So, today Fox News reported that one in five Americans polled believe that Barack Obama is a Muslim.
First of all, before I even get into this, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Muslim religion, in my opinion. They have extremists that take things to a worrying level just as any other group does, but those who are practicing the religion because that is where their heart's faith lies are no different from anyone else. This is not a work of religious prejudice. Thank you.
The Fox News article concludes that Obama is, in fact, a Christian. This is where my controversy steps in, and I would like to respond with a very hearty, "Puh! Yeah, right!" In addition to the fact that Obama has "mistakenly" referred to himself as a Muslim on television before (click here for a clip of such an occasion when he does not even realize the slip and the interviewer must point it out for him), he also is the first president ever to remove the Nativity scene from the White House at Christmas and the first to not attend a Christmas church service. Additionally, Obama also requested that all religious symbols present in the backdrop of his speech at Georgetown University be covered. The only religious symbols present were the cross and Jesus Himself. Why should a proud Christian worry about covering symbols of his own faith?
The Fox News article continues to quote a statement issued by the White House that says, "The president's strong Christian faith is what guides him through these challenges but he doesn’t wear it on his sleeve." .............. Anybody? Yeah, I find that pretty astonishing. I think saying he "doesn't wear it on his sleeve" is a vast understatement. He seems to have downright banished it from his image. He's also claimed that our nation is no longer a Christian nation and supported the building of mosque on Ground Zero. While I have no problem with the building of a mosque where one is needed, I strongly believe that the Muslim groups who are vying for this project do not need another mosque to add to the 90 that already exist in New York City, let alone one built on what is literally a sore spot for the entire country--the country Obama does not seem very proud of or interested in supporting and improving with anything useful.
I don't know what President Obama's religious affiliations might be, but if he intends us to believe that he is firm in his opinions and his own beliefs, he might want to start showing how much he cares for the things he believes in, rather than avoiding any and all responsibility for anything...at all.
Again, no disrespect is meant toward anyone of any religion. Allah/Jehovah/God bless you all. :)
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Prophecy Practicality (as promised!)
Here it is! With only a few slight modifications (a comma here, a new paragraph there), this is the article I mentioned before. It got an A! Hope you like it!....
The Rev. Matthew Young, of the Elysburg Presbyterian Church, says that there is little to fear from the 2012 Doomsday prophecies.
With the approach of the world's latest speculation regarding the date of Doomsday, many people will look to the church for answers.
Having been an authority for those who feared the Doomsdays now past, how would the church respond to the stigma of 2012?
As many documentaries and articles have pointed out recently, the 2012 deadline is not exclusive to the Mayan civilization. Many prophets from across the globe, including the I Ching, Merlin (the nomad, not the wizard) and even Nostradamus have all pinpointed 2012 as the year when the world comes to a cataclysmic, hopeless end when humanity can progress no further.
To this, Young says, "Contrary to those who see humanity as simply evolving to greater and greater self-capacity for good, the Christian faith sees us moving toward a moment of judgment and final destruction of evil within and around us."
Additionally, Young believes that the Kingdom of God that is promised to arrive at the End of Days in the Bible is already present today.
He says, "In such places (like, hopefully, in churches!), we have what amounts to a sneak preview of the blockbuster event in the coming of the Kingdom."
Therefore, if 2012 is the fulfillment of the biblical End Times prophecies, things will only continue to improve.
Aside from the numerous legends that fuel the lore of 2012 outside of the Christian faith, the year will also mark the occurrence of a celestial event that inspired the Mayans to end the most accurate calendar the world has ever known on Dec. 21, 2012. On this day, it is thought that some of the planets will align with the sun as it crosses the galactic center.
Regardless of these theories, it is well known that religious beliefs and scientific theories do not always agree. However, many people believe that the book of Revelation in the Bible may indicate a validation to the galactic-alignment theory. But not everyone is so convinced of this idea.
Young says, "I would be quite disinclined to connect these images with a prophecy for some specific date, since our Lord never talks in ways that focused us on specific dates, nor does Holy Scripture move in that direction."
So before Christians and desperate believers decide to flock to the nearest chapel on Dec. 21, 2012, Young encourages people to leave the future to faith and live in the now.
"Every day, we Christians are called to be faithful followers of Christ, trusting Him with everything, knowing that whatever happens and whenever it happens, we belong to Him and He is in charge, as our Lord and Savior...the 2012 prophecies and such completely miss the consummation element (of God's love) and obsess about the purgation element. All Destruction plus no hope equals, 'Bummer, dude.'"
With stories circulating and panic rising, Young believes that the hype surrounding 2012 is more of an expression of the human desire to know the future than a likely catastrophe.
For Christians and nonbelievers alike, Young has a hopeful message regarding how people should view the upcoming pseudo-apocalypse and the time during which it will happen. "Our God, the Savior God, wants to save people," he says. "So whether Christ's return happens to coincide with the Mayan calendar or Aunt Millie's sneeze or Grand-pappy's poops, it doesn't matter. There is always hope for everyone, because of the shepherd character in Jesus Christ, who is both the Judge and the Savior."
Bare in mind that this is set to the AP grammar and style rules as interpreted by my Introduction to Journalism Professor.
So, there it is! Hope you liked it! That's just a three-page paper that is derived from a six-page interview transcript. Pastor Matthew had a lot more to say. I might post the interview transcript eventually, but for now I guess there's really nothing to be afraid of, guys! :)
The Rev. Matthew Young, of the Elysburg Presbyterian Church, says that there is little to fear from the 2012 Doomsday prophecies.
With the approach of the world's latest speculation regarding the date of Doomsday, many people will look to the church for answers.
Having been an authority for those who feared the Doomsdays now past, how would the church respond to the stigma of 2012?
As many documentaries and articles have pointed out recently, the 2012 deadline is not exclusive to the Mayan civilization. Many prophets from across the globe, including the I Ching, Merlin (the nomad, not the wizard) and even Nostradamus have all pinpointed 2012 as the year when the world comes to a cataclysmic, hopeless end when humanity can progress no further.
To this, Young says, "Contrary to those who see humanity as simply evolving to greater and greater self-capacity for good, the Christian faith sees us moving toward a moment of judgment and final destruction of evil within and around us."
Additionally, Young believes that the Kingdom of God that is promised to arrive at the End of Days in the Bible is already present today.
He says, "In such places (like, hopefully, in churches!), we have what amounts to a sneak preview of the blockbuster event in the coming of the Kingdom."
Therefore, if 2012 is the fulfillment of the biblical End Times prophecies, things will only continue to improve.
Aside from the numerous legends that fuel the lore of 2012 outside of the Christian faith, the year will also mark the occurrence of a celestial event that inspired the Mayans to end the most accurate calendar the world has ever known on Dec. 21, 2012. On this day, it is thought that some of the planets will align with the sun as it crosses the galactic center.
Regardless of these theories, it is well known that religious beliefs and scientific theories do not always agree. However, many people believe that the book of Revelation in the Bible may indicate a validation to the galactic-alignment theory. But not everyone is so convinced of this idea.
Young says, "I would be quite disinclined to connect these images with a prophecy for some specific date, since our Lord never talks in ways that focused us on specific dates, nor does Holy Scripture move in that direction."
So before Christians and desperate believers decide to flock to the nearest chapel on Dec. 21, 2012, Young encourages people to leave the future to faith and live in the now.
"Every day, we Christians are called to be faithful followers of Christ, trusting Him with everything, knowing that whatever happens and whenever it happens, we belong to Him and He is in charge, as our Lord and Savior...the 2012 prophecies and such completely miss the consummation element (of God's love) and obsess about the purgation element. All Destruction plus no hope equals, 'Bummer, dude.'"
With stories circulating and panic rising, Young believes that the hype surrounding 2012 is more of an expression of the human desire to know the future than a likely catastrophe.
For Christians and nonbelievers alike, Young has a hopeful message regarding how people should view the upcoming pseudo-apocalypse and the time during which it will happen. "Our God, the Savior God, wants to save people," he says. "So whether Christ's return happens to coincide with the Mayan calendar or Aunt Millie's sneeze or Grand-pappy's poops, it doesn't matter. There is always hope for everyone, because of the shepherd character in Jesus Christ, who is both the Judge and the Savior."
Bare in mind that this is set to the AP grammar and style rules as interpreted by my Introduction to Journalism Professor.
