Name a Few Cereals That Come to Mind….

Ok, now think. 1..2..3… Go!

Alright, so once you come up with a few I would like to ask from writer to reader, if you thought of any of the brands I thought of when asking myself the same question.

 I thought Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Special K, Pops, Raisin Bran, and then I just imagined the whole cereal isle at the grocery store. Well I start off with this tactic of speaking to communicate that I am eating Lucky Charms as a little bed time snack. Anyways, not to sound cliché, but who is your lucky charm? How does your significant other, pet, best friend, or family member make you feel? Hopefully you are happy, or overall content, a majority of the time for at least one of the listed groups of people. Some people like to call their spouse their soul-mate, or destined lover. Then again, sometimes it is just used as a phrase to show appreciation of one specific person, “He/She is my lucky charm.” You know what I am saying? Like, yes it is apparent to most people that being alone is not always the best, forever, while living- so you socialize, make friends at school, work, clubs, or organizations. Bonding occurs when two people have a common connection to relate to with one another. Some people are truly okay with being alone, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have ‘lucky charms’, because they can be items, ideas, memories, or places. 

To me, for someone to be your ‘lucky charm’, they must bring out the best in you, and support you. In return the same actions should be displayed, to create a connection unique from other friends and acquaintances.  It could even come down to the simple terms of, ‘Who do you love most?’, and then that may be a possibility of that one’s lucky charm. Thinking in different terms, somebody’s lucky charm might not even be a person, it could potentially be a computer, specific type of clothing, or an accessory. It could be an item for an acquired hobby, or activity. And then to preform a full circle, it could even be something as simple as a bowl of cereal being a ‘lucky charm’ to starting one’s day off right, or ending it on a good note.

Symbolism is so significant when choosing the charm that you want to use to express and represent you. Context, a story, an admiration of some sorts- your lucky charm gives meaning and purpose to not only it/them, but to you- the one choosing it/them to be apart of you and your life. Inversely, the same goes for the item, person, idea, memory, group, atmosphere, or place.

The End.

12.16.19-12.20.19 – Chloe Aiken.

Shop with me!! Ebay, Mercari, Depop: With A Purpose handmade merchandise sold on these three apps and sites. 

The Past Seventeen Days

East TN to California, and back, in a total of 6000 miles.

We left on the 7thof September, and we returned on the 24that 1:30 that night, so technically, it was the 25th, but you get the idea. It was about two and a half weeks of traveling cross country, literally coast to coast. We had been in Tybee Island, Georgia a couple weeks before we left for our road trip to California. Bighead, kitty #1, boy, who is black and white and about two years old. Also we brought our second cat, girl, whose name is girl; she is about for years old. We got her last year on Brennen’s birthday, which is today, (the day I wrote majority of this blog post) September 27th2019, he turned 21. I just turned 20 a couple months ago. It is Friday today.  Still recouping all the information, experiences, and memories of traveling with our two cats, and each other.

We traveled through eight different states on our journey. 

And before we go any further, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENNEN BLUE, (YouTube.), (always going places.) I can not believe I have celebrated three birthdays with you!! You are so special, creative, and by for the most interesting person I have ever met. 

Of the eight states, it was the last of them, Nevada, that I loved the most. Arizona, too. We went through that one, twice, as well as all the others, except Nevada. We went through Nevada one time for a day, for 24 hours straight, and night nonstop. Brennen drove for about 24 hours straight one day, and night. Ugh, I sadly will admit right now I do not know how to drive a stick-shift vehicle, so Brennen drove literally the whole six thousand miles in round trip. That is many, I mean many miles, and states. Before I left I had not been past Nashville. Like wow, what an adventure, and so much more than that, too, to say the least. 

