Day 3: Joy

"Joy to the world"

What is joy?

Well to me it's complete and utter happiness, it's an emotion even stronger than joy and it enlightens you, filling you with singing butterflies causing a huge smile to develop across your face allowing positive vibes to radiate from you to everyone else.

This joy is brought to children and adults alike at this wonderful Christmas season but giving a smile doesn't just have to be for Christmas. We can bring joy to others and ourselves by simply spending time with others and making them laugh. By bringing joy to others we innately bring joy to ourselves.

So today try start the day a joyful one. Do something good for yourself; do something you enjoy; maybe read your favourite book, listen to some music or have a refreshing bath to relax. But don't forget to do something nice for someone else.

Bring joy to the world. Whether its simply giving a genuine smile to someone who feels down, helping with the housework or spending time cheering up a friend by telling them jokes or hosting a sleepover. 
The list is endless.

So what will you do to bring joy to the world? :)

Day 2 :Peace

"Peace on earth"

Are the lyrics of one of my favourite Christmas hymns; Hark the herald angels sing".
Whilst listening to this song I decided to try think about the meaning behind it instead of just singing the lyrics subconsciously in my mind as if it were a nursery rhyme. I want to feel and experience the true meaning of Christmas.

Imagine if there was absolute peace on earth. No suffering, no hardships, just ultimate peace. Wouldn't it be absolutely beautiful? Although in one sense it would probably appear rather surreal; imagine no coverage of wars or shootings on tv. Its what we've all grown accustomed to but this shouldn't be so. In an ideal world we should be watching and reading news full of joy, happiness, hope and peace but no unfortunately there is always conflict in some shape or form occurring across the globe. It will take a long time for there to be complete and utter peace across the world, it may never happen but if we work together in unison it is possible.

But on a smaller scale we can create peace in our own homes. There's no point having a peaceful home for one day at Christmas if for the other 364 days we're going to be arguing with our parents, squabbling with our siblings and fighting with our friends. Peace is a state of security and calmness.
So lets try hold back that hurtful comment or mean deed. We can have peace and unity in our community daily if only we go that extra mile to try to make it happen.

I wish us all many years of peace

Hope

A poem I wrote a while ago that conveys the sentiment of hope, based on Day 1 of the 12 days of Christmas writing challenge I've set for myself.  I Hope it inspires you to add a little hope to your life.

Hope is a dove that

 soars high above the sky 

Tickling fluffy clouds

By extending it's wing.

Hope is when after

A storm the 

thunder has ceased

To be no more.

Hope is when the clouds

begin to part and the sun

begins to shine as the 

rainbow arcs overhead.

Hope is pure white

Like fresh bed sheets

Or spotless paper

Hope is life.

Hope is the person 

That can also give a 

Smile, to those who 

are in need of it.

Hope is the person

Who gives that helping

Hand to pick you up

when you're falling.

Hope is the kind word

Whispered in your

Ear when you're

Struggling to cope.

Hope is when you know

You can beat those negative

thoughts encircling your mind

And say "No" to all the bad things

Hope is when you

stand at the mountain 

And say "Yes".

I can do it.

Day 1: Hope

In the beautiful words of Emily Dickinson: "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul"

Hope is a wonderful thing. Particularly at this time of year it's important to look forward. Not to live entirely in the future but to look forward and think about what you want, to be ambitious and have dreams for ideas you wish to make a reality. It's also vital not to live too much in the future becasue you then become too obsessed with trying to do everything and make the future perfect but in reality no one or nothing can ever be perfect.

Why Hope is featured in day one is not just because it was one of the first topics that popped into my head while planning these posts, no, it was because of it's significant importance in the daily lives of citizens  both young and old, across the globe. We humans thrive on it. It's what makes us more positive and gives us something to look forward to.

For without hope in our lives, the world can seem a pretty dull place. Hope gives life to the world and brings light to the darkest of situations. Everything can seem instantly better when we hope and change our mindset. Hoping for tomorrow, hoping for a better day and hoping for love.

