What is in a name?

Everyone has a name, chosen by none other than those on this earth before us - our parents. What do our names mean? Does the meaning to your name define who you are? What about birth signs- astrology. Does your birth sign, (for me, a leo - a roaring lioness) define your personality and characteristics? How about your biological and genetic make up? People are more than just there names (well duh!) more than just jodzsta, pode or rangi? I am more than just a neighbour, a friend, a neice, and cousin. How about more than just a sister or a daughter? How about more than just a distant ancestor or a girlfriend? We are more than what we have ever thought we were, or are going to be. Our experiences shape our thoughts, perception and judgments.

Last night, my boyfriend and i were laying on his bed reading through some interesting notes on astrology. Astrology is a remarkable subject underestimated by those who don't know much about it and conform more to the thinking that astrology is for people who 'need help.' Like psychology, science, medicine and the such, astrology is more than just a name. Its more than a broadened field of thinking into spirituality. There are many kinds of astrology. And for thousands of years people have looked to themselves and their world around them and uncovered a deeper connection into spirituality and more so into our humanity. This is how i see it anyway. I can only speak for myself and what i believe, after all, this is a blog about my thoughts.

The way i see it - i believe that astrology can tell us many things about our personality for enjoyment and wisdom. After all, im nearly 22 and therefore the frontal lobe of my brain is thus still maturing, and as i get older - until about 27 - my brain will continue to develop and mature until it would have developed to its capacity so to say. I will become much more self reflective and notice the little things in astrology and in my horoscope readings that in the past i would have merely skimmed over, however, due to the development of myself (physically, coginitively, and psychosocially) will see just how much it really relates to me. Believe what you will about astrology and believe what you want about your life - but we are all going to die, and thanks to a miracle - we are the lucky ones. So i feel that i should use my time on earth to discover more about myself and my spirituality which will lead to fulfillment in all aspects of my life - relationships, love, my working career, even my travel expeditions i am yet to further encounter. Each aspect of our lives correlate with one another and I yearn to continually live and discover myself 'truly'. I am unique.

Because of all this astrology talk i decided to google astrology and find a horoscope compatibility for myself -a roaring lioness and Jindy - an arien prince! Did you know that astrology can reveal a whole new level of understanding between people simply by looking at their star sign and that of their partner? 

Although we have only been together for just short of 5 months - we have been through ups and downs and learnt more about ourselves and each other than i thought was possible and i love him.

Leo + Aries 

Fire + Fire = Explosion 

The element you share is extremely creative, and hints at a good union. The combination of Leo Fire with Aries Fire is an excellent one — you and Aries can look forward to many satisfying times. 

You are both driven individuals, who have strong creative impulses and know how to support each other. This will help you both achieve your long-term goals. Aries needs to realise that Leo is just as proud and dominating a sign as Aries. There will be no avoiding the who will rule the roost question in this relationship. 

In the extreme, two fire signs combining can be explosive. One can eventually burn out the other — this usually happens if the competitiveness between the two of you gets out of control. But Leo is the fifth sign, which indicates playfulness and a sporting association between you. Try to keep it all in good fun. 

Even if things are going very well, you’ll still have to sort out who is going to be the leader, or see if you can share the job. Neither of you is submissive, so this will be a challenge.

The fact that fire is a common element between you promises very good times, sexually and emotionally. This is definitely a great match in the bedroom. There’s a spark between you there — your connection is spontaneous, fresh and ever youthful. 

If there’s any problem here, it’s most likely to be over-indulgence! Are you complaining, Leo? No way, and neither will Aries! 

You’ll be fascinated by Aries born between 21 March and 30 March. They are ruled by Mars, and this implies a strong karmic association between you. You could have a chance to do a lot of long-distance travelling with them. This combination will be focused on exploration and fun.

Most Arians are compatible with Leo, but the most compatible are those born between 31 March and 10 April — this group has greater solar influences. You will be very drawn to these people and will develop strong friendships with them. Like good wine, these will mature with age. 

Aries born between 11 April and 19 April are ruled by Jupiter as well as Mars. This suggests some very exciting romance between you. Of all the Aries you meet, this group will appeal to you most, sexually. 

Entertainment, sports and other fun activities come naturally to both of you and will keep your relationship sparking. You are also attracted to the innate wisdom of these Aries, and because they are co-ruled by Jupiter, they can calm your fiery and inflexible side


SO this seems to be an interesting match. I think i need to be a bit more spontaneous and learn to be a little more open to meeting randoms.. 


time will tell, and until the sun doesnt set...


peace and love JP

Until the sun doesn't set...