So, there it is! Hope you liked it! That's just a three-page paper that is derived from a six-page interview transcript. Pastor Matthew had a lot more to say. I might post the interview transcript eventually, but for now I guess there's really nothing to be afraid of, guys! :)
Friday, July 23, 2010
Coming Soon...
Okay, I know that this blog has been vastly random when it comes to post topics, and many of them happen to focus on religion. I do not apologize for that.
That said, if you're interested in what the Christian faith has to say about the upcoming 2012 "disaster," then you might want to check in sometime Monday or Tuesday for my next post. I'm writing an article for my Introduction to Journalism class about this very topic, and by Monday I will be satisfied enough to post it.
The article features an interview with the knowledgeable, hysterical Reverend Matthew Young of Elysburg Presbyterian Church (my pastor). He steals the show in the article and leaves the reader wanting to hear more...
In fact, I may eventually just post the transcript of my interview with him so you can all satiate the thirst for knowledge he inspires.
See you Monday! :)
That said, if you're interested in what the Christian faith has to say about the upcoming 2012 "disaster," then you might want to check in sometime Monday or Tuesday for my next post. I'm writing an article for my Introduction to Journalism class about this very topic, and by Monday I will be satisfied enough to post it.
The article features an interview with the knowledgeable, hysterical Reverend Matthew Young of Elysburg Presbyterian Church (my pastor). He steals the show in the article and leaves the reader wanting to hear more...
In fact, I may eventually just post the transcript of my interview with him so you can all satiate the thirst for knowledge he inspires.
See you Monday! :)
Friday, July 2, 2010
A brighter, faster, roadkill-free future!
Hover technology. Yes, hover technology. Some think it's a far-off concept that we'll see in maybe another century, others think we'll have it down pat in about fifty years. I don't really have an opinion of when it should become a possibility, but I most certainly have a theory as to how it can be possible. It's simple, good for the environment, and pretty darn cool, if I do say so myself...
First, allow me to explain the hows of the matter, as in how my concept of a hover craft, namely a hover car would work. Electromagnetism. Yeppers, that's what I said. Now, I know that this would mean that every different location on Earth would need to have its own type of hover car to accommodate the particular magnetic presence in that area...or would they? See, here's the thing: electromagnets, when turned off, are completely useless as magnets. They don't assume their polarities until they're turned on. So, I say, why not have the polarity of the hover cars be adjustable? You can have a built-in GPS that can tell you the necessary settings of the area and even make the slight fluctuations in polarity settings necessary for longer trips. Piece of cake!
Also, the higher the level of magnetism you set the hover car to, the higher your car will go, which leads me to the benefits: a lot less roadkill, and no battling with 18-wheelers on the road, so you'll be getting where you want to go with less traffic which lessens the urge to drive over the speed limit. Are you on board yet?
Perhaps you are concerned about the Department of Transportation jobs that could potentially be lost in this type of transition. No worries! Trucks such as 18-wheelers will still be on the ground, getting their loads to their destinations faster than ever before and needing the DOT workers to keep their roads safe and smooth. If anything there will be more jobs for people to keep the GPS's from malfunctioning, monitor air traffic, and pull off that whole OnStar thing where they can help a person who locked themselves out of their hover car (because buildings are still on the ground; we aren't made of money, you know) or find it when it's lost.
And, did I mention? The magnets would help to propel the car based on which direction they are pointed in (turned backward to send you forward, with stabalizing magnets in the optimum places to prevent you from totally wiping out), so there will be less of an need for gas and oil, which means, cheaper running costs, fewer,if any, carbon emissions, and more fuel to last us much longer than it would have! Also, less dependency on the Middle East for oil! These innovations might also be applied to NASA projects, making space missions cheaper as well, so maybe Obama can give us our space program back...
Just something to think about... :)
First, allow me to explain the hows of the matter, as in how my concept of a hover craft, namely a hover car would work. Electromagnetism. Yeppers, that's what I said. Now, I know that this would mean that every different location on Earth would need to have its own type of hover car to accommodate the particular magnetic presence in that area...or would they? See, here's the thing: electromagnets, when turned off, are completely useless as magnets. They don't assume their polarities until they're turned on. So, I say, why not have the polarity of the hover cars be adjustable? You can have a built-in GPS that can tell you the necessary settings of the area and even make the slight fluctuations in polarity settings necessary for longer trips. Piece of cake!
Also, the higher the level of magnetism you set the hover car to, the higher your car will go, which leads me to the benefits: a lot less roadkill, and no battling with 18-wheelers on the road, so you'll be getting where you want to go with less traffic which lessens the urge to drive over the speed limit. Are you on board yet?
Perhaps you are concerned about the Department of Transportation jobs that could potentially be lost in this type of transition. No worries! Trucks such as 18-wheelers will still be on the ground, getting their loads to their destinations faster than ever before and needing the DOT workers to keep their roads safe and smooth. If anything there will be more jobs for people to keep the GPS's from malfunctioning, monitor air traffic, and pull off that whole OnStar thing where they can help a person who locked themselves out of their hover car (because buildings are still on the ground; we aren't made of money, you know) or find it when it's lost.
And, did I mention? The magnets would help to propel the car based on which direction they are pointed in (turned backward to send you forward, with stabalizing magnets in the optimum places to prevent you from totally wiping out), so there will be less of an need for gas and oil, which means, cheaper running costs, fewer,if any, carbon emissions, and more fuel to last us much longer than it would have! Also, less dependency on the Middle East for oil! These innovations might also be applied to NASA projects, making space missions cheaper as well, so maybe Obama can give us our space program back...
Just something to think about... :)
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
One Month and Ten Days...
Yeah, I know, and I really am sorry. Honestly, it has been a busy month, but it just hasn't been a month of blog-worthy experiences. I have been trying, believe me. I've been looking all around, thinking of anything I could to come up with something worth writing, but jeez...blank.
I do promise to keep trying, but honestly, the only things going on in my life right now are Intro to Journalism and weekend picnics....My highlight this week is going to see Toy Story 3...that's how uneventful my life is currently, but you never know what's going to crop up, right?
I am REALLY excited to see Toy Story 3, though... :P
I do promise to keep trying, but honestly, the only things going on in my life right now are Intro to Journalism and weekend picnics....My highlight this week is going to see Toy Story 3...that's how uneventful my life is currently, but you never know what's going to crop up, right?
I am REALLY excited to see Toy Story 3, though... :P
Thursday, May 6, 2010
I'm still alive!
I know it's been over a month since my last post. In fact, it's probably been closer to two months, and for that I do apologize, but school is school. I had to take care of the work before I could play, you know.
Anyway, on to our stimulating topic of the moment: Christians
Yes, Christians.
Actually, this is a very two-sided article about Christians, because I'd like to settle something here. I know for a fact that many people roll their eyes at Christians because they tend to be pushy, self-righteous individuals who think that quoting the Bible at you will save your soul and earn them a shinier halo once they've done their Godly Deed of the Day. Am I wrong?
It may surprise you to know that I, a Christian myself, and proud of it, also share this opinion in some cases.
Seriously, I do.
Just today, I was in a dentist appointment, and when asked what I had going on in my life I proudly announced that I will be turning 20 on Saturday and am spending the weekend in Gettysburg. Now, of course, not ever 20 year old chooses Gettysburg to host their birthday bash, but I am very much looking forward to doing a special ghost hunt that I made an appointment for weeks ago, and when I told them of my eager plans, this is what I had to endure:
"Ghosts? You should be searching for the Holy Ghost," the first assistant declares with a proud smile at her attempt at word-play.
"I've already found Him," I reply simply.
"Well, then why would you search among the dead what you can find among the living? That's one of my favorite quotes regarding this subject from the Old Testament." Another smug smile, but this time from the second assistant.
That's right. They had me cornered. Right there in the dentist's chair.
"I just want to see if they're real," I say, trying not to show that I was getting a bit peeved at having them lecture to me about my own religion.
"Oh they're real," the first assistant says gravely. "But all they do is lie to you. They'll lead you straight to Satan--that's how he works!"
"Just something to think about," the second assistant says in a cheery I've-just-saved-your-soul-and-earned-an-extra-bar-of-chocolate voice.
I, still looking forward as I had done the entire time so as not to reveal the stubbornness that was about to boil over, just said, "Yeah..." before being dismissed.
