The Beat Generation

Hey there

So for the last couple of weeks I have been captivated by the beat generation and their legacy. The beat generation was a group of writers during the post WW2 period. They explored spirituality and religion, they rejected materialism and the conformist values of society, they stood for liberation and exposure true human characteristics. The beat generation were poets, novelists and playwrights.

The most popular of beat literature is Jack Kerouac's On the road and Allen Ginsberg's Howl. Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, William Burroughs and Lucien Carr were the core group of beat generation authors, they celebrated creativity and non conformity. Beat literature is seen as a literary revolution that inspired American culture during the 1950s.

Beat literature is all about exposure of the human condition, it is about carpe diem- seizing the day no matter the cost. It is about living a true and meaningful life. The film Kill Your Darlings shows how the core group of beatniks met in columbia university and tells the tale of the beginning of their journey of becoming one of the most influential sub-cultures of the 20th century. Beat literature is one of my favourite genres as it really exposes true human characteristics and has such a powerful poetic influence.

Here are some recommendations for you to read:

• On the road- Jack keroac
• Howl- Allen Ginsberg
• Naked lunch- William Burroughs 
• The first third- Neal Cassady
• Kaddish- Allen Ginsberg 

There are also loads of films based on the beat generation, here are some that I've seen and recommend: 

• Kill Your Darlings
• Howl 
• On The Road
• Pull My Daisy 

So read or watch, but I urge you all to delve into the beat generation, 

Amani 

Invest Your Time

Hey guys,

So, Suli breaks made a video about this concept and I wanted to share it with you today. Time is our most valuable asset. Everyone has it, its the equalizer of humanity but what sets you apart is how you spend your time. Whether you're broke or rolling in it, you always have time to invest, time to grow, time to invest in your future. Time is what gives you success, investing your time in your craft, your business, your passion- that will bring you success. Don't expect to be successful without giving your time towards it.

Treat your time like your money. Invest. You wouldn't spend money on people you don't like- so don't spend your time on them. Be smart with your time. Use it wisely and reap the rewards later. If you want to get somewhere or so something, there's no reason you cant do it. Don't use your financial status or anything else as an excuse, because we all have time and time is all you need. Make a plan, work hard, spend time on it and it will happen.

If you're not doing anything with your time, you are wasting your best asset. If you want to spend your time doing nothing, that's fine but just don't expect anything out of it. Life is what you make it. Don't rely on other people to invest time in you, if you don't invest time in yourself and your future.

Amani xx

You Are Rich

Hello!

So everyone wants to be rich, right? But rich in what? Wealth? Wealth of what? Money? Kindness? Love? We can have such a wealth of different things that make us rich but why are we all so fixated on the money kind? Being rich is not about having money, its about having an abundance of wealth. And you can decide the type of wealth you want to be rich in.

Success is often linked closely with "being rich", but what is success? Success is the accomplishment of an aim, it is setting out and achieving your goals. Successful people don't have to be rich with money, they are rich with experience, thoughts, accomplishments. They are dancers, singers, mothers, fathers, students, artists. Successful people can be "rich" and they can be "poor" it just depends on who is classifying them as successful and their definition.

When you think that you're poor, try to think about your definition of rich. Is it just about money? Or can you be rich in peace and love? Humility and kindness? I bet that you can think of so many traits that you are rich in.

Just remember that wealth and success are not synonymous with money. Its not about how much change you have in your pocket, its about how much change you make in your world around you.

Amani xx

Creativity

Hello there,

So today I wanted to talk about creativity. The word often has connotations of drawing, painting, making music or just generally making stuff and creating things. People don't often think of me as a creative person because I'm not that great at conventionally creative things-like I'm not a very talented artist or musician. However I do think that there is creativity in appreciation. I am an art appreciator and I love listening to music (this sounds so pretentious, I know). I also think there is creativity in thinking. In thinking of concepts or ideas, imagining and dreaming.

Sometimes the word creativity bounds us down so much by the things that are expected of "creative people".  I think today we are all just put in categories and not allowed to venture out. Before, we just used to have philosophers. Thinkers. Now, we divide them up into scientists, musicians, politicians etc. Some people are deemed uncreative but if you think about it, what is more creative than science? Creativity can be found in anything and anyone. We need to stop letting the word bound us down and start defining the word in new and innovative ways.

People are creative in loads of different ways, and that's great! Creative things are a great outlet of emotion but its not so great when you're restrained to only a few activities.  So I guess the point of this post is don't worry if your idea of creativity is different to other peoples. Find your creative outlet and thrive in it!! Whether it be poetry, writing , art or science, reading, music, find it and own it.

Amani xx

Finding Yourself...Some Thoughty Thoughts

Hello there,

Today I wanted to talk about finding yourself. I've been thinking about this a lot recently and I've come to the conclusion that maybe you don't or can't find yourself, maybe you create yourself. I know that's a pretty bold statement but just hear me out.

