No such thing as a random act of kindness.

What is a random act of kindness?

Is it something you do to show people that being selfless is the way forward?
Or is it because you want to feel good because you have helped someone?

This may sound like something really contradicting, but once I thought about it I don't think there is a "random act of kindness". Yes, you may do something nice/helpful for someone without them asking; just because you can. Just because you want them to smile. Just because you want to show them how much you care.

But then you want something back; you want that recognition, you want that gratitude that comes with something helpful.You want that good feeling that comes with making someone happy. Even if that feeling comes from something so selfless putting someone else first. You do if for the underlying feeling, that random act of kindness can never be completely random. Because in doing so you get the feeling of happiness and satisifaction that you care and can help someone. You get something in return to being selfless.

Not only does purely for themselves, that's why they call it a random act of kindness, but you always get something back in return. Whether it is the good underlying feeling, the recognition of being a good person, the feeling of doing something right, or maybe you are a believer of karma?

I do admit this seems a little bit out there, but really think about how many times you would say you have done a random act of kindness and not felt like one day this will all come back to you in a good way.

So my question is, is there ever a situation you feel that gives you 100% random act of kindness? With no chance of returning the favour?

Ellie.

But as the picture says: No act of kindness, no matter how small is wasted. - Aesop.

Inspiration Becomes Aspiration.: My final speech for my English

http://inspirationbecomesaspiration.blogspot.com/2012/02/my-speech.html

My final speech for my English

I posted on here a while ago that I was going to write a speech about the theme "assumptions and stereotypes" so basically everything that captures my blog. So I thought it would only be suiting to share it with everyone! So hope it's worth the time it takes to read! Enjoy!

An assumption on a person’s character is a natural human instinct.

Assumptions may have innocent intentions or not, but whatever you believe about “judging books by their cover”, every human is guilty of the use of stereotypes to make an assumption about that person. The stereotypes may have justifiable reasons, but not justification enough for prejudice.

Everyone has their own label. Gay. Chav. Emo. Bisexual. Stupid. Blonde...

Think about all the names you have been given to you, how many of them would you want to share with the rest of the world? How many of them you would rather forget about? Have these labels been given to you because of who you are as a person, or how they perceive and expect you to be? These labels given to you can be part of your identity, but some of these labels can highlight insecurities, making you have more self doubt. Maybe you’re one of these people that when you hear that word, your heart just sinks. Those couple of words could mean so much to you. Trying to hide the fact that they are painful to hear... No one really understands why you would even find them harmful. No one really understands.

These assumptions and labels may not have even been a thought to you.

Truly ask yourself, have you seen someone and instantly thought about how their appearance reflects their character? Even if you still think that you aren’t one of these people. Just imagine someone you would associate with the label “Chav” for example. And you instantly can imagine what they would be like, the stereotypical “Chav”. Trackies? Trainers? Or maybe you assume even more than that- maybe you associate this label with the lower class, what you expect from it’s meaning “council houses and violence.”  But what does it matter even if they were a “Chav”? I think the majority of you would treat someone differently if you didn’t agree with their label or social group. Maybe this is purely on assumptions of this label you have given these people or person. But there it is- the truth that everyone is a hypercrite, because I myself assumed that a majority of teenagers would act on stereotypes and assumptions they have made. No one can completely escape their assumptions. I mean think about the first time everyone saw Susan Boyle about to audition on Britain’s Got Talent, I know that I was cringing before hand, as well as probably most of you were. But when we saw her sing all of our collective assumptions about her were completely crushed. This was in 2009, it just shows how these expectations are still happening, and however much we assume (and hope) this isn’t still happening large scale. But these are just innocent assumptions, although they could be painful for that person to hear, there are larger assumptions that our society should already be without. Sexism... Racism... Ageism... These are when our assumptions are made into prejudice.

So what?

Who cares? Who cares about those few people having to deal with a couple of words now and then? Who cares when there are bigger challenges facing Humans right now? But put yourself in their shoes; understand that every day when they hear that word, that one word that makes you want to turn invisible. It makes you feel vulnerable. So maybe there are bigger things in the world to worry about for some people, but if you can’t even accept yourself for who you are, how can you accept these labels that are forced upon you just to open up those already sensitive wounds?

You should care.

You should care because: everyone is both a guilty and a victim of using stereotypes to interfere with how you would treat that person. Maybe you still don’t think this affects you... Have you ever thought that someone has acted out of character at any point? Well you must have assumed they wouldn’t have acted that way in order to compare what you felt you expected them to do with reality.

So think twice before you assume or give someone a label that you wouldn’t want yourself. Every human may want to assume parts of that person’s character, but that is no excuse for any prejudice.

 “Don’t judge a book by its covers” is a hard moral to stick to, it is only human. You can only fully judge the book by reading every chapter, reading ever page, reading every line. So go against your human instinct and be an example for the rest of the world to copy.

