Feelies

Sometimes out of nowhere a certain feeling comes over you, one that is all to familiar. The human heart is an interesting thing.
The brain can spend hours rethinking the same event over and over, trying to remember even the smallest thing that might have gone unnoticed at the time. In the end it can even do a great job of convincing others, and yourself, that your emotions pertaining to that specific incident are under control, and they very well might be. Things are forgotten in time, new memories replace old ones and people grow up, they grow apart and then they grow old. However, there is something to be said for that unstoppable force that occurs when the heart and the brain synchronize for even a moment. You have all felt it, and I personally think it defines the term bittersweet.
Its that first warm breeze you feel in spring that reminds you of summer, it’s the short whiff you get of an ex’s scent, it’s the unexplained smell of a campfire in the midwinter that brings you right back to summer camp and its the song that you hear in the background which reminds you of your first kiss. These moments cannot be controlled and depending on circumstance can be either heartbreaking or heartwarming. I recently felt a breeze that smelt of a cool summer night, the kind where you put a sweatshirt on and immediately mold into it allowing your spine to curl forward as you pop the hood and stretch the sleeves over your hands. I last felt that sensation with someone who was special to me but is no longer in my life. I got goose bumps, then I smiled and then I returned to reality after living in the moment for only a brief second. In my circumstance it is important to remember why that person is gone, however sometimes, regardless of how much pain your hart felt and how hard your brain had to work to get over it, it’s a blessing to be reminded that you once felt that way and to know that feeling is possible again. Happy feeling to you all and may your first breeze be bittersweet.

Unstoppable Disaster.

In the fast paced world that we live in, it is sometimes difficult to press on the breaks, and when and if we do, we are all guilty of the “justifiable” rolling stop. Two weeks ago an earthquake hit the island of Haiti, and although the ground was literally moving below them, a nation stood still for just a moment, holding onto the hope and praying that the damage would be minimal. Regretfully, that was not the case. The damages from the earthquake were dramatic and have affected millions of people, not only in Haiti, but also around the world.

It is bitter sweet when watching the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake unfold. Through watching the news, reading an article, or hearing a tidbit of conversation from passersby, I am constantly reminded and updated on the death toll and damage done by the tragic natural disaster. I know that you are wondering where there could possibly be any good in this situation, and you’re right is thinking there isn’t any. However, if you take a minute, you will recognize that beneath all the greed, anger and frustration that the world has sadly become immune to, there lies a common understanding of compassion and unity.

It seems to me that this tragedy has made people not only slow down, but come to a complete stop, if only for a moment. In a society where it is sometimes a challenge to remember the milk or find time to go to the drycleaners, it fills me with joy to see individuals and groups come together to plan events, and raise money and awareness, for those in need. In a nation, where Starbucks is essential to most mornings, it warms my heart to see that people will forgo there weekly fix of overpriced lattes in order to help the traumatized Haitians.

Over the past few weeks I have seen countless Facebook groups, websites and tweet challenges that aim to raise money for Haiti. Cellular networks and online media have created opportunities for even the busiest of people to donate. Initiatives are popping up wherever I look, from making fashion T-shirts to bumper stickers and hosting telethons or concerts.

It is never too late to get involved, or start an initiative of your own, but for those of you who want to help by donating your time and especially if you have an interest in fashion/arts, then you might want to pay attention to this. All over my homepage were invitations to a model search being held at Reign Nightclub tonight, Friday January 29. The event is being held to gather anyone who is interested, regardless of experience, in walking down a runway to raise money for Haiti. The event sounds like a blast and would be a great way to get involved while combining Fashion and Fundraising.

I often have to stop myself from getting caught up in the superficial elements of life and remember to give thanks for all that I have been blessed with. When life gets me down, I try and focus on what’s important. Most likely, what I am going through is controllable; whereas for others it is not. When my life gets heavy I can put on the breaks; when their lives fell apart, there was no stopping it. That is a message to remember for the next time your jeans don’t fit or your hair falls flat.