So, yes, one and all. I understand where you're coming from, BUT!
And this is a very big but: Please do not judge all of us that way. Sure, some of us are over-bearing and can be quite pompous, but they do mean well, however annoying they are, and there are those who take a separate approach at being Christian entirely. Like I said in my second or so post, I'm more than happy to hear what you believe in, because as long as it works for you and makes you feel fulfilled in the way that you're looking for, I'm perfectly content. You don't absolutely have to believe what I do "lest you be forever condemned." However, if you are curious about my beliefs and would like to hear them (because they're not exactly what the text-book Christian preaches), then I'd be glad to share my opinions with you, pressure-free. I'm a Christian. I try not to judge, but I am only human, and I'm sorry about that. I do have my own values that I can get pretty heatedly defensive about, but so does everyone else.
I'm a Christian, and I'm your friend, wherever you come from in life. I'm not going to push my beliefs on you unless you ask to hear about them, and even then I won't push.
In conclusion, you're not completely wrong when you generalize Christians in the way I delineated above, just like every other generalization spawns from some level of truth, but--I beg you--don't assume we're all like that and roll your eyes just because I mention what I believe. I wouldn't do that to you.
Live happily, speak your mind, and stand up for what you believe in, but be polite, please :)
Anyway, on to our stimulating topic of the moment: Christians
Yes, Christians.
Actually, this is a very two-sided article about Christians, because I'd like to settle something here. I know for a fact that many people roll their eyes at Christians because they tend to be pushy, self-righteous individuals who think that quoting the Bible at you will save your soul and earn them a shinier halo once they've done their Godly Deed of the Day. Am I wrong?
It may surprise you to know that I, a Christian myself, and proud of it, also share this opinion in some cases.
Seriously, I do.
Just today, I was in a dentist appointment, and when asked what I had going on in my life I proudly announced that I will be turning 20 on Saturday and am spending the weekend in Gettysburg. Now, of course, not ever 20 year old chooses Gettysburg to host their birthday bash, but I am very much looking forward to doing a special ghost hunt that I made an appointment for weeks ago, and when I told them of my eager plans, this is what I had to endure:
"Ghosts? You should be searching for the Holy Ghost," the first assistant declares with a proud smile at her attempt at word-play.
"I've already found Him," I reply simply.
"Well, then why would you search among the dead what you can find among the living? That's one of my favorite quotes regarding this subject from the Old Testament." Another smug smile, but this time from the second assistant.
That's right. They had me cornered. Right there in the dentist's chair.
"I just want to see if they're real," I say, trying not to show that I was getting a bit peeved at having them lecture to me about my own religion.
"Oh they're real," the first assistant says gravely. "But all they do is lie to you. They'll lead you straight to Satan--that's how he works!"
"Just something to think about," the second assistant says in a cheery I've-just-saved-your-soul-and-earned-an-extra-bar-of-chocolate voice.
I, still looking forward as I had done the entire time so as not to reveal the stubbornness that was about to boil over, just said, "Yeah..." before being dismissed.
So, yes, one and all. I understand where you're coming from, BUT!
And this is a very big but: Please do not judge all of us that way. Sure, some of us are over-bearing and can be quite pompous, but they do mean well, however annoying they are, and there are those who take a separate approach at being Christian entirely. Like I said in my second or so post, I'm more than happy to hear what you believe in, because as long as it works for you and makes you feel fulfilled in the way that you're looking for, I'm perfectly content. You don't absolutely have to believe what I do "lest you be forever condemned." However, if you are curious about my beliefs and would like to hear them (because they're not exactly what the text-book Christian preaches), then I'd be glad to share my opinions with you, pressure-free. I'm a Christian. I try not to judge, but I am only human, and I'm sorry about that. I do have my own values that I can get pretty heatedly defensive about, but so does everyone else.
I'm a Christian, and I'm your friend, wherever you come from in life. I'm not going to push my beliefs on you unless you ask to hear about them, and even then I won't push.
In conclusion, you're not completely wrong when you generalize Christians in the way I delineated above, just like every other generalization spawns from some level of truth, but--I beg you--don't assume we're all like that and roll your eyes just because I mention what I believe. I wouldn't do that to you.
Live happily, speak your mind, and stand up for what you believe in, but be polite, please :)
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The "Friend Zone"
There has always been talk, thanks to several real-life situations, movies, and I'm sure that little Free Love movement back in the 60's, about being "just friends" or being "more than just friends". "Do you like him? Or do you like like him?" We've all heard it before. So let's really look at this. If you are confused between whether or not you simply "like" your best friend or if you just might "like like" him or her, I am about to attempt the impossible by trying to categorize what qualifies as "just friends: you like them" or "more than friends: you like like them"...wish me luck here, and no flying vegetables, please.
First, maybe I should discuss the influences that can stir up the feelings that bring this confusing "like like" situation into play. I blame two sources: whoever created old cliches, and the media (as always). There is an old phrase that says that boys and girls can never be best friends and stay "just friends", and the media supports this with fervor--"Valentine's Day", for a very recent example, showed innumerable relationships blossoming, failing, maturing, becoming more honest, what have you, but what was the scenario for the main character, Ashton Kutcher (designated as such simply because he and his female counterpart were the connecting factors for nearly all the stories)? Upon discussing relationships with Mario Lopez, he was given the response to his question of how Mario had made his relationship work so well of "That's easy! I married my best friend!" Hollywood loves to do that "it's the girl/boy who was always there for you, but you never thought to consider the fact that you might love them" thing, and that can sometimes happen in real life, too. My parents started out as best friends, and things just sort of fell into place for them after that, but not everyone is going to get that specific fairy tale.
Now let's discuss the feelings themselves. Here are some criteria I've noticed that seem to describe a best friend: You've known this person for a long time. You're comfortable around them. You don't have to change parts of your personality to fit them. They fit into your life well. You may or may not have noticed how attractive they are or aren't in your opinion due to not having thought of it before now. They are reliable. They text or call you to invite you places, instead of you always having to do all the planning work in the friendship. You have found yourself singing around them with little to no regard of how they might judge your talents--that probably never even crossed your mind to begin with! You enjoy enough of the same things to get along, but you disagree on enough subjects to sustain stimulating and entertaining arguments with each other. When you are around them, you honestly feel free venting because they'll listen, and you can listen to them without making the conversation about you because they already know enough of your past to know that you understand. You really do forget that infuriating fight you had with another friend or an ex-boyfriend or boyfriend, and it just doesn't seem to mean anything to you anymore. You mentioned something hours, days, months, years ago, and today something pertaining to that subject happened causing your friend to look at you and you to nod before he or she has to say anything, to which he or she simply nods his or her understanding, and the two of you move on.
That, my friends, is a best friend.
But how many people do you think would tell you that you two must love each other without realizing it? And how many of us would stop and think, "Well, huh, maybe they're right. Maybe I'm one of those lucky people who gets the adorable fairy tale..."
But what if we're just letting what others say get into our heads, and hidden emotions are really not the case right now, and you two give it a shot, and it doesn't work, and you're left with a ruined friendship that had been such a comfort to you before? Then I bet you'd be smashing your head against a wall... I know I would...
While this has yet to be scientifically confirmed, I would classify this as "just friends: you like them". Give it a few years, and see how you feel when you're a bit older and have made a few more mistakes with significant others whose loss don't leave such an everlasting sting on your heart before you put a once-in-a-lifetime best friendship on the line. Leave the fantasies for Hollywood. No one gets hurt in dreams, but reality may be a bit different in many cases. I'm not saying it will never happen, but I am saying that I think you should be without any doubts when gambling something as precious as a best friendship.
Now, for those of you who get butterflies in your stomach, and can't breathe due to a pounding heart, and think about this recently introduced guy or girl 24/7. To you I say, get out a bit more. Attempt to hang out with this object of your affections on a more friendly basis before you go diving head-first into a relationship. Dating used to be very popular. It made "going steady" a gesture of honesty and importance. Going steady said, "even though there were no strings and good, clean fun before, I'd like to take that step into Commitment-land and show you how special I think you are...maintaining the good, clean fun part, of course..." Nowadays, dating is seen as trashy and indecisive. For all the positive things that have been distorted and tainted into something unethical, yet no longer taboo, that society now urges us to accept regardless of morals, dating seems to have gone the opposite route. It was harmless and safe, mostly because people didn't have sex ASAP, which I will blatantly tell you I do NOT agree with, no matter what society says these days.
