, well it looks like the Governments been getting every one's back up over this last month. Lets see; if your working, there is a chance you'll loose you job, or at the very least get a pay cut, if your unemployed, your benefits are being cut, and if your trying to further your own understanding (education), university prices are on the rise! So we're all having a jolly good time here in England. What with the conservatives believing anyone poorer than them is a second class citizen, and that they should always protect the rich and crush the poor.
Here's a question for anyone trying to get into England; whats the attraction? Seriously there is practically nothing here worth living for. You'd think it would be abandoned by now, under the fault of "Poor Governing"!

So what can we do? Politicians (also known as liars, thieves and murders) hold all the power. Protesting makes them a mite uncomfortable, but it shows them our numbers and power. Murder is just dirty play, (but if it works...), but you end up in jail. Standing up for the truth, usually means they can mark you and stop you getting a job. And even becoming their sort is bad because, even if you start for the right reasons their way slowly grows on you and one day you find yourself doing the same.

Now I understand that there is no easy way out, but we've had a government now for a good few hundred years, and they've never got it right yet! You would think all those years of experience to look back on they would learn something, but no! And in any normal situation if something dosent work, we get rid of it! Or at least try to make it work better, but we have seen no development in them. There has been no progress, so why exactly are they still sitting on their golden thrones?

The true expression

The written word. One of the greatest achievement of humanity, but which can sometimes carry so little value. We are seeing more and more that heart moving speeches are so simple to write (any decent politician can write a lovely tear jerker), but they fail to put belief behind the words they sing so freely.

I ask you, in a world where language is changing, where everything is changing are we allowing so little emphasis to come on points of view? Are we failing to see that the more we talk the less we actually say? Soon it will take us minutes to relay how we feel, or maybe emotions will be a thing of the past, where we actually can't explain how we feel. I hope not, but we live in an ever changing world, and if we ever tried to stop it changing we would become the enemy and misunderstood. Life goes on always but i do, in the back of my mind, fear an age of Newspeak coming upon us. Don't take this the wrong way I'm definitely not a prescriptivist, but i do believe that language should try to hold on to the value of emotional representation. Otherwise our society may one day die out from the lack of "something the scholars used to call 'love'".

So let us spread love while we may. The hardest thing for me to write is "tell someone you love them" and i don't really know why. It seems that deep down i feel embarrassed saying it, and personally i feel as if it's something I have to say on my own, without any help of any form. Something which is gone after a moment, but takes an eternity to build up to. So here's a challenge for me too. Tell your loved ones how you feel. And I'll leave it at that.

The Climb

From now on my motto is going to be "Achieve the impossible, then the hard things come easily". Why? Because that's how i want to live my life. I want to step out of my comfort zone and do things that most people only dream of. Of course i don't hold any sort of illusion that I'm the best at all things as I'm clearly not. i simply say that if you keep trying at something you will succeed and understanding will come. Thus the harder problems can be tackled easily and you may have already defeated them in seeking an answer to the impossible.
Sometimes it takes knowledge of the topic but if you keep stretching yourself you will achieve more and knowledge will come. But it ALWAYS takes commitment and time.

Help from Above

Boldness in decision making is vital. As the future come ever closer we as individuals but also as humanity will have some tough choices to make. But fear not for we are not alone.
We have a God who loves us. We have a God who will put us on the right paths and who will show us where to go. For we are all special, we are all unique, we are all loved...and we are all needed.

The Final Chance?

Brothers and sisters, the sky darkens as the future of the world becomes more clear, as the very planet releases it's anger upon us. The storm clouds build up quickly and eventually the rain will fall. In the distance thunder roars and a sense of foreboding looms.
We were put on this planet to care for it. We are the gardeners of Earth, but still we reject our duty. The rain begins to fall and we realise that our own greed and selfishness has destroyed this final safe place. A change of attitude and lifestyle is required but some of us cling to desperately to this thin sheet of life.
Life is only the thin shroud covering eternity and after death to us it will no longer hold much comfort. Lets save the world together. Field by field.

