A World of Purpose and Focus

I've always imagined my ideal world to be a mix between the sixteenth century and the twenty-first century. Could you imagine a world full of the elegance of the sixteenth century and the technology and fashion of today? It would be a dream come true!

Our world today has lost every touch of elegance and respect that once existed in the old world. In Mary Hoffman's "City of Stars," a teenage girl finds herself in a sixteenth century Italy existing in a parallel world to her own; the twenty-first century London. She realized "in spite of the noise and bustle, her world...suddenly seemed thin - a meaningless jumble of events and busyness without purpose and focus," compared to "the formal design and many rules" of the sixteenth century Italy.

I love the century we live in because of our neat fashions and advanced technology (especially in medicine). I would never think of giving up such advancement. However, in my ideal world, I would make the "formal design and many rules" from the old world to be a part of our world. It would be a time of elegant, grand Balls where dancing is an art; not some mess of heads, arms, and legs looking like people are having seizures. Balls were the social life of the young people in the old world. How neat is that? Life for young people, rich or poor, would be less confusing with much more meaning and focus as they are given a chance through apprenticeships to learn a trade...not through a university costing thousands of dollars.

It would be a time when courtship isn't so confusing. A date is simply a walk through the gardens, an evening at a ball or supper with the parents, days of sitting on the porch or near the water fountain talking and enjoying nature. Today, it seems as if money and activities must be a part of courtship to show how fun you are to be around, thereby excluding those without money to spare and those who may not enjoy such activities. In old times, all that mattered for guys was that they had a respectable trade, personality, and loved and respected the girl and her family with all his heart.

In my ideal world, people wouldn't think about walking by others with their heads down and shoulders slumped. Everybody would stand tall and greet others with a bow, at formal events, or a tip of a hat or nod of the head, if passing by.

I couldn't agree more with Mary Hoffman's character, Georgia, when she thought, "in spite of the noise and bustle, her world...suddenly seemed thin - a meaningless jumble of events and busyness without purpose and focus."

Thomas Stanley Jr

The Perfect Team

As the noblest of God's creations, Horse and Man share a special bond. Each holds a special level of trust in the other, creating the perfect team.

Thomas Stanley Jr

An Optimist's View on Happiness

I was once asked by a wise man, "Son, are you happy?"

I half smiled and responded, "I'm alright."

The man regarded me for a moment as if he could see right through me and asked, "Just alright, huh? Tell me, when do you plan on being happy?"

I chuckled a bit and said, "Well, you know, when things actually start workin' out for me."

The man paused for a moment, obviously displeased with my answer. He then asked me, "Son, How in the world will you be happy then if you are not happy now?"

"I'm not sure I understand," I said, unsure of where he was going with this.

"Let me explain, the man said, "You and I are here right now speaking with each other. We are not existing in the past, nor in the future. We exist now!"

"Okay?" I said, still not quite understanding.

Seeing the confusion on my face, the man continued, "You, my friend, are striving to live in the future. You are hoping for happiness; looking forward to it, even. Yet, you forget that you can be happy now, even amidst all the struggles you currently face. Our future is based off the lessons we learn in the present. If you do not learn to be happy now, I can promise you, you will not be happy then!

I fought to hold back the single tear falling down my cheek, with no avail, as my new friend finished lecturing me. All I said as I looked him directly in the eyes was, "Thank you!"

He tipped his hat to me and said, "My pleasure!" as he got up and walked away.

I thought long and hard about these words from a wise man who understood what life is truly all about. I learned that life is about those happy moments we are living in now. Yes, we live for the future and the happiness it will bring. But, we must learn to be happy now before we can be happy then!

Thomas Stanley Jr

The frost twilight passes away

For one of my English Literature classes, I was required to write a "replacement poem." I had never done this before, but found it quite intriguing. To create a replacement poem, you choose a poem and substitute all the nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs with the same part of speech. You can either leave the conjunctions and prepositions or you can replace them. Basically, the point is to produce a poem with the same style, but making it your own. During the Renaissance Era, ambitious poets would often use the style and/or the tone of other famous poets (usually the poets of the previous Medieval Era) to develop their work. Then, as they improved their skills at writing poetry, they would invent a style and tone entirely their own.

I hope you enjoy this replacement poem I created based on T.S. Eliot's, "The winter evening settles down." Though T.S Eliot's poem had a much deeper meaning than simply describing a winter's evening, it inspired me to write a poem limited to the image of a winter's evening. Winter is my favorite time of year, so I found creating this replacement poem quite fascinating...

The frost twilight passes away
By Thomas Stanley, Jr.

The frost twilight passes away

With feel of ice in winds.

Sundown.

The frost-bit air of snowy nights.

And again a misty blanket cakes

The frozen ears

Of cloaked people on their way

And children in white yards;

The blanket sticks

On iced walks and house-tops,

And at the end of the road

A lost house-pet shivers and whimpers.

And then the white-out of the sky.

My Patronus - The Wolf

Lately, I have been day dreaming about what my Patronus would be. Actually, this was fairly easy to figure out. The Wolf is my absolute favorite animal, so of course the wolf would be my Patronus. However, the wolf is much more to me. You know those times when you, your friends, and your family would try to guess what animal you would all be? Well, mine was always the wolf. In many ways, the wolf and my character are closely related. Let me explain.

Many of you most likely believe a wolf is vicious and scary, for that is how they appear to be. For this reason, they are seriously misunderstood creatures; for inside, they are quite the opposite. Wolves are intelligent, friendly animals who love and protect those close to them. Once you get to know them, you find they are loyal friends. The only time a wolf gets defensive is when they are threatened or scared. If you are scared of them, they will be scared of you. Wolves can be tamed by the right people; those who truly understand them. However, in spirit, they will always be wild and free. The wolf's personality is my personality, which creates a tight bond between this animal and I. So, if I did have a Patronus, the wolf would be it; not just because I want it to be, but because it would make sense.

Thomas Stanley, Jr.

What would your Patronus be? Leave a comment below explaining what your Patronus would be and why.