What About the Men? - Why the Gender Revolution Has Been One-Sided

There is a common misconception that men are exempt from the burdening stereotypes and societal pressures and that women are the only victims of this. Our society has accepted hyper masculine stereotypes where men are valued by physical strength, dominance, economic success and the look that further supports this image. While girls are harmed by the unrealistic cultural demands to be pretty and submissive, boys are also being harmed by the expectations to be tough and live up to a role of manhood our society has adopted. Throughout history and to this day many men have been judged ‘too sensitive’, ‘too queer’ or ‘too intelligent’ to suit this traditional masculine ideal. This skewed view on masculinity leaves men in isolation, pushing them into depression and causes them to dominate the suicide statistics.

End Fear with Tolerance

Today, for the first time in my life I saw armed police men in the London tube. It gave me chills that we have reached such a point of fear and lack of trust in each other, and that there has been such a significant amount of previous terror to breed this fear. There are people living in constant horror and loosing their lives every day due to religious divisiveness all over the world, with so many incidences un proportionally unnoticed in the public eye. It is now more important than ever to turn to trust and acceptance as a backlash to the fear that is breeding. It is paramount that the disenfranchised members of our societies are met with support and companionship. Some wonderful efforts have been made in this direction already. We must unite as a world and change our narrative to an inter-religious one that breeds tolerance. The extremist mob-mentlity coming from terror groups (who are by no means religious) and the all too encompassing and over-generalised fear and suspicion from the rest of us can be transformed into a unanimous desire for the wellbeing of all people, just because they are human. Peace and a shared common humanity is too beautiful not to be created. Every moment of every single person's life provides a new opportunity to chose this outcome. This arms us all with wonderful tools that give us more power than we realise to collectively create a more harmonious world.

The Moon Rise

Adventures in the Southwest: Photo Collection

Therapy of the Open Road

New York Street Art

Rosendals Trädgård: Organic City Garden

Song For Syria

I wrote this song in commemoration of the refugees and migrants who have lost their lives or are struggling to retain theirs.

Essay 1: Feminism is Sisterhood

There is no one feminism; there is no one feminist. Feminism will mean different things for each individual. There is a great danger with accumulating all the different individuals on the large feminist spectrum into one singular ideology. The loudest voices of the movement will be the most heard and this will be how it is presented to the world regardless of how extreme or representative of the female community these voices are. This will inevitably cause waves of resentment by those who don’t agree with these extreme or unrepresentative views and will reject ‘feminism’ because of it. Within it’s definition₁ it says that feminism is a range of ideologies and movements. There is no objective feminism. It does’t exist outside the human mind. The common core of the meaning of feminism would be something along the lines of the shared goal of these separate movements and ideologies. These tend to be defining, advocating and achieving equal political, economic, cultural, personal and social rights for women. What constitutes as equality for both genders within these rights and how they should be established will vary immensely. Similarly people have disagreed over the meaning of liberalism, the value of nationalism, what it means to be a christian, or how to enforce communism; just like any ideology. Therefore, to most effectively achieve these varied common goals of the feminist agendas we must approach it with compassion and understanding. We must all constructively try to strip our cultural biases and establish what is best for individual woman worldwide and in turn the whole world. There is no one feminism, there is no one feminist, yet we must unite into one sisterhood. The wide and varied feminist movement cannot possibly unite into one set of beliefs with one approach. Therefore the one all encompassing belief should be respect for each others approach to feminism and fight towards what equality means for different women worldwide. Feminism should be based on compassion; compassion between women and compassion between women and men. We must respect each others individuality whilst support everyones equality. 

We should use our compassion to form a sisterhood; to look out for each other as women. That is what feminism means to me. Women of the world are and will inevitably be born with different constitutional and conventional rights as long as we are divided into disparate countries and cultures. We may not agree on what equality for the female gender means but we will nevertheless fight for each others subjective and personal aims and our right to express that. Women must take some responsibility here as it is paramount that women must unite together to progress in the battle for equality.

Sunrise

The sunrise is a universal symbol whose meaning is inexplicably understood by us deep within our core. Its beauty has long been appreciated throughout our human existence within a sort of collective conscious. There is an infinite amount of possibility within a sunrise. It bears with it a wonderfully tremendous potential of the day ahead. It is the visual representation that allows us to literally move on from the day and night just passed and open up for the next day to follow. Past troubles can then leave with the setting sun and diminish throughout the darkness. New hope than arises with gradual growth of luminosity that the sunrise brings. It promises hew hope for you as well as everyone who lives under the rays of the sun. Your enemy of the previous day will too have a second chance to rewrite their wrongs. It is the continual reminder that life is in constant movement of cycles. Bad, in its many different guises does turn good; fear fades and love will replace it. Expressed in an array of soft pastel colours mingling on the horizon, the sunrise serves to symbolise the new beginning; the new chance that is continuously given every morning for us to choose what to do with that chance.