Begin by thinking of all things that have happened so far, Take this year maybe or the past few months. Is there anything you want to change? Instead of looking down upon those mistakes, ashamed of your past. Think of it in a new light. Hope that from these mistakes new good deeds and happier memories will blossom and flower into days of  gold. For with hope in our hearts anything is possible.

My Christmas Wish For you

Merry Christmas!!

I hope you are having a fabulous day and are relaxing in whatever way you enjoy.

I wrote this poem a while ago and thought I'd share it with you.


Christmas Wish

This time of year when

friends and family join

as one when seasons

greetings are wished to

all no matter their past,

background, religion,

race or gender.

It's a special time to

rejoice for the good

things that make our 

life extra special. For our

parents and siblings or

 that friend we'd be 

 lost without. 

When we put each bauble

on the branches of our 

Christmas tree we 

remember our good 

fortunes, not in wealth

or our popularity in society;

neither are of value to us.

But the thought that we

can find peace in ourselves,

happiness and joy in the 

 simplest of things is what 

should be of value to 

each of us at this time of year

and forever more.

And so at this very special

festive season, I have a 

Christmas Wish for each 

of you. That each being on 

earth will find the happiness

they are seeking and have a 

peaceful, merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Good evening everyone,

I'm sitting by the fire curled up with a book listening to Christmas carols and for once I'm feeling relaxed and the spirit of Christmas has really entered my soul. The lights on the Christmas tree are on and it lights up the room beautifully. The thought of spending time with family and friends is a lovely heart warming feeling at this festive time.

I'm going to cherish these moments and try to live in the moment and enjoy this special time.
I hope everyone across the globe has a truly magical Christmas. And for those of you who don't celebrate Christmas I hope you enjoy this festive season and have some good relaxing time.

Merry Christmas!

Siblinghood of the year Bloggers' Award

Hello again,

A good friend of mine nominated me with a couple other bloggers for the Siblinghood of the year Blogger's Award. So please feel to check out his amazing blog at the following link: https://askateenageaspie.wordpress.com/


As part of this nomination I am required to answer ten questions. They are the following:

1. If you could visit any other historical era and location for one day, where would you pick and why?
2. What is your favourite film?
3. What is your favourite inspirational quote?
4. Where was the most amazing place you’ve ever been?
5. What has changed in your writing since you began blogging?
6. What was the worst film you’ve seen recently?
7. What inspired you to start blogging?
8. Do you have a song you listen to when you feel down?
9. Do you think the education system is fine as it is or do you think major changes are needed?
10. What was your favourite movie as a kid?

So without further ado here are my answers:.........

Q1. This is one of the questions that took me a while to answer but I think I have one that I'm pretty happy with! I'd love to go back in  time and visit the Renaissance where it started in Florence. I think it's such a beautiful period in history when so much learning took place and everyone changed their way of thinking and enjoyed revisiting the works of the great Greek and Roman writers to create their own works... I could go on for ages!!

Q2. My favourite film has to be Tuesdays With Morrie. It is one of those films that leaves your mouth hanging open at the end and makes you go around saying "Wow" for days. I read the book first and I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed both of them equally. I would highly recommend this film as its quite relatable and has a wonderful poignant plot that will teach you so much about the world and life itself. :)

Q3. This is a tricky one as I have so many!! Ok, here's one of my particular favourite one's: "You're a blank canvas". I love this quote because it tells the message that we're free to start over again and we can acknowledge the past and move on from it by learning from our mistakes. I also love some other simple but effective quotes like I can do it or it's going to be ok. 

Q4. There's so many!! 
I really think Powerscourt waterfall and gardens are amazing. I also think Curracloe beach in Co. Wexford is the most magical beach I've ever been to! It's equally lovely in the morning, during afternoon for an ice cream or for an evening stroll!

Q5. Since I began blogging I think my writing has become more expressive and emotive. At least I hope it has!! I've been trying to challenge myself to be more imaginative and to pour my feelings onto paper (or online posts!) which I think has improved my writing at least a little!

Q6.  I think Bride Wars has to be one of the worst films I've seen, I couldn't finish watching it, I disliked it so much! I just felt as if not enough happened to keep me entertained!

