beautiful thinking

Happiness Handbook A Publication of the Jefferson Forest High School Literary Magazine Fall/Winter 2012

Table of Contents Page Contents 4……………... “Untitled” by Destiny Barnett

6…………………..“Untitled” by Adam Gibson

8…………………………….. “Words of Wisdom”

by Lydia Brown

10…………………………….………......“Possibility”

by Sarah Hanson

11…………“Everything Happens for a Reason”

by Kaylyn Brooks

12…………………………...“Phenomenal Woman”

by Maya Angelou

14…………………….... “Untitled” by Kary Frost

15………………... Haiku by Rebekah Matthews

16……………………….. “Can You Repeat That?”

by Devon Clapp

Table of Contents Page Contents 18…………………………………………….... “Dream”

by Hannah Bowyer

20…………………....“Untitled” by Lydia Brown

22……………………………….….“Dance With Me”

by Caleb Pollard

24……………………………..… Memorable Quotes

26…………….…. “Ride the Ride” by Joe Norton

28………………………... “Notes” by Allie Gossen

29………………….. “Untitled” by Callie O’Brien

30……………………..... More Memorable Quotes

32………………………………………... “Graduation”

by Alex Richardson

33………………………....“Not You Say but I Say”

by Rickki Jones

Art by Nathan Johnson

Photography by Danielle Holmes

It’s not as serious as you think, I promise. That test you didn’t study for? You won’t remember it in a year. That homework you forgot to com-plete? It’s only a fraction of ten percent, why fret? When you’re sitting in your room, crying with a major migraine because you just can’t get it, there’s no way you can do it, you’re done, think about what it really means to you. Yes, a bad test grade can bring you down, but you can bring it back up. A missing homework assignment or a lousy quiz won’t kill you. A “B” or even a “C” in a class you tried really hard in is not as detrimental to your health as you think. As long as you try, that’s all that matters. This is not an invitation to

This is not an invitation to slack. Being successful in school and AP classes and sports and anything else you try requires

you, all 100% of you. To be an expert, Malcolm Gladwell states that you need 10,000 hours of practice. As I’m sure none of you can put aside that many hours to become an expert, just give it all you’ve got. As long as you do the best you can, you have done your job. So when you’re anxious or worried, just

put it into perspective. Give all you’ve got, but don’t stress about what you can’t give.

Destiny Barnett

In the middle of a year filled with col-lege applications, tests, quizzes, and due dates, it is important to pause every once in a while and take your-self a little less seriously. While you may not remember how to factor equations after just a few weeks of summer, you have the opportunity to make memories--like this one--which you will never forget.

Adam Gibson

Words of Wisdom:

Don’t grow into a cynic. It’s not worth it. There

will be skews and skews of people who will tell you

it’s far better to embrace the concept of “realism”,

to prepare oneself for the disappointments of hu-

man life by growing to expect them as well as the

worst in others. Far too many people believe that

growing up means becoming disillusioned, dis-

trustful, worrisome. And honestly, that should not

be the case. Learn to believe in something. Grow to

expect the best in people, hope for things others

may scorn as impractical, naïve, or fanciful--

Neverland and Narnia will still exist if you let

them.

By Lydia Brown

Photography by Rebekah Matthew

“You can’t keep the bird of

sadness from flying around

your head, but you can keep

them from nesting in your

hair.”

–Walk Two Moons

We dwell in possibility as well. Consider yourself a lump of clay ready to be

shaped into an elegant vase or intricate sculpture, or a blank canvas about to be-

come a Monet or a Warhol. Up to this point, our lives and education have been

largely straight from the cookie cutter, all taught to pass some standardized test.

Right now, you are just one of millions of high school students carbon copies of

the variations of the education standards. However, this molded stage of life is

fading quickly and soon we must find a way to use this generic education as a

launch pad to go wherever else we plan, whether that be college, the military, or

trade school. From there our paths and selves become even more differentiated. It

is in these places that each of our possibilities shifts into realities. Things we used

to only be able to read and hear and dream about can become our livelihood. The

world at or feet, full of opportunities and vacant positions that we will fill. We

just need to take the first step, the initiative to get there. We will no longer say, “I

could become,” but rather “I have become.”

Sarah Hanson

– Emily Dickinson.

Photography by Jessica Nolte

– Emily Dickinson. High school is a very stressful time for every teenag-er no matter the size of his or her course load is or how many extra curriculars they can fit into their busy schedules. There will always come a time in your high school career when you feel bombarded with homework or fail a quiz or test. And unfortu-nately you may encounter hardships in your life out-side of school such as death of a friend or a loved one or any other emotional crisis. Personally, I dealt with all of these throughout my four years in high school but I stressed to myself how important it was to not let down or give up. I told myself "everything happens for a reason". I may not have known the reason then but now I understand all of my hard-ships and failures have made me who I am. If you think about it, your past makes up the framework for your future! I can leave high school knowing I did my best and I have become a more intelligent indi-vidual not only in school subjects but in reality. Re-member to never give up or lose hope in yourself be-cause you know now that everything happens for a reason so that you can become who you are meant to be!” ~Kaylyn Brooks

Phenomenal Woman By: Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size

But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies.

I say, It's in the reach of my arms

The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips.

I'm a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That's me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please, And to a man,

The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees.

Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.

I say, It's the fire in my eyes,

And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet.

I'm a woman Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman, That's me.

