Time (and why we probably shouldn't waste it)

Procrastination is perhaps one of the most widespread vices in the world. I know for a fact that everybody is guilty of it. I've done it and you've done it (yes, you), our friends have done it, our parents have done it, our forefathers have done…..you get the general idea – there is plenty of it going around. I think it’s time we end this vicious cycle of endless nothingness. You see, as I was watching TV (read: procrastinating) I began thinking about time. The guy in the show was talking about a man who walked through the centuries, ageless and unchanged, because he found the secret to eternal life, which he hid inside a clock (clever).

I liked the story but what intrigued me was that when I thought about it I realized that there are countless tales all based on the same theme – immortality. People, for centuries, have been obsessed with the idea of living forever. Great kings didn't crave for big armies or overflowing treasuries; they wanted everlasting life. A primary theme of many religions is the idea of immortality. Mythology tells us of “the fountain of youth” and “Nordic golden apples”, both of which grant the consumer life that never ends. People have dedicated their whole lives to the search of the Holy Grail or a cup of ambrosia so that they may live forever. Now think about it-what does immortality promise?

Time-all those quests and legends and stories were about men and women who wanted more time. More than money and influence, time is probably the most precious and sought after commodity in history. Time waits for no one and the person who can conquer time can conquer anything. They would live forever and be remembered as the greatest person ever. Now answer me this – when we procrastinate, what are we wasting?

Time. We've been wasting the world’s most coveted commodity since time immemorial on cat videos and Netflix marathons. But I do think we have a leg up on our forefathers because now we know what they never did. As perfectly summed up by Chuck Palahniuk

“The goal isn't to live forever; the goal is to create something that does”.

So go forth- live, laugh, dance, sing, write, learn – do anything that puts you further from the person you were yesterday. Go out into the world today and create your forever. That my friends, is what they call “the human experience”. Don’t miss out!

Until next time,

Bianka

Literally ( An open letter to the Grammar Police)

Dear Grammar Police, 

                First off, I’d like to say that I think you do a fantastic job of keeping the number of, quite frankly, stupid grammar mistakes at bay and are making the world a more coherent place one person at a time. Seriously, because of you guys I think no one is ever going to make the mistake of using “your” instead of “you’re” ever again, for fear of being reprimanded and publicly shamed. Kudos on that!

                However, of late, I've been noticing a new trend in your corrections, grammar police – the use of the word literally. Now, I fully understand that people who post statuses about how they’re “literally dying” or how they “literally can’t even” are annoying – I think so too. But I must wonder if this use is less of a grammar mistake and more the eventual manifestation of literary hyperbole finally entering mainstream cyber-language. Now before you roll your eyes just hear me out.

               

                You see, I think that when someone says they’re “literally dying”, they obviously don’t mean they’re actually dying – just that their emotions are so strong that they feel as if they might keel over and die. If I’m right then what we’re dealing with here is not a grammar issue at all. What we’re dealing with, dear grammar police, is the use of a hyperbole.

                In case you were wondering, a literary hyperbole is a device used by writers and poets to express strong emotions with the help of vast exaggeration. For example if someone were to say “Oh god! This bag weighs a ton!”, we know that the bag obviously doesn't weigh a ton but we understand the underlying meaning - the bag is heavy and you should probably give that person a hand. The person was fully aware that the bag didn't weigh a ton but said it anyway, in order to efficiently convey his emotions in the most articulate way possible. Similarly, that person you think is annoying for overusing the word “literally” is just trying to properly express their emotions. And if they feel like “they can’t even” --- who are we to judge?

                Literary devices like the hyperbole and symbolism have been used by authors probably since the very first book was written. Shakespeare was a huge fan of hyperboles. He once wrote “This tyrant, whose sole name blisters our tongue…” I don’t think anyone called Shakespeare out because the actor’s tongue didn't blister then and there. It’s almost comforting to see devices once used only by the likes of Shakespeare and Byron in everyday conversations – however annoying it may be. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that the appearance of the subconscious use of literary devices such as this is in fact a sign of progress (yes really) – both of the English language as well as of the human mind.

