The Simmering Romanticism of Singleness

{via}

Why is having an amazingly full life contingent upon having a mate? I've pondered more now than ever before. I can see how someone who has already been blessed to enter courtship would view this as true--But, what of those of us who have entered into a later stage in life (whatever stage you are in), and have yet to connect with eyes that are different from our own, at the right place and time? Shall we abandon all hope for a life full of worth and passion?

I've decided that twenty thirteen is the year that I stop pining for romance, and instead think of what romance already envelopes my life. What if there is a simmering romanticism in singleness because the adventure is ours and ours alone? Though the calling of being with someone carries it's own weight and courage, what if that path is an easier life, and those who forge this life on their own, an act of bravery? Not a lifestyle to be pitied.

Those who know me know that I've imbibed romance from a babe, believing that life without such cannot be born. But, I've realized that the Lord purposely knitted my life partially the opposite of what is ideal. And even more, He completed me (and you) {Colossians 2:10} so that when a good man does come around, I will not look to him to perform a task that is not humanly possible. Placing all of my hopes and dreams on his shoulders. I've come to think that because God has completed me, and not allowed me to cross paths with the one I think I need, perhaps, he is not who I need to have an unbelievably romantic life. When I think of romance, aside from the obvious chivalric picture synonymous with the term, I think of passion, living in the moment, going for this life with every bit inside of you. Of connecting with people, whether, on a romantic or platonic level, in a way that could change lives.

What if the romanticism of singleness is that, if we're doing it right, we get to impact and connect with more lives than just one. This year, I embrace the blessings that God has given me through singleness: The world is wide and mine for the taking. I can unfold a map and fly on without restraint. I can steep myself in reveries that need only God's approval, and dedicate life to achieving them. I can cause wide smiles to  crease the faces of strangers and never take a break. I want to travel to Brittany, a coastal town in France, and make a best friend. I want to perform one hundred ukulele videos because each one is a kickbox with fear, and I'm winning. Most importantly, I've a life to spend giving God glory, this will never change. I have a novel to write and stories to tell, and I'm sure that you are teeming with an adventure to rival The Lord of The Rings.

There is a marvelous statement by J.R.R. Tolkien, that not all who wander are lost. I cannot wait for my true love to come before I see and seize the beauty all around me. Maybe "having it all" isn't always what we thought it was. Perhaps it is whatever you make that "all" to be. As you're waiting for your great love, don't forget to take off your shoes and race into the glorious foaming surf.

Artists' Prayer

It has often been quite a challenge for me to unite my artistic desires with my spiritual ones, but God exposes every lie that I have placed in the forefront of my mind. Sometimes, it's easy to feel as if these desires, talents, or gifts, have been conceived and created by simply willing it to be so. Yet the truth is that the Lord has blessed us with every single awesome thing that we love in our lives. It's such a blessing to be an artist, to be able to create, because God, Himself, invented the act of creating. I give thanks, everyday, for being able to have a creative, whimsical life. However, even in it's great beauty, it's important not to worship creation. I'm the kind of person where once I've discovered a passion for something, I allow it to consume, and take up all of my time. I'm sure we all know the feeling of being completely taken by something. However, I thank God, that He often reminds me that I must take a break, and enter His presence in order to be refreshed; To turn my attention to the One who can enrich my life, and my gift, more effectively than all my years of cultivation. 

Last week, as I was praying, I felt led to write up my very own artists' prayer; instead of placing myself as the head of my desires, I give honor to the only One who could've dreamed up such glorious beauty in the first place. The Lord has planned such a wonderful future for you, all you have to do is trust Him, and jump right on in, hand in His. The Bible says to seek Him first, and everything else will be provided for (Matthew 6:33). We literally cannot conceive all of the wonderful things He has in store for us. So this week, I challenge you to make seeking Him your first priority, and trust that He's got everything, including your dreams, under control. I pray that this encourages you!

DreamCatcher Series 2012: Cheers to New Starts

Hello my darling dreamers! I hope that your New Years weekend was awesomely blessed!