There are so many amazing things we can do in this world, yet most of us are so tied down to our own dreams and aspirations aka our ‘safe zone’ that we overlook subtle opportunities that are floating by. Sometimes, opportunity isn’t so subtle. It has a great, big; ugly head on it with a mouth so large it could envelope your house. Opportunity has a voice that echoes like thunder, screaming down your throat and reverberates through your chest and you simply don’t notice it. Opportunity comes in different shapes and sizes; colours; materials and textures. Sometimes it’s a little package as tiny as a ring on your middle finger, or it can be a large package like a bundle of money you didn’t expect or perhaps a new car. Maybe your opportunity lies in another destination of the world and due to geographical reasons it’s well out of arms reach. Perhaps opportunity comes in the form of something your best friend mentioned, or a simple chance to surprise a lover by becoming committed for the ride. Whatever shape, size or however your opportunity projects itself, don’t overlook it. As a writer something as simple as an autumn falling leaf tells a thousand words and shares its story with me and I see opportunity in my dreams. 

I think as a generation who has had everything given to them, it’s so easy to overlook simple opportunities to be the best person you can be by going somewhere new, trying to cook scrambled eggs (and through personal experience, it isn’t that hard!) or heading to a place you never even wanted to go – all we need to do is change our perspective. I usually say it’s all about your attitude but that’s only a stepping stone; it’s about embracing the ‘new’ and taking a chance, because even if you decide it wasn’t the best thing for you – you learnt something along the way and that kind of experience (added to your knowledge database) will enable you to relax and become more resilient in other situations.

You know, they say this world is full of dreamers and if you don’t like dreaming, have a pascall swirl, because thanks to those dreamers before us we have the kinds of opportunities they only dreamt about. Take skydiving for example – ancient Greek men and women wrote of flying and how lovely it is to watch a bird saw effortlessly through the air, an audacity only dreamt of, yet in this century we have the opportunity to do the same and experience the world from above. I did it and I encourage you to do the same. Even if death was a possibility I wasn’t afraid. We have so much in this world and I’m grateful for the dreams that began the journey to making things happen.  I can only imagine what it will be like to venture off into space, because that’s our next destination. And in so many hundreds of years, someone just like me might be writing a blog about it.

On another note, I have 3 more weeks of classes with a few assignments to go and of course exams. I’m looking forward to my semester break, I’m thinking plenty of pole practice, bush walking and maybe a hot air balloon ride to top it off.

I’m nearly 22 now and I’ve noticed I’m nowhere near as stressed or anxious as I used to be, that’s one thing I can be proud of.

Until the sun doesn’t set, J x

Under the Moonlight

Under the Moonlight (2011)

By Jodie Stewart

I will not lie and pretend this is a silent night,

For fight the moons brightness shines through the dark of night.

The blackened sky is speckled with few stars, here and there,

Masking the beauty of the daylight, heavens not willing to share.

It shines so effortlessly through the fog, a halo unbroken

A tale of its own pure and wonder, for now, remains unspoken.

A whisper softly through the trees shivers through the world,

A story: not for the ears of those who cannot simply tell.

It is what it is, for what’s done is done; yet nothing remains in stone.

The beauty through the blackened sky is one of a kind to show.

Constantly changing, imitating, conditioning and a simply yearn,

To illustrate the beauty of what’s inside, two words: desires turn.

Give thanks to the courage and grace, inspiration merely more,

A dance step and little turn, an old dress weary and torn.

It's repetition, again and again, spinning round and sound,

Hurry, hide and close your eyes the daylights coming round.

Somethings missing.

          You know how warm, cinnamon doughnuts have that perfect fluffy and light texture covered in cinnamon - the smell of them make you yearn for them even more, then one bite and, heaven! But then, theres always something missing, the centre of the doughnut is always empty - this is how i feel.

          I never usually second guess my decisions and choices, however, when something happens and you're lacking support from the one person you need it most, it most certainly leaves you feeling empty and discouraged. Like what you share together doesn't mean all that much to the other person like it means to you. It's the little things in life that make our lives whole, and one text message, saying 'i'm thinking of you' is all it takes. We meet people in our lives, our friendships come and go, and as sad as it may be for some, when you're in a relationship with someone, there are certain things that go with it.

Sticks and stones are hard on bones

Aimed with angry art,

Words can sting like anything

But silence breaks the heart.

~Phyllis McGinley, "Ballade of Lost Objects," 1954

          Basically, what we need is a hand that rests on our own. What we need is for others to respect the relationship you're in with someone and for both in the relationship to respect that to. It's no wonder people prefer not to commit to a relationship - they would much rather not have the responsibility, and prefer to be with whoever, whenever, for however long they wish, then flick them off because they don't mean anything anyway. Many one night stands (ew) and different people "fun" as they would say. Because being with heaps of people, is more important than sharing something special with one person. Remember, something is always missing from that lifestyle to. We all make mistakes and let go. Once its gone, theres no going back, so what would you do? I've heard from people recently that miss me; being with me, my personality and so forth. Was it all worth it in the end that i made the mistake of giving them more than an abundance of chances? No. Because i, in the end, had the ultimate price to pay. It's not good to regret things - the past doesn't matter, but if i could take back our very first meeting, then i would. 

