Back to Appearance-Looks and Jobs

Hears a post going back to image and employment.

Blue Banana Staff Pic I found

How ones image is maintained will affect perceptions and appearance. It is after all, that time old argument between professionalism and personal individuality. 

It is a hard thing to pull of in some work environments. I have included two pictures hear, one of a Blue Banana store, an alternate outlet store for emo and alternate clothing (I am not passing comment). The other is a Lloyds TSB Bank branch. Each are very different to the other. While this is clear from nothing more than the pictures, there are of course similarities. Each sells things to customers. Again what they sell and how they sell it is very different, but on the bare bones, they are both sales roles.

Lloyds TSB Branch Staff

So why are the expectations different? There are a number of reasons. One is the product, the other the customer. Each is a reflection on the other. Blue Banana caters to a particular clientèle. Those inclined by the emo style and the alternate side. And still, not every goth or emo or alterna kid will shop there. With Lloyds, it is a question of money. They hold your money. YOUR money!! Wouldn't you want a professional body doing this, a body suited and tied, uniformed and trained? Of course you would. If you wouldn't, you wouldn't bank. People go into banks for many reasons. However in their selling capacities, they are selling loans. Mortgages, credit cards, interest rates and ISA's. 

So it goes back to the argument. What are your expectations. You, the customer. We are all customers and sometimes we need to consider what would we think or perceive if we walked into blue banana and saw suited salesmen. Or walked into Lloyds and saw piercings, every hair colour and tattoos? Our perceptions are influenced by our expectations. We expect to see professionalism in a large corporate organisation. We expect individuality in smaller businesses catered to a particular clientèle. 

So where does the middle ground lie. What about the smaller shops, the fashion outlets, those smaller shops that have no apparent uniform. Where does the border lie. When does individuality suffer to professionalism? 

I think if someone has a fantastic job, well paid, and can wear whatever they want are the luckiest people ever. It just isn't the norm. Many companies today recognize this and are changing. There are many a shop where staff members have tattoos, piercings and coloured hair. But this is at a low, retail level. Never will you see an openly pierced or tattooed manager or director in the retail world, not yet anyway. 

And so I guess it comes down to choice, your choice. If you want to remain individual etc and dress in your own way, go into the arty world, Media, design and graphics etc. If you want to follow the corporate road, you may have to conform to a uniform or a perceived image.

The Spiritual Journey-Wicca and Beltane

As you may have realised, I have became interested in the religion, Wicca. I have been doing alot of research concerning this subject recently to ensure I am learning and developing my knowledge. There have been many times when I have gone out, bought everything I need for x,y,and z and then given up weeks later.

By simply reading and researching I feel my knowledge is growing greatly as too is my interest. It is this resistance as it were to dive in that I think is enhancing my learning. While I know my first flurry into Wicca will be far from perfect, I believe it is at least the intent in my heart and mind that will benefit the whole experience.

While I do not wish to commit myself yet, I feel I am ready to learn more and delve deeper into this realm of spirituality. There are initiation rituals that can be taken to fully, self-dedicate, but most of the reading and research I have undertaken point toward one main theme. Wicca is a free religion. Other than the rule of harm none, there are no rules. There are commonly held ideas, norms and ethical beliefs but in terms of stringent rules, there is only one.

Therefore there is a great freedom to act and conduct oneself in a way that feels right to the self. This includes initiation, rituals, celebrations and general conduct. Pretty much everything really just so providing that your intent is true and good.

The festival of Beltane (Circa 1st May) is fast approaching. Seen as an important festival for Wiccan's, it celebrates fertility and the fire of life, nature and creation. It is celebrated with the lighting of fires and the picking of flowers. May poles are traditional and represent the fertility of women and their sexual desire to find a lover.

While I will research this more and its true meaning, it my become the first festival I actively celebrate in the Wiccan tradition.

Along with Tarot cards and other things, I feel my knowledge of the spiritual realm is growing. My own Book of Shadows is growing exponentially and faster than I thought it would.

I will be doing a Tarot Card blog soon.

I will update you on everything.

Blessed Be

)O(

Beauty and Image-The non-universal norm

How we perceive image is both personal and pre-determined. Our upbringing, what we watch on TV, school, the workplace...These all conspire to create an attitude, opinion and perception on what we perceive as being appropriate or beautiful.

