stream of teen spirit

exercise #23

The concept that we only use 10% of our brain is based on a quote by William James (1908): "We are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources."

We actually physically use all of our brain every day, but this does not mean that we use it well or efficiently.

The fact is that we usually know the answer to everything we need or want to know.  We just need to be quiet enough inside to hear that inner wisdom that will solve our problems and answer our questions.

Today write down 3 questions you have about your life.  Then sit quietly.  Use some form of divination like Tarot cards, Ouija board, Palm Reading, etc.  It doesn't matter if you don't know how to do use these tools.

Pay attention. Look closely. Listen to what comes up in your mind. Do not judge or doubt. Write.

angels sing in the choir (exercise #23)

Whatever it is

It's not there

I'm scared

there's a chair

at the dining room table

and I'm unable to move

I can't prove

there's something there

but I can smell it in the air.

compare the bear

chillin out in the yard

and it's hard

and it's scared

and it's charred

from the fire

retired

wired

angels sing in the choir

that's all I can hear

a song from heaven

beware

cause it could be satan

fakin and waitin

for you to be there.

~ j. clark, 16, (newfane, vt)

i see a happy ending (exercise #23)

At a final destination

Before the rest of my life begins

I see a happy ending

To my hell of a life

At least this too often treadmill section

I see possibilities to find beauties

Internal and external

I observe potential abilities

That help to catch my flying dreams

And level cities with my voice

Because in a place where my voice is heard

I learn to let it go viral

And spread it's apocolpyse now

And my voice is the 4 horsemen

I see my gateway

Like Nas, one mike

To raise me to the glory level

Equivelent to a war-torn war- hero

A place I feel warm, not sub-zero

Understanding hangs in the halls

He comes when I call

And we try to work this problem out

Instead of

Me wrestling, playing peaknuckles

To try and brute force my way

Through my latest brick wall

Now I tag it

Make my problem beautiful

It's a challenge, and now I welcome that

Crack a knuckle now bring

It

On

I feel a wistful smile

That I'm leaving so soon

But they outfitted me

With a straight spine and pride

A true cocky attitude

Not a cover for

Every little chip in my soul

I see fulfilled potential

Music that flows

Laughter that forgets to go on hold

Can I?  I don't have to care!

I can walk with a swagger

Not gonna be just a plastic bagger

Gonna let the music flow

Gonna keep the laughter off hold

~ chris chaloux, 18, (newfane, vt)

a summer day long since passed (exercise #23)

I found myself at an old foster home from years ago.  I recognized the fields of flowers on each side of a dirt road I've been on before.  I could feel the sun, hear the longhorns and dogs, the cicadas, smell the earth, and the flowers, the animals. . .I could feel the breeze in my hair.  I felt the bolt on the front door, the door in the past I have opened many times before.  I see the living room and the huge old couches surrounding the TV.  I smell the lemon air spray they always used.  I noticed the huge fish tank with the same mysterious fish I used to look at.  I head toward the dining room and the kitchen.  I see the old cow decorations but I head through and past the kitchen, down the hallway with windows (always cold, I can feel it without shoes).  I take a left and see two doors which I go past.  I head to the farthest one and see my old pink door sign.

I place my hand on the handle and pull the door open and see my old room with the big window and my old bed though the shelves are bare and the bed is plain.  It had changed over the years but something brown catches my eye: my big old stuffed bear.  I used to cuddle with him when I was little but he has been gone for years.  Yet here he sits on my dresser drawer - brand new shiny, beady eyes looking at me.  It's weird seeing him there.  I sit on the soft blue carpet, lay down and hug him, smelling the fabric he's made of and I look out the window.  The sun is out. It's summer. Beautiful sunset.  Indian paintbrushes and blue bonnets across the land next to the playground.  I stare out at the ranch, its beauty hypnotizing me.

~ allison billetdeaux, bellows falls, vt

what was my past life like? (exercise #23)

The house was blue with a brick wall.  When I found the sword, the words that kept popping up was , what was my past life?  Then I saw a man holding that sword.  He looked like me, but he wasn't me.  The sword had a bunch of weird writing on it.  It looked like it was in pig latin or something.  The writing was at the bottom only.  I could understand it.  I opened my eyes and heard the sword call my name and fall.  I closed my eyes and saw a guy holding a lantern and wearing a robe.  Then I drew a card and on it was the guy I saw.

~ dominic c., (bellows falls, vt)

how long will i live? (exercise #23)

I went to my old house, which is white and has a leaning chimney.  I went inside and the first thing I found was a newspaper from 2030 and it said local actor died of old age.  So I read on to see who died and it was me.  I just sat there looking at it.  Then I turned the page and saw this phoenix and I remembered what a phoenix is.  I remembered that a phoenix is a firebird that dies and comes back to life.  So I was thinking that I might come back to life.

 ~ lucas c., 16, (bellows falls, vt)

shine, sparkle, gleam (exercise #23)

Shine, sparkle, gleam mass riches in the land just connected to the earth beneath my feet.  But others destroy it, not me.  I notice the natural beauty of this land while others say, " Hey, forget that it's not worth saving."  I just look at them and weep silently for the future of this land.  They all say forget it, but maybe it's them that need to be forgotten.

~ dalton m., 16, (bellows falls, vt)

damn, i need to start paying attention (exercise #23)

What career will I take up?

There the house stood, allegedly empty, but I thought different.  It was old and smelled damp, so I went to open the door and as I opened it, it creaked ridiculously loud.  I then walked into the house.  Suddenly the door slammed, then disappeared.  In place of it was a riddle: "If you find your future, you can leave." I then realized why I was here.  No it was not whim but destiny.  I then saw a flimsy door leading further into the house.  So I kicked it in just to feel awesome.  In the room was a small table with a book on it.  I went over and picked up the book.  Before I could look at it, the door to the outside world reappeared written by:  I then flipped it over and there was an older version of me looking right back and I saw the house across the street. Damn, I need to start paying attention. and opened.  I exited the house, book in hand.  The door slammed shut behind me.  I took a closer look at the book and it was gone.  I then looked behind me and so was the house.  I then looked down and found that I had dropped the book.  I looked at the cover and there was my name under written by:  I then flipped it over and there was an older version of me looking right back.  And then I saw the house across the street.  Damn, I need to start paying attention.

~ dalton m., 16, (bellows falls, vt)