Expression Through Words

Personally, it's hard to start to express what poetry means to me.  I really like this quote by Jim Morrison:

"If my poetry aims to achieve anything, 

it's to deliver people from the limited ways in which they see and feel."

Of course, my poetry isn't for the public, and it probably never will be, but I like the part of the quote that says it delivers us from the limited ways we see and feel. I can't stress how important it is for a developing, growing, healthy mind to see past limitations put on us in our everyday lives. For a lot of people, poetry can be a means of expressing your thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. 
Recently, I've experimented with my own poetry. I found out that I actually enjoyed writing it, though I found it extremely difficult to pick a topic. Not only did I have to have a few ideas per topic, but I also had to feel comfortable writing them down and allowing other people to read them. I've learned that some of the best pieces of writing are the ones we don't want to share. I've also learned that it's okay not to share them. It's okay to have a personal piece of writing that holds meaning to only you, and it's okay to never let anyone else's eyes fall on it. Poetry is about self expression, not pleasing other people. Sure, it's nice to have people relate to, understand, and appreciate your ideas and skills, but you really don't have to have anyone's approval but your own.

The Truth About Assignments

In all honesty, I don't believe school assignments are made to fit my personal needs. As far as time goes, I'm practically drowning in school work and it seems that all the teachers do is give me more work. Don't get me wrong, I understand it's not their fault, they're just doing their job, following the curriculum, and most teachers even try to help us students along as well. Still, take this blog post for example. I need it posted in thirteen minutes as of right now. It occurred to me just five minutes ago that I needed to get it done, but at that time I was working on my science project, and before that I had to run to the store to get project supplies, and before that I had to study Biology and before that I had to work on my English project. All the work I've done so far tonight is barely a dent in the total work that has to be done, and now I only have ten minutes left until this post is due.
The school board expectations put far too much stress on students, so I don't feel like these projects can meet my personal needs. As for the content in them, sure, some I can gear towards my interests, but most of them I can't. My science project topic was chosen for me, as were my group members (not that I don't like my group, I do, it just proves my point). The English project was made in a way that I got to incorporate some ideas that interest me, but the only assignments I feel are actually tailored to suit me are the ones in Writer's Craft, and this was the one course that I chose to take willingly, that wasn't needed for later in life. 
I have two minutes left. I could post this now, but I feel like I can say more. Sorry it's posted late.
I want to finish with what I meant by "later in life." I'm still unsure of what I want to do as far as choosing a career goes. I do know, however, that I need lots of A's to show up on my report card to get into any program that even remotely interests me. Oh, look at that, it's 8:00. Oh well. Aside from high school marks, I also need the knowledge required for me to excel in University, which I feel some 'assignments' fail to give me and my fellow classmates. If you want A's, you basically have to follow the assignments the way the teacher wants it done, to put it simply. I feel like assignments are a constant struggle of, "I like that idea, I'm going to put it in," and, "I like that idea, but I don't think my teacher will."
Overall, sure you can gear assignments towards yourself (only on select projects I might add), but when it comes down to it, my needs are A's, and if I want to achieve any program after high school that I'm even slightly interested in, it apparently means sucking it up and doing what's expected, no matter how creative or spontaneous or daring I want to be.
It's ten minutes past the due time, but I feel like these extra ten minutes were crucial in stating the rest of my views on this particular topic. I'm not even sure if I answered the question right, but I know I expressed myself right. Now, back to my science project for the rest of the night.

In Others' Words

Along with being an American author, Seth Godin is an entrepreneur, marketer, and public speaker. After growing up in New York, he obtained a University degree in computer science and philosophy from Tifts University. In 1986, he founded Seth Godin Productions, which later lead to Yoyodyne in 1995. Eleven years later, Seth launched Squidoo, which donated half the profits to the users and five percent to charity. He's created many other projects over the years, including ChangeThis, Startup School, and more. As for Seth's published works, he's written seventeen books, ranging from business to children books.

"If it scares you, it might be a good thing to try."