Infinite Legacies: A Trip to the Nobel Museum

A Morning Walk Photo Collection

The Art of Being First to Arrive Too Late: An Interview with Thomas Nordanstad

An Excerpt 

Director Thomas Nordanstad's newest documentary follows award winning Swedish photojournalist Paul Hansen in his travels. Thomas brilliantly captures Paul’s unique attributes along with the emotional commitment his job requires. One is left to appreciate the import role that photojournalism plays in bridging the gap between people living very different lives by skilfully capturing the collective and individual struggles that exist around the world. His exceptional ambitious and compassionate approach has successfully contributed to bringing our world closer together. 

The Libertarian Distorted Freedom

image from ballotpedia.org

Many staunchly conservative Republicans, especially those associated with the Tea Party and Libertarian movement, strongly advocate the appealing concept of 'freedom' and promise to uphold it in Government. Steve Eicher, C.E.O of the movement claims that the Tea Party is 'keeping alive the voice of freedom'. The slogan of the American Libertarian Party is 'Maximum Freedom, Limited Government'. Sounds appealing does't it? Well, when analysing what freedoms are supported and what principles are supported to fulfil those freedoms one might realise that this approach to freedom is only guaranteed to certain people and for certain monetary interest. Freedom is not upheld for all and there is a grave clashing of freedoms, where the freedoms of the more vulnerable in society would be diminished to uphold and increase the freedoms of the powerful.

Nature is Free: Go Enjoy It

The natural world around us us filled with adventure waiting to happen, full of thrilling potential within its calm and solitary stillness. It is within our genes to explore and experience it to grow and learn to better survive. It is a survival instinct to go out and explore. One of the many beautiful attributes of nature is that it is free and memorable experiences within it is welcomed despite financial assents. The only dependent factor is whether one has access to nature both geographically and physically. If it is possible for this barrier to be overcome, nature provides for a free and all inclusive solace for beautiful memories to be made, learnings to be made and beauty to be appreciated. Seek out your own free nature experiences that you can access!
Recently I have had the privilege to enjoy:

1. Body Surfing

Why 'Niceness' Isn't Everything

Whether someone is 'nice' or not seems to be a common criteria in which people are judged by and approved or disapproved of. If someone were to describe an unknown person to you they usually start by labelling them as nice as if to give them some sort of stamp of approval as to what one will think of that person. However, being nice shouldn't necessarily be the fundamental decider on the preference of a person. 

Firstly, 'niceness' doesn't determine the true goodness of a person. There is a difference between a good person and a person who does good things. Someone cab be an evidently nice person who seems cheerful, smiley and outgoing but who I feel may not have pure intentions or any depth to their cheeriness. They may be narcissistic or using their niceness with bad ulterior motives. 

In addition, I have encountered many people who would't typically be described as 'nice' yet mean well, have few bad intentions or ulterior social agendas. They may not take such a pro-active approach to singular acts of kindness or have an obvious 'sweetness' to them. However, they can be extremely warm hearted, genuinely empathetic, and would stick with you throughout your troubles. The 'in your face' niceness as a criteria used to judge a person diminishes those introverted, socially challenged or troubled and damaged people who posses a warm heart.

Also, the more obvious 'in your face' nice facade can even sometimes be a sign of having to prove social worth or used as a means to an end socially whereas a genuinely good person would not feel the need to parade their niceness around and would let their purity speak for itself. The second approach is one that I trust more because genuine, pure and even silent intentions speak much louder than a facade of niceness or a series of supposedly nice actions and behaviours. A person upholding this approach will touch your life at many points due to their genuine concern and empathy for you, and not only when it is convenient for the 'nice' person. 

Underwater Photo Collection

“Just like a sunbeam can't separate itself from the sun, and a wave can't separate itself from the ocean, 

we can't separate ourselves from one another. 

We are all part of a vast sea of love, one indivisible divine mind.”

― Marianne Williamson

Song Lyrics From A Train Jounrey

Whilst gazing at the glorious greenery of Southern France rushing by on my train journeys some little phrases from the songs I was listening to seemed to stand out particularly prominently to me at the time and lingered and rang in my ears throughout my journey. I wished to share and remind you of these little gems...

"When the rain has hung the leaves with 
tears, I want you near to kill my fears to help
me to leave all my blues behind"

- Donovan, Catch the Wind

Women of Vietnam Photo Collection

Positive Vs. Negative Growth

Growth can be divided into that which is positive, and which we should strive for, and then that which is negative, which is seen far too common and even aimed for in our world. Positive growth is that which is natural and seen as healthy. To a child or a seed growth is the most wonderful thing, and is admired and celebrated by others. It is seen as a miracle. Our knowledge and experiences are also natural developments of our existence whose progression we seek out and are hungry for. 

Why Self Love Sets All Things Right

Self love is probably the most valuable element of self which should be nurtured and appear as a strong force within you throughout your life. Self love is by no means selfish, nor is it at all arrogant or narcissistic. It is in fact selfless and humble. It is what will both save ourselves from our own personal hell and the world from its harsh realities.


When you are filled with love towards yourself you are then more capable and driven to pass that love onto others. 