          Least the sun is shining, and i can keep busy studying. Exams soon. Fuck. 

All there is of you

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said:

 "make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you."

          Sometimes, we have to be our own best friends. 

Sometimes, we have to trust in our gut instincts and respect our anxieties - maybe they are trying to tell you something. 

          I believe that understanding your own emotions is so important to your health and well-being, and to the well-being of those around you. Understanding the answer to the question "why do i react the way i do?"

          It takes courage to face up to how you feel and accept that your actions are going to hurt someone. It takes strength to believe that you're doing the right thing. Sometimes, it takes sacrifice to put others before yourself. Does the end, justify your means?

It's a beautiful thing.

          Well, what is? You tell me. Life, is a beautiful thing for one. Look around you, take a step back and let yourself fall into the environment around you. Maybe the sun isn't shining, but embrace it, for the world gives us new challenges and hurdles everyday that we as human beings must overcome. Embrace the coldness of the winter period, because somewhere in the world, someone is colder than you. Embrace your warm water in the shower for not all have electricity. Appreciate what you have, as an individual and as a family unit. Some people aren't so lucky.

It's an inspiring thing.

          Is it? Does it make you feel like you can conquer the world? Does it give you courage to step outside your boundaries and truly let go?

It's magical.

          Do you feel truly alive? Do you stand tall in the face of whatever this world throws at you and stand up for what you believe in, but more so, who you are as a person?

It's your life.

          Bon Jovi wasn't kidding when he wrote that 'its your life, and it's now or never.'

Embrace opportunities, because the biggest mistake that i made was being afraid. Being afraid to be me again. Now that i'm here, i know that with my support network, i can conquer anything. Faith has been restored. And fuck it feels good!

JP xx
 

It's Just Simply Introspective.

          "I'm about to turn 22, so i suppose you get a little introspective knowing there's no going back now" - - Jodie Stewart

          Exactly one month ago i sat in this very same chair, on my laptop, and typed away about my roadtrip with my boyfriend to Yamba, Angourie and Byron Bay. One month later and i'm inspired to write once more, and yet it seems like my last blog post was over a year ago, considering how full on my weeks have been studying my second semester at Bond University. Bruce Springsteens 'Secret Garden' begins my itunes playlist. I suppose i'm almost a little shy, when it comes to expressing my emotions today which is a very rare thing for me. Nothing is wrong. The truth is, i feel as though i need to calm down and focus more of my attention inward toward myself and what i need, instead of directing it outward. Perhaps, this is what we call an introspective period.
          My first month of Bond has rushed by. Mid-semester exams are approaching fast for my psychology classes; Developmental and Intro to Psychology: Biology and Personality. I've found some amazing videos and other useful resources to help in my studies but have realised i need to relax and have some time to myself, before thrusting my mind back into the whirlwind of literature its currently exposed to. I'm having a ball, and i'm excited by the prospect of perhaps delving further into psychology as a career. It's only early days and i don't ever know how i could afford to do it, yet it's something i'm very keen on. Just as i am with becoming a yoga teacher. Mum gave me the idea last night i could do massage also, so there are options available to me depending on the path i'd like to take. Even if i don't pursue psychology, these subjects are giving me an excellent grounding in human development from 'womb to tomb' and interesting notes on what is considering 'normal' during a childs developmental process cognitively, physically, emotionally and psychosocially. I feel grateful i can relate to a lot of it, and am understanding more and more about my own personal upbringing, and the upbringing of my siblings and the different affects parenting styles have on children, and there values when they are older.
          It's never been unusual for me to be interested in understanding myself, my own behaviour and how my attitudes and values affect the person i am and how i live my life today, therefore, my introductory psychology class: biology and personality is providing me with excellent knowledge skills. I like to think that i have a balanced emotional IQ about people, and through understanding myself, will furthermore understand others. My mum has always been great inspiration here. Her emotional IQ is outstanding, and it's no wonder her workplace think so highly of her as a team leader who concentrates on building a team, and using her interpersonal skills to bring the best out in people. You know, i'm lucky dad convinced her to have another child. Thanks dad.
          We don't always find things easy living in the world we do, yet, when we have people who support our ideals, our ideas, and value us as worthwhile human beings, we can accomplish more than we know. Sometimes, you have to be cruel to be kind, and as much as we don't like to admit it, sometimes your parents were right.