I wanted to start my first post of the year off with a positive, effervescent bang! First off, I wanted to alert you of a new feature that I have been considering over the past year. If you read Forelsket, you know that one of my absolute passions is to inspire, and encourage you to live an amazing life, to conquer gargantuan feats through God, and to go after your dreams with fervor and abandon. That being said, the latest feature on Forelsket will be the DreamCatcher Series 2012. With this feature, I will spotlight one special DreamCatcher a month who is going after their dreams with gusto. There are so many people around us everyday who live their lives with stars in their eyes, hearts brimming to love, to inspire, and working hard to see the realized dream. I wanted to shine the spotlight on them, knowing that their stories encourage me, and will hopefully encourage you to do the same.

Who are the special Dreamers I'm looking for? YOU! If you would like to be showcased on the DreamCatcher Series 2012, please feel free to email me with your story, and why you would like to be showcased.

I'm totally excited for this new feature, and for a fascinating year of firsts!

I also came across two inspirational posts that I believe you'll love:







Megan of Charade Style, has brought back her beautiful series "Make Your Life Amazing," where she will feature a soul searching, dream defining post every day of this month. Posts include: "How to Reclaim your True Individuality", "Getting to Know Your Productive Self," and "Take Yourself On A Creative Date."  I can't wait to launch into these posts, pen in hand, with an open heart.

The ever inspiring, Kandee Johnson, has dedicated her first video of the New Year to encouraging us all to see 2012 as a fresh start.

I hope that these lovelies give you the exciting burst you need to be energized for 2012! It's going to be Crazy|Beautiful, so get ready!

Analogue Life

Hello Dreamers!

I hope that your holidays have been blessed, and totally beautiful!

It's time for renewal once again as the New Year approaches, and I'm reevaluating how I would like to engage in life with the coming days. There are so many plans that I have for a more positive future, but the main one on my mind right now is to engage in a more 'analogue' life. Analogue, for me, has come to mean, the act of experiencing life hands on, without analyzing, and trying to work out every detail of it. Living life the way our elders experienced it: taking in the process and moving with it.

Over the holidays, I was blessed to finally take my LK (LomoKino) out for a spin, and I realized something. As much as I know the results are bound to be beautiful and fresh, there was a part of me that was impatient with the process of having to wait to get it developed; Of not knowing exactly how it would turn out. But this is how art, or really anything of such worth is created: time, effort, waiting, development. Living in our technologically spaced generation is a blessing and a curse. We're in a place to see anything come to fruition, but we want it to materialize in front of us instantly, as opposed to taking the time to infuse authenticity. 

We want friendships but we don't want the process of being a friend. We want to find true love, but romance has taught us to cleave on to love at first sight, instead of the time it will take to build love gradually after you've locked eyes, and time has stopped. We look in awe at sumptuous meals prepared, and wish that we could 'Bewitch' our noses, and watch as it magically appears on our dining room tables. We wonder at times why we may feel lonely, but we're strapped down to our computer chairs, hands all but soldered to our keyboards as we choose to connect over Tumblr, but not face to face.

That's why in 2012, I would like to change these aspects of myself that has come to value quantity over quality, and 'now now now' over the process.

I want to write letters, pen, sticky blue ink, and stationary with stamps and envelopes. I want to create quixotic little films with LK that take multiple rolls of 35mm film to piece together. I want to actually cook my meals, watch them simmer, package a dessert in ribboned celophane to give to my grandmother, or cupcakes for my friends. Explore museums and dive into art, take some time to watch selected films in theaters. Meander through my city without abrupt rushing from one train to another. Cultivate style like my grandmother, and great grandmother did. Connect with people without technology getting in the way. Flesh out all of my characters, and appreciate the feeling of my pen ingraining the page as I take down my novel. Trust God beyond what I can see or fathom, and watch Him bring the utmost to fruition.

Of course I'm not going to leave my trusty Macbook behind, I love my Tumblr/Twitter world, but I'm not in favor of watching it replace life experience. Life's too short to keep living in fear, don't you think?

What are your goals/resolutions for 2012? Let's dream together!

Source:  Drawing Rawker | Daily Diva Dish

Wait On Me

My Princess…Wait on Me

Wait on Me, My Princess, My timing is always perfect. I know you’re anxious about many things, and I see your passion for all the plans I have put in your heart. I know that you long to fly, and I see your enthusiasm. However, just as a vinedresser nurtures the vine and waits patiently for the right moment to harvest the grapes, so too am I working tirelessly to prepare you to bear much fruit. Don’t run ahead of Me or try to fly before My plans are complete. Your strength will fail you, and your dreams will wither away. Trust Me that My dreams for you are far greater than you can dream on your own. You will run farther and soar higher if you will patiently wait for the season of my blessing. Draw close to Me now, and I promise that this season of waiting will bring you the sweetest of rewards.