In my honest opinion, I wish we all had a best friend that we could safely fall in love with for the rest of our lives without losing the precious bliss of friendship, but I know that people are beautifully complicated deep inside, and that makes it much more difficult than, "You're my best friend--let's get married!".
Tread softly, dear readers. Don't lose something wonderful when you have plenty of time to find that Certain Someone. Who knows who you'll meet tomorrow? But don't forget who is important now and pretty much always has been. Don't forget the happiness that you have because of your history, and use it to consider your best decisions for the future. Can you not live without this person? Would you be devastated if they left you? Then I urge you to wait. If it is meant to be, by the time you two realize, beyond doubt, that you are meant to be "more than just best friends," when you find that you both "like like" each other to the point that you may even love each other, you'll have even more inside jokes and memories to fuel your lives together and keep you close for that Happily Ever After that we all desperately search for. And if it's not meant to be, you'll find someone to love and have your best friend as well. Bonus! Right?
So, in conclusion (and here's where the flying vegetables might take flight), I hate to sound like a Magic 8 Ball, but..."Only time will tell...Ask yourself again later..." ;)
First, maybe I should discuss the influences that can stir up the feelings that bring this confusing "like like" situation into play. I blame two sources: whoever created old cliches, and the media (as always). There is an old phrase that says that boys and girls can never be best friends and stay "just friends", and the media supports this with fervor--"Valentine's Day", for a very recent example, showed innumerable relationships blossoming, failing, maturing, becoming more honest, what have you, but what was the scenario for the main character, Ashton Kutcher (designated as such simply because he and his female counterpart were the connecting factors for nearly all the stories)? Upon discussing relationships with Mario Lopez, he was given the response to his question of how Mario had made his relationship work so well of "That's easy! I married my best friend!" Hollywood loves to do that "it's the girl/boy who was always there for you, but you never thought to consider the fact that you might love them" thing, and that can sometimes happen in real life, too. My parents started out as best friends, and things just sort of fell into place for them after that, but not everyone is going to get that specific fairy tale.
Now let's discuss the feelings themselves. Here are some criteria I've noticed that seem to describe a best friend: You've known this person for a long time. You're comfortable around them. You don't have to change parts of your personality to fit them. They fit into your life well. You may or may not have noticed how attractive they are or aren't in your opinion due to not having thought of it before now. They are reliable. They text or call you to invite you places, instead of you always having to do all the planning work in the friendship. You have found yourself singing around them with little to no regard of how they might judge your talents--that probably never even crossed your mind to begin with! You enjoy enough of the same things to get along, but you disagree on enough subjects to sustain stimulating and entertaining arguments with each other. When you are around them, you honestly feel free venting because they'll listen, and you can listen to them without making the conversation about you because they already know enough of your past to know that you understand. You really do forget that infuriating fight you had with another friend or an ex-boyfriend or boyfriend, and it just doesn't seem to mean anything to you anymore. You mentioned something hours, days, months, years ago, and today something pertaining to that subject happened causing your friend to look at you and you to nod before he or she has to say anything, to which he or she simply nods his or her understanding, and the two of you move on.
That, my friends, is a best friend.
But how many people do you think would tell you that you two must love each other without realizing it? And how many of us would stop and think, "Well, huh, maybe they're right. Maybe I'm one of those lucky people who gets the adorable fairy tale..."
But what if we're just letting what others say get into our heads, and hidden emotions are really not the case right now, and you two give it a shot, and it doesn't work, and you're left with a ruined friendship that had been such a comfort to you before? Then I bet you'd be smashing your head against a wall... I know I would...
While this has yet to be scientifically confirmed, I would classify this as "just friends: you like them". Give it a few years, and see how you feel when you're a bit older and have made a few more mistakes with significant others whose loss don't leave such an everlasting sting on your heart before you put a once-in-a-lifetime best friendship on the line. Leave the fantasies for Hollywood. No one gets hurt in dreams, but reality may be a bit different in many cases. I'm not saying it will never happen, but I am saying that I think you should be without any doubts when gambling something as precious as a best friendship.
Now, for those of you who get butterflies in your stomach, and can't breathe due to a pounding heart, and think about this recently introduced guy or girl 24/7. To you I say, get out a bit more. Attempt to hang out with this object of your affections on a more friendly basis before you go diving head-first into a relationship. Dating used to be very popular. It made "going steady" a gesture of honesty and importance. Going steady said, "even though there were no strings and good, clean fun before, I'd like to take that step into Commitment-land and show you how special I think you are...maintaining the good, clean fun part, of course..." Nowadays, dating is seen as trashy and indecisive. For all the positive things that have been distorted and tainted into something unethical, yet no longer taboo, that society now urges us to accept regardless of morals, dating seems to have gone the opposite route. It was harmless and safe, mostly because people didn't have sex ASAP, which I will blatantly tell you I do NOT agree with, no matter what society says these days.
In my honest opinion, I wish we all had a best friend that we could safely fall in love with for the rest of our lives without losing the precious bliss of friendship, but I know that people are beautifully complicated deep inside, and that makes it much more difficult than, "You're my best friend--let's get married!".
Tread softly, dear readers. Don't lose something wonderful when you have plenty of time to find that Certain Someone. Who knows who you'll meet tomorrow? But don't forget who is important now and pretty much always has been. Don't forget the happiness that you have because of your history, and use it to consider your best decisions for the future. Can you not live without this person? Would you be devastated if they left you? Then I urge you to wait. If it is meant to be, by the time you two realize, beyond doubt, that you are meant to be "more than just best friends," when you find that you both "like like" each other to the point that you may even love each other, you'll have even more inside jokes and memories to fuel your lives together and keep you close for that Happily Ever After that we all desperately search for. And if it's not meant to be, you'll find someone to love and have your best friend as well. Bonus! Right?
So, in conclusion (and here's where the flying vegetables might take flight), I hate to sound like a Magic 8 Ball, but..."Only time will tell...Ask yourself again later..." ;)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Generally "Best Friends"...
There is a funny little generalization out there that explains how everyone in each group of friends has a specific role, and that these roles are standard in every group: the tomboy, the tough one, the wuss, the risk taker, the joker, the beauty, the nerd, etc... Sure, this is sometimes true, and that's fine because these characters can coalesce, but what about the two members of the group who are even closer friends, even, and perhaps especially, in the absence of the others?
See, it's been my personal experience as well as my observation of others that these two people eventually fall into two very specific roles themselves: the leader, and the follower. The astounding part is that these two individuals can be extraordinarily independent and defined people in any situation until a conflict with their "best friend" counterpart occurs. In such a situation, a status quot that was devised somewhere near the beginning of the friendship is put into effect, and one friend releases their frustration while the other makes a feeble attempt to argue their point, eventually giving in to avoid possible friendship-traumatizing resentment. Nothing is ever settled, and this becomes a vicious circle that has the horrible habit of leading to the eventual termination of the friendship, and not on the best of terms.
I can't be the only one to have witnessed or experienced this, and I have played both rolls in the "best friend"ships that I've had throughout my life, but what is the solution? What is the compromise? How do we find a common ground between two people who are fortunate enough to be closer than sisters but handle conflicts so ineffectively? It is neither friend's fault. It seems that this role playing game is some sort of naturally occurring order. Who knows why, and who knows how, but as girls, catty as we are, we should realize how fortunate we are when we find a person compatible enough with us to be considered our "best friend".
Like any good Discovery Channel documentary, I have no conclusion or solution to this problem, but I'm posting this purely as food for thought in the hopes that someone somewhere will experience an epiphany (or a "light [shining down] from...somewhere" as Obama put it when telling people that voting for him would be a divine epiphany) and share the wonderful solution with the rest of us. Maybe then we'll be one step closer to world peace! There's incentive for you! :)
See, it's been my personal experience as well as my observation of others that these two people eventually fall into two very specific roles themselves: the leader, and the follower. The astounding part is that these two individuals can be extraordinarily independent and defined people in any situation until a conflict with their "best friend" counterpart occurs. In such a situation, a status quot that was devised somewhere near the beginning of the friendship is put into effect, and one friend releases their frustration while the other makes a feeble attempt to argue their point, eventually giving in to avoid possible friendship-traumatizing resentment. Nothing is ever settled, and this becomes a vicious circle that has the horrible habit of leading to the eventual termination of the friendship, and not on the best of terms.