                After reading this it is my hope that the next time you see someone on Twitter or Facebook, or wherever who is #literallydying, don’t jump down their throat. Instead, take a second to marvel at how our language has progressed. By using the same English as that of people centuries ago, we're ensuring that real English is not forgotten. And in a world of LOLs and OMGs, I think it is a triumph (however small.) Who knows....this trend could be the dawn of a new era filled with better and more relatable stories. So be nice to that annoying person - they might be the next big thing in literature!

Until next time,

Bianka

The Retro Theory

Last year saw the advent of a new trend that wasn't quite new...quite the contrary - retro was back in! 2014 was the year of the hipster and I'm sure platforms like Tumblr will keep it alive well into this year and the next. I personally love all things retro and as self-professed hipster (in the glasses and photography kind of way, not the "ugh gross that's sooo mainstream" kind of way) I thought we could step back and think for a second - why IS retro back in?

Maybe it's because vintage things are really pretty. Maybe people like it because it makes them seem more intellectual and culturally aware. Maybe someone fairly influential started it and people just jumped on the bandwagon. Heck, maybe a really hip unicorn bestowed it upon our world! (Stranger things have happened!) But if I had to throw in my two cents this would be it: 

 Everything retro - from transistor radios to Polaroid cameras to vintage typewriters - makes something real. In an age of digital pictures, virtual messages, and a world ruled cyberspace, I think "retro" is our way of holding on to our past. No matter how thin a screen gets, or how long a battery lasts, there will always be something special about holding a photograph. Something magical about listening to a radio-static and all. 

By holding on to these small bits of the past, we hold on to the times they came from and the things those times taught us. Sometimes we truly must go back to go forward and maybe, just maybe, this phase in our history is a subconscious effort made by society as a whole to move forward. I'm all for innovation and progress but in a hyper-competitive atmosphere like the one we live in, I think we find it comforting to be reminded that the important things haven't changed - it's still best to kind and honest. It's still best to work hard and enjoy life. It's still best to strive to be our best! 

 We fill our world with the glory of the past and that is what inspires us to make a better future. I think that's   what Retro is all about.

Or maybe it is the unicorn thing. But I'd like to believe that this was at least a small part of it.

So if you're a hipster or really into vintage things, don't hide it - share it with the world. Stand up a little straighter knowing you carry the torch for times gone by and save its treasures for the generations to come. We could all do with a dose of the past!

Until next time,

Bianka.

What's in a name?

Some of you out there (at least i hope you're out there) may by now be wondering why I named my blog the Godswood when it has nothing to do with the book series "A song of ice and fire" or it's TV show. If you have no idea what that is you might just be a bit confused.So to clear everything up, I am now going to write a short mission statement of sorts explaining why i created this blog.

And naturally - Disclaimer - the name the Godswood or any other refrences made to ASOIaF or GOT does not belong to me. Such and such blah blah blah. Consider yourself disclaimed.

Anyway back to the point. The name is not meant to have any religious intonation. In the series of books I mentioned earlier a girl named Sansa often visited a place called the Godswood near where she lived. It's original purpose was to be a place for prayer and meditation. But I think, to Sansa, it became so much more than that. It became her sanctuary - a safe place where she could say what she wanted to and, if only for a little while, be happy. It was her special place, the only place she could be herself in her otherwise extremely restricted life.

That's what I want this blog to be - a safe place to voice opinions, share stories, make connections, and just be without any fear of judgement or defamation. A really positive place to inspire people and make them smile! I wanted to create a Godswood for myself and so I did!

I hope you enjoy this blog and all the other posts to come. Like i said, I want this to be a place of free expression so please feel free to leave a comment (I'm open to some  constructive criticism).

That's all I have to say for now but stay tuned!

Oh! And welcome to the Godswood.

Until next time,
Bianka