Love, Your King and Lord of perfect timings.

But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.- Isaiah 40:31

-Sheri Rose Shepherd

I've got my pen in hand, ready to scrawl all sorts of beauties and lives across parchment. Slather them across my screen, water-colored chimera for all the world to see. I have my vision in toe, written down, etched into my mind, an endless repetition of what I want to do, and what I want to see. However, it's not too long before I find myself looking back at the Lord, Who gave me the will to desire these dreams, as if He's looking at my baby and wants me to sacrifice it. Abraham to Isaac.  But one important factor lies in the midst of this significant account, the Lord stops Abraham from killing his gift, and says, "I wanted to see that at the end of the day, you are totally and completely willing to give Me everything."

As we move forward with our dreams, it's very important to remember Who has filled us with those dreams and desires in the first place. It's so easy for many of us to take the reigns towards an uncertain future, instead of allowing the One Who has, without doubt, planned such an extraordinary journey for you, He can't wait to show you. He only needs for you to take His hand, and let Him guide you into His miraculous dream.

Don't be afraid, because the Lord has a hope and a future for you. In His timing, it will all come to fruition in such a manner as cannot be comprehended.

How are you doing, Dream Catchers? Keep Going, your almost at the finish line!

P.S.: Today's Excerpt comes from a book entitled: "His Princess- Love Letters from Your King" by Sheri Rose Shepherd. I purchased it around two weeks ago, and I can't tell you how much it's blessed my life! Also, check out Sheri's website for daily letters from your King!

p.s.s: Happy Nanowrimo, dearies!


Source: 1

Dream Again, Dream Catcher

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.- Jeremiah 29:11

So, you've started....and stopped. Started with gusto, fervor, zest....and then life got in the way. Insecurity, and voices from people less than thrilled that you've decide to jump out into oceans and obtain what's yours, have infiltrated your mind.

I've been writing my novel for the past five years. I began with such enthusiasm that no one could tell me I wouldn't have been a New York Times Bestseller by the end of that year. Then, I started to wonder if my writing could stand with all of those writer/geniuses out there. I took it to school, where I was affirmed, but I couldn't get the critiques out of my mind. I have since completed Graduate School where I was truly challenged to the point that I wondered if I should find another passion. One thing stands true now: I still want to write, and I will be published by this time next year, God Willing.

What do you want to do? What do you dream about? What sets your heart on fire, and captures your imagination in a way that nothing else has? This is your dream. This is one of the things you were created to do. It's taken me a long while to distance my actions from the critiques and negativity of others. You should always keep your ears open for constructive criticism of those who desire to see you succeed, but I recommend you obstinately close your ears to those who have negative intentions.

The Lord has created beauty even out of your short comings, your failings, and your seeming defeat. He has planned the grandest future of all for you. Trust Him, and look to His affirmation more than you look to the words of others to dictate your destiny. I challenge you today to sit down, and write out three of your greatest goals that you would love to see accomplished by next year this time. Pray about each one according to the Will of the Lord. And then...make sure to take one step towards completing one of them before the day ends.

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. I love you, and I'm supporting you! I would love to know your progress. Do not lose heart.

As much as I affirm the dreamer, it's time to catch all of your sparkling, wonderful dreams, and push them into reality. Go on, you can do it!

Source: 1

His Love outshines everything I feel naked without

"I Will Exalt You,

You Are My God.

Because You're With Me,

I will not fear."

I Will Exalt You | Hillsong United

You will show me the path of life; 

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

Psalm 16:11

I sat in my bed with my arms crossed in irritation. I wondered why my life turned out like this. Why am I still alone while everyone else is coupled up? Why don't I seem to get the jobs and positions I want while others seem to just breeze into it without a care? Why do I have to be set apart, while others can go with the flow? When? Who? What? Why? I looked up into the face of Jesus and wondered...What's the use?

Sometimes these moments rush in, unbridled tides, taking you by surprise. One moment you're content and the next, an overwhelming sense that you're in the back of an ever-winding line. You get mad and want to stomp away fully primed for a tantrum. That night, I pointed fingers at the Lord. But He looked down on me, and whispered in my ear, "Worship Me, daughter." This song ministered to me so vibrantly, I felt God within the first chords. I couldn't ignore His Spirit tugging at my heart, and I started to cry because in that moment I realized that His love outshines everything I feel naked without.

