The Unseen Yet Powerful Link Between Poetry and Traveling

Traveling and poetry are like coffee and milk — they are combinations that go so well with each other they might as well be one entity with a single existence.

Poet Brion K. Hanks is well aware of this unseen link between traveling and poetry, and he portrays it in his poetry book for all ages titled Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose Along the Road Before Me. Here’s an excerpt from one of his poems found within the pages of his book:

Undoubtedly, there is security in sticking with one’s hometown, group of friends, or established spirituality. Having less discomfort allows one to remain in a comfortable location or state. The powerful feeling of being a wanderer, of discovering ideas, truths, and viewpoints that question one’s firmly held worldviews, is, however, rarely made possible by this complacency.

An experience that offers the most thrill and adventure is diving headfirst into a new culture, outlook, study area, or job. Experiencing a place or concept that broadens one’s perspective results in ideas and emotions that inspire creative writing, in this case, poetry. After contemplating the provocative experience, these thoughts and feelings give life to art that embodies the remarkable discovery experience.

The Life of Rilke Shared Through Poetry

German poet Rainer Maria Rilke, whose most prolific period of poetry was from 1899 to 1922, is an example. Rilke had experience examining the clashing worlds within himself at seven. Rilke’s mother, Phia, fostered his femininity while grieving a daughter’s death by frequently dressing him in long girls’ clothes, which made him uncomfortable.

Rilke further grew acclimated to the discomfort of stepping outside one’s predetermined comfort zone when he was ten years old. Rilke frequently withdrew to a haven of safety — the infirmary — during the vulnerable years of his formative years after being compelled, against his will, to sign up for a military academy. Rilke started turning to poetry there for solace since he felt emotional and creative.

Brion K. Hanks also relied on poetry to capture the essence of his travels and what a traveling soul bound to our earthly bodies should be, culminating in his poetry book for all ages.

The seed had been set, even though he later considered these early poems embarrassing works of a novice intellect. Rilke had mastered transforming his outsider experiences into emotionally charged poetry. Rilke started looking for adventure on his own accord as his life continued. The idea of “trust uncertainty” virtually sprouted from Rilke’s writings.

Using Traveling as a Prompt for Poetry and Transformation

Based on Rilke’s life, one would not have to ponder what could’ve happened if the poet had remained inside the confines of his comfort zone. Although it’s still highly possible that he would’ve become a poet had he excluded himself from his extraordinary adventures throughout his lifetime, his poems would feel lacking because he wouldn’t have had the experiences that made him understand God in atypical and ever-changing manners.

Traveling can be used as a prompt to write poems and to be transformed by both. While traveling exposes a person to new experiences, new worlds, new societies, new mentalities, etc., poetry can act like a person’s digestive system — giving them the ability to reflect and collect the essence of their experience through the expression provided by poetry.

Poetry also serves as a great way to record what happened to the traveler in every particular place they visit. Take a look at the various books that Rilke himself has written. His book titled The Book of a Monastic Life was shaped by his ventures to Russia and Italy. His journeys of solitude before returning to Italy served as the premise for his The Book of Poverty and Death.

If we allow the link between poetry and traveling to touch our lives, they’ll undoubtedly leave an indelible mark in our hearts.

Erica Jong, an American novelist who authored Fear of Flying, once said, “Live your life by a compass, not a clock.” Life is short, and we should spend it with direction, traveling the world and its wonders, and not by counting how many minutes we have left.

Grab yourself a copy of Brion K. Hanks’ poetry book for all ages today by clicking here to make an order. Tales of a Traveler in Poetry and Prose Along the Road Before Me will undoubtedly encourage you to go out there and experience the world!

Guide through Science Fiction World: The Different Subgenres

Have you ever observed that most science fiction stories feature different scientific and technological advancements as a bookworm? Some tales are set in space, filled with alien characters, robots, and more. It’s because sci-fi is a rich and vibrant genre, filled with notable stories showcasing the different sides of the field of science. In fact, it is referred to as the literature of concepts because there are loads of futuristic ideas embedded in the stories.

