The season is changing and it's beginning to get cold. There are many people out there who silently struggle or who are in difficult situations, who could use the help of others to navigate the coming winter months. Every little bit helps. If you have clothing (winter coats, scarves, jackets, hoodies, warm hats) or heavy blankets that you are no longer using, donating them could help to alleviate some of the daily stress for these people and families. If you don't have things to donate, there are other ways to help. Like If you see a person on the side of the road holding up signs, in need of help — giving what you can to them could be just what they need to get them alittle further down the line. Local food drives (canned goods) are also good. I don't know if they accept instant coffees or ramen but those are both things that could help to feed/keep people warm. It's cheap as well, so ... but it's whatever. These are human beings. They deserve to be warm just as much as anyone else. I feel sick when I see or hear people making fun of people in bad situations like homelessness. I don't think that anyone should look down on someone else, because that person's situation could easily become your reality. You don't know these people and judging them like that is unfair. Natural disasters have played a huge role in displacing many, many people and animals, across the country. Just because the news doesn't show these people on tv anymore doesn't mean that everything is rosy. They're still struggling. Them, and many others. No-kill Animal shelters can also use any help that anyone would want to provide, in the form of food and warm blankets, hay, etc. for current animals there. A simple google search could do wonders in trying to locate places near that are currently open to accepting donations. Obviously, it is good to donate throughout the year but winter is, without question, one of the most dangerous times of the year for people who are in difficult situations like this. I don't want to sound preachy. I barely even post on social media. Everything that anyone says is picked apart, until it's unrecognizable anyway. Your intention is blurred and becomes meaningless. But pretty much, I feel that when you have a platform, regardless of its size or whatever, it's not a bad idea to use it in some way to help other people, without coming across as preachy, insincere, uncaring or demeaning. If anything it would be great if even one person decided to donate locally, after reading this.
Palooka Magazine
Issue fifteen of Palooka Magazine has dropped. If you're looking for something to indulge in and treat yourself with this month, I suggest anyone who is a lover of quality and depth to lose yourself in the art and literature of Palooka.
Art and literature can be admired in many forms — but one thing that I personally adore about print magazines is their ability to allow you to carry with you the very essence of thought and heart that goes into literature and art. It is an incredible feeling to get lost in the pages, as you navigate another person's fascinating perspective. I really like books. Any magazine that holds within it such powerful moments, captured in words or through art, is something to pay attention to. Something to, I would say, embrace.
I have to reiterate how incredible this magazine is. Jonathan was kind enough to send me a few copies of my choice. I was specifically interested in issue fourteen and issue ten; they stood out to me and I was excited to explore them. What I found within both Issues of Palooka was potent, refreshing and raw. While taking in issue fourteen, I was incredibly moved by Pardeep Toor's "You'll Understand When You're Older". I cannot recommend reading this enough and struggle to explain the boundless vulnerability, emotional rawness, intelligence and unspeakable bravery that I presume it must have taken to write what Pardeep wrote. Truly, this person is someone who, through his sheer honesty, has my respect.
This is a single example of many that I could share. There are innumerable gifted voices out there, in both literary and artistic circles. But it can be a challenge to know where to look on this vast world wide web. Some platforms are phony, some say one thing and mean the other and some aren't serious and lack compassion. But it is clear that this literary magazine is different.
Having been established in 2010 by founding editor, Jonathan Starke, Palooka sets itself apart from the noise, while inspiring one to pause and listen; listen to the words on a page and the colors in a work of art. Immerse yourself in someone else's thoughts as they scream, calm and whisper to you, from the crevices and corners of issue after issue. Find art and literature that speaks to you. Support platform that resonate on a deeper level to you. Embrace the stories that find you and get excited about reading again. Everyone has different tastes but that is maybe the beauty of it. I've written something like a novel here but I type a great deal, when something relating to art or writing catches my attention and I feel it worthy, relevant or important enough to share. In the hustle and bustle and rushing willful chaos, Palooka Magazine is wholeheartedly worth everyone's time. There are actually many amazing literature and art magazines out there but given that I have been reading and enjoying Palooka lately, I wanted to, understandably, focus on this magazine. I will be featured in Issue Sixteen.
Browse all issues of Palooka here: https://www.palookamag.com/issues.html
Dive into Issue Fifteen here: https://www.palookamag.com/15.html
Goddess Arts Magazine: Issue Eighteen
