Positive poetry

I've been looking for some positive poetry today from which to source some inspiration for my poetry assignment.

I found the following link which has lots of different poems, haven't read them all as I was just having a quick browse before I go to work.

http://asandboxgreeting.com/sbmisc.html

However I did find one in particular that I like about hands. The music on the site is a bit strange though. :S

http://asandboxgreeting.com/thesehandspm.html

Fear of Failure

My biggest obstacle is my fear of failure. In everything I do, where ever I go, I'm always afraid of failing something or disappointing someone, worst of all myself. This has hindered me a lot in life- I hold back instead of embracing it with open arms. I know that despite my failures that God will always take me back, so I should feel free... but it doesn't always make the feelings go away.

I guess it's just another excuse not to do work, not to start for fear that my writing won't be good enough. I compare myself to others too much, but that's the problem with perfectionism, you are never satisfied.

This song by Jason Gray has really helped me this last fortnight though, and makes me feel better despite my many shortcomings. It's called: Remind me who I am.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKyY8zfjBMQ&ob=av2e

This is a poem I wrote last year, about my 3 week trip to India in 2009.

Indian Rhythms

Spice fills the air.

I smell new flavours

as I drink in the excitement.

Drums beat in

different timing.

A Punjabi singer’s voice

lingers through my ears.

I taste Gulab Jamun,

I feel water beneath my feet.

I am at a temple.

Colours whirl in the streets

and people dance with fervour.

Celebrate the new

bride and groom,

To be married in 2 days.

I see money, celebration,

lights and jewellery everywhere.

But the people stare at a new attraction.

They stare at me.

“What is that white girl doing here?” They ask themselves.

A young white girl in India.

©Katherine Cox 2011

Happy New Year!

2012 has officially arrived. I'm not usually one to make resolutions because I hardly ever stick to them, but this year I have some goals I would like to try to stick to...

1. Read my bible for a few minutes everyday. This may not always happen but I figured I should try seeing as how I have never read the whole way through it yet!

2.Find time to write for 20-30 minutes everyday. No matter what it is, whether it is a blog post, a short story, ideas for a story or a poem etc.

3.Include time to revise my English and grammar skills by reading resource books on how to improve my skills or researching on the Internet, and also reviewing some of my previous TAFE course books.

4. Paint a painting. I usually like to paint realistically using symbolism. I haven't painted anything for a long time so this could be a challenge.

Well, they are my goals. Not sure if I will stick to them but I'll see how I go. :P

The meaning of Christmas

It's that time of the year again.

Christmas is around the corner.

It really doesn't seem like a year has gone by again. I just don't believe it. Twelve months just go by too quickly!

So what does Christmas mean to you?

To most Westerners I think Christmas has turned into the biggest Shop-a-thon of the year. Not because we want to either. It seems we have to buy presents for the family, then there's the wrapping paper, and the name tags, cards, candy canes... the list goes on. There is pressure to buy the best food, presents and etc.

Why is Christmas so commercialised? Well I guess I know the answer to that. Businesses wouldn't make any profits if they didn't up-sell their products at Christmas time. I guess I just wish it wasn't as overwhelming.

But what does it really mean to you? Do you go along with the commercialism, thinking that's all there is to it? That's not what it says in the bible.

In the bible, the Christian bible, it is about the birth of a baby. A baby with a special purpose, to save mankind as a result of his birth and life, but especially his death.

Christmas is supposed to be the focus of Jesus's birth. Jesus Christ, not Jesus the celebrity, just to clear that up if anyone was confused. (I'm sure I heard about a celebrity called Jesus at one stage but I can't for the life of me think of his last name.)

That's why it is even called Christmas, it has Christ in it, because Christ was the main event. It was the reason why the 3 wise men came to the stable that night- to give gifts to the future saver of mankind. That's how the gift giving tradition started. They gave gifts of gold, myrrh and frankincense to honour the birth of the new king. The king of the Jews.

King Herod was also given the title the king of the Jews by the Romans, however, he was only part Jewish and unlike Jesus, he was not born of David's family line, so technically he was not really the true royal heir. When he heard about the birth of Jesus, he immediately wanted to kill him to prevent any threat to his throne. He didn't succeed but Jesus never became king in the magisterial sense, he was king of the Jews' hearts and spirits.

To me, Christmas is about the birth of my Saviour, my friend, my comforter, my brother in spirit. He has given me the gift of forgiveness for all of the sins I make in my life; all of the problems, the stuff-ups, the complaints, the swearing, the ungratefulness, the controlling behaviour, selfishness, rebellion, anger, hate, guilt and fear.

No one could give me a better gift than that.

Although I still make mistakes I know that Jesus has forgiven me, for the past, present and future mistakes in my life. This doesn't give me a licence to make more mistakes on purpose but it means that when I inevitably make them, because I am still a sinner and everyone makes mistakes, I know I am forgiven. It is because of his grace that I am saved, through his death on the cross.