The wide array of notable features sci-fi has might be the best time to learn more about this genre. Thus, here’s an ultimate guide to the magnificent world of science fiction, specifically starting with its several subgenres.

Hard sci-fi

Hard science fiction pertains to stories that use or are based on scientific facts. The concepts used are often thoroughly elaborated and detailed to showcase scientific realism. However, there are moments when these particular ideas can hinder the development of the plot and characters. All Systems Red by Martha Wells, Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Hail Mary by Andy Weir, and Seveneves by Neal Stephenson are some books considered as hard science fiction.

Soft sci-fi

In contrast to hard sci-fi, soft science fiction is often characterized by stories that are inspired by the soft social sciences. Most of the plots are involved or concerned with hypothetical societies and connections. Thus, you can observe aspects of sociology, psychology, economics, politics, and more. The hit TV series Star Trek is the best example of this subgenre. It’s popular for tackling the problems and concerns on both political and social aspects in a futuristic and space-opera setup.

Climate fiction

James Bradley, Sam Bleicher, David Mitchell, Emmi Itaranta, Margaret Atwood, Kim Stanley Robinson, and Paolo Bacigalupi are some of the remarkable authors of climate fiction. The stories under cli-fi send significant messages on the effects and possible results of climate change. Thus, they also give awareness and reminders to the readers to be more focused on the planet. Another aspect that climate fiction highlights are that it’s not too late to prevent climate change.

Dystopian fiction

If you are a fan of Veronica Roth’s Divergent or Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, then you might already be familiar with dystopian fiction. This subgenre provides a glimpse of the future with books that challenges the readers to diversely evaluate the present social and political conditions and to encourage them to take action. Moreover, dystopia pertains to societies in devastating states, characters facing environmental wreck, technological manipulation, and oppression.

Space opera

The term “space opera” is not affiliated with music but with soap operas seen on television. This genre blossomed in the 1930s, which is when it began to dominate the literature, comics, movie, and other related avenues. Works categorized as space opera often feature fictional battles and adventures set in space inflicted with melodrama and chivalric romance. Moreover, the stories tend to showcase galactic wars, futuristic equipment, top-notch technology, and more. Dune by Frank Herbert and Legend of the Galactic Heroes by Yoshiki Tanaka are the best examples of space operas.

Gothic sci-fi

The classic novels by Mary Shelly titled Frankenstein and by Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde are considered gothic sci-fi. From the name of the subgenre itself, it’s a mix of gothic and sci-fi principles. Thus, stories under this subcategory show or center on the following features: darkness, macabre, mystery, supernatural, monster, horror, and more. Gothic sci-fi tales often create great tensions and evoke intense emotions.

Parallel universe sci-fi

Parallel universe sci-fi is the subgenre with writings that simply show extraordinary alternate worlds present along with the “real world.” In the broadest sense, the parallel realms are the separate speculative dimension that exists together with one’s own. It is a subcategory of sci-fi in literature, but in film, it is considered a trope. The best examples of this genre are V.E. Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic, Claudia Gray’s A Thousand Pieces of You, and Terry Pratchett, and Stephen Baxter’s The Long Earth.

Military Science Fiction

This particular subcategory exhibits the utilization of scientifically innovated weapons and other aspects for military purposes. It may feature an interstellar warlike in space operas, but military fiction focuses more on military traits and events. Thus, stories in this category commonly portray military organizations, activities, pieces of equipment, goals, and more.

Historical Fiction Books to Read that Guarantee a Great Reading Experience

Who says historical fiction books aren’t enjoyable to read? Like all other pieces of literature, historical fiction has its unique charms that captivate the hearts and attentions of the readers. As of 2021, there are already millions of books under this genre that were published and are conquering different bestselling lists.

If you are looking for the best historical fiction books that will give you a memorable reading experience, then here are some of the must-reads that you should check out.

Bannack: A Growing Up Story in the Vigilante West by Jerry Delaney

Bannack: A Growing Up Story in the Vigilante West is a historical and young adult book by Jerry Delaney. It primarily focuses on themes of self-discovery and adventure. The story is set during the Civil War when chaos and vigilante violence existed. A sixteen-year-old boy named Billy Mayfair is the protagonist that moves the story forward. Billy’s journey was rough and challenging. At such a young age, he already experienced being cast away from home, searching for gold, losing his precious things in life, getting involved in a fight, and going to jail. From all those misadventures, he managed to stand up again and continued his rollercoaster journey. Thus, this is more than just a story of life but also of hope and survival.