I can't be the only one to have witnessed or experienced this, and I have played both rolls in the "best friend"ships that I've had throughout my life, but what is the solution? What is the compromise? How do we find a common ground between two people who are fortunate enough to be closer than sisters but handle conflicts so ineffectively? It is neither friend's fault. It seems that this role playing game is some sort of naturally occurring order. Who knows why, and who knows how, but as girls, catty as we are, we should realize how fortunate we are when we find a person compatible enough with us to be considered our "best friend".
Like any good Discovery Channel documentary, I have no conclusion or solution to this problem, but I'm posting this purely as food for thought in the hopes that someone somewhere will experience an epiphany (or a "light [shining down] from...somewhere" as Obama put it when telling people that voting for him would be a divine epiphany) and share the wonderful solution with the rest of us. Maybe then we'll be one step closer to world peace! There's incentive for you! :)
Monday, March 8, 2010
An attempt to remedy prejudice...or at least address it. Wish me luck...
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Truth is, there haven't been many blog-worthy moments recently, save one idea that I've been mulling over for months. Now, I'm going to try to keep this one short as it is a subject that I think might get some people heated towards me, but understand that I'm not in any way prejudice in either direction. Honestly, I'm not. This is directed to everyone. So let me begin convincing you by addressing my own ethnicity first.
Dear Caucasians,
Please, stop being discriminatory towards people who happen to be of a separate ethnicity than your own. If you must judge someone, do it based on their personality and how they treat others, not by what color their skin is because no two people are the same. Your best friend could be more tan, more pale, or a completely different color than you are, and you may just completely overlook them because you're too busy judging based on the appearances that they can't and very well shouldn't be expected to change.
Dear Members of Other Diversities,
I respect you all. I accept that you are not all part of the group of people who may have given your ethnicity a less-than-praised reputation, just like members of the Caucasian ethnicity ruin the name for people of my own color (I'm so pale, I could never attempt to hide my race). I also would like to thank you for being kind and good people who make excellent friends and fantastic Americans (British citizens, Frenchmen, etc...).
Thank you all, Caucasians, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans, etc. for not allowing society to define you and your perspectives of the general populace, whatever color they may be.
To Those Who Harbor Inner Prejudices,
I understand that we only hear the bad views about people in the news and gossip these days. I understand that we are more prone to seeing differences in people when they have done something taboo or unorthodox and consequently stand out in a negative light. I understand, but I ask you to understand that it is not just African Americans, Hispanics, Caucasians, Asians, or anyone but people of your color that act out in society and catch the tainted spotlight. Everyone has done something they are not proud of, and most people have at least one moment where they've shined. There is no difference between us. We are all Homo sapiens--same genus, same species. There used to be separate species of human, if you recall, Neanderthals and others, but our species was the one that was strong enough to survive, and, believe me, friend, we did not survive independently. We need each other. If we didn't, natural selection or God or something would have arranged the planet in some other way, but none of them did.
So let's do what we were ordained to by whatever faith you choose to believe in. Let's just coexist as nature, God, or anything that had an influence on our development on this Earth has intended. You can't argue that we aren't where we are. Whatever got us here in your opinion had a method behind its madness. I think it's about time we stopped assuming that we, the "knowing men," as our species name implies, know everything about everything that has ever happened or ever will. We are lucky to be here. We are blessed to be here. Either way, we are here for a reason, and holding ourselves back with prejudices in any direction is useless and counter-productive to a world of people who so deeply values progress. Let's take another giant leap for mankind and start loving mankind. :)
Dear Caucasians,
Please, stop being discriminatory towards people who happen to be of a separate ethnicity than your own. If you must judge someone, do it based on their personality and how they treat others, not by what color their skin is because no two people are the same. Your best friend could be more tan, more pale, or a completely different color than you are, and you may just completely overlook them because you're too busy judging based on the appearances that they can't and very well shouldn't be expected to change.
Dear Members of Other Diversities,
I respect you all. I accept that you are not all part of the group of people who may have given your ethnicity a less-than-praised reputation, just like members of the Caucasian ethnicity ruin the name for people of my own color (I'm so pale, I could never attempt to hide my race). I also would like to thank you for being kind and good people who make excellent friends and fantastic Americans (British citizens, Frenchmen, etc...).
Thank you all, Caucasians, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans, etc. for not allowing society to define you and your perspectives of the general populace, whatever color they may be.
To Those Who Harbor Inner Prejudices,
I understand that we only hear the bad views about people in the news and gossip these days. I understand that we are more prone to seeing differences in people when they have done something taboo or unorthodox and consequently stand out in a negative light. I understand, but I ask you to understand that it is not just African Americans, Hispanics, Caucasians, Asians, or anyone but people of your color that act out in society and catch the tainted spotlight. Everyone has done something they are not proud of, and most people have at least one moment where they've shined. There is no difference between us. We are all Homo sapiens--same genus, same species. There used to be separate species of human, if you recall, Neanderthals and others, but our species was the one that was strong enough to survive, and, believe me, friend, we did not survive independently. We need each other. If we didn't, natural selection or God or something would have arranged the planet in some other way, but none of them did.
So let's do what we were ordained to by whatever faith you choose to believe in. Let's just coexist as nature, God, or anything that had an influence on our development on this Earth has intended. You can't argue that we aren't where we are. Whatever got us here in your opinion had a method behind its madness. I think it's about time we stopped assuming that we, the "knowing men," as our species name implies, know everything about everything that has ever happened or ever will. We are lucky to be here. We are blessed to be here. Either way, we are here for a reason, and holding ourselves back with prejudices in any direction is useless and counter-productive to a world of people who so deeply values progress. Let's take another giant leap for mankind and start loving mankind. :)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Redefining Nightmares
When I was younger, I had some frequent nightmares, as we all do. They frightened me so much that I would sail out of bed and dash down the hall in tears to wake my parents, regardless of what time it was. As I got older, of course, I was able to contain myself to hyperventilating and pulling the blankets up to my chin, and eventually I would just roll over and fall back to sleep, unless it was one of those pesky dreams that picked up right where it left off as soon as I was unconscious again, but I haven't had a single nightmare in a very long time. I rarely sleep deeply enough to dream these days, however, since I caught a cold and began taking the uber-wonderful NyQuil, I've been sleeping like a dream and having them much more often.
For the past week, every dream I can remember has been a nightmare, but I'm fascinated with how differently they've been playing out. Last night for instance, I had a dream in which my dad (for some unknown reason that will never be necessary in real life, let me assure you right now) was remarried to a woman with a son and two daughters. This is not the nightmare part, though suddenly not having my own mom and brother is a terrifying thought. No, the nightmare part was the psycho killer that managed to get into our house at night and was doing the usual psycho-killer thing--I'll let you refer to your favorite horror flick for the details--and horribly injured the step family, but at some point--I'm not sure which one of us did it--Dad or I or both of us disposed of the maniac. The family ended up fine, and I apparently thought the psycho was possessed and insisted the police not cremate him (wow, I know...). I woke up to my alarm this morning with a decently violent jolt and did begin hyperventilating a bit...until I realized I was safe in my dorm room and how my dad and I had TOTALLY just taken out a psychotic murderer. Then it was one of the coolest dreams ever, and I was quite proud of myself.
I haven't had a nightmare recently that I could truthfully say is a nightmare because in each and every one I, along with whoever else is with me in the dream have overcome every nightmare player. I don't know how this has happened, or why I get to be a hero in my dreams when I hardly ever was before, but I kind of like it, and if I have a nightmare from now on, I hope I continue to kick butt. Also, if something like this, God forbid, should ever happen in real life, I truly hope I'll have the same courage I manage to muster up in my dreams so I can help take care of that, too. After all, I am CPR and First Aide certified now...