I just wanted to add a comical photo at the end, it makes the whole speech worth reading! (of course the only reason!) I just wanted to show how silly assumptions made could look/be. And it just contradicts all the serious-ness of this whole post! 

Ellie.

Over ambition.

Is being overly ambitious a curse or just a really big motivator?

Having ambition is amazing. Having a dream of something that you believe in, or something that you want to achieve is what some people use to keep themselves going. It can give a sense of purpose and aim. But when does all this ambition begin to get almost greedy and unrealistic? When do you start hating yourself for not reaching those impossible targets that you have wanted to achieve? 

Maybe those over ambitious aspirations could make you constantly compare what you have now, to what you have wanted to have in those huge fantasies. The reality of your life may be hard to take if you always believed that you would reach those goals, no matter what. Things you have in your life may be amazing, it may be more than most people, but because of these overly high aims it makes you feel like you aren't good enough for all those dreams to come true. You aren't as good enough for yourself. Or maybe that you aren't good enough for others. Humans always have the common fears of rejection and failure, so does this count as another Human fear of failing themselves?

Most people have heard the saying "If you wish hard enough it will come true"- is it really something to go on? Something to base or you're dreams, that maybe be crushed by you yourself not being able to achieve because of it? Or is it something that will lead you to be ambitious, to be inspired? To be a goal to set yourself?

So my question is: Do you think being over ambitious can make reality seem worse? Or is it simply another human feeling that isn't avoidable, even with the predicted failure to these overly high aims?

Ellie

A piece pencil for my art coursework.

For my Art year 11 exam coursework I chose the topic "Animals", but I wanted to do something that most people wouldn't normally pick and write about as this theme. That is Snakes.

I know there is a growing number of people who own reptiles- it is becoming more mainstream, but there are still those people who have this phobia. I'm not going to say that the phobia of snakes is completely ridiculous and that there is no real reason for having this fear. Because some snakes can be dangerous, so it's completely understandable. It's just when you meet something so tame, like the pets that are becoming more main stream today, I think that this phobia of the docile pet snakes should vanish. I know that is a huge leap, but both of the snakes I have had over 5 years or so have been so friendly and calm (even when the people aren't!) I just thought it would be nice to draw something that some people consider frightening- and yes I have got the classic striking pose in my portfolio that should have that reaction. But I wanted to show the tame side of these beautiful animals too!

So here is my drawing of my snake; he is a Corn Snake... And a vital piece to my coursework! So here is just a necessary first hand recording on him.

Personal opinion turns to genocide.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but when does that opinion start becoming something that interferes with the relationship between you and that person?

Majority of you have a strong opinion on something, whether it is on something controversial or something close to you. Something that really matters to you, and you want people to know how you feel, and you want them to understand and feel a part of these opinions too. But when do you become someone that demands their voice to be heard over others without any consideration and thought?

I know that is quite a wide margin between inconsiderate, arrogance and confidence. But sometimes all three over lap- when you are persuading someone to think or understand your ways in debate you put all your effort into what you want to come across and try to knock down any ideas opposing you. That's just the nature of debate; but in the real world who would really put up with someone who sends their thoughts out openly about them being right. And no other opinion or action is right other than theirs.

Although these are extreme cases,it still happens when someone like this comes to power. Enough power to demand their ideas are only right, and the whole country should accept that or face the consequences. No one wants to believe these people exist- those people who use their power to force their prejudices against whole countries. But it has happened more than once, how do these people come to power?

Those dictators or leaders are the reason that majority of the countries that have had genocide happened. That one person had the power to change hundreds, thousands or even millions of their people's minds on who they feel are "good" and "bad" just due to race, colour, religion- anything they can pick on and have a justifiable reason to commit such horrible crimes.

Just to pick the obvious two- although you might have thought about different leaders, Hitler and Stalin. Both lead millions to their death and forced work camps. But although both of these power people have "punished" people within their rule, both are so different. Hitler aimed his "punishments" towards groups of people, sending out the message of hatred against these groups. While Stalin chose people at random, just to prove that he had the power to denounce anyone.

So which was worse? Making millions of people die because of who they are? Or millions of people dying just because they could?

So when does personal opinion become a demand on people? When those opinions are something that could effect millions? Or is it when they no longer let anyone else have the freewill of speech?

Bereavement: a fancy name for grief.

Everyone at some point in their lives has had to deal with death, that makes it sound like everyone has met the grim reaper! But everyone has had different experiences with it, whether it is the natural way of life, or that death is just an envitiable part of life... Destruction.

All those movies making death seem like just another step, a step every living thing takes. But the way death is portrayed can vary so much between different films or even percieved by different people. For example if you watch some action film where there is implied or actual torture the value of all the characters lives go down because people are so willing to kill or cause pain to a character. If you compare that against a movie that purposefully gets you attached to a character to then find out they have died or have been injured, you feel so much more for that person (or even animal).