"Worship Me."

The Word of God says, in His presence is fullness and total joy. We train for years in university, or self teach ourselves many an awesome thing. But sometimes we forget that in the worship is our purpose. In the worship God fills us with joy, peace, and strength to go on living this life to its' brim. Jesus loves you so much! Sometimes we think of worship as something that takes away from self, but in fact, the Lord made it so that it not only glorifies Him, it benefits our spirits. How great a God He is that even in our worship of Him, He has us in mind. He didn't need to make us the center of His universe, but He chose us, loves us, plans whole sagas for us.

We don't have to be afraid of the future. We don't have to fear because people around us don't understand, or even if we ourselves don't understand just yet. Because He's with us, we have nothing to fear. Because He's with us, we don't have to fear being alone. He's waiting to fill every dip, gap, and void. If you let Him, He'll give you unexplicable joy that seems the stuff of dreams.

I encourage you to raise your arms to the stars like candle wicks and allow your Father to ignite your flame...for life, for love, and most importantly for His glory! Open your mouths in worship. For your keys to breakthrough, peace, joy...it all comes with the outpouring of love to your Father.

I pray this ministers to you tonight!

Source: We Heart It

Crazy Beautiful Twenty Eleven

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

-Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

The year Twenty Eleven is going to be my best year yet. Why? Because I've decided to literally snatch my life by the throat and give it the best go I can! There are so many places I see myself...so many dreams and 11:11's that I'm tired of keeping to myself. In the coming month's, God Willing, I will  put my focus on Him, and concentrate on speaking my life into existence.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

-Romans 12:2

The Word of God says that so a man thinks, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). It is so important that the mind be renewed in order for the wonderful life that God has for you to be realized. Ever notice how confident, efervescent individuals tend to draw opportunities, great friends, and conquered goals?

With this in mind, I have abandoned the dreaded New Year's resolution list and instead taken on what I call a Life Book. It's my journal of infectious positivity, dreams, meanderings, pictures, and quotes that will edify and gird me on my journey to driving myself away from mediocrity.

What do you want to do this year? Explore the far reaches of your mind and heart, write those dreams down, and prepare yourself to receive all that you desire this year!

Tips on living a Forelsket life:

- Gratefulness: Be moved by the crazy beautiful moments in your life! Always be thankful for the many blessings you have around you. Nothing's too small. Perhaps dedicate a sheet of paper or a notebook to listing everything you're grateful for, then you can look back on it if you need reminding.

-Quit Overthinking: I am a serious overthinker. But I've learned that it is a key link in overwhelment and negativity. Nothing is too big, or grand for God to handle, and because He's in control, you can handle it all!

-Journal with pastings of goals, quotes, proactive chimera, sayings that inspire a better you.

-Positivity: I'm going to put my best foot forward and commit to eliminating all negativity from my vocabulary. Sometimes it seems we all give more play to all of the negativity that flies our way, than we are willing to give the positive alternate a chance.

-Speak Over Yourself: Your words are very important. Proclaim every wonderful word about yourself. You are beautiful, you can achieve any and everything you set your heart to do, you are wonderful and lovely....the list goes on! Don't just think these things, believe them and speak them. You'll be surprised how your thoughts and actions will change with your words!

-Vent positively: Get it all out, release it, 'Keep Calm, and Carry On.'


-Tackle it all: Allow God to help you overcome all previous fears, hang ups, or anything else that's stopped you from living the life you've always dreamed of!

-Extend Yourself: Look around. There are so many people to befriend, to help, to move with your story. Remember this as you go about your life! Want more inspiration? Check out Insignificant Things.

-Crazy/Beautiful Additions: Remember the small things that make you smile. It could be a soothing bath, a favorite flavored tea, an old independent bookstore, whatever suits your fancy. Make these moments a habit!

It's been a whole week since the New Year started! I'm sure you've compiled your New Years resolutions, but I hope by the end of the year, you can say that you've accomplished most, if not all of your aspirations for the year!

Get Going, You can Do it!

Source: We Heart It

2011 Life List

Whimsy Geniuses, my Life List for next year!