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

Macmillan published this historical fiction book written by Ken Follett in 1989. It was preceded by The Evening and the Morning and followed by World Without End. Moreover, the story of The Pillars of the Earth revolves around a particular infrastructure of a cathedral in Kingsbridge, England, in the 12th century. It follows the improvement of Gothic architecture out of the rising Romanesque architecture and the wealth of the Kingsbridge monastery and village opposing the state of historical affairs during that century. The story is divided into different parts, which each section features some events from different years. This book gained multiple feedbacks and was soon adapted into a musical, TV show, and more.

All the Lights We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Anthony Doerr authored the bestselling book, 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, and 2015 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction awardee titled All the Lights We Cannot See. It was originally published in 2014 by Scribner. The story takes place during the Second World War in France. The storyline is moved by the two main characters Marie-Laure LeBlanc, a blind French girl, and Werner Pfenning, an orphan German boy. They both belong to different countries where one, Germany, invades the other, France. The two met at an extremely unexpected time, and Werner found himself slowly falling in love with Marie-Laure. As they journey together, an unfortunate event took place that took the life of Wermer.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

The bestselling author Kristin Hannah wrote another remarkable book titled The Four Winds that was published in 2021 by St. Martin’s Press. The story is set in 1934 in Texas. There were many people who lost their jobs, and the Great Plains is suffering from a drought. Every farmer is battling a natural occurrence and striving to maintain their livelihoods in the midst of it all. Living in one of the darkest moments of the Great Depression was not easy. Thus, Elsa Martinelli starts to create a terrible choice: to either stay or continue fighting for the land or begin to journey toward the west to live a better life.  So, what would Elsa choose?

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth E. Wein

In 2012, the young adult historical fiction book of Elizabeth E. Wein titled Code Name Verity was published. The story centers on the blossoming friendship of two young ladies from different countries, England and Scotland, during World War II, specifically 1943. It was also the moment when the young women crashed their British spy plane in France, which the Nazis unfortunately occupied. Only one of the two young pilots was bestowed the opportunity to survive because the other had already lost the game prior to reaching the starting line. The one spy who was called Verity was arrested and had to face a serious interrogation from the enemies. Apart from that, she also needs to fight for her life.

How to Make the Most Out of the Incoming Holiday Season

We are months away from the most wonderful holiday of the year. Knowing that you’ll have plenty of time to prepare and celebrate, especially that you’ll be having your winter break — then you must look for ways to make the most out of it! The turn of events last year surely made a dent in your holiday traditions, but make sure to continue your holiday customs with extra precautions.

Although you’ve got a handful of time before the new season comes, it would be best to be prepared. Hence, here are some of the perfect and practical activities to make your holiday break worthwhile.

Go on little adventures

With the amount of free time that you’ll be having, it would be ideal to go on trips. This doesn’t pertain to cross-country travel, though. It can be the little adventures that can relieve your stress and make you feel the spirit of Christmas, which is definitely hitting two birds with one stone. You can go sightseeing, skiing, road-tripping, camping, fishing, hiking, canyoneering, swimming, and more. If you need more inspiration to travel, then you can check out the exciting outdoor adventure of Mike Honeycutt in his book Mike Honeycutt’s World of Hunting and Fishing, the adventure ideas from travel bloggers, the trip recommendations from your friends, and more. But, before anything else, you must look into the weather when you take your trip to wear and bring proper clothing and materials.

Put up the decorations

As the famous Christmas song from Pentatonix goes, deck the halls with boughs of holly. A month, a week, or depending on your family’s liking, you may start putting up the pieces of Christmas decors to make it more appropriate to the season, as well as feel the holiday spirit. Prior to the event, make sure to get a tree. For the Christmas balls and garlands, you have to decide whether you’d go for a new theme or still continue with last year’s motif. If you’d pick the latter, then you may purchase a new set of decorations. This activity surprisingly gives you a sense of joy and relief that you’d never thought you needed.

