Looking After Number One.

There has been a lot of speculation as to whether we need to use vitamin and mineral supplements. Some doctors advocate the use of them, particularly for the older generations and people who have chronic illness.

The fact is our lives have changed radically particularly over the last three decades. Most people do not eat a wholesome breakfast, a nutritious lunch, and consume a proper family meal in the evening. The reality is more like, a quick cup of coffee and toast if your lucky for breakfast, fast food for lunch, and a ready meal in the evening. All packed with high fat and too much sugar, nutrition is last in line.

Another factor in favour of supplements is the fact that modern farming methods strip the soil from its precious minerals. Warehouses keep fresh food too long, and by the time they hit the supermarkets shelves there is very little in the way of nutrition left in the food. Organic food is the best for optimin nutritional values, but it is far more expensive for families to buy. Frozen vegetables are a good choice because they are picked fresh and frozen immediately, which keeps the vitamin and mineral content.

Overall, if you live life at a fast pace, which most of us do in today's society. It would be wise to at least take a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement to cover our daily nutritional intake.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Vitamins_and_Mineral_supplements

Ghosts Of Society

Perhaps this poem is an example of my disillusionment with society. Yet there is truth within the words, for some it is an everyday reality.

Ghosts of Society

In a cloud barren sky

The concrete abomination rises

Dominating, isolating,

It shadows the land

Lonely souls live their lives

Day to day

No one notices

There are no kind words

Youths gather in dark alleys

Shouting, laughing, in a menacing furore

They linger to intimidate the passer by

Tenants scurry like frightened rats

Hoping they won’t be seen

Invisible victims of society

They remember another time, another place

A world bestowed by friendly faces

 ©Suzi Williams 2012

A Window into the World of Inventing a Compelling Character.

The reader should be able to identify with a least some of the facets of a characters personality. This could be through a feeling of empathy, compassion, humour, or at the other end of the scale it could be through sheer revulsion. It all depends on the type of story the writer has created. In the first instance it might apply to a romantic novel or the latter perhaps a murder mystery. The author should lure the reader in with a powerful opening chapter, without giving away too many secrets at the beginning.

A strong character will draw the reader into their exclusive world, creating powerful images through the readers’ own imagination. The character should ultimately feel real, and leave the person holding the book hungry to know more about them and their lives.

The most convincing characters are based on the authors own observations of life, relationships with people, and situations they have encountered over the years. A compelling character will have strengths and weaknesses, which govern their actions and lead them into interesting scenarios, and if applicable dangerous ones.

Reading is a form of personal entertainment, a perfect way to escape from the stresses of everyday life and unwind. Writing on the other hand is an art form, a way to express emotions, desires, explore our inner most feelings, and ultimately create a written masterpiece from the depths of our imaginations.

And finally a writer should also be an avid reader, to learn and grow as an author.

Tiny Dragon

 

                             CGI 'Dragon Art' Suzi Williams

Tiny Dragon

In a magical place
In far off lands
Sits a tiny dragon
With time on his hands

He's watching and waiting
With a wink and a smile
To meet his best friend
Who'll be along in a while

Too young to breathe fire
Or fly in the sky
This doesn't stop Archie from having a try

So if you see him
Just give him a wave
Say 'Hello' to the Dragon who lives in a cave 

© Suzi Williams 2011

'Fuzzy Wuzzy'

‘Fuzzy Wuzzy’ art by Thomas Williams

Fuzzy Wuzzy

In a secret glade, a magical place

Behind a wild bush, peeps a fuzzy wuzzy face

This tiny creature, has dew drop eyes

Like soft pools of ebony, they glint with surprise

His fur is charcoal, like velvet to touch

His whiskers are spiky and black

With his cute button nose and round little face

Fuzzy Wuzzy dances all over the place

He stands on two legs, though only three inches tall

He’s almost human some say

And if you don’t scare him, or frighten him

If you’re very lucky, he’ll come out to play

For Fuzzy Wuzzy is one of a kind

He lives in faerie land

Where the flowers grow tall and the creatures are small

I hope you understand

© Suzi Williams 2011

‘

LITTLE OLD (ME)

Little Old ME

I wish I was normal
Like I used to be
Not plagued by restrictions and allergy

I took it for granted
When I had energy
To go out when I wanted
Not have people judge me

I may look quite normal, even healthy to you
My pain is masked with a smile
Life is still precious
As are family and friends
On your understanding I depend

People Need Structure, Discipline and Love

Over the past two decades there has been a perceivable decline of decent social behaviour. It is sadly a fact that people in general have less regard for each other. This is reflected in the way we treat our elderly, the breakdown of family structure, and the increase in anti -social behaviour.

We might ask ourselves who is to blame. As parents are we too easy on our children now. Most young people are no longer taught to have basic manners, respect for their elders, authority, and ultimately respect for themselves.

In the fifties and sixties parental discipline was an integral part of everyday life. In our schools pupils were expected to be able to sit still and listen to their teacher without question. If a pupil stepped out of line they were sent to the head teacher to be reprimanded. It may have seemed overly strict to some, but in truth it kept young people in line, and helped them learn some self discipline for their adult life.

In those days most families had a proper breakfast and sat down together for main meals. Parents read to their children, and watched television programmes suitable for family viewing. Children had set bedtimes and they weren’t allowed a television or a computer in their bedroom. Unsuitable language was not allowed, nor was there any talking back, or being cheeky to an adult.

In the present day it is becoming more apparent that a lot of young adults are out of control, and more importantly they haven’t the slightest idea how to be a strong parental influence in their own children’s lives. Of course there are exceptions to this. However, it is becoming increasingly hard for conscientious parents to guide their children, especially when their child goes to school and starts socialising among the masses.

Depressing as it may seem, this is not an irrevocable situation. Society just needs to be reminded that all human beings need structure, discipline and above all love to live a fulfilled life.