I will cooperate with the Lord, and allow Him to show me how intimate my relationship with Him can be.

I will write my novel. For once and for all!

At first, my 2011 hairstyle was going to be a very short seeming boy-cut. Now I've decided to keep it long, get a trim, and make it quirky with bangs. Stay tuned.

Red lips. It's one of the strongest colors a woman can glaze across her lips, next to onyx night. I'll find the color right for my skin tone, and rock it!

I will make this new year, my year of fashion discovery! It will no longer be something I just happen to do, but more of an artistic expression!

I must purchase at least two pairs of 'sex popping' heels!

As a random quirk in my year, I will learn to play the Ukulele. Possibly harass you all with videos of my progress!

I will fall in love this year. And I might listen to one Taylor Swift song a day. I love her simplistic lyricism, and how she manages to imbue happiness into every note.

What are your Life List Do's for the New Year?

Have a serendipitously blessed New Year Dreamers!

Source: Black Fashion | We Heart It | Hollywood In Pics | Take Me To New York City | I Heart Carolinaaaaa | Morgan Lianne 

Jolly Read

Hello Dreamers! I know it has been so long since I've posted, but I'm back now with one of my favorite Christmas reads. I found How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas some years back when I caroused Barnes and Noble in search of something fun and festive to read during the holidays! The title made me think of classic Christmas cartoons, like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Charlie Brown Christmas, but the experience of reading it was a bit different. 

Within its pages you meet, Layla, the woman who becomes Mrs. Claus. She has a huge heart, and a desire to be more than society has boxed her in to be. When she meets Nicholas, she stops aging, and enters the world of helping, and bringing joy to others. This novel contains loads of historical facts, and nuggets that makes the journey so awesome to go on. And one really special thing that I love about this book, is that the Claus's an all who work with them have faith in God. They acknowledge Him as the One who has given them the power to do what they do!  That was such an astounding thing to see in a book like this!

The unfortunate thing is I've never finished the book, and not because it didn't deserve it! I'll endeavor to finish it this year!

There are so many awesome stories out there like The Polar Express, and others, that just evoke such a chimeric feeling of love, joy, miracles, and faith that God calls us to live everyday. At some point in my writing life, I would love to write this epic Christmas story that makes us all feel like children again, and inspires us to dream, and help others!

I pray that this season is filled with joy, peace, and miracles only Jesus can fill you with!

This year, I'll grab my steaming cup of chai, a blanket, and snuggle up with this novel! I might even try to bake the Candy Cane Pie recipe that the novel raves about!

What are your favorite Christmas stories?

Take Me On

 "If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

 "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

- Matthew 6:33-34 (MSG)

I'm not going to pretend that these last couple of weeks haven't been saturated with worry. As you can imagine, with intense worrying comes sickness, anxious stomach cramps, and a mind that just won't stop for breath. It's horrible. But when I get this way, it shows me that I've taken my eyes off of the One who's fit to carry these burdens. I've 'decided' that somehow these situations are bigger than the One who can blow these cares away with a single breath. It sad to say, but I've even turned to Him and basically accused Him of making my life this way; Yet, all the while He was looking lovingly down at me and asking: 

'Daughter, why won't you trust Me? Have I ever steered you wrong, or not had your greatest good at heart? Stop placing your mind on things that are too heavy for you to handle. Trust that I've got you. Stop making big things of little matters. Stop carrying the yolk of bondage just because you feel you need something to hold on to. Stop placing these things over me. Instead come to me, let me love you, accept my forgiveness, and take me on, because I am Light. I died for you, so do not even let thoughts come into your mind that I don't have your very best at heart. Take me on, and yield your everything. Only then will you enter into a place of stillness, peace...rest.'

I pray that this ministers to you as you go about your night!

Source: We Heart It

You're the Best 'Thing' that's ever happened to me.

O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied

me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious

of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of 

desire. I God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long

to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still.

Show me Thy Glory, I pray Thee, so that I may know Thee 

indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to 

my soul, 'Rise up my love, my fair one, and come away.'

Then give me grace to rise and follow thee up from this

misty lowland where I have wandered so long.

...

Jesus, I need to give myself up. I am not strong enough to love You

and walk with You on my own. I can't do it, and I need You. I need you deeply 

and desperately. I believe You are worth it, that You are better than anything else

 I could have in this life or the next. I want You. And when I don't, I want to want 

You. Be all in me. Take all of me. Have Your Way with me.