~Seth Godin

I personally love this quote because it can be applied for so many things, especially writing. Writing isn't about safety. It's about being vulnerable and putting yourself and your ideas out there to be criticized and ripped apart. It's a means of expressing yourself and your opinions; there's no point in writing if you're just going to write about what's already out there. Thinking outside the box and sharing those ideas with everyone from close friends to complete strangers gives them all an opportunity to judge you, which is a 'scary' thought for most people. In this quote, Seth says that doing these scary things is a good thing. The only way to grow as a writer, or even as a person, is to face your fears, which I think is a great view to have on life.

Showing Gratitude

Recently I've watched another video: An experiment in Gratitude. In this clip of "The Science of Happiness," it's shown how expressing gratitude not only spreads joy to the one you're thanking, but also to yourself. The people in the video were asked to write a letter to the person they were most thankful for, telling them how much they appreciated having them in their life.
We as a class were asked to participate in this. Personally, I don't think the hardest part of writing the letter is the content, but rather choosing the person to write to.
Over the summer, I spent a few weeks at camp. At the very beginning, we were talking about what it means to be a good leader, which led us to ask ourselves who the most important leader in our life is; who the most influential person in our life is. Thinking back to this, I've decided to write to the person who answered those questions for me. Although my parents, sisters, and friends have had a major impact on my life, I chose my grandparents, more specifically my nonna.

Dear Nonna,
Where do I start? You've been in my life since day one, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate everything you've done for me. Ever since I was little and would walk down the street to your house, you've fed, cared for, taught, and loved not only me, but my whole family. Between your baking, check ups, cleaning and hugs, our lives would definitely not be the same without you, along with the wonderful man you married. I still remember when you used to come over every Monday when our parents used to work, and you would get us to help out by cleaning our house. You taught us that it's important to give, to help others, especially our parents. Fast forward a few years and we're old enough to be on our own after school. We've started to become more independent, and though we've learned how to make our dinner, no Kraft Dinner could ever compare to your home made chicken noodle soup and lasagna. This is when you taught us how happy we could make someone just by reaching out over the phone. It was always the same when you picked up on the other end. "Hello, bella!" you would say in the same voice every time. We never got tired of hearing those words from you, even now, all these years later. I could go on and on, reminiscing and reminding you of everything you've taught us through your love, but I don't think this letter would ever reach an end if I did. You're always looking out for us, especially with all the recent events that have happened. You put in so much effort to make sure I stay healthy and happy. I know I can be a lot to deal with sometimes, but you always make time for me, whether I'm at home, your house, or anywhere in between.
Thanks for being in my life Nonna, I love you :)
~Marisa

Now there's a second part to the 'challenge'. In the video, they surprised the participants by asking them to call up the person they wrote the letter to and read it to them. This had such a positive effect on everyone involved, and, though I'm hesitant, I feel like I want my nonna to know how much I truly do appreciate having her in my life. I'm looking forward to hearing that one-of-a-kind, "Hello, bella," on the other end of a phone soon.

