Quotes for a Thirsty Soul

Hey there! Life has been so crazy, with graduation and exam prep and planning for the move to Nicaragua, that I have been terrible at posting regularly. I've had so little time for anything artistic, that I feel drained! There's only one way to fix that! This time, I decided to share with you some quotes that I really enjoy. They resounded with me so much, that I hope to print them out and put them up in my room. It's nice to have that daily reminder of what really matters, even if you don't look at them every day.

P.S. Stay tuned! I'm planning something super exciting for the next post! :)

Always Winter

I've been waiting so long for this day. The very first day of spring. The day when the world would be fresh and warm and new things would grow. The day that welcomes back the birds and buds and blossoms. The mere thought of it is enough to make me want to frolic and dance. I was counting down the days, and eagerly anticipating this day, when a creeping realization came back to me. "Wait a second, I live in Canada. Spring never comes this early." Never has, never will.

I don't usually have this heartache. Most years I remind myself over and over that I can't expect it until at least the end of May. That way I can avoid the ridiculous song and dance that people go through each spring, hoping for warm weather every day, and being crushed when the blanket of snow falls. For some reason this year has been different, though.

I think I can safely blame this one on Nicaragua. When my brother and I both had a week off school, my family visited Nicaragua, to scope it out and see what it will be like to live there. It was wonderful! And beautifully warm. So we all got used to the t-shirt and shorts weather, to seeing green grass and flowers, then we had to retreat back to the snowy prison.

Our winters are too long here, and they drain us of our energy and enthusiasm all too quickly. It's enough to make tears squeeze out of my painfully dried out eyes.

Now I'm not usually one to complain. Okay, maybe I am, but this is serious stuff! It's frightening when you can't find inspiration and beauty anywhere but photographs. I keep imagining Nicaragua, and how my old house used to look in the summertime. There was a giant crabapple tree outside my parents room windows that was breathtaking when it was covered in pink and white blossoms! And I grew strawberries and tomatoes and sunflowers and rhubarb. Our acreage was a perfect haven.

Now, we live in a townhouse, and the view out my window has changed from lilac bushes to a half built garage. This may seem like a small burden to have, and maybe it is, but it weighs on my heart.

The wonderful thing about God, is that no matter how insignificant the hardship may seem to those around me, He knows how I feel and what I personally long for. He cares about the wars and famines of the world and He cares about the dirt on my window pane. That is part of the reason I love Him so much! <3

~Brie

Intimate Moments

Life is full of intimate moments. Those moments when no one else is around, and you're alone with your thoughts, or those of pure silence. That moment just before you fall asleep, when you're your most vulnerable. Those moments of grief when you cannot put up a facade. Those moments on a train or in your room or anywhere where no one is watching. This is when your truest self shows through.
Everyone spends these moments differently, and with different people. During times of stress or boredom some like to listen to music, whereas some like to call up a close friend. However you spend these vulnerable moments, you develop an emotional attachment to either the music or the friend or writing, in my case. It makes sense, doesn't it? We like music because it speaks to us and we feel someone understands us. We grow closer to a friend when they are there for us during stressful times. Falling alseep next to someone or waking up beside them makes us feel somehow closer. These intimate moments are what solidify relationships, and this is how we learn where to go when we need someone.
Lately, I've been becoming more and more aware of these moments in my own life. When I fall asleep, I usually listen to music, and it soothes me to sleep. What would happen if we spent all of these intimate moments with God? Think of what a great relationship we could have if we ran to Him in these moments instead of searching for alternatives. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that listening to music or talking to friends are bad things, but I think that in the Western culture we tend to use these small pleasures to replace God. To think that the Master of the Universe could be replaced by a human or a song!
Since realizing this, I've been working on setting aside facebook and youtube when I'm feeling stressed or overwhemed, and just spending one-on-one time with God. After all, He's the one who made me, and all the days of my life are written in His book. He understands me more than anyone because He made me to be like him. We both want to be loved and treasured, we both want someone to be committed and value spending time with us. So it makes sense that we should spend more time together!
I feel so blessed to have a God who is so big and powerful, yet so gentle and loving that He wants to be there in my intimate moments, just Him and I. <3

Slam Poetry

Poetry is awesome.

I know there are those of you out there begging to differ, claiming it's boring, outdated, and frankly a waste of time. Well to you I say, "Humbug!"

I've recently become aware of a new genre of poetry called, "spoken word poetry" (or "slam poetry"). It's so cool! It's modern and edgy for those who like the newest, coolest thing out there. It's got deep and resounding messages (for the most part, I guess it depends on the poet) for you who like deeper connections and other forms of poetry. I really like it, myself. I tried my hand at it a few times, and posted one here. 

Spoken word poetry is so impactful, because of the strong words, rhythm and passion that goes into every syllable. It moves you, gets you really thinking, gets to the root of humanity. I love it! I don't think something like this can be fully explained, because it affects everyone differently. How about I just show you, and you can find out for yourself?

Sarah Kay- If I Should Have a Daughter

Phil Kaye- Repetition

Propaganda- G.O.S.P.E.L.

Why I hate Religion, But love Jesus

Sarah Kay & Phil Kaye- An Origin Story

These are just a few of my faves. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did! After watching them, let me know what your response was. Do you enjoy poetry as a whole? If so, what is your favorite poem? I look forward to hearing more from you! :)

Today the Easel, Tomorrow the World!