Girls magazines portray particular make-up, cosmetics, clothes and hair styles as being 'the best' and 'in fashion'. If we do not adhere to this, we are deemed unfashionable. Perhaps this is a tunnel vision approach but consider this if you will for a moment. Sit in a coffee shop and look out of the window. If you people watch, for say an hour. How many people will you see that one would call 'alternative'? How many do you then see who are like River Island or Topshop models?

Vogue-The No 1 High Fashion Magazine

Let us now consider Africa. The women are considered beautiful with lip plates in their mouths. The bigger the lip plate, the better. Imagine the reaction of people if you walked down your local high street with face paint, a lip plate and ear stretchers?

Now of course this is a cultural issue and subsequently culture determines many of our conceptions, even if we do not realise it. We, in the UK are a westernised culture. While fashion changes from country to country in the west, a certain trend remains; the influence of the TV, media, magazines and whatever the latest retail shops are selling. It is often their own interpretation of the same thing, so it differs marginally.

Therefore, unique and alternative is culturally defined.

What one looks like in the UK may be looked upon in a very different way in Africa or the Middle East say. So everything must be addressed in a cultural perspective. There is great tolerance in the Western culture for most if not all things, in relation to culture and lifestyles. There is great religious freedom to worship whatever and however you want. One can marry whoever they want also, in most countries, be that a gay, lesbian or heterosexual relationship. We can wear whatever we want. We do not need to cover up when we go outside for religions reasons. We can drink alcohol publicly in some places.and purchase it at almost any time. Medicine is readily available and healthcare options vary from the scientific to the divine (such as meditation, massage, reiki and herbal remedies) without fear of persecution for witchcraft of devil worship.

So in a sense we are lucky to live in such a free society. However we must understand the culture in which we live. We have choice. This choice is not without its infringements. Pressure on how to look and what to wear will always exist. But the choice is ultimately ours.

Emotional Responses; Spiritual Questions; Lifestyle Choices

Case and effect.

Every action causes a reaction.

All actions are either balancing or imbalancing; good or bad. Think of it as Yin and Yang. The action of positive and negetive within the world. The reaction to the cause and the balance to the imbalance.

One decision or event is only given relevence due to the reaction given to it, no matter how big or small. The night only exists due to the retreat of the day. For without night, there would only be day. Without day, night would have no unique pupose.

While this is a very Taoist argument, the very same works throught the world. There is a constant flow of energy throught the world. This energy is constant and forever flowing. It is the manipulation of this energy that causes change. This manipulation can be good or bad, but irrespective, still works off and alters the constant flow of all things.

So how does this affect you or me? Anything we do, say, wear or listen to causes a flow of action, to which a reaction must occur at some point. These reactions may be good or bad, major or minor.

It can be made scientific like above but it can also be simplified. Everything we do, will recieve a reaction from another. We are one of 6 Billion people. There will always be positive and negative reactions.



While we as individuals are free to act how we please, one must understand that not everyone will like or dislike your actions. This is simply life. So therfore, to oneself, you must be positive in your own actions to yourself.

Everything you do, has to carry a degree of personal belief. It does not have to be whole heartedly or without doubt. At times you may not even have to like it, but see its worth in doing it. It all comes down to personal perception. Nothing YOU can do is ever going to be wrong, provided you:

1) have a belief in you actions
2) have weighd up the consequences (if any) and considered that this is still what you want to do

Self-belief is a powerful force. Do what you will. I am not advocating war, murder and terrorism. I am simply considerering confidence in engaging in your own beliefs and desires. If you want to wear something others have scorned, wear it, providing you want to wear it and you like it, as well as considering how others may percieve it.

If you do not believe in a faith pushed upon you by your school, church or parents, do not believe in it. Simply be aware of the reactions of this action by others.

Knowledge is key. Don't just do something to annoy and peev people off. This achievs nothing but anguish and conflict. Consider why you want to do this. 'Just because' is not a reason. Not believing in the Roman Catholic Church 'beacuse I just dont' is not a reason and would never be taken seriously.

Do your research. Why do you not believe? Why do you want to believe in this or follow this faith? Why do you want to wear those black, baggy, chainy trousers as opposed to tracksuit bottoms? I am sure there are those of you who believe there is no need to define and justify a choice or life decision. I would agree with you to an extent. However...

If you make broad sweeping statements such as 'I hate religion' or 'I am a Goth', you will inevitably be asked the question, 'why?'

