If I had to choose one movement or cause in life, one to really look to as the most important thing, it might be spirituality.
Spirituality to me includes self help and mental health; it includes religion and finding peace with all circumstances of life, regardless of their negative impact on our lives.
Literature, movies and documentaries, art, nature, journaling, prayer and meditation, etc. I utilize all of these resources on a regular basis; I hope the fire and the light from these materials never fades or goes away, for me; these things have actually been very helpful to me.
~
Friends come and go; family can be downright unhelpful and even harmful, depending on the specific household and how each of the members are, the dynamics between the group. But I feel that one’s own spiritual connection with the good things of life—the positive aspects of human history, and her ‘personal’ connection with them; the positive things that are currently going on, and her observance of these trends and happenings; the good things s/he’s put forward in the past, her good actions and charitable deeds; the comforting resources that one can avail oneself of, the tactile materials and items—I feel that one’s own relation with the good things of life is paramount. Actually, you don’t need to depend on external things for comfort and healing; it’s better to attain comfort and healing through impersonal and immaterial means—from within, and etc. Otherwise, you might utilize a thing or a person (or a place) in the hopes of extracting happiness and solace from it. As soon as the person, place, or thing is non-present, or permanently gone away for some reason, or has lost its spark, or is not within reach, you’ll start to become shaky, again. It’s like substance misuse; it tends to create dependency and pain when the substance is cut off, or when it has lost its effect on you through desensitization.
I think I over-utilize music, books, and drawing/sketching. Those three activities and approaches have become addictions; I can’t really escape or do without them, anymore. At least I try to share the songs, books, and ‘original art pieces’ on my Facebook and instagram and other social media, so that other people might benefit from them too. | I wish I had more friends, more like-minded friends. We could have hung out together, it would have been cool. Someone’s presence is always pacifying, I guess—it calms you down. I might have a tendency towards certain negative emotions and behaviors at times, and I suspect that close friends and family would have helped with this problem. I guess there’s no point stressing over negative situations that are beyond your control, though.
~
I start school again in ten days—I’m going back for ‘a certificate program’ in graphic design. I’m taking ‘intro to desktop publishing’ and ‘intro to Adobe Illustrator,’ for this fall 2022 semester. Next semester, I’ll hopefully take ‘desktop publishing II’ and ‘Principles of Design.’ And I’ll probably take Intro to Photography next summer, to round off five full classes. After that, I’ll start applying for jobs. I’m hoping that a strong portfolio, my certificate program/formal education, and good references from previous work experiences will be enough to secure me an entry-level position. | I think a lot of the negative elements of life can be combatted through art, design, and photography, and through sharing visual creations. The connections and the ‘buzz’ that comes about through creative media and communication is wonderful; I think it often brings people together in a good way. | I’m attending what I consider to be an affordable college for this visual design education that I’m acquiring; it’s even cheaper than paying the in-state tuition for the local community college here in my area. (I’m taking online classes from an out-of-state community college, for graphic design; this option is more affordable than even the in-state tuition rate for the local community college here in northern Virginia.) | I’m glad I’m finally taking formal classes in visual design and layout; I’m happy I’m finally getting a move-on with my life. I’d been in college before, and it was a disaster. I’m glad I’m doing visual work now, instead of verbal and theoretical work, which doesn’t suit me.
~
“We are the music-makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.” -Arthur O’Shaughnessy. | People say we’re useless. We say; Allahu akber, la illaha illah Allah, thank you Jesus, Hare Krishna, we’re absolutely crazy, we have the best ideas, it’s not our fault, it’s not your fault, stay strong, be not divided, seek help when you need it, even if it’s “only” in god, let it go, let it all go (it all has to go, actually); know that you’re only here for a short time, anyway. Spirituality and finding peace with all situations of life, is our path–please forgive us.
a portfolio 