When you think you’re in love but…

It’s after you find true love that you realise what you thought was love before was just practice and an experience for you learn from, grow from as an individual and find out even more what it is you truly want and deserve in your life-long partner. Love is what each and every one of us craves without even realising and it comes in many forms. For example you have friendship love, family love, soul mate love. It gives us life and makes us feel a sense of belonging, and instantly it gives our life a purpose. Another beautiful thing about love is the act of being vulnerable and opening up our hearts and trusting another being. By all means it’s not easy and it takes a lot of courage to give someone a key to your heart, but it is very rewarding and can, in some cases, change your life.

There has been many times where I have completely believed that what I felt would last a lifetime, but then out of nowhere, I get disappointed. It’s very easy for someone to let you down and it can destroy you into little pieces, but a lot of the time these moments and challenges are supposed to happen so that you can learn from them; making you stronger. But just remember to count your blessings and love is a big part of that. So embrace it and treasure it. And when you find it, do your best to never let it go. If things start to break down, don’t give up too easily. Be willing to fix it because deep down, you know it’s worth it.

Be in your own creative space

Sometimes it’s good to get away and escape the world and be on your own for a while. We can have a mental block and feel that we are unable to focus on what we are doing, run out of ideas and become brain-dead. A lot of the time all this needs to rectify a situation like this one is to ‘be in your own creative space’. Do what makes you feel good and arouse those positive feelings. That may be from listening to your favourite music or watching a documentary that really inspires you, and before you know it you’re on a creative, productive spiral and the achievements can be endless during this period.

As all human beings are connected, when we put ourselves around negative energy this often has an effect on our energy too; subconsciously. That’s why they say ‘association breeds similarity’; we are whom we associate with. The mentality, that I believe to be the right mentality, is to believe that it is better to die of exhaustion than it is of boredom, at least you know then that you’ve lived an interesting life that you set out to fulfil your purpose.

If my mind feels a bit foggy and I don’t know what to do with myself I find meditation helps me the most. Or close your eyes and pray, write down your solutions to the problems you feel that you face rather than focusing purely on the problems and what’s wrong. Change your perception and see the badness, as an experience, and that you need to go through it in order to come out the better side. It’s part of life’s wonderful balance.

Musical break in Leeds

So this weekend I ventured up to Leeds to relax and spend sometime with musicians. I haven’t been to Leeds since I was younger, so the breakaway done me good!

However during my stay I realised just how quick time flies by. Just as I left it felt like I had only just arrived, yet I had achieved so much. Those times when you can be on your own in your own space many of life’s beautiful treasures shine through, and the creativity is immense. Not only did I plan some more of my book but I had time to digest my life to this day, and be thankful for all the people around me that give me the strength to pull through the hard times. 

Along the way we certainly endure many challenges but in a weird way, I wouldn’t change it. Without the hard times I would never of grown to be a better person, learn from the mistakes and understand how to do things differently the next time. 

Being around musical individuals really pushed my creativity to new levels. Not only that but I found my knowledge rocket, as I asked questions about space and reverb for example. The talent of some people actually blows my mind, and it’s quite funny how people tend to not realise their own talent, thus limiting their confidence to reach their full potential. 

I love music. It’s that simple. It has a key to my heart and soul and takes me on a spiritual journey of some sort, depending on the genre of song and memories that come with it. It’s a magical experience and I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Music+words=happiest girl in the world.

The education system

Speaking to an inspirational natural remedy doctor the other day, we were discussing a very interesting topic – the education system. Is education today what it should be? Are students being treated fairly or are they being exploited? Are we pressurised to succeed through academic achievement?

It’s a tricky and a sensitive topic when we begin to depict the reasoning why we are spending so much nowadays to go to university, when you compare this to the past and my parents generation, for example, didn’t have to pay a penny. It’s quite frustrating actually, but of course times change and the scale of things differ so  we have to adapt and understand and see things for what they are.

