What Do Words Have To Say?

Imagination

The Power beyond worlds

“A book should be an ice-axe that breaks the frozen sea within us.” -Franz Kafka

This quote is a metaphor which states the bond between books and imagination. “Ice-axe”, The “ice” part makes suggests that what ever is used to break it has to be very sturdy because if you think about it, ice can become really thick and durable, adding that to “axe” makes me think of really strong, powerful weapons. Therefore, creating an impression that we are trapped within our minds, waiting for a creative idea to happen upon us, being the tool to set ourselves free to roam the never ending league of thoughts and beliefs. “Frozen seas within us” is an example, "Frozen" is paralyzing, to be unable to think about or know anything other than what you've been told.

"Frozen" conceals secrets, traps by freezing over and enclosing or falling and entombing something or someone inside. "Seas", for some people are very, very frightening and confusing, they hold many secrets that we only know about through teachings, offers of new things that sound like the impossible may suddenly become reality to an open mind. "Within us" makes me think of the soul. Everyone's souls have fears and all of us cache our most precious thoughts, feelings and desires from one another in fear of criticism, unaware that creativity is nothing without it. These suggestions give me the approach that we are all held in our conscience by the lack of fictional and inventive thoughts. In Basics, what I'm trying to say is that facts are very important but creativity is the point where you hold control in what is. All in all I can explain just what I apprehend when I hear that quote by F. Kafka “Books and literature are the strong weapon that free you from your concealed self.”

The idea of liberating or freeing comes in for people who stick with the facts and only the facts. It can seem like they are captivated in the world of strict, proven information. That’s why fiction can open new doors and awaken the mind to new places and creatures only to be found in the mind. So my shortened term “Books liberate imagination.” can explain what the above quote means to me.

My ice axe is very dear to me. The Chronicles of Narnia are the books that shatter my thick ice as if it were a thin sheet of glass. Narnia is the world where impossible things burst their way into reality and make you stay up all night reading. The author, C. S. Lewis, is a wonderful writer that can turn the most precious biblical stories into page-turners. For me that thought is important because I am a Christian and having the beautiful religion I live by put into a more discreet form is heart warming. When put into less familiar versions biblical adventures can quietly sneak it’s way into the imagination of mind imprisoned people world wide and maybe be the flare that starts their curiosity about the Christian religion . I also enjoy how C. S. Lewis uses Aslan, the Lion as a representation of God. Our god has many names and an example of one is The Lion of Judah. Our God is known to be demanding and “untamed” as Aslan is described. I adore the fact that C. S. Lewis uses fictional characters and supernatural happenings as representations of stories from the Bible.

You Have Got To Love The Baseball Glove

My Hand Held Pleasure

Baseball, the cheer of the crowd, the crack of the bat, the smell of fresh snacks being sold in the stands. Ah, baseball is my absolute favorite competitive sport because there are many pieces of equipment in this game that are used to make it a little less painful. Soccer has shin pads but they do squat to protect you from getting stomped on by cleat spikes, climbing has helmets and support ropes but don't even get me started on how much pain you receive when you're being let down. Batting helmets, bats, bases, balls, cleats, uniforms, and many other “tools” play their part in the world of baseball. My personal favorite is the glove.

I started taking an interest in the sport when I was around six and a half. Every year, when we would go to visit our relatives, I would always tag along and watch my cousins play Middle league baseball. During their practice I would throw the ball around with the team rapidly, having the ball snap in my hand and whiz out once more with a pitch. My hand would be sore afterward though.

On my seventh birthday, when my relatives came to visit us, my uncle took me to the store to let me get a gift with my allowance and I knew exactly what I wanted. Second row down, third one to the left, the baseball mitt I had been coveting for a long time. I used to rush to the sports section to check if it was there, whenever we went shopping in that store. I had been waiting for the day that I could make enough money to buy that comfy hand piece. I scurried over to the stand and picked it up, sliding onto my hand. It was a bit big, but that was exactly what I wanted, over time I could grow into it.

When we got home, I darted to the backyard and snatched up the nearest ball lying on the ground. I was anxious as ever to try out my new glove and I didn’t want to waste any time doing it. My uncle and cousins were pleased that I had taken an interest in baseball, but didn’t want to rush me. They showed me the warm ups for throwing and catching mostly. By the time they had finished my hand was very sore, but not as sore as it would’ve been had I not used my mitt. I broke that glove in with a little work and I have had it for a good five years now. My hand has gotten a wee bit big for it, though, so now I use a different one and I have passed my glove onto my sister, who when she outgrows it, will give it to my little brother, when he can fit into it. I still try to use the glove as a token of confidence whenever I am thrown challenges with my newer one, cause I know that if I could brake in that useful, little glove, I could do the same for this one.