You may be thinking it is all well and good for me to believe in Christ, but what about Santa, he is another symbol of Christmas. That is true but where did Santa originate from and what were his influences?

I found the following information at: http://www.stnicholascenter.org/pages/who-is-st-nicholas/

St. Nicholas Artist: Susan Seals All rights reserved Exclusive print in our shop

The true story of Santa Claus begins with Nicholas, who was born during the third century in the village of Patara. At the time the area was Greek and is now on the southern coast of Turkey. His wealthy parents, who raised him to be a devout Christian, died in an epidemic while Nicholas was still young. Obeying Jesus' words to "sell what you own and give the money to the poor," Nicholas used his whole inheritance to assist the needy, the sick, and the suffering. He dedicated his life to serving God and was made Bishop of Myra while still a young man. Bishop Nicholas became known throughout the land for his generosity to the those in need, his love for children, and his concern for sailors and ships.

Under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, who ruthlessly persecuted Christians, Bishop Nicholas suffered for his faith, was exiled and imprisoned. The prisons were so full of bishops, priests, and deacons, there was no room for the real criminals—murderers, thieves and robbers. After his release, Nicholas attended the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. He died December 6, AD 343 in Myra and was buried in his cathedral church, where a unique relic, calledmanna, formed in his grave. This liquid substance, said to have healing powers, fostered the growth of devotion to Nicholas. The anniversary of his death became a day of celebration, St. Nicholas Day, December 6th (December 19 on the Julian Calendar).

Through the centuries many stories and legends have been told of St. Nicholas' life and deeds. These accounts help us understand his extraordinary character and why he is so beloved and revered as protector and helper of those in need.

I have highlighted two words from the passage above in bold. Devout Christian. Saint Nicholas helped the poor and the needy, why? Because of his love for Christ, so he was therefore willing to do what Christ wanted of him. My point? Christmas still started with Christ.

You can all think what you like, but I thought for once I would share my point of view about what Christmas means to me.

Alice Springs Trip 2011

Hey all,

So my parents, our exchange student and I recently went to Alice Springs, N.T for 2 weeks.

The tourist attractions we saw:

*The Old Timer's Mine, Coober Pedy

*Tom's working Opal mine, Coober Pedy

*The Breakaways

*Dingo Fence or the Rabbit Proof Fence, whichever name you prefer

*Uluru

*The Olgas

*Kings Canyon

*Standley Chasm

*Glen Helen Gorge

*Ormiston Gorge

*Redbank Gorge

*Wigglies waterhole

*Rainbow Valley

*Royal Flying Doctor Service

*Alice Springs Reptile Park

*ANZAC Hill, Alice Springs

*Todd Mall

Animals we saw on the side of the road:

*Camels

*Emus

*A dingo

*Crows

*Cows

*Sheep

*Lizards, some were on the road but we managed to avoid hitting them!

*Roadkill (Usually either kangaroos or lizards)

Activities we did:

*Learnt how to play a didgeridoo at Todd Mall

*Skipped stones at Glen Helen

*Went swimming at Glen Helen

*Climbed the cliffs of Redbank Gorge

*Climbed up and did the 6km rim walk at Kings Canyon

*Walked 4km return Mala walk at Uluru

*Patted a goanna at the reptile park

Here are some out of the 800 pics I took of our adventures!

Cheeky camel, who did a dance for us in front of our car!

Part of the Olgas, we did a 4km return walk here too, after we had done the 4km walk at Uluru!

Us and an outback friend at the Old Timer's Mine

The chain up the side of Uluru, which you have to hold onto if you are climbing the rock. We did not climb Uluru though. Personally I think it is a bit offensive as the Aboriginals say that some of their ancestors were buried here. But I wouldn't want to climb it anyway, it looks far too steep for me!

The tranquil Glen Helen Gorge

The goanna we patted at the reptile centre.

Mum and Dad at Rainbow Valley

Operation Christmas Child

I have been wanting to post about this for several months!

This year I participated in Operation Christmas Child.

This is an operation which usually occurs annually where participants use their own or buy an empty shoe box, (I bought mine from the organisation for about 50 cents each) and fill it/them with toys and gifts for a child in a country in need.

This year they are possibly being sent to Papua New Guinea. The last time I helped with a Christmas box was when I was about 10, my Mum and I completed it.

Anyway I just wanted to show you how mine turned out. They can still be made and donated until October 25 in Australia. I'm not sure if it is the same date for donators in New Zealand.

This box is for a 10-14 year old girl.

This box is for a 5-9 year old boy.

Operation Christmas Child is a great way to bring hope and joy into the lives of many children who may have never received a Christmas gift before.

This is a link about it from the organisation, Samaritan's Purse.

http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.au/