Shop for holiday presents

Handing out presents is a given during Christmas. It is one of the best and exciting traditions during this holiday, which dates back to Jesus’s birth, that’s been practiced globally. So, make the most of the holiday season sale and start buying gifts for your loved ones. This can be the most thrilling part of the holiday because you can go shopping with your winter jacket and boots on, wrap those items, and give them to people that played great roles in your life. Normally, these gifts are given during Christmas Eve. But, on special conditions, you may send them out before or after the celebration.

Bake some holiday goodies

Making holiday goodies is the most stress-relieving activity of all. But, before anything else, you should list what you must bake. Baking is a complicated art, which needs precision and accuracy. Thus, list the names and recipes, then start the work. What is advantageous in this activity is that you can fully customize your goods based on the health conditions of your beloveds. You can also estimate the number of gingerbread cookies, and other Christmas treats to serve on the table and to share with your neighbors.

Organize mini family games

Christmas is the time of the year where distant relatives come home to celebrate together like the old times. Take advantage of that to strengthen the bond of your family. Catching up, eating at the same table, and giving presents might not be enough. Create mini-programs that everyone can participate in and enjoy, such as caroling contests, scavenger hunts, oven mitts game, gingerbread cookie design competition, holiday Pictionary, Christmas charades, Christmas bingo, and more.

The activities above are just some of the best holiday ideas that can make your break more exciting and fun. Now that Christmas is just a few months away, please make sure that you’ll start planning to have a more productive holiday. So, keep the holiday spirit ablaze as early as now!

Top Fantasy Books that Guarantee a Fun Reading Experience

There are loads of reasons why many love to read. Some found enjoyment in exploring different types of worlds while others got fond of living different kinds of lives. But, with what is always present in that bunch of reasons why people read books is the fun reading experience. Literature is indeed a happy place filled with different kinds of books. Most of these literary pieces are sorted into various genres based on the theme and other elements of the stories; and, fantasy is one of the best and most popular categories.

Moreover, the most defining aspect of the fantasy genre is the extraordinary storyline that often involves magic, supernatural, and other elements that aren’t present in the real world. These features enhance the whole tale by adding interesting characteristics and factors on places, people, and things — which definitely don’t happen in real life.

So, if you are looking for the top fantasy books to read, then here are the titles that you should look out for and will guarantee you a fun reading experience.

Spiritdancer: The Blade of Baresi by Luthie M West

Spiritdancer: The Blade of Baresi by Luthie M West is young adult fantasy fiction published in 2020. It follows the story of Kallias, a Baresian swordsman, who chases the abductors of his sister Asadia on long-ships. While on his quest to save his sister, he arrived at the land of Marisko, where he met and befriended Dealla. She was the last of the rekinnder race, who offered him guidance on his journey. Kallias also made another friend, but the long-ship mystic is a nemesis of the rekinnder. Even though there is an underlying tension between his new friends, they still worked together to save women and mold them into an army to battle against the Bloodfish Navy and other people of the mad magician who captured his sister.

Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers

The popular fantasy book that has been part of the childhood of many readers, titled Mary Poppins, was first published in 1934 authored by P.L. Travers. It is the first book of the series that follows the story of the Banks family that lives in London. The members of the family are Mr. Banks, Mrs. Banks, Jane, Michael, John, and Barbara. Mary Poppins entered the picture after Katie, the nanny of the kids left. With her carpetbag, she arrived at the Banks’ and willingly accepted the newly vacant position. The kids, later on, discovered that their new nanny could do magical things despite her serious and vain characteristics. Mary Poppins definitely gave the Banks children a wonderful experience. She bid goodbye after realizing the wind had changed and left by opening and holding an umbrella and let the West wind carry her away. 

