eleven:eleven

Today I'd like to make a post about war and peace (not the book [ew forget I attempted to make that joke I'm so ashamed]), in response to both the peaceful and militant protests which are currently happening all over America. I recently made a tweet about said protests, which for some reason has proved very popular, so take a look at it if you have a chance. Also, today is remembrance day, so this ties in nicely with the theme of today's post. This week's poem also relates to the theme of peace and protesting, so go and check it out!

I'm not afraid of death. This doesn't mean I want to die, far from it, but it means that I'm not destroyed when someone close to me dies, because I feel secure in the knowledge that they aren't hurting, and they're happy. Although I do not fear death, and I don't see death as an ending, I believe that life is so much more important than death. This belief has made me live my life in the least violent way possible, as I value peace so highly. Not just peace meaning no war, but peace within friendships and relationships, and within yourself. 

I am often at war with myself, over silly things and more important things; what to do on the weekend, whether to skip lessons or not, what religious denomination I am. But I am constantly working on becoming at peace with my emotions and actions, as you can't live a truly full life if you're at war with yourself, as a part of you would never be happy, no matter which option you choose. I debate and reason with myself daily, and this genuinely helps me feel more grounded and more myself, I guess (it's difficult for me to articulate, especially whilst maintaining proper grammar and an adequate vocabulary). 

But even when I am at peace with myself, the world never seems to be, and sometimes I genuinely think that it may never be, which makes me feel too gloomy for words. The recent protests in America have almost proved this to me. They're due to an election, in which (obviously) not every single person will be content with the outcome, as there is more than one choice. But even though someone's discontented with something, they needn't turn to violence. Change can be achieved though peace; through strong words and meaningful gestures. To make your voice heard you need only speak, your voice is not intensified by fighting. 

Even though I say this, war has still happened. And is still happening. There's no way to get around this, and to pretend that it isn't true would frankly be offensive to those who have (and are) risking their lives for their ethics and to help others. I admire our veterans, I really, truly do. I could never do what they have done - I suppose I consider myself a pacifist. But that doesn't mean I appreciate their sacrifice any less than someone who is more in favour of fighting. (Can one ever be in favour of fighting? To me it seems to be a sort of major juxtaposition. Maybe that's just me.) I, and countless others (the whole world in fact) will be forever grateful to the irrevocably valiant men and women who have taken a stand and a bullet for humanity and for peace. On this day, Remembrance Sunday, I'd like for you to stop whatever you're doing (AKA reading this),  and take a moment to think about what your life would be like had your countrymen not fought for what they believed in. No matter what country you come from or live in or have ever lived in, I'm positive that your life would not be the same without these gallant heroes, present or departed. 

Think about yourself, think about your family and friends, and think about the world. Reflect upon your relationships with them - are they as strong and as positive as you wish them to be? If not, why? At this time of remembrance and looking back, take a chance to look forwards too; if you want to change something about your life, do it! What's stopping you? If the answer to that is yourself, it couldn't be easier to rectify. 

Remember the past, contemplate the future, but most of all; don't forget to live for the present. 

The Importance Of Friendship

All too often, and particularly by the older generation, friendships are overlooked as trivial and unimportant, whereas truly they are so much more than that. I've been through a time when I had very little, if any, friendship in my life, and I'm sure that either you or someone you know has had the same. If so, then you'll agree that a life without friends is a very tough one indeed. Friends aren't there solely to make you laugh (although that's also extremely important in life), but also to pick you up when you're down, and spend those not-so-funny times with you.
When you're sad, a good friend will be there to cheer you up, just as you will have done when they were upset. When you're happy, a good friend will be there to share the joy with you - this, in essence, is the reward of friendship, if you can analogise it to a game of sorts. If you are truly someone's friend, your heart will lift when you see them smiling, and you will feel their joy as they do.
About a year and a half ago, I was essentially friendless. I was unhappy, of course, but also my physical and mental health were at their worst, and I only left my house to go to school. In contrast, now, my life is full of friendship and happiness and health, and I couldn't be more overjoyed that I have found people whom I am more than proud to call my friends.
Friendship isn't just about happiness, though. A friend is there to talk, to listen, to cry to, and to help you, almost to be your second brain. A one-way friendship will never succeed, as you shouldn't receive without giving, especially not something as precious and personal as friendship. If a friend is seriously ill, you should be there for them, and you should trust that they will be there for you. Even though this oath of trust is so integral to forming a uniting friendship, you still shouldn't blame your friends if they do something wrong, or for a moment have skewed priorities. They are, after all, only human, just as you and I are. we must al remember that everyone makes mistakes, and that's alright as long as we learn from them.

A friend is a brother or sister, a family member, but one that you choose: 'the blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb'. Society has twisted this phrase, and I bet most of you know it only as 'blood is thicker than water', meaning that blood connection are more important than relationships which you have chosen for yourself, but this is not true. That's also not to say that family bonds are unimportant, as I love my family to pieces, but for people who haven't had the rosy experience of family which I have been so lucky to have, I feel that this saying is demeaning and belittles their feelings. The true saying, however, is different but I don't believe it must be opposite. The 'blood of the covenant' means bonds made by choice, which could be either friendships or familial relationships, even though the 'water of the womb' clearly refers only to family.
Please take from this one thing; cherish your relationships with family and friends. A union formed by choice is always important, regardless of whether your DNA is similar or not! A friend can become family, as to me, family doesn't mean related.
It means love.