& so are you...

LISTEN LISTEN!!!
I AM BORN OF STRONG, BEAUTIFUL BLOOD
& SO ARE YOU.
SO ARE YOU!!!
EVEN WHEN YOU DON’T FEEL IT
YOU HAVE SO MUCH POWER COURSING THROUGH YOU
E.V.E.R.Y. SECOND
YOU ARE STRONG
YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL
NO ONE CAN TAKE THAT AWAY.

- from YOU ARE REMARKABLE

Stephen Hawking

"Hubble's Observations suggested that there was a time, called the big bang, when the universe was infinitesimally small and infinitely dense. Under such conditions, all the laws of science, and therefore all ability to predict the future, would break down. If there were events earlier than this time, then they could not affect what happens at the present time. Their existence can be ignored because it would have no observational consequences. One may say that time had a beginning at the big bang, in the sense that earlier times simply would not be defined. It should be emphasized that this beginning in times is very different from those that had been considered previously. In an unchanging universe; there is no physical necessity for a beginning. One can imagine that God created the universe at literally any time in the past. On the other hand, if the universe is expanding, there may be physical reasons why there had to be a beginning. One could still imagine that God created the universe at the instant of the big bang, or even afterwards in just such a way as to make it look as though there had been a big bang, but it would be meaningless to suppose that it was created before the big bang. An expanding universe does not preclude a creator, but it does place limits on when he might have carried out his job!"

- The Illustrated A Brief History of Time

2009

"May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself."

- Neil Gaiman

What I Want from Fashion

What I want from fashion is fun. I once lived by the motto that getting dressed was like a daily art project. It’s not just about looking good. It’s also about self-expression, comfort, enjoyment, and yes, art. I believe that whether you’re going to work or preparing for a party, getting dressed should be fun. It’s a way to be sure you bring the right attitude to whatever you’re doing. I don’t want to abandon my own asthetic for the sake of a beige outfit for my beige job. I got hired at this job for a reason, damnit. They like what I had to offer, so I’m going to be myself every day.

I want to feel really good in everything I wear. I want to know that my clothes fit me and are attractive and appropriate for the occasion. And I want to be physically comfortable as well. I believe wearing too-tight pants, shirts so low they make me self-conscious, or shoes that make my feet ache is not just a silly decision but also a chip in my self respect. I respect myself enough to always wear things I love and to never force my poor tired feet into painful shoes. My body is not a slave to fashion!

I believe trends are fun and mostly harmless. Keeping up with trends is a fine hobby. I will not make fun of anyone for hopping on a trend bandwagon… Ok, maybe a little bit, but only in good fun.

I will never immitate anyone else. I will borrow ideas from those who inspire me, but I will make them my own. I have to remember that I am me and only me. Not only can I not become another person, but I don’t want to. For me, this is about being happy in my own skin, not becoming someone else. Writers are trained to learn from what the experts do best, but there can only be one Emily Dickinson. Only one Gay Talese. And I’m the only me.

I believe we all wear unfortunate outfits occasionally. It’s forgivable, but we should learn to laugh at ourselves.

Finally, I intend to bring more creativity into my life by incorporating it into everything I do. I will try new things, and every time I wear some new thing I’m not so sure about, I will think of it as a step toward the daring life I’ve always wanted to live. After all, if you’re scared to wear dayglo nail polish, will you ever get around to those big dreams you’ve been hanging on to? You’ve got to start somewhere!

- From Fashion Manifesto @ NoTitles

Natural Magic

Image from play4smee

Oh yes... yes indeed. Today you are going to be enveloped by the magic. It will be in the air you breathe, the sounds you hear, and the sights you see. Play off the moments in-between the moments, look to the unseen, and give thanks.

Feel it, enjoy it, but most important, use it!

It's already begun,
The Universe

Inauguration

Image from Lullabystock

Advice to Beginners
Ellen Kort

Begin. Keep on beginning. Nibble on everything.
Take a hike. Teach yourself to whistle. Lie.
The older you get the more they’ll want your stories.
Make them up. Talk to stones. Short-out electric
fences. Swim with the sea turtle into the moon. Learn
how to die. Eat moonshine pie. Drink wild geranium
tea. Run naked in the rain. Everything that happens
will happen and none of us will be safe from it.
Pull up anchors. Sit close to the god of night.
Lie still in a stream and breathe water. Climb to the top
of the highest tree until you come to the branch
where the blue heron sleeps. Eat poems for breakfast.
Wear them on your forehead. Lick the mountain’s
bare shoulder. Measure the color of days
around your mother’s death. Put your hands
over your face and listen to what they tell you.