The fact that any student pretty much, is able to apply for student finance through the government makes it somewhat achievable for most to go to university. Through UCAS students are able to pick out five universities according to their grades, which gives them a reasonably good chance of being accepted. Once graduation is over we NOW left with an excess debt of £45,000 – how are we able to cope with this burden over our shoulders? It’s traumatising for most, and can be quite off-putting just to have the thought of going to university in this day in age.

I still can’t grasp the idea of paying for something which is bettering the citizens of the United Kingdom. We – as the younger generation – are the future of what is to come, so shouldn’t the government be encouraging us to perform in an outstanding way via our academic success to strengthen the British economy?

As the years go on the amount of teaching hours are decreasing, and the party-life of university continues to appeal to future university students. Many are forced to go through parental pressures but many choose to go just for the party and because it’s an escapism away from working life. But those who genuinely want to go to achieve a 2:1 or a first – isn’t the fact that we have to pay for our university now and obtain funds from the government quite conveniently taking away the qualitative idea of a university degree?

For example, in most other countries students have to may for university themselves without the help of the government, or in some cases it’s free to go. However the grade boundaries are set so high that only those that are performing way above average are entitled to study for a degree.

However, to a certain point it is good that the UK function in the way that they do as it gives equal opportunities to students no matter their class, ethnicity or any other differentiating trait that may segregate them from society. It’s just about dealing with the huge debt after leaving university, we can only hope and pray that the government comes up with an action plan to make this pressure less worrying!

What is your freedom?

It’s so lovely to walk away from reality at times and do something that gives you nothing but joy. Being at Blackpool not so long ago the family and myself went to Pleasure Beach and the theme park was absolutely immense. There was something for everyone catering for both adults and children. I sat back and realised at the end of the day that I had enjoyed myself and had the time of my life yet time just passed on by and I was worry and stress free. I felt free, I felt happy and most importantly, nothing else at that moment mattered.

Every once in a while we need to walk away from our everyday routine and just enjoy ourselves. Its about letting go and running wild, being crazy and spontaneous and getting over the hiccups along the way. It allows us to mellow our minds and shut off, reenergise and refresh what direction we are going down while we embark on our journey through life.

Even if we experience these moments of escapism with our partner it can really enhance a relationship and bring two people closer. With your best friend or with your grandma even, shut down your laptop and turn off your phone and enjoy the conversation for what it is. It is visible that a lack of gratification exists in society nowadays and these morals are only being passed down to the generations below. Is that really how we want to see our children grow up? Instead of buying an iPad for Christmas, wouldn’t piano lessons or theatre practice be a lot more beneficial and socially stimulating?

Think outside the box – it will have tremendous effects.

Let life thrill you, blow you away

Life is about being risky and taking chances. Knowing the rules so you know how to break them – within reason of course!

Being in Spain this summer has really made me think that life is such a beautiful journey and we should just be young wild and free at times and let life take control. Let it thrill you and ‘blow you away’.

I watched an amazing film not so long ago called Meet Joe Black and it had very deep meanings in there. It exposed a truth in life that if we leave our heart open and lightening could strike and it couldn’t be more true. Many of us feel scared and vulnerable to just be ourselves that we hold back and withdraw from who we really are or who we want to be. That is why surrounding ourselves with those that lift us, bring out the best in us and help us to become better people is the route to progression in life. It’s all about helping one another, getting involved and communicating as a key essential, because we are all connected in this world we can’t shy away from that.

So is there anything you would like to share with the world but you’re afraid of being heard? I would like to see myself as a great listener and I always have an open-mind to new stories. So if you would like just to get to know me a little more and exchange stories feel free! Please email me at gemmaleighsmith@hotmail.co.uk I would love to here from you!

Building up a circle with like-minded people can make you accelerate at 100 miles an hour – much faster than going at it alone.

So be free, get blown away and enjoy the journey.

You’re never too old to learn

I have lost count of the amount of times I have heard someone say, I wish I could of done that, or I wish I could be like that person.