Francis Chan- Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God

When was the last time you told God how beautiful He is? How you love Him more than anything else in the world?  How He's the best thing that's ever happened to you? When was the last time you reveled in how good He is to you? I notice that when I feel like I'm sinking in the mire of a bad day, and I take sometime to focus on all the ways God has been unbelievable to me, the bad things don't mean as much anymore. 

Take some time out to tell God how awesome He is!

Source: We Heart It

Why work hard for something that doesn't satisfy?

   If you are thirsty,

   come and drink water!

   If you don't have any money,

   come, eat what you want!

   Drink wine and milk

   without paying a cent.

    ²Why waste your money

   on what really isn't food?

   Why work hard for something

   that doesn't satisfy?

   Listen carefully to me,

   and you will enjoy

   the very best foods.

   Pay close attention!

   Come to me and live.

   Return to the LORD our God.

   He will be merciful

   and forgive your sins. 

   Isaiah 55:1-3a,  7b (CEV)

 Our lives can be surrounded by many a stimuli, all fighting for our time and attention. I myself, cannot seem to detach from my computer for even ten minutes without feeling as if I am missing something important! I love literature, and I love filling my mind with romantic fantasies and worlds which I can't wait to create in word. I'm sure each of us has that something that we feel like we need in order to function properly. Some of these things may be fine things to cherish, but for most of us, at the end of the day, these things cannot comfort us. They cannot give us the peace we desire if we are dealing with bouts of anxiety, or warm our stomachs for very long.

Our Bridegroom, whose love can out do any 'Prince Charming's,' is waiting for us to instead make Him the reason for our existence. In this passage of Isaiah, He asks, Why {do we} work hard for something that doesn't satisfy? Why spend hours and hours occupied with things, people, or places, which cannot consistently feed us with the knowledge, love, refreshment, and Grace that He gives? Here He invites us all, to come to Him! His love is free! This is the most astounding fact of it all. We don't need to primp for Him, don our cutest outfit, form the most learned statements, or clean ourselves up. He already knows the depth of you! He implores us to come and take of the gifts He chooses to give. He desires that we listen to His life giving words for our lives.  It is with Him, that you will be able to snatch your life back from discouraging spectators, and even stigmas formed of your own mind. He's waiting to tell you some things about your life, and your purpose that will make your mind spin in the wonder of it. He has a future for you, love, and infinite mercy! With Him, you will fall in love with your life. A perpetual love, and one that is supernatural.

Consider setting aside special moments with the Lord throughout your day. You'll be surprised how refreshed you will feel; The load lifted, and a revived outlook on the who and what you will meet on your journey.


Source: We Heart It

Gothic Charm School

I've recently started reading Gothic Charm School, by Jillian Venters. I've always been a bit intrigued by people in interesting subcultures; punks and rockers have always struck me as some of the most chill and individual people. There's something about people willing to completely stand out, even if it seems really outlandish. There has always been this certain something about Goth's.  Of course, there are obvious affiliations to witchcraft (which can be both true and a stereotype) that I disagree with, but there are other things to find quite interesting about them. 

They seem to walk in a life of perpetual Wuthering Heights, donning intricate, vintage, Victorian dresses, and all that lace and velvet. I love the deep red stones, antique time pieces, 'haunting' structures, and even...really really old graveyards.

It seems Jillian had people like me in mind when she penned her ode to Goth. People who find it interesting, may have questions, and want to find out more. She tackles everything from Gothic history and Stereotypes, to learning how to accept their differences, and how to tell if you're a Goth.

News flash for me...of course I'm not Goth. But that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a good Gothic atmosphere like and old Welsh castle, or stories like Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre.

I've only just started it, but Jillian's voice is brilliant. She doesn't take herself too seriously by trying to sound brooding and intense, but she does take the Gothic Culture seriously, which is appreciated. Her comments are witty, and quite comical! I've watched some of her Youtube videos about the book, and I think they are informative, as they are hilarious!

For more information, peep her website Gothic Charm School!

And now for something deep:

Last year, I found a website called Christian Goth.

And its pretty eye opening. I recommend every Christian to go on there, 

even just to check it out. Because for a subculture that's often hailed as satan-led

these Goth's are as on fire for God as some of the best Christians I know, and how I try to live daily.