Here's to all of us finding the courage do to what is necessary both in dreams and, eventually, in life! Be safe though, would you? :)
For the past week, every dream I can remember has been a nightmare, but I'm fascinated with how differently they've been playing out. Last night for instance, I had a dream in which my dad (for some unknown reason that will never be necessary in real life, let me assure you right now) was remarried to a woman with a son and two daughters. This is not the nightmare part, though suddenly not having my own mom and brother is a terrifying thought. No, the nightmare part was the psycho killer that managed to get into our house at night and was doing the usual psycho-killer thing--I'll let you refer to your favorite horror flick for the details--and horribly injured the step family, but at some point--I'm not sure which one of us did it--Dad or I or both of us disposed of the maniac. The family ended up fine, and I apparently thought the psycho was possessed and insisted the police not cremate him (wow, I know...). I woke up to my alarm this morning with a decently violent jolt and did begin hyperventilating a bit...until I realized I was safe in my dorm room and how my dad and I had TOTALLY just taken out a psychotic murderer. Then it was one of the coolest dreams ever, and I was quite proud of myself.
I haven't had a nightmare recently that I could truthfully say is a nightmare because in each and every one I, along with whoever else is with me in the dream have overcome every nightmare player. I don't know how this has happened, or why I get to be a hero in my dreams when I hardly ever was before, but I kind of like it, and if I have a nightmare from now on, I hope I continue to kick butt. Also, if something like this, God forbid, should ever happen in real life, I truly hope I'll have the same courage I manage to muster up in my dreams so I can help take care of that, too. After all, I am CPR and First Aide certified now...
Here's to all of us finding the courage do to what is necessary both in dreams and, eventually, in life! Be safe though, would you? :)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Just some random rambles...
Here are just a few things I've been wondering today:
1) Why is it that the producers of Doctor Who couldn't get a better animation team than the people that created Reboot way back when to do the latest Doctor Who cartoon adventure? (By the way, their writing of American vernacular is just as horrible as our attempts at British lingo, so don't worry so much about doing them injustice. We're all making the same, understandable mistakes...)
2) Do you remember when Tootsie Pop's slogan was "How many licks does it take to the center of a Tootsie Pop? The world may never know..."? Well, did you notice that, eventually, those commercials had numbers in the top corner that told you how many licks it took for some people to get to the center of said Tootsie Pops? Well, I guess the world knows now. Hope they had another slogan in their arsenal after that one. Oh, wait, I haven't seen a Tootsie Pop commercial since...nice going, Tootsie Pop advertising guys.What may the world never know now?
3) Why in the world--someone tell me, please--have our morals gone so horribly downhill? I acknowledge that, perhaps, feminism has killed the chivalry that provokes men to dress up in armor and battle dragons for the sake of a maiden's favor, but a little common courtesy should have survived. If the door you're walking through is going to slam in someone's face, hold it for just a second more, and, sure, treat women with a little respect-laden chivalry by paying for the movie and making her feel secure.
I'd already been on an internal rampage about this subject this week, and then, to top it all off, a few nights ago I heard some people I know talking about how they should get a friend of mine whose girlfriend is away to sleep with them because he's too uptight. And I do know that they would give me all the statistics of how that sort of thing is a tension reliever--the same stupid excuse drug and alcohol users also give, but guess what? I am very easily stressed, and I'm not nearly as easily stressed as other people, but we deal with it. We do yoga, or find a creative outlet (such as, let's say, blogging) to vent our frustrations, and we take control of the situation until we resolve it. I know I could get verbally assaulted by a dozen politically correct wackos nowadays for saying this, but it's my right to free speech, while I still have it, and I'm going to use it: Using drugs, alcohol, and sex as a crutch is a VASTLY definitive sign of WEAKNESS. Also, it is most certainly NOT okay when people have "recreational sex" with different and random people every night. I don't care who told you so. You should respect yourself enough to make something that you do for it's "romantic" qualities stay "romantic".
And do you know what else? The fact that men are "more animal-like" than women is absolutely no excuse at all, though I've heard it plenty of times. I have news for you guys who believe and use that pathetic excuse for your lack of self-control: Somehow, it is scientifically proven that women think about doing the deed more than men do, and we still find it perfectly possible to contain ourselves...or at least we used to, until threesomes became the most popular 25th anniversary gift for married couples (yes, I read that somewhere, and I am so impossibly ticked off). So what makes you guys in this Animal category so weak that you can't keep it to yourselves? I have two friends that were forced to end relationships this year over sexual pressure that they were strong enough to refuse (you go, girls!), but they really liked the guys, and it was a shame see the fun they had hanging out end just because these guys couldn't get over the fact that we're not a race of monkeys whose only purpose in life is to reproduce. If you can't handle being with a girl and respecting her as a person without having to "get her in bed", then you might want to think about how to become a bit more of a man, because you're certainly not man enough to be with a girl of that quality.
To those of you out there who are mature and kind enough to respect other people, thank you, thank you, thank you very much. I can't wait for you to find the girls that are good enough for you. Please do look for them, because they are desperately looking for you, too. Distance and time are a pain, but once you overcome them, you'll be glad you waited and searched. I promise you that.
4) Is the whole "Geronimo" catch phrase going to get really old, really fast in the new season of Doctor Who with Matt Smith, who already has points against him for having no visible eyebrows and not being David Tennant? AH! The world may never know!!! :)
1) Why is it that the producers of Doctor Who couldn't get a better animation team than the people that created Reboot way back when to do the latest Doctor Who cartoon adventure? (By the way, their writing of American vernacular is just as horrible as our attempts at British lingo, so don't worry so much about doing them injustice. We're all making the same, understandable mistakes...)
2) Do you remember when Tootsie Pop's slogan was "How many licks does it take to the center of a Tootsie Pop? The world may never know..."? Well, did you notice that, eventually, those commercials had numbers in the top corner that told you how many licks it took for some people to get to the center of said Tootsie Pops? Well, I guess the world knows now. Hope they had another slogan in their arsenal after that one. Oh, wait, I haven't seen a Tootsie Pop commercial since...nice going, Tootsie Pop advertising guys.What may the world never know now?
3) Why in the world--someone tell me, please--have our morals gone so horribly downhill? I acknowledge that, perhaps, feminism has killed the chivalry that provokes men to dress up in armor and battle dragons for the sake of a maiden's favor, but a little common courtesy should have survived. If the door you're walking through is going to slam in someone's face, hold it for just a second more, and, sure, treat women with a little respect-laden chivalry by paying for the movie and making her feel secure.
I'd already been on an internal rampage about this subject this week, and then, to top it all off, a few nights ago I heard some people I know talking about how they should get a friend of mine whose girlfriend is away to sleep with them because he's too uptight. And I do know that they would give me all the statistics of how that sort of thing is a tension reliever--the same stupid excuse drug and alcohol users also give, but guess what? I am very easily stressed, and I'm not nearly as easily stressed as other people, but we deal with it. We do yoga, or find a creative outlet (such as, let's say, blogging) to vent our frustrations, and we take control of the situation until we resolve it. I know I could get verbally assaulted by a dozen politically correct wackos nowadays for saying this, but it's my right to free speech, while I still have it, and I'm going to use it: Using drugs, alcohol, and sex as a crutch is a VASTLY definitive sign of WEAKNESS. Also, it is most certainly NOT okay when people have "recreational sex" with different and random people every night. I don't care who told you so. You should respect yourself enough to make something that you do for it's "romantic" qualities stay "romantic".
And do you know what else? The fact that men are "more animal-like" than women is absolutely no excuse at all, though I've heard it plenty of times. I have news for you guys who believe and use that pathetic excuse for your lack of self-control: Somehow, it is scientifically proven that women think about doing the deed more than men do, and we still find it perfectly possible to contain ourselves...or at least we used to, until threesomes became the most popular 25th anniversary gift for married couples (yes, I read that somewhere, and I am so impossibly ticked off). So what makes you guys in this Animal category so weak that you can't keep it to yourselves? I have two friends that were forced to end relationships this year over sexual pressure that they were strong enough to refuse (you go, girls!), but they really liked the guys, and it was a shame see the fun they had hanging out end just because these guys couldn't get over the fact that we're not a race of monkeys whose only purpose in life is to reproduce. If you can't handle being with a girl and respecting her as a person without having to "get her in bed", then you might want to think about how to become a bit more of a man, because you're certainly not man enough to be with a girl of that quality.
To those of you out there who are mature and kind enough to respect other people, thank you, thank you, thank you very much. I can't wait for you to find the girls that are good enough for you. Please do look for them, because they are desperately looking for you, too. Distance and time are a pain, but once you overcome them, you'll be glad you waited and searched. I promise you that.
4) Is the whole "Geronimo" catch phrase going to get really old, really fast in the new season of Doctor Who with Matt Smith, who already has points against him for having no visible eyebrows and not being David Tennant? AH! The world may never know!!! :)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
This always happens. Every semester...