Men themselves have wondered What they see in me.

They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery.

When I try to show them They say they still can't see.

I say, It's in the arch of my back,

The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style.

I'm a woman

Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman,

That's me.

Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing

It ought to make you proud. I say,

It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, 'Cause I'm a woman

Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman,

Photography by: Jessica Nolte

We are all

bits of stars

and

pieces of the

sky,

our souls

shine

with moon drops

but you,

you

shine

with the golden

rays

of the

sun.

By Kary Frost

“Can you repeat that?” by Devon Clapp

Can you repeat that? I’m sorry, I was distracted I want to listen, I assure you My focus seems to wander Wait, what did you say? You should really speak up There is too much going on I’m trying to learn Do we need to write this? A yes or no would suffice Oh see, no more lead I must find a pen How important is this? There must be a theme some-where I could make one up No, I must find one

Photography by Destiny Barnett

Will this be on the exam? I think I’m failing I think I’m being dramatic This happens frequently May I ask a question? We should watch a movie No, let’s play a game I’m a great winner Was that due today? But you said Tuesday I should be more organized I will start tomorrow Would you like my opinion? That was rhetorical My opinions are always right Such insight is blinding What was that again? No, I was not talking That would be rude You have my full attention

My fellow classmates: I have a bit of advice for you. For many of you know

you will read it and never forget it. My goal is for you.

If I can plant a seed in your mind and make a differ-

ence then at least I know that someone was touched.

Open your ears, open your mind, and block out the

world around you for just once moment.

Artwork by Grace Kim

By Hannah Bowyer

Everyone dreams. It comes from the heart. It

comes from the soul. And it comes from the mind.

Dreams change but they are never something to doubt.

Accomplish your dreams and they shot for more. Nev-

er go back from your dreams because there may be an

obstacle in the way. Don’t do what I almost did. If you

give up then you will regret. Now follow me in this…

dream stands for more than what happens when your

eyes are closed or opened.

and I want to stare at what I’m seeing

curled in my hands: my own body

curled in

the world’s womb…where (an after-

thought) has been

sleeping (born) a material being

breathing tried and tired a fear to feel

embryonic warmth is never freeing

mother world keeping me (living) un-

real

newcolored footsteps I’m one-two-

threeing

say I’m Alive! and what walks on my

skin—

the tread of oceans wide and moun-

tains thin—

has me fumbling with the lock I’m

keying

(I’m small, but I infinitely begin

on a bicycle, a spoke on the wheel)

By: Lydia Brown

Dance with me. Flowing dress and fragile form Curled edges of a browning body. I shall be your air, Your breath, your breeze. Now is our time.

Carried by the wind The changing seasons Once apart, now together. How often does this happen, When will this happen again? Never—so now let me be Zephyr. For unto the night, Rumba!

Summer once here, Now our reckoning, our juncture Tomorrow: brisk, and us

But all is well, for you and I united.

I ask for only this—

Dance with me. And until our time gone, Tango!

Photography and Poem by Caleb Pollard

gone.

For God has not given us For God has not given us

the spirit of fear; but of the spirit of fear; but of

power, and of love, and power, and of love, and

of a sound mind.” of a sound mind.”

2 Timothy 1:72 Timothy 1:7

”Imperfection is beauty, madness

is genius and it's better to be

than absolutely boring.”

― Marilyn Monroe

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” —Abraham Lincoln

“If you fell down

yesterday, stand

up today.”

- H.G. Wells

Photography by Jessica Nolte

As we approach the end of high school, the ques-tion that arises is not whether we will face chal-lenges in our future, but rather how will each one of us choose to deal with them. I have found that in almost every conflict, being negative is the easy way out. It is a choice. Just think—it’s easy to com-plain. It’s easy to critique others before we remem-ber to critique ourselves. I wrote this poem while thinking of the numerous opportunities available to an optimist, and I hope it helps both me and others to grasp the benefits of positive thinking.

Art by: Rahmon Ross

As we approach the end of high school, the ques-tion that arises is not whether we will face chal-lenges in our future, but rather how will each one of us choose to deal with them. I have found that in almost every conflict, being negative is the easy way out. It is a choice. Just think—it’s easy to com-plain. It’s easy to critique others before we remem-ber to critique ourselves. I wrote this poem while thinking of the numerous opportunities available to an optimist, and I hope it helps both me and others to grasp the benefits of positive thinking.

By: Joe Norton

Ride the Ride

"When your notes start looking

like this, you should probably

sleep more... at home."

-Allie Gossen

“

Photograph by: Danielle Holmes

+

Never fear! Graduation

is near. “The tassel is worth the

hassle”- Anonymous

+

Not You say but I say...

You say I cannot,

You say I will fail,

You say I will come crying back,

head covered by my tail.

You say I am nothing,

You say I won't succeed,

You say I will never get all I want or

need.

But I say I can make it,

I say I will win,

I say I will show you all what I have

deep within.

I say I will go the distance,

Leaving your 'you say' in the dust.

Because my success isn't a maybe,

Its a must!

I will show you,

I will show you soon,

My success is a promise, By: Rickki Jones

Editors:

Destiny Barnett

Lydia Brown Taylor Cooper

Cameron Duncan Kary Frost

Kelsey Layman Teresa Merk Joe Norton

eunoia (yoo'-noy-ah) (n.) - from Ancient Greek εὔνοια (“goodwill”, literally “beautiful thinking”)