I feel Inspired

Some people question life and why we were put on this planet. (And if i'm repeating myself i'm sorry, but i am pulling this from the top of my head). But I believe that we were made to experience life partialy, so we know how valuable even an individual life is. Now we are surrounded by many forms of media including video games and the news which have desensitized us from loss of life. I understand the news is put there as an 'impartial' relay of information, but they could put some feeling behind the figures. It's as if saying "250 people found dead" is just another fact and figure to them. Gaming however places people in situations where killing is the only option. I know it's played down, but still it is making children and teenagers (and everyone inbetween) feel comfortable, about killing and around dead bodies.

"Violence reaps what violence sows" and that usualy means more bloodshed. For a good number of people crave revenge after death has visited.

Love and effect

I was once (a very long time ago) called a Mr. Love Guru (thank you Luke from Wired for War). Which is odd considering i have next to no experience on the topic. It got me thinking how does someone with no experience get opinions in that particular topic? I guess it's just our exposure to daily life. Talking with people gives us knowledge, hope, aspirations and goals. And I set myself a goal to understand the power of love, what did I find...
I found a place where true love knows no limits and has no boundaries. Where every child, every woman and man no matter what age were held in equal with each other. I found a place where you don't have to cry yourself to sleep every night; because the people love you. I found a place of peace. But when you try to force love, when you try to control or ignore love (even unintentionally) it leads to a different place; a place of regret, of self-pity, a place where you waste away your life thinking of what could have been. That place is not somewhere i want to go. So what does it take:

Attention; in each other and their needs
Comfort; around each other and to provide it when needed
Trust; in each other to do the right things
Knowledge; of each other. Without knowing your partner a relationship cannot last
Understanding; of each others goals and what they need from life
Mutal interests; to share passtimes and hobbies helps bonding
Love; in each other

Without any of these things for your partner, or yourself, love cannot flourish. But the hardship is worth it, and in the end it is easier doing than it sounds.

Vengeance and bloodshed

Do nothing in spite. For a decision made in spite is no decision at all. Shedding blood only leads to more bloodshed, and in that sense no blood is good blood. The hardest thing to do is not to plot your revenge (for revenge is worth nothing, there is only more bloodshed) but to simply walk away and forgive the person. Am i crazy? perhaps, but holding up all the vengeance for every 'bad' (in your view) act committed against you, leads to you collapsing under their weight of the thoughts. Ruining your life. Simply tell them you forgive them and take the high road. Do not be coaxed back into fighting, for war solves nothing.

Winning in the long run

Have you ever been persecuted by someone who's will was completely set against your own?
If you want to stop them and make it seem like they have won, then do this. Continue practicing your actions in the way you would normaly, but when you are finished set it to look like how they would want you to leave it. Making it seem like you have conformed to their way, just practice your way in privicy and the enemy wont hunt you any longer.
Breaking out against an oppresive will isn't easy, you must find your reason. Your pillar of strength on which you can rest, so that each exploit will only futher rally you to break free.
If you can show the oppresor that you are stronger than them, but you don't harm them, then they may leave you alone. But if they don't then a stronger course of action is required.

Life and Forever

I do in my day-to-day life talk to a lot of people. And in conversations it is clear to me that a good amount of people I talk to think life is 100% of their existence. They think that there is nothing beyond this life and that no matter what they do there will be no grander plan. But I don’t believe this. I believe that after we die we have an eternal spiritual existence in a world of paradise; that we live on Earth in preparation for our spiritual lives. But not only is it preparation, its education and practice of skills that make us worthy to live in such a paradise. In fact I would say that life is only a facet of the jewel of existence. And even though it makes our existence more valuable, it’s still only a small part. We have to concentrate more on the entirety of the jewel rather than the facet, and that is very hard. But here are some tips.
Think selflessly and show people you have concern for them.
Don’t be afraid to express your emotions.
Be happy and find joy in all that happens.
Don’t worry about anything, for it won’t make your life longer.
Express equality and fairness in all you do.
And love the people around you. We are all humans together and if we can’t show each other love, then what do we amount to?

Those Who Remember

Where would i be if it wasn't for my friends? I wouldn't be doing this that's for sure. I firmly believe that the life I've lived with my friends has made me so much more of a real person. I'm bolder, I've become more random and crazy, and i find life is full of so many good unexpected things. So here's to the guys and girls who have helped me become myself. Lets hope it lasts another eighty years!