To me, the finding suggests that something was lost before. So if you've never lost yourself how can you find yourself? And if you don't know whats lost how can you be sure you're finding or searching for the right thing? Another direction to go in is finding in the sense that you're searching for something. Like a quest of something. I know a lot of people say they want to go travelling to find themselves. But to be honest want do they expect to find?

I think through these experiences you create yourself. For example wont your travels offer you different experiences that will ultimately shape you as a person? Instead of finding yourself aren't you building up yourself, creating the person that you will become? People try different things in attempt to find themselves, but aren't you just molding yourself as an individual? Filtering out all the things that you're not interested in? And keeping the ones that you are?

I think you can never really be found as a person. We are constantly developing our personalities and interests. Instead of going through futile attempts to find myself, I'm going to use all the opportunities and experiences available to create myself.

If you have any thoughts about this let me know!
Write to you soon,
Amani x

Books: A Mitch Albom Trio

Aloha!

So today I wanted to share with you three books that I've read recently, all by Mitch Albom. Im probably a bit late to jump on the Mitch Albom bandwagon but nevertheless here I am! Mitch Albom is an american author and musician. I've only read 3 books of his but they are honestly amazing and definitely worth the hype.

This is my humble collection

The Five People You Meet In Heaven 
This book is about a man who dies, when he gets to heaven there are 5 people waiting for him. Each of these five people have some sort of connection to his life, through this ,Eddie (the main character) learns and understands more about his life and events that took place. This book is very moving and thought provoking. It talks about after life in a very different and poignant way- that is really refreshing and intriguing. This book made me think about my actions and how they affect my life and the lives of others. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is interested in after-life and self development.

Have A Little Faith
This book starts of with a Rabbi asking Mitch Albom to write his eulogy. Its a great book that delves into different faiths and highlights the importance of faith. The character voice is Mitch's but as you read it, there are different perspectives and views on display. This book makes you question your compassion, feelings and judgments. This book may be the best non fiction book I've ever read, apart from maybe, Tuesdays with morrie...

Tuesdays With Morrie
Tuesdays with Morrie is also a non fiction book written by Albom. It is about Mitch and his old dying professor. Morrie teaches his last course in the subject life. Each chapter is a compelling lesson to both Mitch and the reader. Through this book, I learnt more about life and about myself. This book refreshes your outlook on life and makes you really think about your life and your actions. This book is one of the most inspiring and enlightening book I've read in a long time.


Mitch Albom is a beautiful writer whose books take you along a journey. These books will make you laugh, cry and cringe. But most importantly- It will make you feel something. I would go so far to say these books are an art form.

Sorry this post has been a long time coming,
Hope to write soon,
Amani xx

Redbridge Youth Election 2015

Hello there! 

So in my last post I mentioned the youth elections and I just wanted to go more in depth and do a post about it. The youth election is an annual event to elect members of youth parliament for your borough. 

This year I am a candidate in the London Borough of Redbridge's 2015 Youth election. I'm going to tell a little bit about the process of the candidacy. So first things first im a realest   I had to nominate myself, this just meant I had to fill out an online form and write a short personal statement about myself and why I should get the role of MYP (member of youth parliament). Then I was invited to a manifesto workshop and my interview. If you don't know,a manifesto is the things you will try to achieve- if elected. So I went along and got some guidelines for what my manifesto should be, it was also my interview with a panel of 2014s MYPS and DMYPs (deputy myp's). I then had a couple of weeks to write my manifesto and send it in. A week or so later I found out that I had made the top 10 and was now on the ballot paper! Yippeee

So I thought Id share my manifesto with you, for the youth elections you need 3 points to achieve. 

1. Give young people more of an insight into careers and ways to develop skills. 

 For this point I would like to hold more career mentoring events to aid young peoples                          discovery into future career paths.  I would also like to have more workshops for young people            to develop the skills needed for their future. 

 2. Create more opportunities and events to celebrate young peoples talents in creative arts          and literature.

I am really passionate about this point, I feel that there is a lot of emphasis on sports in                         Redbridge and young people who excel in arts need a chance to showcase their talents. For this           point I would like to have a Redbridge youth festival to showcase young peoples                                   musical/dance/theatrical talents. To celebrate young peoples talents in modern literature I would         like to create a youth blogging competition within the borough. 

3. Make young people more politically aware and promote youth politics. 

As it is the general election this year, I thought it would be good to make young people more politically aware. Everyones always debating on lowering the voting age to 16 yet right now, we dont have enough political knowledge to vote. I also aim to promote youth involvement in politics for example young cabinet, youth council etc. 

So the election takes place from the 2nd to the 12th of February, If you find yourself in Redbridge and you're aged between 11-18- MAKE SURE YOU VOTE!! 

If you'd like to read the other candidates manifestos or get more information click here 

Write to you soon, 

MYP candidate,

Amani Khan x