I divide the journey there into the first half, and then the second half. The beginning half consisted of getting out of Tennessee, by going through Nashville, and then Memphis. Our first stop was Little Rock, Arkansas. We didn’t arrive there until about 3am. The next day we drove to Oklahoma, through a good handful of road tolls for the roads construction on the interstate. Only a dollar, or $1.50, compared to San Francisco’s $7.00 toll fee. We stayed outside of Oklahoma City, in a town called Stillwater just a little north of the city. It was our second stop, almost halfway there. We stayed in the most beautiful Airbnb we had ever stayed in, in the past three years. I remember telling the host that I felt like I was on the set of HGTV or something. The third day we made it to the northwestern part of Texas in Amarillo. We were trying to stick to “the blue line”, or I-40 from Tennessee to California, and we mostly did it. 

We stopped outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico at a place called, ‘Blue Hole, New Mexico’. It is a 90-foot crystal clear swimming hole filled with natural stream water, consistently remaining super cold, around 62, or so, degrees. This was a beautiful little sweet spot, just a mile, or two off of the interstate in the desert coming into Arizona, so it was convenient to the road trip. Brennen jumped off one of the rocks into the super cold refreshing water, but I did not. We soon got back in the car, made a quick stop to a gas station overlooking the sunset headed West into Arizona, where we would later see signs for exits to Las Vegas, and got back on the interstate.

On our fourth day we made it to Flagstaff, Arizona, about 2am that night. We arrived, and I thought maybe because it was so late at night, that was why it felt so cold, but no. I check the weather early around dawn the following morning, and it was in the 30’s for sure, I believe lower thirties honestly. When we woke up the next morning, elevated high in the mountains, the last leg of our trip was conquered on the fifth day. We made it to Los Angeles California on the night of the 11th, and it was also another late night arrival making it into California. Now going to California, our trip was divided at Amarillo, Texas, and honestly that was about the halfway point, but I kind of go on to say that the first half of our trip was divided when we made it to the west coast. You have to remember when going somewhere, or doing something, that going is only half of the journey, because returning has its place, too, on the adventure scale. 

I had no idea we would journey to Cupertino, and San Jose, California, too. Let alone San Francisco and all around the “Bay Area” going north up the coast. We passed Yosemite National Park, The Grand Canyon, and we drove past the Hoover Dam, too. Expectations are illusions they say, or in better understanding for me, ‘Expect the unexpected.” That really is the easiest way to say it, because as much as you could plan a trip somewhere, you must know, if not known already, that rarely does anything go exactly as planned, or expected. I learned it’s not all a negative thing either, for unknown occurrences to take place. 

I could probably write a short story on the state of Nevada, and Arizona, too, but I will in short say how the western parts of the United States that I saw was nothing I had ever imagined it would be in person. It’s a cliché, but it was only images, or scenes, I had seen in the movies, or on TV before. I would take the advice on driving, at least for the majority of, the desert in the night. Leaving San Francisco, we went east over the mountains, past Sacramento, and into the state of Nevada. We saw the sunrise just a couple hours before Las Vegas. Funny thing, we had no idea the ‘Area-51 raid’ was happening on the day we were driving past the training military base. We stopped in Death Valley before passing Area 51 to eat at a Denny’s located in the back of a Casino, which were both connected to the hotel. There was also a gas station next to all of these stops. This was the specific day we stayed up from the time we left San Francisco, until we stopped in Kingman, Arizona, right next to Route 66, and I-40. It felt like we had not seen that interstate in figuratively speaking, forever. This is where we stayed out in ‘the middle of the desert’, in a tiny little cabin that was listed on Airbnb. I had missed at some point how bumpy and rocky the back roads were about 10 miles from the location. This was one of our final stops before focusing on the journey back to our families in East Tennessee. This was a super surreal, off the beaten path, place to sleep for the night. Wild donkeys, solar powered energy, an outhouse with a hand pump shower as well. Might I just add, very dusty. This is most definitely the place to wear a scarf, bandana, or piece of clothing around your mouth, and nose if possible. 