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

This bestselling book is authored by Diana Gabaldon that’s the first piece of the 9-book series with the same title. The revised edition of Outlander was published in 1992 by Dell, and since then, it has gained multiple reviews from different critics. It centers on the thrilling love and adventure story of Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser. The former served as a British combat nurse who recently got back from the battle and is on her second honeymoon with her significant other. The latter is a gallant young Scots soldier. Both lived in different times but were brought together when Claire from the year 1945 passed through a standing stone that belonged to one of the oldest circles dotting the British Isles and time-traveled to the year 1743. How would Claire handle herself, especially her feelings?

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Janes Anders

Charlie Janes Anders’ science fantasy novel titled All the Birds in the Sky gained multiple awards, such as the Nebula Award for Best Novel in 2017, IAFA William L. Crawford Fantasy Award in 2017, and more. The story centers on a witch named Patricia and a techno-geek named Laurence. Their amazing abilities were perceived as strange by the kids in their junior high school. It wasn’t long when Patricia entered the school for witches after being accused of witchcraft from her former school. Laurence, on the other hand, was enrolled in a military reform school by his parents. Ten years have passed, and the two cross paths again; what strangeness would happen this time around?

Must-read Stories about Courage and Survival

The word “survival” is often associated with bravery, hardships, and pain. In literature, several stories revolve around it, which also highlight the main character’s courage and other defining values. Most of these tales are based on the author’s real experiences, historical figure, or significant person that can inspire, educate, and warm the hearts of the readers.

Why do many are drawn into books that center on courage and survival? It is because they can relate to the featured human experience and have also been surviving their struggles. So, if you are a fan of these kinds of stories, here are some of the best books that you might want to check out to relate to and learn from.

The Innocent Eyes of a Child: Everyone’s Little Girl, But Nobody’s Child by Trea Jackson

The Innocent Eyes of a Child: Everyone’s Little Girl, But Nobody’s Child is a promising book that tackles significant themes, such as child abuse, foster care system, undying hope, and love. The story revolves around a girl by the name of Brighteyes. She was raised in an undesirable environment with a dysfunctional family. At such a young age, she already experienced abuse and abandonment. It leads her to be subjected to foster care. Hence, she grows up hopping from one house to another but never really finding the home, family, and love that she’d long for the longest time. With the years of mistreatment, pain, and heartbreaks, she still hopes and dreams for a home filled with love and care.

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer

The reprint edition of Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster was published by Anchor in 1999. The journalist-mountaineer author narrated his personal experiences when a horrible storm hit Mt. Everest in 1996 that put an end to five lives and left several more in a regretful mess. By turning his experiences into words, Krakauer may have wished to drive away some of his demons and put to rest some heartbreaking inquiries that still centers on the event. Apparently, the disaster still haunts him and makes him struggle to see things objectively regardless of the several situations that he relates his selfless acts.  

All But My Life: A Memoir by Gerda Weissmann Klein

Gerda Weissman Klein pens down her account as a victim of the Nazi regime in her book titled All But My Life: A Memoir. Klein brings the readers on a journey of survival and freedom from her peaceful life in Poland to her remarkable liberation by the American soldiers in Czechoslovakia. Despite her awful experiences — loss of loved ones, property, possessions, and friends, she continues to show amazing spiritual strength and faith in humanity. Moreover, this book offers a significant message to the readers to find faith, love, friendship, and courage in the middle of your darkest and toughest times, which hatred cannot rise and dominate.  

The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger

The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea is the recipient of the American Library Association’s 1998 Alex Award. This bestselling book is real-life suspense that ignites different intense emotions from the readers, such as helplessness and hopelessness amid nature’s strong and uncontrollable force in the middle of a vast ocean. The author looks into rich historical accounts of the history of fishing, the scientific background of storms, and the random tales of individuals whose lives were once threatened by this particular natural disaster.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

This book is recognized as one of the best books of the year by The Boston Globe, Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, and other renowned platforms. It is also a #1 national bestseller. Moreover, it follows the story of the author on how she handled loss, heartbreak, and nothingness. But, she never thought an impulsive decision would turn her life around, which is to hike over thousands of miles of the Pacific Crest Trail solitarily. Thus, this book greatly showcases the fears and desires of a young woman pushing on all odds on a trip that exasperated, strengthened, and mended her.

