Crossroads (Guest Post)

This is a guest post written by Kathie from A Sea Change. Kathie had proposed to write a guest post and we decided to write guest posts on our respective blogs based on the theme of inspiring messages. Kathie will explore the ways to make decisions in difficult situations. Coming to a proper resolution has always been something that resonated with everyone, and in this post, Kathie will share her insights in decision-making and her experience in making tough choices. In exchange, I've written a post on A Sea Change, and you may check out my post on Kathie’s blog about befriending self-doubts, utilising fears and gaining self-esteem.

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There are so many times that we come to a point when we say or feel that ‘we are at a crossroad.’ Basically it means we are stuck between taking a decision when we have so many options to choose from. When we are at this point we feel scared, afraid, stressed out and perplexed because the choice you make at this point can determine your future course.

Decisions made could either be big or small but it could have an impact on you for the rest of your life. For example, choosing which course you’re planning to do. Most of us contemplate when we are required to choose a course for college, whether we want to go into arts, science or commerce. I had to make my choice too and I chose commerce and it has turned out to be great so far. I enjoy and love what I’m doing.

This though is just a small example of what it’s like to be at a crossroad.

When one is at a crossroad it is important for them to keep in mind that it is not necessary to do what everyone else is doing. You don’t have to choose the way that everybody else does. It could be that a road which is travelled frequently by everyone can work for you and it could also be that it does not. Just because that particular road works for them doesn’t mean it will work for you. It’s okay if you want to do something different and it’s okay if it isn’t what everyone else wants you to do. Whatever you opt for it should make you feel happy and content. Yes, the road whichever you desire to pick might be rocky, there might be hardships, you might have to put in a lot of effort and struggle but ultimately it’s worth it. Want to know why? Because even if it didn't fetch you what you wanted it to, at least it taught you something. You know the mistakes you committed, you know what went wrong and it is these faults that you could work on again. Don’t take it as defeat though, let it strengthen you and make you stronger so that you can face it the next time.

Coming to a crossroad means that there have been so many events that lead to this point. When you are taking a decision it’s better to keep in mind why and how you got here, what occurrences have lead you to this place, who you want to be and where do you want to go, what blunders have you done previously and what are your strong points. You could also take the advice and help of loved ones at a time of indecision. A lot of people when they reach this end tend to give up if they can’t take the pressure. If you do feel so at this juncture, then remember why you started in the first place. It could help you get through the hard time with much more ease.

Ultimately the worst thing that could happen is not taking a decision and traversing into an unknown area but it is not taking a decision at all and remaining in the same place while you watch everyone else move ahead of you.

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I’m Kathie and I blog over at A Sea Change. I’m a 19-year-old student in college pursuing Business Administration. I love to spend time with my family which includes two dogs, read, write, and once in awhile do something extremely creative. I also am a HUGE lover of tea. I hope to travel the world someday and as clichéd as it might sound, it is true. My blog is basically where I express my thoughts and views on certain matters. I try to make it as interesting as possible and I write in the hope that maybe I could just inspire a few people out there. Come on over and look around. Hopefully you’ll find something that you like and can maybe connect with!

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This is the first time I'm working with another blogger for an exchange guest post, and I had some initial reservations, but I'd like to give my appreciation and thanks to Kathie for writing this post and her amazing cooperation. I hope readers learn something and have something to take away from this at the end of it as well. 

Until next time ♥ 

Introductory photo by me, Photos in guest post courtesy of Kathie from A Sea Change

+ You may check out my post on Kathie’s blog about befriending self-doubts, utilising fears and gaining self-esteem.

Five Reasons Why Superheroes Are Superb (Guest Post)

This is a guest post written by 'Amira. She'll be writing about the reasons to why people love superheroes and despite the fact that they're fictional, they're still important to us. I've always admired superheroes and their fellow counterparts, whether it's from DC or Marvel, and 'Amira, who is also an avid Ms Marvel (Kamala Khan) fan, will explore the reasons to the hype in this new, trending league of superheroes in the media today. This post can also be found on Medium.

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The stories of Superman, Batman and well, all those other people with extraordinary abilities in tight-suits have been told and retold through generations. So it’s no question that they were a part of our lives once (or still are, for that matter). But have we ever stopped to think why these heroes and their stories have resonated so much with us?

Just the other day I was watching a TEDxTeen talk by an editor of Marvel Entertainment, Sana Amanat, and she was sharing why she loved the X-Men. Growing up, she never felt like she could fit in. But soon she learned about the X-Men and how they had mutated and enhanced genes that gave them superpowers, which was “the coolest thing in the world.” She could relate to these mutants because they were different. They were just like her. And this brings me to the first reason why superheroes are superb:

1. They are human.

Okay, I know some superhero fans out there are going to start screaming, “What about Barrions? Asgardians (alien species in the DC and Marvel universe respectively)?” and so on, but what I’m referring to is their humanity – that altruism that never fails to shine through. That is the fundamental virtue about being human. We look out for one another. We form healthy relationships as the basis of social intelligence. We show love. We show kindness and all values in nature that make us human. What superheroes do encompasses all these acts of humanitarianism – they protect the innocent and they save the world. And as cliché as this sounds, they are our role models.