To be honest, the ride back, once we were back on interstate 40, went by much more quickly than any other part of the trip. Thankfully had no legal, or road trouble the whole time, up until we were leaving Oklahoma early into the night, about to cross over into Arkansas. Brennen had gone over the center white dashed line just for one, maybe two seconds, and just like that, the next thing you know, a police has on his red and blue lights. We stopped, and he questioned us both, and took a look into the car, and at our two kitties, ‘Bighead’, and ‘Girl.’ It was a blessing the officer let us go, without giving a ticket, so that night we stopped a little early to sleep, and get as well rested as we could for the next, and surprisingly, last day before returning into Knoxville, and then Brennen in Sevierville. 

Through the miles and miles on the blue line, to the tolls, an In-and-Out trips, along with the Jack-In-the-Box trips, to the countless stops at gas stations and rest areas, it sure was more than words could describe. From state to state, it truly was a journey in the adventure, and memories in every moment, I couldn’t be more thankful for the trip that Brennen took me and our two kitties on to the west coast and then back home to Tennessee. I hope this blog post is a snap in time with my words, and helps you understand where I am at, and where I have been since I last posted. I did post my last blog, my ninth, in Stillwater, at that medieval-styled, Hogwarts labeled Airbnb, that we stopped at after leaving Little Rock. Anyways, thank you for reading. Listen to the song ‘Always Wear Sunscreen’, and travel as much as you can- it will do you more good than you may think. 

Chloe Aiken

Blog 10. September 30 2019.

Mercari (the app) for now– and a little back story for my business startup inventory!!!

Saturday August 17th, 2019 (Blog #7)

Chloe Aiken

Buy my inventory through the apps Mercari and Holonis!

I recently started my online sales for my business through two apps. Mercari and Holonis. Mercari I would say is more convenient, and easier to navigate. Holonis is more of a broad platform, where I can do more than just sell, like Mercari solely does. That in my words, is the best way I can explain the two. Hopefully soon I can figure out how to directly set up my inventory on my website, so that it isn’t necessary to go through third party apps and websites. 

Currently I am selling beaded bracelets hand-made by me. They are also known in the festival culture as ‘rave candy’. To me though, it means so much more than just a bracelet. With that being said I guess this is where my short story begins. 

On September 1st, 2017 Brennen took me on our first date together. It was my first weekend home from college, and still to this day do I remember being so excited to be taken out. He told me we were going to a show, an edm show, at The International in downtown Knoxville. 

After the show I remember being squished into a car with mutual friends of Brennen’s. Going along with my last blog post on mental health, I was at the time starting to get overwhelmed and anxious because of all the people I was surrounded by in a small car. All I knew to do in the moment was to close my eyes and breathe. Slowly, in and then back out I would exhale. I remember Brennen asking me if I was okay, and I then responded with yes, but that I did feel nauseous because of the claustrophobia. 

This is where Brennen touched me, either by holding my hand, or just by gently laying his hand on my leg to let me know he was there, and that he cared. I somehow drew my attention to Brennen’s wrist, where he was wearing a beaded yellow, pink, and blue bracelet. I started touching each individual bead, one by one, moving them as I continued touching and feeling the next single bead. It was meditative to me in the sense that it calmed my anxieties in the moment. And wow, I still truly feel that moment to this day. Practically two years later. 

This is where I became even more blessed to be in that moment. I was happy enough to have found that peace within myself, but then Brennen decided to pass on the peace, love, unity, and respect. As I mentioned, about the ‘rave candy’, in the festival/rave culture, the phrase, ‘PLUR’ represents peace, love, unity, and respect. With the beaded bracelets, this is how the energy is transferred, or released from one to another. Two people touch fingertips with both an index and a middle finger creating a peace sign, together. Then, love, by creating a heart still with the same two people, and same hands. Thirdly, unity, by holding hands. And lastly, respect. This being the final step by which the bracelet is released from the person acquiring it to the person receiving it. I was the receiver, and Brennen was the person who gifted me my first ‘rave candy’ bracelet. 

The End.  

July 1st, 2019

“Journey to California- The Beauty of the Time Being.”

Recently I have relearned about Interstate 40 going from Tennessee all the way to California. $245 worth in gas money, on average, and just a little over 2,000 miles. Of course, I know rent, and price of goods/living is going to be at least twice as it is here, in Tennessee. 

