So it's nearing the end of the year, and it's gone in a flash. One moment it was the beginning of the year, the next moment I am faced with the prospect of almost turning 18. The last year I came out of feeling sad and dissatisfied and hoped for a better year. And my wish was actually granted. Karma must have decided to forgive me.  I've had a fantastic year, all in all. It of course hasn't been without it's downsides, but I can safely say 2011 will be a year to remember. Well the parts I can remember of it. Working at The Guardian for two weeks was one of the highlights, coming into contact with some fantastic people not just in The Guardian but through going out. Meeting Luke through having drunk ridiculous amounts, hey who said drinking was bad?! Luke's made a happier person than I could have been before. Living at Occupy London has been the most life changing experience ever. It's something I wish all could experience, in the short time I've been there. I've learnt some life lessons, re-learnt things I've forgotten and made some memories that will define me as a person for the rest of my life.
But for now I'll see you all in the next year.
Happy New Years everyone! :
Charlotte

6 Ways in Which to Fall(back) in Love with the World.

The other night at Bank of Ideas, and even before then I’ve realised despite the world  is and can be absolutely dreadful there’s no need to despair.

1. Talk and hang out with like minded people. There’s nothing worse than having friends who don’t agree with half of what you say.The past month and a bit I’ve managed to spend in the Occupy movement has been absolutely mind opening. I’ve met people who want exactly the same as me and we’ve been campaigning for that.
2. Learn to love yourself. Make peace with yourself, because you can truly love no one before you learn to love yourself. Think of at least one good thing about yourself a day.  “You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywhere. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” - Buddha
3. Be nice to others. Try and do at least 3 good things a day, whether its helping your parents or simply smiling at a stranger in the street. Yesterday I saw an old punk and I smiled, and he smiled back and I got this beautiful feeling that perhaps I’d slightly made that part of his day. 
4. Meditate. It takes a while. I’m not brilliant at it, a lot of time I can only last about a couple of minutes. However it allows you to clear your mind and rest it for a few seconds. Find a quiet corner take deep breaths and focus only on that. You’ll get there eventually.
5. Cut down on complaining!  This sounds silly but rather than focusing on the negative focus on the positive and when it gets to the negative, rather than complain. Think. Think about how you can change the situation at hand. 
6. Remember everything is beautiful.  Even if you live in a city and the skylines are grey and cloudy, there is life around you. Even in the most simplest of things can beauty be found. Look into yourself for that, or even simply a kind act done by someone or a kind stranger, a random meeting or the simplicity of the world itself. “If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.” - Buddha