"Find Your Center..." (quote from random Yoga instructor)

From time to time, when tensions are high or I can sense a pervading uneasy energy circling me in some way, I do a little meditative exercise. Usually, it is a visualization or relaxation ritual; something easy to refocus my mind. You'd be surprised at how effective this can actually be.
Last year, when the Hurricane ravaged my house and I was living with (at the time) 5 dogs in one room, you can bet that I was a bit stressed--then, before all that was even finished came the registration for grad school, then the classes, and then the unthinkable tragedy that was the sudden, devastating death of my dog Marley. And, let's not forget that awesome day when the bus hit my car, smh.  All that in one year. There were days inside that stretch of time when I was physically unable to stand up.  And, that thing I do, with the breathing and the color light blue (have I ever told you guys this?) really saved my sanity.


So, as a means to, perhaps, prepare you for the unforeseen stressful events in your own life, this week's blog will have you contemplating your "happy place" either real or metaphorical or imaginary. Please answer the following questions:

Where do you like to go to escape from the pressures of your life? (It doesn't have to be a real place).
What is your best childhood memory? Describe it in detail.
Where and when do you feel your absolute best? Why?
What is the most soothing sound you can imagine?
Which colors affect your mood the most? How do those colors affect it?
When during the day do you feel the most at ease? Why? What is it about that time of day that provides comfort?

Relax while you're writing this--please don't start at 11:45 on Thursday night and rush forward trying to get it in under the wire--that would really defeat the purpose.

Remember to breathe...

Lyrical Philosophies

Back in the days of AP Lang, we talked quite a bit about personal philosophies.  These were usually in the forms of This I Believe assignments or a well (or ill, depending on your view)-timed 7 point creed blog question. Basically, we explored guidelines you all use to determine your various paths and inform all your decisions, and some of you had some interesting things to say about that. Some others had a hard time trying to put into words exactly what their guiding principles are. I don't blame you--it's pretty hard to do. 
But, we are, for better or worse, a gang of intellectuals.  And to that end, we shall explore a bit further.

Many of you use music as a gateway. To sanity, to serenity, to solace and/or to solitude. Music, to many of you, is an escape from the harsh realities of teenage life. 
So, now it is also going to be a tool in which you come to a greater understanding of how you see the world, and how you see yourself. I'm trying to ruin music for you--quite the opposite, actually.  I am kind of hoping you'll get a clearer understanding of why you like music that you do.

Think about all the music you love to listen to. Specifically, think about the lyrics to songs you love. Now, I want you to pick one or two songs that adequately encapsulate how you feel about life, your life. Of course, like a quote, nothing can COMPLETELY "sum up" your entire life--I understand that. But many songs, either through explicit or implied messages in lyrics, can at least provide a concrete example of either what you want out of life, what you want out love and how you want to be perceived, taken, understood etc.

So, your task this week is to tell us about a song, copy a few of the refrains/chorus/passages, and explicate their meaning(s) to you.
Try to pick ones that have some depth and that will provide a deeper understanding of your innate beliefs.