I have always been nurtured, in a way, to travel, be ready, and to seek adventure. I guess that is the ‘childhood-like mindset’ in me, which I hope never fades. You kind of have to think about it- Disney World, a place based on a world of imagination and creativity, is one of the most successful and wealthy ideas made to date. Along with technology advancements and smartphones. 

My idea, is to start my business, yes, but to expand it into something I thought I would never be able to do. And honestly, I never thought I would be at this point in my life, where I am now able to move- wherever; It is just a matter of planning, researching, and saving money in order to get there. 

I turn 20-years-old in 11 days, and wow, the beauty of the time being truly is a virtue- along with patience, of course. I woke up this morning to looking in my closet, to the top, at my blue luggage set of two. I remember when I got those for a gift from my grandparents, and I remember them asking if they should go back and get the third suit-case for me- this was my dads’ mom and dad. Now my moms’ parents, my other set of grandparents, they have been known since I could walk, to label and call me ‘bag lady’. I honestly think that is hilarious, for some reason, but I do know one reason being, that- that is me, entirely and completely. It is almost like my immediate family, and even other surrounding acquaintances in my life, treat me as if I am destined to go, to explore, to learn, to grow, and to create. 

What Does My Business Stand For?

With A Purpose Shop: Depop, Ebay, and Mercari. Online Merchandise Vending. 2019-2020

  • My business Facebook page is now published under my name. Also, I am now selling on Ebay and the app Mercari.

What are some business goals and plans would be my second follow up question to my title, ‘What Does My Business Stand For?’. I am working to achieve more than just a successful business in the United States. Yes, I do want to expand outside of my home state of Tennessee, and possibly even outside of the country, but it is all more about living life to the fullest. I want my business to be a representation of positivity and happiness, because to live a life, is a celebration in itself. Life is not always perfect either, so I also am promoting my business to work within the mental health community. I even am okay with calling my business a platform of influence; a business that influences behavior that creates good outcomes, instead of the negative.  I want to help in ways that are working with others, and working within ourselves, or taking time for introspection. Of course I’m not teaching a new religion or anything, just to clarify. I am just saying having peace, love, unity, and respect makes more of a difference than you might think off the bat. My business is called ‘With A Purpose’ for a reason, to promote awareness of mental health, along with acceptance of ones’ being on this planet. I don’t try to immediately scare people off with the depth of my company. Another concept, being balance, is also something I carry within my business and personal life as well. Balance of seriousness with work and business, and then the balance of lightheartedness and humor, or the enjoyment of life. I sell my individual items currently online with thought in mind about what the product is, and how it will help people individually, and overall within communities. I eventually want to be traveling, and setting up as a vendor at music and arts festivals, farmers markets, or special events, too. Mainly, I am keeping the vision on music festivals, since lots of my items for sell are festival, if not music festival based and focused upon. 

Thank you for reading my small blog post #11 update. I will be posting more inventory as soon as I can reach the needed savings for materials, with possibly the help of investors or supporters of my business, With A Purpose. 

– Chloe Aiken. Share my site:  https://chloeaiken.home.blog

Sunday November 17 2019

There Are No Perfect Days, but ‘What If?’

BLOG #9

Monday September 9 2019

Chloe Aiken- With A Purpose.

Logically and rationally, there are not any days that are completely perfect, at least not at this point in time. That is not a ‘bad’ thing either- there has to be a balance. But hypothetically, a perfect day would be without anxiety overwhelming me to a point past uncomfortability. A perfect day would consist of no arguing out of control with loved ones. A perfect day is being able to see every person in my family, and anyone else I am that connected to; this being because of the knowledge gained by socializing and being in the presence of the ones I personally love and cherish, and in return they have that mindful mindset, too- or at least somewhat.

Like I said, there are no ‘perfect’ days, or for that matter ‘perfect’ people, or even ‘perfect’ situations, but there is hope for that to be a future way of life and eternity. 