If you then answer, 'Because!' Then you just look ignorant. Learn why you are making these decisions. Not in order to justify your life choices to everyone, but in order to be a conversational individual with a genuine opinion, possibly different to your own.

Being Eclectic-'Pick and Mix' Faith

Ec-lec-tic

adjective

1.

selecting or choosing from various sources.

2.

made up of what is selected from different sources.

3.

not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine,etc., but selecting and using what are considered the bestelements of all systems.

4.

noting or pertaining to works of architecture, decoration,landscaping, etc., produced by a certain person or during acertain period, that derive from a wide range of historicstyles, the style in each instance often being chosen for itsfancied appropriateness to local tradition, local geography,the purpose to be served, or the cultural background of theclient.

noun

5.

Also, ec·lec·ti·cist [ih-klek-tuh-sist]  Show IPA. aperson who follows an eclectic method, as in philosophy orarchitecture.

To be eclectic in anything is said to be pick-and-mix (or so that's how I learned it in Sociology). You take parts of all things and combine them into your own way of doing things.

In my opinion

What a great idea!

It is often thought these days that organised or structured religions have too many rules and regulations that must be adhered to. Some may make sense, others may not. Some may come from the holy book, some may be man made and man implemented.

The advantages of being an eclecticist is that you in a sense, make your own rules. Providing they are not illegal in the laws of your land then why not. To pick and choose what you do and do not want to follow does not make you any more or less of anything.

On my own path of spiritual self discovery, I have found that some things are just not for you. That does not mean, because of that little thing, you cannot follow that path. 

For example, one can lead a good Christian life every day without ever once stepping foot in a church on a Sunday. Going to Church does not make you any more or less of a Christian. So to, on the flip side does going to Church on Sunday justify you being very unchristian all week and just calling yourself Christian because you go to church on a Sunday.

As in life, like all things, if you truly believe in something, and take it to heart, then you will lead that life and follow that path every day. Be this in year heart, you mind, your spirit or your actions.

Calling yourself something does not make you that. Your actions do. 'Actions speak louder than words' as they say. It is the same in life. Wearing what you want to wear. Being who you want to be. Doing what you want to do. It's all connected.

One can be eclectic in all sorts of way. Combining Goth, Punk and Grunge looks. Emo music, Punk looks and going to Gothic clubs. Why not. Life is too short to follow only one path. While we can't have it all, sometimes we should try our hand at anything we want to try. It does not mean you have to stick with it forever. You may find it is not for you. You may find you just get bored of it. I have done that hundreds of times with hundreds of things (mainly sport tho :P)

So my message is, be eclectic. Combine ideas. Combine beliefs. Combine looks, fashion and music. Be your own, be you, be yourself. Always!

Be happy :)

Labels Again- Remember that you are you

Just a quick post today. It's a video that just seemed to sum up alot of my early elements of this blog. The theme is on witchcraft, wicca and what one calls themselves. I feel this is appropriate for me at this time but just give it a look. If anything and nothing more...it makes alot of sense.

Thanx to Blaze Lee Dragon

A Comment on Life

Everything in life happens for a reason (or so some would believe). On the path of life, many things happen to influence and change us. These can be unexplained or completely rational. However, like a maze, we may often get lost, go down the wrong path or have to backtrack. These are all simply stages of life, completely natural and, more importantly, all influence us in some way.

Our lives are often turbulent, unstable and full of 'paths we should have taken', 'options we should have chose'. But while we may think we have taken the wrong choice at some point in life, we have, more often than not, ended up where we are now because of everything that has happened to lead up to this exact moment.

Life influences us in mysterious ways, and while the links may seem intangible, it is the combination of all of life's experiences that create the very moment and life you lead now. What you do now subsequently influences your future. No matter how big or small, memorable or forgetful, it all combines to forge your own, unique existence.

Life is like a maze; a labyrinth. It is full of dead-ends, backtracks and interesting turns. At the end, lies the inevitable end. But on that journey, we must accept the up's and downs.

Whatever you believe, whatever your religion, there is only ever one certainty in life. You will die. Whatever happens after that is uncertain, and it is free to be pondered upon by any faith or belief. However it is whatever happens during birth and death that defines you. How you lead your life affects the memories you leave behind for and with others.

I myself am a very spiritual man. What I truly believe is uncertain so far but I do wish to devote much time soon to studying what I believe in life. I believe in a greater and higher power, a spirit that lives among all things.