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness is never decreased by being shared."

The 'Right' to an Abortion

from The Huffington Post

1973 was landmark year for the protection of women’s rights in America. Roe v. Wade confirmed the nationwide constitutionality of the right to an abortion. However, the right to an abortion does not necessarily guarantee the freedom to have one, and this is the reality for many vulnerable women in America. Numerous restrictions and conditions are placed to limit the accessibility to this crucial practice. 

More Precious Travel Souoveniers

I hold on to my travel memories like they were gold and and they deserve to be documented in a way that reflects how lovely they are. Avoid plastic pieces of keychains and snow globes and do real justice to your adventures!



Here are some ideas...

1. Polaroids

These photos tend to convey precious moments since it is selectively used due to their price.

Kate Sessions: Horticulturist Extraordinaire

Kate Sessions (1857 - 1940) is a renowned botanist, horticulturist and landscape architect with a conscientious approach and a dedicated passion for the natural and green. 

Whose headdress?

found on celebscoop.com

The legitimacy of the use of Native American headdresses as a mere ‘accessory’ in popular culture has caused much outrage and harm. This cultural appropriation can be deemed inappropriate in many different aspects. These sacred headdresses are not a fashion statement. Native American ‘dress up’ may be portrayed as fun and harmless but must be interpreted in light of social and historical context. 

Midnight Sun: Songs for the Summer Solstice

21st of June marks this years longest day where the sun sets at its latest possible moment. These are some songs to inspire the celebration of that which is golden and radiant. 

Let your hair down and put some flowers in it. Sway to these songs in your white dress under the glow of the sun in good Swedish tradition. 

Enjoy celebrating the arrival of summer this solstice and I wish you all forthcoming sunny blessings. 

Why We Are Marching Against Austerity

An estimated 250,000 people took to the streets of London today in opposition to the new Tory Government's plan of social benefit cuts and privatisation. A sort of festival atmosphere was created with the banging of drums and the voices of the spirited people. A great sense of unity, passion and desire for action was felt among the protestors.

These are some individual voices of the cause:

The Star Maiden: A Beautiful Algonquian Myth

This story of the Star Maiden is a legend of the Chippeways, an Algonquian Native American tribe:

Algon, a hunter, came across a perfectly circular pathway in a prairie; a circle that must have been walked upon many times, yet there were no visible traces of walking outside its bounds. Amidst his confusion he heard the faint sound of music. As it grew louder he looked up and realised this beautiful melody was coming from above. Amongst the extensive blue sky Algon distinguished a tiny white speck that also grew in size along with the music as it approached closer. The astonished hunter saw that this was not a cloud. It was a white flower with twelve beautiful young maidens seated within it. Those beautiful melodies he had heard were the harmonised voices of the young girls singing mystical and unearthly songs.

After descending to the prairie the young maidens placed themselves along the worn out circular path and began to dance along its shape. They danced with such grace and eloquence that the mesmerised hunters heart fluttered. He fell in love particularly with the youngest of the maidens. His infatuation was so strong that he was driven to snatch the young girl in an attempt to take her home. The young girls were too quick for Algon as they snatched her back. In one swift movement the girls were back in their flower and sang their way back up to the star kingdom.

The next day the beguiled hunter returned to the fairy circle on the prairie in a second attempt to capture the girl he had become so enamoured by. However, similarly to the day before, he was not successful. Algon cunningly devised a plan to trap his young crush. He collected mice which he placed within a hollow tree trunk and placed it close by the fairy circle. Using a charm from his medicine bag he made himself a mouse as well. As the white flower delivered the girls back to the circle the following day, the youngest maiden noticed the unusual hollow tree trunk which was not there the previous day. As the mice swarmed out she shrieked and backed away with fright just as Algon resumed his human form and grasped the poor girl. Successfully he ran away with her as the frightened sisters sang themselves back to the star country. Back at his village he immediately married her.

illustrated by James Jack

Sofia Goes to Vietnam: Movie

A short video of my trip to Vietnam December 2015.
Stops include Da Nang, Ho Chi Mihn City, and Nihn Vhan Bay.
People include my dear family and friends

A Window to the World: Welcome to my Blog

This is me

Hello I'm Sofia, and welcome to my blog!

I have fired this up to create a forum to share things I think are worth spreading. I will discover and experience the world to create a sort of online scrapbook.
This blog will be a collection of things I enjoy, find interesting, beautiful or important. Throughout my gap year travels I will convey my explorations and learning. I will attempt to make the world a smaller place and eliminating the boundaries that persist between us by voicing the thoughts and ideas of fabulous people. This will aim to increase our global awareness which I encourage to be approached with an inquisitive and open mind and a compassionate heart. I wish for this to be joint platform for us to accumulatively fuel positive global change whilst seeing the beauty and wonder that it holds. Let's appreciate, celebrate and preserve this magnificent world!

This will be one of the many windows in which one can look upon the world, and I hope you will enjoy the view...

Lots of love , Sofia xx