The Joys of Living in a Small Town

Living in a small city or town is not only about being away from the hustle and bustle of the metro. It can also be about health, economics, and rediscovering many things in life.

Joy A. Totty recently released her latest novel, The Secret of Jerry’s Pride. Just like her previous novels, the stories are in small, peaceful Southern towns. While Totty’s books are mystery thrillers with themes of murder and mystery, we cannot help but appreciate her choice of settings for her fiction books. Her masterful descriptions of quiet, serene, and enigmatic towns make us want to consider moving away from big and toxic cities.

Of course, the idea of equating rural and provincial life with peace, serenity, and nature’s tranquility is nothing new. People have built cabins and vacation houses to be away from work, social interactions, responsibilities, and other demands of urban life. However, with the growing population in most cities and digital technology controlling most of us, it is no wonder that more and more people are actually thinking of settling in smaller towns and communities. And, the reasons and demands vary from the familiar to new ones that have something to do with adapting to new realities and survival.

Cost-Efficient

This is perhaps one of the practical reasons for choosing to live in a smaller town or city. Living in big cities costs a lot. The food, supplies, and even transportation are way cheaper when you live in a small town. You can choose to use public transportation or use a bike instead of spending dollars for gas and car maintenance. Moreover, finding a house might be difficult, but maintaining a house in a smaller city is better than renting a unit or buying one in metropolitan areas. You can also experiment more on providing power and electricity to your home when you are in rural areas compared to living in expensive condominiums or city suburbs.

Independence

Living in a smaller city or town comes with a bit of freedom in many aspects. Escape from the hustle and bustle of the metro traffic and pollution. Liberty from big crowds and social demands. Freedom to explore new things. Also, living in small communities and towns where luxury and other supplies are not always readily available, you get to experience building and creating things you need. You also get to experience a DIY or Do-It-Yourself lifestyle. In short, this brand-new lifestyle allows you to be independent and creative.

Management

Managing a household is a lot easier when you are not preoccupied with the unnecessary demands of city life. In a smaller community, you will be able to manage your budget, time, energy, and activities better. Being freed from the toxic pollution, traffic, expensive supplies, and busy social atmosphere allows you to breathe and take things easy. It will also allow you to manage your social interaction. Sometimes being in a small community with fewer acquaintances is all you need for a peaceful and serene life.

More Me-Time

This is more of the personal aspect and well-being. Living in a rural area, like countryside or a not so busy city, is beneficial for your health. You will rediscover many things about yourself in this new environment and be more attuned to a healthier spiritual and mental state. You can also engage in self-improvement activities and other personal goals. In smaller cities, you have a chance to interact more with nature. You can try growing your own food, set up a garden, or enjoy more time to yourself.

A Quality Living

Overall, one of the main reasons people are beginning to flock to smaller towns is to have a better chance of living a quality lifestyle. In smaller towns and rural areas where pollution, traffic, toxicity, and invasive technology have not yet reached, people enjoy relative safety, opportunity, a healthier environment, and a more sustainable livelihood. Aside from the proverbial peace and quiet, smaller cities and towns are more affordable in acquiring supplies, properties, and even luxury (although the word is relative). People find themselves, their purpose, and have more time and energy to live life to the fullest when they are not shackled to the toxic and arduous demands of living in big cities and towns.

Exciting Summer-ender Activities

Summer is ending while autumn is approaching. In the remaining days of this season, you should plan your activities to make the most out of it. Why? It is because there are many activities that you might not be able to do in the other seasons of the year due to different factors, including temperature, weather, career, school, and the likes.

Given that there are limited days until you can enjoy the warmer days, longer days, shorter nights, and brighter sunshine, we have listed some of the ideal summer-ender activities that you will surely love!

Watch the sunrise and sunset

The sun is among the celestial bodies that people are in love with. During summer, it is the season where the sun shines the most — giving the planet longer days. Therefore, one of the most underrated activities that you can do during this amazing season is to watch the sunrise or sunset, or both. It doesn’t require so many resources apart from the effort to spot the sun as it rises in the morning and it sets in the afternoon. There are many benefits that this activity gives, including but not limited to relieving stress, calming the mind, appreciating nature, reflecting on your past actions, and making thorough decisions.