Violence and Aggression Does Not Win the Race

Blog 8

Chloe Aiken: Yes! I am still up and running on Mercari!! Check out my page to shop for your beaded bracelets for everyday wear, or for a special occasion- like a music festival. 

Tuesday September 3rd 2019

Of course, we have all, at some point, heard the phrase, “Slow and steady wins the race.” Mostly true, yes. As my title states, “Violence and aggression does not win the race.” With these two phrases being spoken on, the second seems more valid, or accurate. Because one cannot be ‘slow’ and still win, literally speaking. It is the fastest swimmers and runners that get the gold metals in the race, obviously, but this is where it gets tricky. Life is full of contradictions. Constant paradox’s. One after another, really, is how I see it occurring. Completely ‘slow’ does not win the race! Steadiness definitely helps one with learning and achieving, but if there is little to no movement, or energy happening, then you are staying in the same proximity of where you were, lets say- about a week ago. Even worse, to be in the same spot you were five, or 10 years ago. 

With wickedness, or negativity, comes violence and aggression, going hand and hand with one another. Do not let your demons take over, eating you in and eventually outward. Peace and serenity within yourself creates a sense of a higher purpose of living. Through meditation, praying, or even by just taking deep breaths, will help you slow down when you are feeling overwhelmed by the hurries of the world. “Patience is a virtue.” Therefore, “slow and steady wins the race.” Patience means, “the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.” Do not tolerate yourself to become absorbed in the overly stressed mindset that now seems to be the new “fad”. If you do, you will start to notice that you are indeed speeding up the pace a bit too much, in the negative sense. Fast and unsteady does not win the race, and neither does violence and aggression! Breathe, take a break, and slow down!

There is some truth to the basic phrase, “Slow and steady wins the race,” when speaking in broad terms. Yes, you do not want to go too fast, because then you are more likely to make a mistake, especially if it is a new acquired technique. One cannot speed through life completely in the fast lane, and at the end, say, “You know what, I am SO satisfied that I ran THAT fast through my childhood, adulthood, and even my older years!” You know? That sounds very depressing, and sad just in general. Ever heard your teachers say, “Take your time,” when reading, writing, learning, or testing? Yes, this is what I mean, I used to hate timed tests. Yes, I understand timed testing is in the standards of teaching for many valid reasons, I’m sure, but why be so rushed all the time, and under pressure? Seems better to take your time, and enjoy things at your own pace. No one person is ever exactly 100% the same as another, speaking in physical terms. Sure, people have similarities, and can be categorized, grouped, and labeled alike, but speaking in fact, there is no one like you. Therefore, we cannot learn at the same pace, with the same timing, with the same brilliant epiphanies all completely aligned and in sink with one another. Yes, that would be cool, and maybe in another dimension that happens, but right now, collectively, the term ‘slow’ may have a different meaning to someone reading the phrase, or even this article. You know what ‘they’ say, “You can’t be too slow, but you can’t be too fast either!” It is about the balance point of living without getting too comfortable, or sustained by your current state. Truly, do not be too slow! Then you will not get anything done, or barely anything at all. It sounds better to get more done in the end, than to have stayed within the same radius of where you began.

Mental health and Anxiety. By: Chloe Aiken

Wednesday, July 17th, 2019

I know I’ve been meaning to talk about mental health- including anxiety, depression, bipolar, ADHD, and other labels as such. Nowadays, just about everyone has a type of anxiety. Not necessarily the same kind of anxiety, or the same kind of intensity. Everyone has their own personal preferences to coping, or dealing with an issue. In a way this brings me peace in knowing I am not alone, at all, when it comes to managing my everyday anxiety.

Not being able to do simple tasks because of an internal mental issue is frustrating and irritating, but sometimes removing yourself from the problem- and putting yourself in a better place- is a great first step in getting past the anxiety, or slump of depression. Environment, I have learned over the past couple years, is extremely important in the sake of your overall well-being, but as I’ve stated before, specifically I am relating environmental surroundings to mental health. Regardless of if I have the actual OCD disorder, or not, I have learned keeping your areas clean and neat lead to personal ease. 