One for the team

It seems that after thirty odd posts I'm starting to get tired of the sound of my own thoughts. So if you would like me to blog about a particular issue or idea (no matter how controversial) i will. I have set up a special e-mail address devoted just to this, so send your ideas to nonohino@hotmail.co.uk amd i'll try my best to comply.

nonohino

Living After

I am not worried about the future. For i know, wherever i will be, that it is the place i am meant to be at. Yes I've had friendships in the past. Some have continued while others have faded away, but i know that we will all meet again someday under better circumstances. And we will remember that old bond and our lives will change as we discover more than we could ever dream about. Friendship, one of the powers that can change the world.

Fear

There is one type of fear which is above all the others; in terms of effects, severity and reactions (feelings/emotions).
It could be described as the fear of the unknown, but that only covers part of it. It is the fear of something evil that you know is there (following you/wanting you) for its own purpose, but when you check there is nothing. It is fear that makes you jump at every shadow and run wild in blind panic. Fear of this type can destroy people and minds. It can ruin plans and cause breaking of family and friends bonds. For you will always try to keep one eye on the shadows and never two eyes on problems before you. This fear has been used in many ways and the spell is always broken when the evil reveals itself. But there is another way. To think selfishly will amplify the effects of the fear, only making the situation worse. To overcome the fear you must think selflessly. Think of others who could be in danger and plan and move to help them. Selflessness twinned with faith that a brighter dawn is coming is surely a step toward victory.

Continuity

You know what is unusual about blogging? It has to be done everyday. It has to be continuous. Now for simple things like going to work, or the toilet even; repetition is easy. But blogging, it puzzles me. I sit down and try to think about things to blog about, dynamic points of view, interesting thoughts; but usually i end up with jargon. So where to begin? I can safely say I'm always in the wrong place for blogging when I'm hit (or slapped even) by inspiration. There isn't a computer, i don't have paper, and so on. So I try to remember what i was thinking, but I get distracted really easily so I forget. And that's OK it happens to us all, and i learn and start to carry around paper and a pen. Original thoughts will always be yours, but if you have the signed and dated paper to prove it your in a much more confident place. So write down your ideas, record your thoughts and opinions and make sure no one can take them away. For we are all individual people and inspiration always takes us somewhere.

The Great Journey

I long ago came to terms with this: I am on the Great Journey of life. And as long as I try my best as what tasks are put before me, I shall travel the path I was meant to travel. Even if it takes me through times of darkness; for in the darkness the light shines brighter and holds more value. I will be unshakable in where I am standing, for this is life. And life is to be lived. And to live life requires making leaps of faith in directions that may not have been considered. But leap and see the good effects it has on people.

Life and What We Do

It seems to me that as we get older we unintentionally make life more complicated for ourselves. We make choices and decisions which can lead to worse situations. And its only when we look back over the past that we realise how stupid we were and how bad those choices were. It really is hard, overcoming your own failings, but it is an essential part of life. So we can learn. And as i keep saying or hinting at learning is very important in this world, without learning we cannot appreciate things, we cannot show compassion and we can't love. But bad decisions in love are sometimes what makes life complicated. I believe my past has helped make me the man i am today; and i hope that's true for everyone. That somewhere in their past decisions have led to an increase in morality and understanding. But to finish on a happy note. Reach out to the people around you. Talk to your community, for you may learn something new, and it may just be what you needed to hear.

Nostalgic Moments

Don't we just love to look back over our lives? In a society where thousands of pictures are taken every hour, where home movies are on the rise; it's really easy to look back over good times in our lives. And it's important to remember that family love, and the friendships we experience each day. What isn't alright, is dreaming away years of your life where you are in the past, in those 'glorious' days. When life seemed so easy, and nothing went wrong. For that won't make you new friends and it won't develop your life. However, going out there, in the streets, in your local town and spending time with friends/family will. You will make new acquaintances and you will develop in new exciting areas as a person. It will take time, and for sure it will be a difficult task on occasion. But at the end of the hard times, you can look around and see a brighter world, and life will be alive and worth living. You will have gained new skills with people. But it takes those first steps, and in some areas they will be the hardest steps of your life. At times it may seem like a fruitless venture, but if you keep up the determination, the belief, and the faith that you can change...you will. And you will be happier for the difference.