But no matter how you may feel about death and how you deal with it, every human has gone through some sort of experience with death. So you should never feel alone, but being alone in a world full of the same people: full of people who are similar to you, full of people who have gone through what you have gone through.

Everyone has their own way with dealing with situations, and everyone may have slightly different perceptions of death. But never feel alone. I know that is easier said than to be done (as most things are) but there is help out there; you don't have to be alone. Getting help, or even admitting to needing someone to help you isn't a sign of weakness, it's a sign of being strong enough to admit and begin to pick up he pieces. Be an inspiration for others out there who are dealing with the same pains as you.

You can be your own inspiration.

Ellie

Valentine's day...

Tomorrow is Valentine's day.
The time of the year everyone is meant to be celebrating with the ones they love, but to me this "holiday" is blown completely out of proportion. Don't get me wrong I am going to spend the day with my boyfriend, I just feel like this sign posted day of the year is meant to be showing that one in 7 billion how much they mean to you. You probably think this is being cute and caring, but to me you should be able to show that person everyday of every year as long as you are together, rather than that one time a year where you almost have to because of the pressure of the media and expectation.

I have no problem with the idea, it's a day to celebrate what you have and sometimes take for granted.
But something that should be celebrated and recognised everyday, not once a year.
This confusion for me over the day of false celebration is amplified when some companies or brands use all this to their advance to get money off people for a day that shouldn't really even be that much of a difference from regular days of the year. Simply putting a valentine's cliché such as a heart on something, and BOOM the price goes up more than it will ever be worth, just due to demand from the public and this exaggeration of a day.

SO basically to sum up: yes, I will be part of the false-y Valentine's day. But, no, not because of the media, not because of it is expected of me, but because I genuinely do want to show how much my loved ones mean to me. I will not be sucked into the false branding, but enjoy the fact I have the "greatest gift you will ever have: to love and be loved in return".

Ellie

P.S. Sorry for the assumptions and clichés today, but had to get that rant over! It's just one of those things I feel are so over exaggerated. This day may have a lot of meaning for a lot of people, and in ancient times, I have no doubt in that. Just today this day is used as an excuse to gain money from people who are sucked into the pressurised media.

More artwork... Finally!

I really should upload more artwork more often!

I was doing more or my art coursework on water, and for my final pieces I wanted to show the contrast between water being unpredictable, something strong and almost frightening- against the calm, natural beauty it can be.

So here is just some of the coursework I did, the piece with the face made from water (well what it was trying to be) needs more work. The shape of the actual face, and the colour and proportions of the lips doesn't seem to be quite right. But again being critical of my work before I show it probably doesn't fill everyone with confidence! So I hope you can see improvement in my work, or at least a more experimental, creative side!

The glass with water being poured in, I am actually quite proud of... Again being picky needs more work, and I had to draw from a photo... My imagination isn't that good!  But hopefully you can see how some of my work is tying together!

Try and keep everyone updated on the coursework, photography and artwork...

Ellie

My first review- saving money!

So I don't normally review, but there is a site that I was so proud of finding I thought I had to share it with you!

I was at first a bit sceptical of the site, the name itself "everything £5"... Every girl is up for a bargain but when prices go that low you have to wonder why! So I started looking through the site, clicking on so many things I wanted... The basket started mounted up...

In the end I ordered two pairs of shoes, a top and a jacket... All for £20. I seriously couldn't believe it, especially when the shoes I have wanted (and waited) to find for quite a while showed up on that site. Although the postage was £8, it came in a huge box with two shoe boxes inside, it felt like Christmas!

I bought a pair of wedged ankle boots with a fur cuff, they have been on my wish list for months! I wanted the Khaki colour on the website, but they were out of my size, so I went for the camel colour. Which I think will go quite well with jeans or leggings with any colour top really! I also got some "ugg" boots, they are a light beige colour and go up to mid calf. They have this fur lining that is so soft, I would of bought these boots at at least £30, although the sizing was a little off. But I read the reviews and they said to order the size up. (Reading reviews are always such a good representation of what the clothes are like). I got a coral coloured slouch top, which has a longer back, which I think will go perfectly with some leggings, it makes for a more casual look- and you can eat what ever and still look good! And the last item (finally!) was a cropped jacket that is grey and black, again, I would of paid easily over £15 for something like this. Because it's black and grey it nicely goes with everything I wear basically!

So I really really can't complain, all this stuff put a smile on my face after one of those days of being so utterly boring.

So please tell me what you think about this site, there is so much there for everyone!
My only complaints are that most of the sizes are for bigger girls- but I think that's more realistic sizing, so probably is a plus for most girls! Hope you have fun shopping-surfing!
Sorry I only posted pictures of the shoes, the other items don't look as good if they aren't worn, and I was just obsessed by the ankle boots!

Ellie