The Pool Room is where we place some of the creations that inspire us and indentify us and our struggle towards a better world.
Literature
'That I a Better Person May Be' by Fred Burks 2006
Light that lies deep inside of me
Come forth in all thy majesty
Show me thy gaze
Teach me thy ways
That I a better person may be
Darkness that lies deep inside of me
Come forth in all thy mystery
Show me thy gaze
Teach me thy ways
That I a better person may be
Love that lies deep inside of me
Come forth in all thy unity
Let me be thy gaze
Let me teach thy ways
That I a better person may be
http://worldpeace.org.au/poems-description.asp?id=98
Fred Burks is writing about self examination being the way to becoming a better person. He examines both his good and bad attribute so that eventually he might understand himself better. He wants to be able to love himself for both his good and bad attributes so that he can be a good example to others.
ALIVE!
Fear is not a conclusion,
that dear sir, is an Illusion.
It is only the beginning,
for it is I, who is winning.
In the game of life i strive,
on blood and guts I thrive.
So push me down if you dare,
you'll see I don't really care:)
For here, I'm as hard as stone,
and i fear NOT to be alone,
Living my life as mine,
seems my only crime.
So It seems these scars are yours,
for none or whatever cause.
So I'll leave you with a smile,
and I'll see you in a while.
Now into the deep end of life i dive,
and it feels damn good to be alive! by Ange Hoskins
This poem raises awareness for the individual's need for self respect (or responsibility to one's self) and demonstrates the positive use of assertiveness as a tool. It inspires us to stand up for ourselves, our needs and our beliefs.
Art
"Beyond the Mirror" - by Andy Goldsworthy
According to the current catalogue on his work (Boutwell Draper Gallery, 2006), "Goldsworthy brings no adhesives or tools to the work site. What he creates is completely dependent on the environment he works in. The materials and tools he uses are only those on hand in the remote locations he works: twigs, leaves, stones, snow and ice, reeds and thorns."
Suggestion box
http://sunday.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/art_profiles/article_1934.asp
"Harry the Love Scarecrow" - by Julie Hauritz
"Harry is the protector of my garden. He holds the key to my heart and loves nothing more than me holding onto his love handle."
Music
"Imagine" by John Lennon
"Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today...
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religon too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace...
Imagine no possesions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
In a brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...
You may say i'm a dreamer
But i'm not the only one
I hope some day you'll join us
And the world will be as one"
http://www.john-lennon.com/songlyrics/songs/Imagine.htm
Released in 1971, this song has made a great impact on the movement towards a better world. Lennon's dream is a world where all people are; "living for today", "in peace" and "sharing the world". It is a dream that is common amongst all humankind. Such inclusive aims for society are necessary for strengthening relationships that ensures human survival and prosperity for future generations.
Lennon suggests that he may be labelled a 'dreamer'. Humankind is capable of achieving much more than what we see today. It is sometimes the dreamers that inspire the vision so that others can create the roads to lead the rest of us there.
"Utopia" by Alanis Morissette
"We'd gather around all in a room fasten our belts engage in dialogue
we'd all slow down rest without guilt not lie without fear disagree sans judgement
we would stay and respond and expand and include and allow and forgive and
enjoy and evolve and discern and inquire and accept and admit and divulge and
open and reach out and speak up
This is utopia this is my utopia
This is my ideal my end in sight
Utopia this is my utopia
This is my nirvana
My ultimate
we'd open our arms we'd all jump in we'd all coast down into safety nets
we would share and listen and support and welcome be propelled by passion not
invest in outcomes we would breathe and be charmed and amused by difference
be gentle and make room for every emotion
we'd provide forums we'd all speak out we'd all be heard we'd all feel seen
we'd rise post-obstacle more defined more grateful we would heal be humbled
and be unstoppable we'd hold close and let go and know when to do which we'd
release and disarm and stand up and feel safe
this is utopia this is my utopia
this is my ideal my end in sight
utopia this is my utopia
this is my nirvana
my ultimate"
http://www.alanis-morissette.com/lyrics/urs.html#11
Alanis Morissette sings about her dreams of a Utopia or a better world for all. It inspires the fact that when, one day, humankind is living in such a period, farthest from our minds will be what terrible things aren't happening. It highlights the fact that to achieve positive results we must focus on positive goals.
"Dizzy Edge of Freedom" by Penelope Swales
"I see you
Standin' on
The dizzy edge of freedom
But it takes courage to take the leap
On the edge
I hold my breath
To see you soarin', but
Will you do it?"
http://www.penelopeswales.com/archive.html
This song is a story about the freedom that is within the grasp of everyone. The freedom she sings of is creative freedom.
To combine our passions, talents and goals into one solid direction that contributes towards a better world is the most effective thing an individual can do for themselves and others. The lyrics suggest that an individual has a responsibility to themself and others to achieve their potential.
"Energy Song" by Xavier Rudd
All alone in the snow
nowhere seems close
at the cold moves now to my bones
its beauty seems gone
and I know now now this wrong
and I should move on
time to refuel time to just be
with my own energy
rescue me
That energy
These trees I have known now for years
help to contain my fears
spirit up from this earth
I have felt since my birth
and I know now now this is right
were I've spent so much time
this connection this space
at the end of the maze
take me home
That energy
Now layed down before us this place this choice
and our freedom
the germination inside her begins again
and our freedom
well I feel so connected I feel so alive
when the moon stares at the sun
on the days I am surfing between them
until the sun says it's done.
Lyrics by Xavier Rudd from the 'Food in the Belly' album cover.
Freedom to be yourself is the energy. Being alone with the freedom to be yourself can strengthen your relationship with yourself and with your surrounding environment. Especially in situations which may not have turned out as you had planned this freedom to be yourself can promote mental, emotional and spiritual health.
This music inspires our needs to be responsible for taking care of ourself to achieve wisdom and responsible freedom in our own life.
"Redemption Song" - by Bob Marley
"...Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time..."
Bob Marley's lyrics still resonate for the fact that they are applicable to a better world for all. He becons us to make ourselves open to change. He suggests that the times for moving towards freedom and equality for all will wash over all our half baked ideas for individual freedom.