The Limits of Writing

If you click on the following link: Banned Book Week, you'll find yourself at a Youtube video of thirteen authors talking about banning books. The overall message from them is clear: forbidding books is wrong.
I agree with them. Books are a way for readers to escape their lives, for writers to express themselves. The only thing limiting books does is restrict creative minds. This is especially influential in children and teenagers. By limiting their options, they are only being told what they can and cannot do. They're being conditioned, most likely not for the first time, to judge what has been outcast, to only accept what they're told by adults are socially respectable. Basically, young people in situations where they're told not to read or write what they want, are being told they're wrong. Unfortunately, they aren't the only ones being told this. By banning people's creations, they're being told that they should not have written what they did; that their ideas and thoughts are wrong.
This is a controversial issue, however, as some pieces of written work only discriminate and portray hate towards another group, person, belief, and so on. Though it can be understood why somebody might not want another person, such as their child, reading something written out of pure hatred, what I don't agree with is banning innocent books that only serve to open minds and entertain readers. Quite often, these creative books oppose a certain belief to those of stubborn parents; parents who think it's acceptable to shove religion in the faces of their children, and not let them find out who they are or what they wish to believe in for themselves. A common example is seen with the "Harry Potter" series, where ideas of magic and wizardry are introduced. Though I haven't read this series, I have read and loved many books similar to the concept of this fiction. The novels are meant to be nothing more than means of expression and entertainment, and it's a shame to hear that another teenager may not have the chance to read them because their parents, school board, or anyone else has a problem with made up stories.
As my final point, consider the book "The Book Thief", a personal favourite of mine. This wonderful story revolves around a young girl in Germany during World War Two. Though the story involves war, discrimination, thievery, fighting, rebelling, and lots of death, I would still recommend it to anyone. I feel it's important to know about the world issues that still haunt countless people to this day. Not only that, but this novel introduces many lessons of love, friendship, acceptance, and freedom that anyone could benefit from reading about, on top of being a literary masterpiece.
I'm going to stop my post here, though I know there's so much more to say on the topic. Freedom of expression is a really big issue for me personally, and overall, I feel people should be allowed to do, read, and write what they want, so long as they aren't hurting themselves or anyone else.

The Key to Success

 If you click on the following link:  "The Key to Success? Grit." you'll be taken to a Youtube video of a TEDtalk by Angela Lee Ducksworth. In the video, Angela tells us a bit about herself. While teaching at public school, she becomes aware of how her students actually learn. She says their intelligence levels are not based on IQ or talents. In fact, she noticed some of the smartest children weren't doing very well. After becoming a psychologist, Angela conducted many studies where she predicted which people in certain situations would continue in their line of work or training, and who would wind up dropping out. Over time, she figured out how to predict success: Grit.
Grit, as Angela defines, is, "living life like it's a marathon, not a sprint." In other words, grit is determination and drive for your passions. She says grit is not based on talents, but rather is tied in with growth mind set, a theory developed at Stanford by Carol Dweck. Growth mind set is the belief that our learning capacity is not fixed, and it can change with effort.
Two years ago, I had this idea of growth mind set instilled in me by one of my many great teachers. I personally liked the idea that the more effort we as students put in, the more we could improve ourselves. More so, I think I hated the idea of putting in effort, or making yourself vulnerable to the criticisms of others, and not being able to progress from that point, to not be able to learn from the so called mistake you just made.
Still, grit is something you use everyday, something you need everyday. Without passion and goals, without dreams and perseverance, you may be alive, but you're not really living. Quite possibly my favourite quote is, "Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes," (Anonymous). I feel this fits in well with the concept of grit. Essentially, the quote states that you should always push through when you have something of importance to say, like the truth, even if you're unsure of yourself. If you're passionate on a topic, if you feel something needs to be done or said, you need to persevere. You need to have grit. The last part, "even if your voice shakes," almost defines grit. If someone is terrified of doing or saying something but they do it anyway, I can almost guarantee you that they have grit. Grit means being determined, taking chances, and risking failure, which is something we all need to do from time to time if we ever want to our world to develop and grow.

About Me

Hi, welcome to my blog! First off, I apologize for this horrible introduction. Introducing myself is a skill I, unfortunately, don't have. I am however hoping to get better at it with the Writer's Craft course I'm taking, which happens to be the reason for this blog. I've always liked writing, and I really love reading, but don't ask me to pick a favourite book; there's too many to choose from and I'm too indecisive anyway. 
About me? Well, I come from a relatively large family. I'm the second of four daughters born to my wonderful parents. We also have a dog, Rolo, who we definitely consider a member of the family.
I really enjoy camping, volunteering at the Humane Society and listening to music. I don't do much (my entire weekend so far has been spent watching Netflix), so I don't have much more to say on my interests.
I'm currently in grade twelve and I'll be 16 for the next three days. I'm pretty excited to strengthen my writing through this course, so maybe by the end I'll be better at writing about, and possibly even know more about, myself.