Explore the outdoors with precautions

Summer is definitely the perfect time to explore the outdoors. You can go on various outdoor trips in your most comfortable clothes while carrying the most convenient adventure essentials. However, you should always follow the health protocols whether you’re already vaccinated or not since the pandemic is not yet over. Doing different activities outside will definitely help you improve your motor skills, boost your immune system, and enhance your physical health because they require you to be active and enthusiastic.

So, if you want to go on camping, fishing, swimming, canyoneering, and other related adventures, you should plan it beforehand. You may read books related to your chosen activity and even those literary pieces that focus on traveling and exploring, such as Into the Wild by Mike Honeycutt. After the sorting and planning, you may embark on your journey and make the most out of it.

Go on picnic dates

Many would probably consider picnic dates as old school, but it is definitely a fun bonding moment if you’d try to think about it. It is also low-cost because you wouldn’t be going on expensive trips and dates with your loved ones or friends. All you need is to pack some snacks from your pantry and a picnic mat. Another amazing thing about this activity is you aren’t required to actually do it in public parks because picnicking on your backyards or front yards or poolside will do. You get to enjoy the sun while bonding with your beloveds, which is already hitting two birds with one stone. There are also many advantages that picnics offer, such as relaxation, bonding, fitness, appreciating the view, and more.

Acquire new skills

When you think of summer, the fun and the outdoors might be the first things that will come into your mind. But, what you should also consider doing during this season is to try new things and learn new skills. Focusing on self-development can bring you one step closer to success. These skills can be technical and personal skills that you can apply to your future career and studies. Your everyday chores, such as cooking meals, baking desserts and pastries, cleaning the house, and other stuff, can definitely improve your skillset as they can ignite your decision-making, communication, critical thinking, and other essential abilities.

Ready yourself for the new season

Since the summer is ending, it is also important to take the incoming season into consideration. It is best to be prepared for autumn in terms of clothing, food, and other essentials. This activity will benefit you with regards to keeping your homes and selves comfortable when colder winds blow, and leaves fall. Thus, you may start cutting your lawns, sorting your clothes, restocking your pantry, cleaning the house, and a whole lot more. You also might want to clean the gutters and fireplace and shop for scented candles and essential oils so you will be ready to welcome autumn and say goodbye to summer.

Best Ways to Preserve a Memory

Memories are powerful. They have the ability to bring you so much joy, but they also have the capability to awaken the wounds that you thought that have healed. Regardless of the paradoxical characteristics of memories, they still play a significant part in the person that you are now. Without them, you wouldn’t become grateful for your past and appreciative of your present. Thus, the experiences and people that turned into memories have contributed and molded you into your present self.

The tricky part is they can disappear in a blink of an eye due to several factors, such as old age and memory loss. Thus, this is where the importance of preserving a memory comes in so you can still look back on your fondest moments and bravest battles. With that being said, listed below are the ideal ways to keep a memory.

Write a story

Your experiences are basically raw stories that are yet to be told through written tales or word of mouth. Writing a story based on real events is a great way of preserving a memory. Through this method, you are not only creating a keepsake, but you are also sharing it with other people. Technically, that particular event or person will live forever since your story will never die as long as there’s someone in this world that reads or tells it.

A great example is Grandpa Nick’s Bump, which is a grandfather story by Daniele. The author preserved the memory of her loving husband, specifically the time when he agreed to be the grandfather of the children in their neighborhood. Lynda Daniele’s way of keeping her husband’s story alive is truly wise and remarkable.

Start journaling

Having a journal or diary as an outlet to write down your experiences is good. Why? It is because these materials are practical and old-school methods of expression. So, at the end of your day, you should allocate some time to write not just the important events but also your thoughts, emotions, victories, and even mistakes. You can keep the same routine every day until your journal is filled with wonderful experiences that can make you draw a smile or create a frown on your face once you read it in the future. Moreover, you can also customize your diary by putting stickers on it or using other stationaries that fit your liking.

