Tuesday, November 25, 2008

One step at a time

People cease to exist all the time, but you never understand how heart-breaking it is until that person, is one you love. It's so... difficult. People glance at you, they see this pale face, with dark circles under the eyes. They think to themselves... "It must be so hard for them, but they'll get over it... eventually." They're just screwing themselves. You never can get over something such as that. It will haunt you, glare at you, scream at you- for the rest of your life. Whether you cease to see it, or look at it right in it's face. It's always there... always coming to your dreams, stabbing you behind your back, glaring at your heart. It will never leaving you in peace. There's only one thing you can do: Learn to act. Put on a mask, never let anyone see into the real you... Why? Because if you don't, it will hurt too much, more than it does already. Live with yourself, move on. Try to be happy. But that's the keyword: Try. Try, try, try, try, TRY! Never stop trying. There's more people out there, no one needs to see you suffering over something that you can not change. No one cares, why should you? Just one step at a time. And then... attack.

Written by: Rebekah Lewis,
In memory of: Jon Lewis

Monday, November 17, 2008

One man army

I have just recently begun to realize how amazing the ability to write is. Write, not as in the general concept of putting together letters to form legible words, but more as in the skill to integrate these words into intellectual phrases, and then transmit them to the eyes of all readers. The gift, the beautiful talent that some people have to just be able to do that naturally... it's amazing. I never really appreciated it before. One of my best friends, I remember, is a great writer. But I had never realized the talent that she has for writing. I always knew that she was good, but never really understood how... nor the extent of her ability. Needless to say, she's a very talented author.
Another close friend, also has an incredible talent with words. He knows exactly what to say, how to say it and where it will get him. Admittedly, I am very jealous.
People such as these two, are born with the gift. It is transmitted into their creative thinking. They're able to write such amazing pieces naturally, without having to plan it out much. They are able to be creative, yet logical in their writing... and still have it all make incredible sense.
Many of the billions of unique persons here on the planet have this gift, others... such as myself, don't. Although some people on this earth don't have the gift... that doesn't mean that they can't try to bring it into their lives. See, there's a difference between a gift and a talent. A gift, is something that you're born with; it comes naturally. Whether you enjoy or use this particular gift is completely up to you. Talent... comes when someone wishes that they had that gift but they were not supplied with it. They work at whatever it is they want to perfect, and if they have the determination for it... they will in the end be able to accomplish whatever it was that they were interested in.
I had never wanted to be a writer before, it was never something that had interested me, or captivated my attention. But lately, as I've become to realize what writing is really all about... I've wanted to work on my own. That is the entire reason that I started this blog. I figured that if I knew people were going to be reading whatever I wrote, I had to make it good... I am still pondering why exactly I sought this remedy for my ineptness, but I do believe that even in the short time I've had this, I have improved.

I would like to end this quick thought, with this: If there is anything out there in the amazing world in which we live in, that you want to do. That you are determined to perfect, to master, to accomplish... then you can do it. Absolutely anything that you put your mind to, you are capable of completing it. It doesn't matter who you are, how old you are, nor anything about your life. None of that matters, it's all about you. It is all about the person inside of you, who wants to unleash all it's creativity to the world. Trust in yourself, believe in yourself... and you will succeed. Follow the path that was made for you, but plant the flowers on your own.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Day of the Dead

Today is the "Day of the Dead" in Mexico. It is what many foreigners would associate with Halloween in the states and Canada. But it's an entirely different thing.
Mexicans have a lot of respect towards the dead. All of their deceased family members and friends are remembered constantly, but specifically on one special day. This holiday is currently divided into two days: November 1st and 2nd.
The first of November is dedicated to all of the children and younger people that have died. Everyone that was in their family reunites on this day at the cemetery that the child was buried in. They bring flowers, food, candles, clothes... anything that the child liked at one point in his life. Then they decorate his/her grave with everything they brought. Sometimes they will do altars like they do for the older people that died, but most of the time they will simply decorate the grave.
The second of November is dedicated for everyone else: The elderly, the adults, anyone who died above age (18). For these people, they build altars (as previously mentioned). The altars can be either 3 levels, or 7 levels.
The three level altars symbolize the Trinity: God, the Son and the Holy Ghost. On the first level (highest off the ground) they put things that at one point belonged to that person. Such as, clothes, many photos, letters, if the person enjoyed any sport they would put something from that sport (i.e.: soccer ball, baseball bat, ballet shoes, martial art belt, etc.), jewelry, and in many occasions, a bible.
On the second level, they put a picture of the Virgin Mary (keep in mind this is a catholic tradition) and a cross. They also put the persons favourite food, drink, desert, etc. On that same level (it is more difficult on the third level altar than the seventh.) you are to put a basin of water, soap, wash cloth and mirror. This is so that when the spirit of the person they are dedicating it to can look at itself and wash up before eating. Also the mirror is to ward off bad or evil spirits.
On the third level they put candy, alcohol (if the person drank), toys, special things that were loved from that person, stuffed animals, etc.
At the bottom of the third level you are supposed to put a cross made from ash (NOT human ash), or wood shavings. This is also to ward of evil spirits.

On the seven level altar you do basically the same thing, only you are to separate each of the three level items onto all seven: First level (highest off the ground): Picture. Second level: Idol of Virgin Mary, Picture or idol of Christ, candles. Third level: Clothes, letters, pictures of family and friends, and any miscellaneous item. Fourth level: Food. Fifth level: Basin of water, cloth, soap, mirror. Sixth level: Toys, Candy, Deserts, special day of the dead items, candles. Seventh level (floor): Cross made from ash or wood shavings. Also, for this size altar many times they will make a path leading to the altar. This path is made also from ash or wood shavings and is outlined by a special flower called "cempasĂșchitl", which are similar to orange marigolds.
The seven level altar symbolizes the seven "heavens". I do not know very much about the catholic beliefs on this, it is either the seven steps that you have to do to be able to get to heaven, or it is literally the seven layers to heaven. Catholics are very confusing... Although I do find this specific holiday/tradition one of their most interesting and incredible holidays. What they believe is really just... remarkable. Also, this tradition has been going on since the Mayan and Aztecs. Although they celebrated it probably a bit different, the whole of it is the same.

Wow, this is a pretty long post. If you read this far, you're awesome. Send me a message (lol).
Well, now you know a little more about Mexican traditions.
'Till next time!
-Silver