I intend to try to document this voyage of spiritual self-discovery.

Book of Shadows-A Spiritual Journey

For those of you that do not know, a Book of Shadows is a witches/wiccan/pagans journal containing important information to them. It could be, spells, rites, art, diary entries, rules, sabbats, rituals and other related things.

It is an important and magical piece of their inventory and it contains alot of concentrated magical power. I feel now more than ever, a pull, a draw toward spirituality. Not necessarily religion per se but I have great faith in something. A force I feel is all around. It binds and connects us with the earth, the trees, the sky and the universe.

This belief has always been with me but again, like most things, I never did anything about it. Yes I gave up on Christianity long ago but I still felt a desire to believe in people. I think of this search simply as a mindset. An attitude towards a better and happier existence. A more fuller experience of all things.

I am yet unsure as to what I believe, however I know what I want from life. I want to be fully happy in all ways. I want to appreciate nature, animals and the universe to the fullest extent. If I were to name my belief system it would be a combination of many things:

American Indian

Buddhist

Paganism

Wicca

Zen

Magick

Tarot

Stargazing

Astrology

But to name a few. 

So I intend to get a hold of a Book of Shadows. Now while I am not a witch or a pagan, I do feel like a Book of Shadows will provide a great reference point for my spiritual journey. It will contain everything I find out, things I find interesting. It will be my book of knowledge. It will act as both a reference and guide for my journey into a new spiritual existence.

Religion and Spirituality-The Subconscious Awareness

I came from a Roman Catholic background. I have been baptised and educated into the Catholic Church and it's ways. It did not take long for me to stray from this pre-determined path for me. I felt the Church was so constricting, full of  double negatives, double standards and double contradictions. I got to a point where I was actively and openly rejecting and denouncing the Roman Catholic Church all of the time. It was not until Sixth Form that I began to truly think about what religion was perhaps the best for me. Whist I had rejected the Catholic way, I still saw myself as a deeply religious and spiritual individual. I have always had a feeling of 'something greater' in the world. That just was not God or Jesus. My gripe extends far beyond the word limit of this blog so I will not go into it.

I started with Buddhism and various other meditation/reincarnation orientated religions. I was perhaps led to this because of a massive fear of death I had. The belief in reincarnation really helped me with that. While I rarely worry about such a trivial thing, when I do, I can just consider such things as reincarnation and rebirth and I am fine. Buddhism stayed with me for a few years. During this time and for a great number more years, I have always been interested in New Age and Spiritualistic Faiths and Religions. These include Wicca, Witchcraft, Paganism and all those in-between These were more of an interest to me than something I truly considered at the time.

 

It has only been until recently that this desire to find my religious and spiritual path growing. There is always a feeling that whist me earthly body is happy and fulfilled, my spiritual one has no grounding and guidance. For me this is really important. I desire this sense of spiritual focus and direction. There has been this feeling of emptiness for the last 3 or so years, perhaps more. This may be due to the imbalances I have had in my earth bound life. This is now, for perhaps the first time ever, happy and stable. I could never effectively practise and preach my beliefs because they were not constant, in disarray and under pressure from my life. 

Even now, there are few certainties. However, I am happy. I am ready to face the world and have a life. My girlfriend mentioned that she thinks I have changed. I agreed with her but I feel it is simply me growing up and changing for the better. Becoming that happy person I have always sought but never found. 

I have always loved Nature, animals and the connection between nature and the earth. I believe in the spirit of the forest and the nature of good in the world. I believe in ghosts, spirits and the paranormal. I believe in reincarnation. I believe in the the chi and balance of good and evil in the world. I believe in evil and its existence as a negative entity in the world, causing war, famine, greed and unhappiness. It is not necessarily about believing in God's and hierarchy. It is simply the appreciation of the world as an entity and as a life force.

In the Native American Culture and Religion, animals and Nature are sacred and are represented as spiritual entities. I simply feel that in the western world we live in today, the values of such things are largely ignored. Why can't someone appreciate the sanctity of nature and the spirit of the animal whist working in an office?

This blog has been clearly developing as some of you may have seen. I am in no way abandoning it but there may be an assortment of both religious exploration as well as the usual alternative comment. I refer you back to a few posts ago, describing the nature of this blog as a mind sorting tool over anything.

I therefore leave you with this video. You will probably know it. 

1.14 always gets me!