I've always been super fascinated with street art. I don't know about you, but when I see a really well thought out mural, or even graffiti, I can't help but appreciate it. There was a quote I once found that says,

 

"It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or carve a statue, and so make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look. To affect the quality of the day- that is the highest of arts."

 

That was said by Henry David Thoreau. I actually used this as a theme for another post I wrote called, The Guerilla Artist. If you end up enjoying this post immensely, you may wish to explore it.

Anyways, I've been scouring the Internet, looking for some of my favorite specimens of this art form. There are some really funny ones, but also some that make you stop and think. Both are amazing in their way, and affect the quality of the day, which is why we make art in the first place, am I right?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These are just a few of the absolutely epic art that people are out there making. Isn't that incredible? One day you may see one as you go about your regular business. It's inspiring. I'm definitely going to find a way to do this too. Just to make some stranger's day. :) Also, If you come across a cool art display or make some street art of your own, feel free to send it my way!

The Best and Easiest Guitar Songs

Have you ever noticed how much more attractive someone gets when they're playing a guitar? Honestly, when a good-looking guy or girl comes into the room it's impressive enough, but when they whip out a guitar, their attractiveness at least doubles. It is for this reason that I am teaching myself the art of playing the fine instrument. Now I can carry it around with me wherever I go, and pick up cute guys! Relax, I'm joking. Not about picking up cute guys, but about that being my primary motive in this endeavor. My primary motive is that I've always wanted to learn, and now it's finally coming true! I'm starting to get the hang of it, too, which makes it more and more fun.

Over the past several months, I have searched far and wide for the best and easiest guitar songs. And because it has taken me so long to find this many good ones, I feel obligated and priveledged to share my research and findings with the rest of the world. So here ya go.

Boulevard of Broken Dreams- Green Day
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/g/green_day/boulevard_of_broken_dreams_acoustic_crd.htm

Don't Worry Be Happy- Bobby McFerrin
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/b/bobby_mcferrin/dont_worry_be_happy_ver4_crd.htm

Brighter Than the Sun- Colbie Caillet
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/c/colbie_caillat/brighter_than_the_sun_ver3_crd.htm

I Won't Give Up- Jason Mraz
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/j/jason_mraz/i_wont_give_up_ver3_crd.htm

Keep Holding On- Avril Lavigne
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/a/avril_lavigne/keep_holding_on_crd.htm

If My Heart was a House- Owl City
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/o/owl_city/if_my_heart_was_a_house_crd.htm

This is Home- Switchfoot
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/s/switchfoot/this_is_home_ver2_crd.htm

Hear You Me- Jimmy Eat World
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/j/jimmy_eat_world/hear_you_me_acoustic_crd.htm

Brand New Day- Fourty Foot Echo
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/f/forty_foot_echo/brand_new_day_crd.htm

If I Die Young- The Band Perry
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/t/the_band_perry/if_i_die_young_ver3_crd.htm

Ours- Taylor Swift
http://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/t/taylor_swift/ours_crd.htm

So these are just a few of my faves. Hope you enjoy them, and happy strumming! ;)

~Brie

33 Ways to Stay Creative

From "The World's Best Ever", http://www.theworldsbestever.com/2011/06/06/33-ways-to-stay-creative/

 

Alright, I'll be honest. Writing blog posts is a lot harder than I originally thought it would be. At first I had all these lofty ambitions of writing inspirational pieces that thousands upon thousands would read and be touched by. It seemed terribly exciting and I never dreamed there would come a day when I would face the infamous "writer's block". I sat in front of a blank page for years it seemed, scheming and scheming until I could scheme no more, but I couldn't think of one good thing to present to the world. I knew I needed to, but I began to dread writing posts. However, here I am, determined to write despite the complete lack of inspiration that I started out with.

I was so starving for inspiration, it seems, that I have resorted to writing a post on my relationship and viewpoints on it. I originally found this list when I was adventuring with Stumbleupon a while back. It really resonated with me, because I've found many of these techniques on my own without being completely conscious of the fact that I had. As I was reading the list I kept thinking to myself, "Hey, I do that!" For instance, I used to free write A LOT. Most evenings I would write to God about the day and things I had on my mind and things I felt he was saying to me. It was a way for my prayers to be more focused. I didn't realize that's why I found myself more inspired and creative. Now I'm thinking I should really get back into that!

I really value journalling, and I would encourage anyone and everyone to keep one. Not only does it keep you creative, but it also helps to keep you balanced, in my opinion. It's very therapeutic to be able to release emotions and stress in this way. If you can write about it, and get it all out, then you can spend less time thinking about it over and over again and spend more time working around it and living joyfully! Plus, it doesn't necessarily need to be an every day thing. When I first started journalling when I was really young, I thought to myself, "Okay, this is the week I write every single day, without fail. I don't care what happens I WILL write in my journal!" This system just didn't work for me. I know that for many other people, forcing themselves to write every day keeps them challenged and goal-oriented, and that's great! Go for it! But for some people this just adds unnecessary stress. Too much stress is the enemy of a creative mind. So go with the flow! Also, it you were to look through my journal, you would find more than just mundane posts. You would find lists (#1!), and drawings, and random ideas (#30!). Nothing is too crazy or abnormal to put in your journal. It's your place to relax and communicate whatever your little heart desires. And also, in case you haven't already noticed, this post is definitely breaking the font and text size rules! Yay for creativity! (Actually, I just don't know how to make it look like it usually does, but hey! We'll go with it!) Stay creative, my friends!