Q7. I've resolved to be more positive even though it will could take years or even my whole life time to rid myself of negativity and I wanted to document this journey through writing with tips I've discovered to help others and myself live a life that is happier and filled with less anxiety and stress. I also wanted to share my thoughts on issues affecting us and add a sprinkle of fun by posting some of my landscape photography and who knows what else! :)


Q8. Yes I most definitely have a song that I listen to when I feel down. It is "Fight Song" by Rachel Platten. It's a beautifully written song that can help put a smile on my face and is really positive and relatable. Here's a link for it : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo1VInw-SKc


Q9.  No, I don't think the education system is fine. Some changes need to be made indeed. For example too much emphasis is put on exams and it causes a lot of unnecessary anxiety for students. There should  also be more opportunities for students to express their opinion in class and not have to learn large amounts of material and regurgitate it in an exam. School should be full of fun and should be approached with eagerness and excitement not boredom and dismay. Therefore I firmly believe changes should be made in order to satify the needs of each and every individual.

Q10. This is hard again, simply because I have a lot! I always loved Dumbo, a great Disney movie, and I still do!! Winnie the Pooh and more! Pollyanna and the Railway Children too!

Another huge thank you to  my good friend, Tadhg for this nomination and please have a read of his wonderful blog!

Best Wishes! 

Christmas Gifts

As Christmas day is swiftly approaching many of us are panicking about Christmas gifts, where, what and when we are going to purchase them. So before we all rush to the shops to decide what to choose for our last minute presents take a minute to think. How about a beautiful handmade gift?


Baked Treats
Baking of any sort is always fun, even more exciting when you're baking for someone else. There are wonderful recipes in great cookbooks or free online recipes. Cakes or cookies are great to make for friends or family at this festive time of the year. Cookies can be made in a regular circular shape or add a festive touch by making them in the shape of Christmas trees, gingerbread men or snowmen, depending on the type of cookie cutter you have. Another good idea is to add some icing, white, green or red which can be rolled out icing ;usually available at the baking aisle in most supermarkets.
To add a special touch place the finished cookies in  a painted jar and maybe add a sprinkle of glitter!
With cakes perhaps wrap some wrapping paper around a tray and place the cakes neatly on it. Sieve some icing sugar over the cakes for a magical Christmas touch.

Some sweet buns!
Yum!

Handmade Christmas Decorations

Handmade Christmas decorations are a lovely present for a loved one that will be treasured each year and can be placed on the tree for many years. One of my favourite decorations to make is simple and easy and takes very little time to make. They're melted wax crayons in a festive shape, They're a great way to recycle old crayons and are fun to do by yourself, with a group of friends or with the kids!
Simply select some silicon moulds and place them on a clear surface. Then break up the crayons into little pieces by using your hands or placing them in a plastic bag and banging it with a wooden spoon or against the table; as if you were making chocolate biscuit cake!! Then put equal amounts of crayons in each silicone case. Then place them in the oven for about forty minutes to an hour. When ready leave to cool then pop them out of their moulds.  Wrap them up in tissue paper to put a smile on a loved one's face!

Mix a variety of colours

Zoomed in!

A collection!

Or only use a few colours to add a simple stylish pattern!

Have fun making your Christmas gifts this season and remember to have fun and that it's the thought that counts not the price tag!

12 days of Christmas

As Christmas is swiftly approaching and family preparations are well under way, it's sometimes hard to remember the true meaning of Christmas. Shops and trading create beautiful aesthetically pleasing shop windows but unfortunately cause us to become too wrapped up in the buying and giving of gifts rather than just simply thinking of others.

 Personally I believe people's opinions or interpretations of the true meaning of Christmas are all very different and unique. But I also think its important to stop and reflect this Christmas season on the year gone by, to give thanks and praise for the good things in our life. Whatever we're doing, whoever we are and whatever we believe in,  it's good to have a time of reflection in our lives.

For the twelve days after Christmas I'm going to use this opportunity to write twelve posts about different aspects of Christmas and hopefully provide you with some nice pieces of reflection to show that these feelings of happiness can continue after Christmas too.