...without fail, I always have one class that I fear and dread for some reason or another. This semester it was Aesthetics and Interpretation, which I've mentioned before, but I'm not writing this post to complain about how very stupid it is that we have to write a twenty-page paper and read countless ramblings of deceased philosophers just so we can ruin a perfectly entertaining story by dissecting it and analyzing it. Oh, no. It's worse than that.
Upon responding to the essay questions assigned for our take-home midterm exam, I realized that I have somehow come to not only understand but appreciate the process of "reading between the lines"!
"That's good!" some of you might say, or "Isn't that the point?" those more cynical among you might scorn, but-but-but let me explain something! I have been fighting this acceptance of logic in art for years! In my world, logic in art was "the man" to whom we should stick whatever "it" is!
What's worse is I've realized that these old, dry philosophers whom I've previously abhorred are not very different from me!--Well, to be respectful, I'll say I'm not that different from them.--Think about it! What do I do here? I write my ideas and musings down for people to read and agree or disagree with, and maybe even apply to their own lives. What did they do? They set guidelines for people to either agree or disagree with and apply to their own lives and arts if they chose to. So, you know what that means?...Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Nietzsche, and all of those men and women philosphs were...wait for it...it's worth it, I promise you...................BLOGGERS!
Short and sweet, but there it is! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Upon responding to the essay questions assigned for our take-home midterm exam, I realized that I have somehow come to not only understand but appreciate the process of "reading between the lines"!
"That's good!" some of you might say, or "Isn't that the point?" those more cynical among you might scorn, but-but-but let me explain something! I have been fighting this acceptance of logic in art for years! In my world, logic in art was "the man" to whom we should stick whatever "it" is!
What's worse is I've realized that these old, dry philosophers whom I've previously abhorred are not very different from me!--Well, to be respectful, I'll say I'm not that different from them.--Think about it! What do I do here? I write my ideas and musings down for people to read and agree or disagree with, and maybe even apply to their own lives. What did they do? They set guidelines for people to either agree or disagree with and apply to their own lives and arts if they chose to. So, you know what that means?...Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Nietzsche, and all of those men and women philosphs were...wait for it...it's worth it, I promise you...................BLOGGERS!
Short and sweet, but there it is! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Monday, February 22, 2010
Drama, drama, drama-rama
Drama: A word normally associated with high school and the immature goings on of adolescent Barbie-girls. Most average, slightly responsible or mature people, especially of college age, tend to avoid drama, or at least look forward to Drama's departure from their lives by the time they turn twenty. I'm nineteen. I am one of those people counting down to the Drama Departure, but there are some who have warned me that the duel with Drama is never-ending.
After that lovely introduction, allow me to get to the story behind it. I experienced the resurgence of a drama that I thought I had closed the book on today. To set the juicy stage, I should give you a bit more background information. The main subject of this tale, the Dramatist, if you will, is an ex-boyfriend of mine. Also involved are two of my friends, one of whom has a class with the Dramatist. That is about all the information necessary to get me through this story and to the point behind it.
Today, I was sitting quietly in my room, playing with my new phone, when I received a text from a friend who I meet once her class has ended to help her avoid being intercepted by the Dramatist. Her text explained that he was being particularly abnormal today, and she requested that I be sure to meet her after class as she was feeling nervous. According to her, the Dramatist had shown up to class, uncharacteristically addressing her as "turd", insulting both her and a nearby friend of hers, and telling her to wait for him after class because he wanted to talk to her. He brandished a flower and apparently shook in his for a time during class. Now, allow me to tell you at the risk of exposing my very poor taste in men that this Dramatist is completely and exactly that: he makes everything into a show, and is sadly very rarely completely honest or genuine. His shaking was probably nothing more than an attempt to get my friend to notice him and become sympathetic towards him. It only succeeded in frightening her all the more.
Near the end of the class, I was joined by another friend who had received similar texts from our friend who was cornered in the classroom. We waited to quickly be reunited and make haste towards lunch, but this did not go as planned, however, as the Dramatist managed to position himself in front of my friend as they exited the classroom. I made eye contact with him, and he smiled at me, raising the flower slightly.
My friend joined us as the Dramatist took a stage-like position directly in front of us. He used every technique we had all learned in our public speaking class as he addressed us with a well-rehearsed speech, making eye contact with each of us as he continued on. After a small spiel, the Dramatist looked me in the eye with what I know he intended to be a warm smile, but I am far too familiar with his tendencies towards manipulating people to interpret it as genuine. He presented the flower to me, and my heart started beating at double its normal pace as I quickly became very nervous and scared. He told me he had originally bought the flower for someone else, but thought it was better to give it to me. Praying for the right words, I told him how I have come to feel about him: I am afraid of him, he is very dramatic and volatile, I never know when he is lying or telling me the truth, and he forgets to consider the needs of others far too often. I asked who the flower was originally for, and suddenly his story was that it was meant for no one--he didn't know--but he thought I should have it, and he was sorry it was kind of old. He'd throw the dried out bloom away if I didn't want it. I responded by telling him what I'd told him more than a hundred times before. I appreciate the thought (or the afterthought, I suppose), but it would be wrong of me to accept it. I suggested he find someone who didn't look to be having the best of times and give it to them, just to brighten their day a bit, because, while he argued that his problem was lack of love for himself, I stand by my theory that his true issue is lack of love and regard for other people. The conversation ended after an awkward pause, and he apologized for being so dramatic as he left. By this point I was shaking just slightly from adrenaline or fear, or both.
Once my friends and I were safely outside, I began breathing normally again. I asked them if anything I said had been too harsh as I did my best to put everything in the right words, and they assured me that I hadn't been offensive, and I was glad, after reflecting on what I said, to find that I agreed with them. I felt more mature than I expected to feel, and I regretted nothing that I had said.
If anything can be categorized as the dreaded Drama, I believe this story qualifies exceptionally. However, it makes me wonder, if I came out of this feeling more enlightened and assured in my increasing understanding of attempting to handle difficult situations in the best of ways, is drama perhaps a very necessary part of life? For as much as we resent it, is it possible that drama can sometimes be very imperative life lessons? In high school, drama could be summed up in the passage of rumors and feelings or reputations being unjustly hurt, but there was always a recovery. As we grow up, it seems, drama becomes more than rumors and reputations, because those things matter a little less in such a big pond. Adult Drama, as I am finding may be a more fitting description, seems to be more of a building of maturity with a much larger impact on our character. For as much as I would love to avoid drama, I think I might have to agree with a notion made by my pastor yesterday in church: sometimes we are led into difficult situations so that we can become better people because of them. Now, I'm not Jesus being tempted by the Devil, but I am growing, and, for as insignificant as this moment will be in my future, I think it is the beginning of a very important turning point in my passage from childhood to adult....much like my buying a cell phone on my own for the very first time a few days ago!
I have always dreaded growing up, but when I look back at my childhood and think of how so many of my peers say the tragedy of growing up is losing the wonder of childhood, I feel as though I have lost nothing that I cannot live without, and the wonder is only increasing with my understanding of people. Like a toy not played with given away by mom without being missed, I think my childhood is something I'm ready to release, though I do very much plan to keep the memories close to my heart, and I never intend to fully grow up. It runs in my family.
So, next time we find ourselves experiencing a petty "high school" bit of drama, maybe we can maintain our grasp on maturity if we remember that a life without drama is like a sky without thunder...and I do love a good storm. :)
After that lovely introduction, allow me to get to the story behind it. I experienced the resurgence of a drama that I thought I had closed the book on today. To set the juicy stage, I should give you a bit more background information. The main subject of this tale, the Dramatist, if you will, is an ex-boyfriend of mine. Also involved are two of my friends, one of whom has a class with the Dramatist. That is about all the information necessary to get me through this story and to the point behind it.
Today, I was sitting quietly in my room, playing with my new phone, when I received a text from a friend who I meet once her class has ended to help her avoid being intercepted by the Dramatist. Her text explained that he was being particularly abnormal today, and she requested that I be sure to meet her after class as she was feeling nervous. According to her, the Dramatist had shown up to class, uncharacteristically addressing her as "turd", insulting both her and a nearby friend of hers, and telling her to wait for him after class because he wanted to talk to her. He brandished a flower and apparently shook in his for a time during class. Now, allow me to tell you at the risk of exposing my very poor taste in men that this Dramatist is completely and exactly that: he makes everything into a show, and is sadly very rarely completely honest or genuine. His shaking was probably nothing more than an attempt to get my friend to notice him and become sympathetic towards him. It only succeeded in frightening her all the more.