Create a scrapbook

The scrapbook will never go out of style. Regardless of how many websites and applications offer free scrapbook templates or free photo editing, going through the process of making a scrapbook is incomparably fun and calming. You will need scrapbooking materials and other stationaries in this method. Also, you’ll have to gather the photos that you want to preserve or other keepsakes, like letters, receipts, tickets, and more. If you want to follow a motif on your scrapbook, then you may do so. What makes this way better is the artistic freedom and the relaxation that it offers.

Film the event

If there is one word that will describe this era, then it would be “digital.” There are already millions of people who are into vlogging, which is the act of filming particular aspects of their lives. That said, you are given a choice to film the event, activity, and individual whom you think will turn into great memories when time goes by. There is no need to buy fancy cameras and other equipment, and you can use your phone to snap a picture or take a video of the whole scene.

Hang it on the wall

What does it mean when we say hang it on the wall? It basically means that you could frame a particular memory and display it on your wall. Now that the world is already progressing, there are many ways of preserving a memory that you can hang on your bedroom wall. You can go with the traditional printing of a picture and putting it on a frame. But, you can also have your Polaroid pictures preserved using resin and adding some charms, glitters, and other stationaries in it before it cools down. The said method is definitely a hit today because the finished product is aesthetically pleasing.

Tips in Writing a Heartwarming Book

Becoming an author is a dream come true for some and an unexpected turn for others. Writing has always been an essential skill that everyone has learned during the early stages of their development. Apart from being a crucial ability, there are millions of individuals who fell in love with the art of writing. In other words, writing is no longer viewed only as a skill but also as an art form and a means of expression.

There are just so many stories to tell and emotions to free. That said, it is truly amazing how authors use their talents and brilliant minds in writing tales that bring out the best in people and touching their lives. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, To Kill a Mocking Bird by Harper Lee, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou, and Patchwork: Conversation Between Generations by Carol Wilson-Mack are the best examples of books that boost inspiration and warm the hearts of the readers.

If you are planning to embark on your author journey and write the next bestselling novel, then here are some of the tips that you might need.

List your ideas

Ideas are like energy drinks. The moment they pop into your head, your drive to start and finish a particular task surprisingly overflows. Hence, they play an important role in writing because, without them, there would be no inspiration and reason for expression. The thing with concepts is they may come at different moments. It would be beneficial if you could take a couple of minutes to brainstorm and figure out what concept to use and infuse in your story. Carrying a little notepad and pen may also come in handy if there are ideas that generate out of nowhere on unexpected times. In those ways, you can sort everything out and have a more seamless workflow.

Visualize the elements

Visualization might be the last thing that will come to your mind the moment you thought of writing a book. This step could be essential in helping you with every element of your story. Given that readers don’t only read your work but also imagine each event, then you should also picture out the elements first-hand to evaluate if they fit the concept and they portray what you want to showcase. From your list of ideas, visualize them one by one and see what stands out. When it comes to the characters, be creative in building their appearance and traits, then imagine them moving the story forward. You can do the same to the rest of the story elements. What is significant is you have a clear vision of what you want to inflict in your work.

Write the story proper

Start with the writing process. This is the most tedious but fulfilling step. The first two exercises aforementioned might come in handy during this phase. Utilize what you have listed and pictured out so you won’t struggle so much in writing. Focus on building your world, expressing your thoughts, letting your characters advance the plot, and going with the flow. Do not worry about your progress; what is essential is that you put your heart into writing a remarkable piece. Hence, do not rush or drag your story to its ending without properly crafting its former parts. Also, don’t write for the sake of the readers. Write because you have a magnificent idea that needs to be expressed and shared.

Inject significant details

A story is entertaining. But, everyone can get the same entertainment by watching a movie, playing a sport, hanging out with friends, talking with family, and the likes. What makes a story more impactful is its way of presenting important things in this world that many often take for granted, forget, or set aside. Hence, there should always be parts of your story that highlight something significant. Those don’t have to be the grandest things, but they could also be the littlest events. You may embed different values that you want readers to be reminded of or show the effect of a particular social issue so that your targets will be aware. As an author, there will always be a thing that pushes you to write, express, and voice out your thoughts. Thus, use your voice and inflict them in your story.

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