only after the last tree is cut, and the last river is poisoned, only until the last fish is caught, will you find that money can't be eaten

ello everyone! :):):):)

what an eventful week. two sacs. one street retreat. one 'get drunk, act really shifty' 18th.

i love preaching happiness, how it reverberates through my very seams. allow me to juxtapose richness and poverty in this very world.

Money cannot be eaten. The most important things in life are the people you know, where you've been, and the experiences you've had. Nobody can take away from you your stored landscape and your identity. You are wealth incarnate, and your spirit is as pure as gold. Feel value in your life, because you deserve everything this world has to offer, You have dignity, and I believe in you. You are beautiful and important to me.
(now if only I can say that to a girl :P)

The street retreat I went to on Wednesday challenged my faith a little bit. To hear about a guy who spent 42 yrs in jail, and is now addicted to heroin, was one of those eye-openers you don't often get. He's shoplifted, seen stabbings, seen death. How fragile is human nature that we create problems for ourselves through a lack of belief in ourselves and the world. Sure some problems are thrust onto us; however, from then onwards we make the calls in our lives.

Also saw this Aboriginal guy called Mr Morgz, whom spent his 18th b'day until his 21st b'day in jail. He offered us '2 grams of pot for $30', which I thought was quite funny. He's on youtube making a living for himself as a rapper.

To quote Lord Of The Flies "The simplest solutions are often the greatest". I'll contradict myself by saying that yes, you do need a balance of financial wealth and inherent wealth in life. But we need to cherish the simple things of life. Materialism means nothing until we attach a bit of ourselves onto it; this is what I mean by money cannot be eaten. The simple things play as much a role in forming a sense of who we are in the world as money, measurable success, social status. I try to be one that advocates openness in life. It would be pretty boring to see the world in black and white only.

Colour your space :) Colour your lens, and how you see the world :)
Yes I know, whatever I say is littered with contradictions, so point them out to me plox. I love learning.
Love you
Justin

now is the time to assuage your desires :)

Hello everyone!

I hope your world is a beautiful place. Although I am bound by social jurisdictions, I can still say I am quite content with my life.
Although like all of you, I have year 12, a year which threatens to mould one's identity, and leave some disorientated, dazed and confused. I've been there before. It's not a comfortable posse.

Having said that though, the calm after the storm is often the best point of time to savour one's life. After busy times, reorienting one's direction in life is often useful to ensure you are milking every single ounce of life.

So on that note, i'll try and jot down a gameplan here so that, when confused at all, I can refer to this gameplan to boost my confidence and reinforce a sense of purpose in my life.

1) I'm heading towards that last exam on 17th of November
2) I want to feed my musical aspirations next year. If I don't give music at least one go, I will lose a part of me.
3) Courses such as Journalism, International Studies (for my humanitarian side :P) and Music Industry have popped up recently as a result of RMIT. Cross that bridge when I get to it :P
4) If all goes well, a year off for me next year. Academia and monetary wealth shouldn't be all that is in a year 12's mind at this stage of the game.

Once we finish that last exam, I encourage everyone to explore the world. Be like little Dora the Explorer, because the world's your oyster. Feed what you love, and if what you love can only be achieved in uni, then go to uni. If not, then take a year off. Gain life experience. Be a citizen of your surroundings, not a prisoner of your boundaries.

Now parents' expectations can play a HUGE factor in people's future, notably Asians. However, talk to your parents and friends about your future. That might be hard, but don't internalise shit. Internalising is toxic and in the end, it will eat you up inside.

One thing that should be duly noted is that everyone should take the time to enjoy life, and contextualise their existence within their environment. Don't get so busy, that operational forces such as God, fate or Karma has to throw a brick at you to get your attention. Goal-directed behaviour nourishes a person's sense of who they are, and the action that must be taken to achieve their desired future. However, enjoy the motions sometimes. Life is relatively luxurious in Melbourne compared to starving children in Africa, or displaced orphans in China as a result of floods.

Gotta add something else to gameplan: Must finish Year 12! Keep your desires at bay, but give this last three months all you've got. Most of the ATAR's satisfaction lies in whether you've given everything you have. If you start something, you should finish it well.

Oh my meanderings...I hope everybody battles well through the term.
Peace out, mate
Justin