And why can’t you be? Because you are the one limiting yourself. You are the one making that rule. It is never too late to change paths, nor is it too late to go back to college or university to gain the qualifications you need to ‘be who you want to be’.

Not one person should wake up in the morning feeling lost and in despair, dreading their day at work that’s ahead and moaning about it to all of their uninterested friends about how unhappy they are. No one deserves that treatment, so why do you allow yourself to be in that situation?

Any one of us can easily get stuck in a rut and it happens to millions of people, but it’s about knowing what you want and being persistent with it and doing whatever you can to get there. Research and investigate – what do you need to do to live the life you love? Then you will love the life you live, and surely that’s why life is all about, right?

We have an inevitable amount of time on this planet and we should be able to look back at the age of 80+ and be proud of what we have achieved. We should know that everything we have done has been for a purpose, and even our mistakes have helped to shape us to the present day.

So yes you can be a footballer and you can become a TV actor/actress, as long as you prove your worthiness for the position. If you work hard and show dedication to a particular thing you shall be rewarded. And if you don’t believe me, try it. But don’t give up until you get there, because you will get there, as long as you believe in yourself and your capabilities.

Don’t focus on the product focus on the process

*Inspired and reference to Louis Alexander*

Do you ever get caught up in the end result, right at the end of the road and invest all of your time and energy into achieving it? I think most of us do at some points of our life, but what are we missing whilst getting caught up in ‘further down the line’? Why don’t we just enjoy the journey more?

For example, at university we are there for one main purpose: to get the Bachelors or Masters we need for that dream/desired job. Many of us just worry about getting a First or a 2:1 at the end of the degree so that we can apply and be successful, but what most fail to recognise is that we are missing out on so much by not living in the moment.

Of course planning is essential and having it subconsciously in our thoughts what grade we want to achieve, but all the bits in between are just as important. When you look back in years to come you’ll probably find it’s not the result you remember but the process of getting there. The highs and lows you encountered until you reached the final destination. The moments that shaped you as a person, changed you, enlightened you and most of all challenged you. From experience and thorough reading, those are the aspects that are most important.

And I believe if you are going to make it you’ll make it on the way. There is no need to wait but if you inject your mind and soul with your passion and desires, you shall naturally end in the right place.

So live, love, laugh. Like you would have heard many of times. Be yourself and do what you love best, and you will find out so much about yourself you never previously knew, which is worth so much more than what any senior lecturer can teach you in an institution.

Theory cannot be proven without practice.

Reading: taking you into another world

Sitting on the train yesterday I was so engrossed in my book, it was just me and the book. It’s such a beautiful feeling when you are reading something and it feels as though the author knows you, like they are speaking directly to you. You are taken into another world where your imagination runs wild, and the words you read relate and connect to your soul. That is what I love the most about reading: the peacefulness and how you can just shut off from all external and internal problems and responsibilities.

Flickering my vision every now and then and opening my ears to listen to what stop we was at, I eagerly hoped at that moment that something would happen… something that tends to frustrate any average commuter that travels in and out of London on a frequent basis. I was hoping that there would be delays. A train delay would allow me to finish my chapter, and keep me in this trance of stillness where nothing else matters except for what the book will offer me on the upcoming pages.

With a passion for writing, reading comes hand in hand. They’re simultaneous, they sit alongside one another. To be a good writer you need to read a lot, and gain a wider perspective of people, places, cultures and contexts. Reading things that inspire me has allowed me to broaden my horizon, and not be afraid of stepping outside my comfort zone. The zone where people may be tempted to ‘judge’ me or think critically about me and my work. You can’t allow other people’s critical views to deter you, or stunt you, from doing something that intuitively feels completely right. If there is something you feel that you need to share with the world, share it! Let everyone else hear what you have to say, and they will listen. But most importantly, they will learn.

The juxtaposition can often be difficult to comprehend. You have the contrasting sentiment of being surrounded by a world of people rushing, pacing to get to their next destination. But me personally? I advise any one to enjoy the process along the way, open you eyes, open your ears and remember that every day you learn something new. And that is precious. Education is priceless.