Welcome to MAKE STUFF!

Sometimes we don't want to write, we don't want to paint, we don't want to take pictures...sometimes we get stuck and don't know what to do for fun anymore.When life gets glum and leaves you feeling lost and consumed by your thoughts, worries etc. one can find themselves loosing motivation, failing to see the beauty of life. Now this obviously isn't the answer to resolving one's concerns...but I thought it would be nice to put the idea of recreating something new out of the old out there. Sometimes we buy things to fill a void, to make us feel better, but the feeling is always temporary. Instead of spending it can be quite the interesting turnout to create something ourselves. Either something that inspired us and we know with just a little effort we can transform our former into something similar, or something completely different! One doesn't even need to have a set idea, just go with the flow and let your mind take you into a fun and therapeutic mode of being. It might just leave you feeling proud and inspired.

Some ideas to get you started can be found on the following websites:

http://www.make-stuff.com/

http://www.essortment.com/

http://geneseo.lib.il.us/craft.htm

O Soul

O Soul, I am your body. I am thirty-six years old today.
I wish to learn from you.
"Do good."

O Soul, I am your vital. I am nineteen years old.
I want to learn from you.
"Be good."

O Soul, I am your mind. I am sixty years old.
I need to learn from you.
"See good."

O Soul, I am your heart. I am four years old.
Please tell me the secret.
"Remain good."

O Soul, your body again.
What do you do with your boundless Love?
"I distribute my boundless Love
To ever-expanding horizons."

O Soul, your vital again.
What do you do with your Infinite Peace?
"I feed the teeming vasts of the
Past, Present and Future with my Infinite Peace."

O Soul, your mind again.
What do you do with your Vision of the
Ever-transcending Beyond?
"I feather the Golden Nest of my Reality's
Infinitude with my Vision of the ever-transcending Beyond."

O Soul, once more your heart.
Tell me your absolute secret, please.
"I live for the Supreme and for the Supreme alone.
This is my Absolute Secret."

By: Sri Chinmoy

Poetry Makes the Heart Sing

Poetry can be a good way to tap into the emotions one is currently feeling. When all seems to be boiling up inside and journaling is just not something you want to do at the moment, maybe poetry can lend a helping hand. We can all play with words, we can all create poetry. The point is not to try an attain perfection or make each line rhyme, but rather have your unique expression come through. Poetry can spark imagination, it can both heal and lead into something that will help take away focus from the current thoughts that trouble you. I do not mean "take away" in the sense of blocking out the emotions, we all know that doesn't work, and for those who think it does...it will catch up to you. What I actually mean is that what fees like a block out is unconsciously being worked on through the use of this exercise; it is in-directly associated with that which impedes your thoughts, thus healing one's wounds. One can be as creative as they choose- having soothing music playing in the background, creating a painting out of your poem or a dance, creating a poem book etc. Be as free as you want, let your body and soul loose...let them dance and sing the song of poetry.

Remember that writing can reveal things deeply buried in your unconscious, but don't over think it, just write. Poetry of course is just one form of writing, journaling is a fantastic way to uncover your thoughts as well. One can also choose to write in the form of music lyrics or through the creation of a blog. Explore the possibilities and you may come to discover some newfound talents!

~Crafting the raw material gives a shape and purpose to life, base metal is turned to gold.

In poetry, anything goes on paper.

All the rules that apply in waking life are thrown out the window.

A writer can capture an entire generation or era in a single line of poetry.

Poetry can cover emotion, history, relationships, logic, learning, and a myriad other things.

Poetry has no bounds, like the universe or love.

Poetry has limitations in traditions, but in theory there are no rules.

Poetry can be a way of communicating with God, or any other religious entity in the world's myriad of belief systems.

Poetry is a universal form of connection with other minds.

Poetry is divine.

Poetry is a way to communicate, self express, differentiate, unify, self-assert.

Poetry has no city limits, like the universe or love.

Poetry is succinct, charged, compact, and usually laced with intoxicating concepts.

I have provided links into the world of poetry, enjoy! :)

http://allpoetry.com/topic/list

http://www.srichinmoypoetry.com/poems_quote/poem_for_the_soul

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/

http://blogaboutwriting.com/2009/04/4-benefits-of-poetry/