This is not to say they are perfect either. As the saying goes, “To err is human.” So there’s a second reason:

2. They make mistakes.

In the comics and their stories, I’ve noticed a necessary element in their characterization: flaws. And how is this superb, you may ask?

These little hiccups in their personality make them effortlessly human. And they embrace these imperfections and learn from their mistakes.

Even more so, these superheroes exist in an imperfect world. There is never a balance of war and peace. But when they do bring peace, they also present hope on the other side of the spectrum.

3. They represent hope.

A classic example of this is Captain America. He was created in a time where people had much to lose – their loved ones, their home. What Captain America did was give them a form escapism as well as unity and hope amidst the World War.

And it is difficult to recognize that when we were young and watched superheroes like Spiderman every Saturday morning. All we cared about was how good beats evil and how these extraordinary people save the day. But there is still so much about superheroes that we’ve missed as kids, including the fact that,

4. They have an alter ego.

An alter ego makes them more appealing to children because it is a primary need in one’s early development. In self-psychology, it is defined as ‘the desire to feel alikeness to other human beings.’ Of course, we couldn’t have pointed this out when we were kids. Psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan provides a common example of this desire to mirror: ‘The child who strikes another says that he has been struck; the child who sees another falls, cries.’

So it’s almost as if these double lives of our favourite superheroes have influenced us subconsciously, but positively. They succumbed to that primary narcissism we had as a child.

And the fact that we grew up with these characters makes them all the more superb. The same answer to this lies in: Why are decade-long franchises like Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Star Wars so successful?

5. They have a compelling journey.

American scholar Joseph Campbell defined the narrative pattern ‘Hero’s Journey’ as the backbone of modern literature. It is a recurring theme of ordinary people being called upon extraordinary circumstances. We subscribe to a character’s inspiring adventures on a personal level, but as superb as they are, these are not our stories.

One of my favourite poets, Rumi once said: 'Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.'

Have a great week everyone,

‘A.

Photo + Lettering + Illustration by Dian

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'Amira is a contributor to Wattpad, where she publishes her books 'Storms and Other Short Poems', 'Speculum' and 'The Avocation' online, with over 10k reads since October 2014 and more than 1000 votes. She enjoys reading, writing and videography.

Wattpad is a world of free stories - a writing community which users are able to post articles, stories and poems about anything. The content includes work by undiscovered and published writers. 

Check out a snippet of 'A's second and third book 'Speculum' and 'The Avocation'. 

Mixtape 02: The Glow of Nostalgia (Guest Post)

This is a guest post written by my twin sister, 'Amira. She will be compiling a mixtape that features the best songs of 2014, ranging from indie, alternative to the amusingly fun bubble-gum pop.

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It doesn't hurt to look back. There's a funny thing about nostalgia - as much as we think it's a sense of longing for whatever's in the past, it ends off a strong note of gratification. And that's what makes it so...endearing.

This 2014 we have seen history being made time and again in music, with U2 releasing their latest cut Songs of Innocence to all iTunes users for free, Taylor Swift’s pop package 1989 selling more than a million in its opening week and the boys of One Direction making their fourth number one album on the Billboard. But these are just the headliners – we mustn't forget the some fresh faces in the industry as well as some gems in the trending indie music scene. After all, it’s the diversity that makes music a universal instrument. Let’s dive into our best 2014 list of songs.

25. The Hanging Tree – James Newton Howard ft. Jennifer Lawrence

24. News – Freddie Dickson

23. Let It Go – James Bay

22. The Mother We Share – CHVRCHES

21. The Heart Wants What It Wants – Selena Gomez

20. Fool’s Gold – One Direction

19. Yours – Ella Henderson

18. King of the World – Young Rising Sons

17. All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor

16. I Won’t Let You Down – OK Go

15. Compass – Zella Day

14. You Are In Love – Taylor Swift

13. Medicine – The 1975

12. We’re Not Alone – Echosmith

11. In Time – Kris Allen

10. Broken Frame – Alex & Sierra 

09. Budapest – George Ezra 

08. The People – Nina Nesbitt 

07. Rollercoaster – Bleachers 

06. Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

05. Bridges – Broods 

04. Geronimo – Sheppard

03. Yellow Flicker Beat – Lorde

02. Iris (Hold Me Close) – U2

01. Ink – Coldplay

♪ Spotify  ♪ YT

So there you have it - the best of 2014. We seem to be engineered to move forward all the time. Now hopefully some music will change that because in the blur of everything, we can't deny that there'll always be that looming glow of nostalgia. Just embrace it, before it evansces with the climb of the sun.

Peace out,
'A

Photo by 'A

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'A is a contributor to Wattpad, where she publishes her books 'Storms and Other Short Poems' and 'Speculum' online, with over 4000 reads since October 2014 and more than 500 votes. She enjoys reading, writing and videography.

Wattpad is a world of free stories - a writing community which users are able to post articles, stories and poems about anything. The content includes work by undiscovered and published writers.

Check out a snippet of her first book 'Storms and Other Short Poems' here.