Secondly, your ability be mindful, aware, and conscious are key concepts, as well, in overcoming rough struggles with anxiety and depression. I have to remember weekly, if not daily, to not get so caught up in my own head, and own little world. “Wake up. Fight those that control.”, is on the back of one of Brennen’s hoodies’. Be mindful; be mindful of what your goals are, be mindful of the ‘time’. Be careful with the distractions and illusions that we, the world, have surrounded ourselves with- one way or another. Focus on the questions you should be asking yourself in order to get to a better spot in life. I guess another way of saying this is, “Change your perspective from time to time.”

Thirdly, to be still, and listen; listening is highly applicable to calming your inner anxiousness. To be still was the first part, in which you should start by stopping- and then after paying some attention to your surroundings, you listen. Listen to those who has achieved creditable success, listen to the wisdom in the world. Importantly, too, remember to listen to your inner voice, and often seek introspection, or the subconscious, when focusing on moving past the anxiety. 

But lastly, you have to do; yes, do. You have to choose to get yourself into a better spot. It really comes down to the literal actions and movements. You have to set boundaries, goals, and routines for yourself in order to achieve success to getting to where you want to be, mentally, emotionally, financially, physically, and even career wise, too. It is what you always hear, to “Take the first step.”, to “Take the leap of faith.”, and that “Everyone starts somewhere.” While yes these are cliché truths, I feel it is often overlooked. To be still and observe, listen, and pay attention, and then most importantly to just do- these are all extremely helpful points in helping me with my day to day anxiety. I typed this specific blog with the goal to hopefully help others struggling, and trying to figure out how to manage their anxiety, depression, or any other mental health issue, too. 

July 2019. By: Chloe Aiken

To do or to not do?

The- ‘now what?’ 

Get in the habit of educating yourself with knowledge and information.

Remember, consistency is key. 

The ‘what if’s?’, or the ‘should I?’

It’s all about your intuition and determination within oneself.

This is subjective. 

To stay mindful and consciously aware.

This is the answer to your own questions. 

Determination and Desperation-

Two important factors in getting to where you want/need to be.

The Day Before I Turn 20

July 11th, 2019

Before I start, can I just say, I have grown far in my spiritual faith in God and the universe altogether- including within myself, and my own spirituality. Finally starting my career path visioned this young feels great to say the least. Childhood, I guess you could say is, and has been gone for me. I have grown up, yes, but I still have, and hope to carry with me throughout my life, a ‘child-like’ wonder of the world.

Hello, I turn 20 years-old tomorrow, but we just got done celebrating with my mom and stepdad over dinner at Texas Roadhouse, which worked out, because, shout out, they gave me a free appetizer, and dessert, for my birthday since I guess I had signed up for their emailing list.. ANYWAYS tomorrow I don’t have any solid plans except to relax and enjoy the day with Brennen, and maybe some friends I’ve made here in Seymour in the past few months of living in the area- just up the road from where I was raised, South Knoxville.

Being in Knoxville for the past decade plus, I think 11 years now, has been great, and brought me many experiences and memories, but I truly feel that it is time to explore the new—‘the unknown’ as one may say, not to be dramatic, of course. 

Focusing on my goals is a main aspect to specify on, by researching, brainstorming, writing, and reading.

Staying consistent. Important, yes, being because, it puts you in a routine that in the end brings you out a better you. More so, it brings you out on the other end, that you quite actually dreamed of. Staying consistent is a large factor in success, as long as it is being consistent in the right types of things. Like, not going down the wrong path of consistently spending more than you earn, ya know?

Happy to be celebrating 20 years of being alive, but wow am I determined to reach my potential within my personal career and life path. It is sad, to say, people anymore live like they are going to live forever, or like they don’t have a higher purpose than where they are at. People get comfortable with where they are, and then never want to grow or evolve. I am hoping with starting my business will bring enlightenment and awareness of self and surroundings.

Hopefully that made some sense, and wasn’t ‘too’ dramatic.

Lol, ‘Thanks for coming to my ted-talk,’ as some might say.

-Chloe Aiken.