Near the end of the class, I was joined by another friend who had received similar texts from our friend who was cornered in the classroom. We waited to quickly be reunited and make haste towards lunch, but this did not go as planned, however, as the Dramatist managed to position himself in front of my friend as they exited the classroom. I made eye contact with him, and he smiled at me, raising the flower slightly.
My friend joined us as the Dramatist took a stage-like position directly in front of us. He used every technique we had all learned in our public speaking class as he addressed us with a well-rehearsed speech, making eye contact with each of us as he continued on. After a small spiel, the Dramatist looked me in the eye with what I know he intended to be a warm smile, but I am far too familiar with his tendencies towards manipulating people to interpret it as genuine. He presented the flower to me, and my heart started beating at double its normal pace as I quickly became very nervous and scared. He told me he had originally bought the flower for someone else, but thought it was better to give it to me. Praying for the right words, I told him how I have come to feel about him: I am afraid of him, he is very dramatic and volatile, I never know when he is lying or telling me the truth, and he forgets to consider the needs of others far too often. I asked who the flower was originally for, and suddenly his story was that it was meant for no one--he didn't know--but he thought I should have it, and he was sorry it was kind of old. He'd throw the dried out bloom away if I didn't want it. I responded by telling him what I'd told him more than a hundred times before. I appreciate the thought (or the afterthought, I suppose), but it would be wrong of me to accept it. I suggested he find someone who didn't look to be having the best of times and give it to them, just to brighten their day a bit, because, while he argued that his problem was lack of love for himself, I stand by my theory that his true issue is lack of love and regard for other people. The conversation ended after an awkward pause, and he apologized for being so dramatic as he left. By this point I was shaking just slightly from adrenaline or fear, or both.
Once my friends and I were safely outside, I began breathing normally again. I asked them if anything I said had been too harsh as I did my best to put everything in the right words, and they assured me that I hadn't been offensive, and I was glad, after reflecting on what I said, to find that I agreed with them. I felt more mature than I expected to feel, and I regretted nothing that I had said.
If anything can be categorized as the dreaded Drama, I believe this story qualifies exceptionally. However, it makes me wonder, if I came out of this feeling more enlightened and assured in my increasing understanding of attempting to handle difficult situations in the best of ways, is drama perhaps a very necessary part of life? For as much as we resent it, is it possible that drama can sometimes be very imperative life lessons? In high school, drama could be summed up in the passage of rumors and feelings or reputations being unjustly hurt, but there was always a recovery. As we grow up, it seems, drama becomes more than rumors and reputations, because those things matter a little less in such a big pond. Adult Drama, as I am finding may be a more fitting description, seems to be more of a building of maturity with a much larger impact on our character. For as much as I would love to avoid drama, I think I might have to agree with a notion made by my pastor yesterday in church: sometimes we are led into difficult situations so that we can become better people because of them. Now, I'm not Jesus being tempted by the Devil, but I am growing, and, for as insignificant as this moment will be in my future, I think it is the beginning of a very important turning point in my passage from childhood to adult....much like my buying a cell phone on my own for the very first time a few days ago!
I have always dreaded growing up, but when I look back at my childhood and think of how so many of my peers say the tragedy of growing up is losing the wonder of childhood, I feel as though I have lost nothing that I cannot live without, and the wonder is only increasing with my understanding of people. Like a toy not played with given away by mom without being missed, I think my childhood is something I'm ready to release, though I do very much plan to keep the memories close to my heart, and I never intend to fully grow up. It runs in my family.
So, next time we find ourselves experiencing a petty "high school" bit of drama, maybe we can maintain our grasp on maturity if we remember that a life without drama is like a sky without thunder...and I do love a good storm. :)
Saturday, February 20, 2010
I think WAY too much
I've always been frustrated by philosophers. Yes, they come up with some interesting musings, but they think about things so much that the beauty and mystery is sucked completely dry from even the most creative arts. I have a class in which we read about reading: how to read so that we can extract every subliminal message from what should have been a form of entertainment. To further our analytical prowess, we read philosophical documents that delineate what every character and plot should be in every type of story. We discussed this so much that the class eventually wondered if there is any longer such a thing as an original idea since these renowned men of the past insist that only through these guidelines can we hope to create a lasting piece of literature. I think that is highly discouraging and unnecessary, and I do not very much appreciate my creative passion being reduced to a few lines of concrete rules.
But, you know what? For as much as I complain that philosophers are just over-thinkers with too much time on their hands, I am certainly no better. I think WAY too much, and it can sometimes get me into unnecessary trouble. For instance:
Last week, I entered a funk that can be attributed to seasonal depression, hormones, mundane routines, or whatever, and I decided that the safest thing to do was to keep to myself for a while until the funk subsided, but I am not an introvert. Being on my own only made me feel more depressed and lonely. I decided that a visit to my parents' house over the weekend would be my cure, and, in some ways, it was, but then came the aftershock. Once I began feeling better, noticing what a beautiful day it was, or finding the sublime in a simple song on my iPod, I realized that some things hadn't gone back to normal. I was still feeling awkward among my close friends with whom I spend most of my time. Because this strange feeling went unresolved, I became reclusive once again so I could reanalyze what could be happening. I drew my own uneducated conclusions, and I simply accepted them, basing the rest of my actions off of them for the rest of the week.
I am a hypocrite. And I'll tell you why. I have told my friends several times that if they have a problem with someone, it is best to talk it through with that person before the rift between them gets worse as they get more and more annoyed with each other. I'm sure you can all see that I did not take my own advice in this case. I told myself that I would observe how things went for a few days, something I'd basically scolded my friends for doing in the past, and when I was certain that my theory was correct, then I would act. What do you think happened? Things got worse, and I alienated myself even more as I accepted that the friendship might be diminishing.
It was only last night that I truly realized I was doing this, and I was extremely disappointed in myself. I quickly sent a message to my friend asking if there was anything I had done to make things awkward so I could work on it--something I should have done over a week ago, and, of course the response was along the lines of, "You've been so distant and sad lately, and we've been getting really worried about you, but we weren't sure how to help :(."
What an utter fool I am to think that I am so mature that I know everything others are thinking, just like the crime I accuse the philosophers of committing. A whole week of depressed awkwardness was solved with just three Facebook messages and could have been avoided altogether!
So, here's the message for all of you who may be holding your feelings and hesitations about your friends or significant others to yourself: Don't wait more than three days to communicate with people, because you're really hurting both yourself and them, and life, especially the college experience is far too short to waste time on high-school-level drama that we all know better than to submit to.
I have a friend who gave up negative emotions for Lent. I was a bit shocked and skeptical at first, but I've noticed how much happier he is lately. Now that's a philosophy I'll stand by.
Hope you all have a great day! :)
But, you know what? For as much as I complain that philosophers are just over-thinkers with too much time on their hands, I am certainly no better. I think WAY too much, and it can sometimes get me into unnecessary trouble. For instance:
Last week, I entered a funk that can be attributed to seasonal depression, hormones, mundane routines, or whatever, and I decided that the safest thing to do was to keep to myself for a while until the funk subsided, but I am not an introvert. Being on my own only made me feel more depressed and lonely. I decided that a visit to my parents' house over the weekend would be my cure, and, in some ways, it was, but then came the aftershock. Once I began feeling better, noticing what a beautiful day it was, or finding the sublime in a simple song on my iPod, I realized that some things hadn't gone back to normal. I was still feeling awkward among my close friends with whom I spend most of my time. Because this strange feeling went unresolved, I became reclusive once again so I could reanalyze what could be happening. I drew my own uneducated conclusions, and I simply accepted them, basing the rest of my actions off of them for the rest of the week.
I am a hypocrite. And I'll tell you why. I have told my friends several times that if they have a problem with someone, it is best to talk it through with that person before the rift between them gets worse as they get more and more annoyed with each other. I'm sure you can all see that I did not take my own advice in this case. I told myself that I would observe how things went for a few days, something I'd basically scolded my friends for doing in the past, and when I was certain that my theory was correct, then I would act. What do you think happened? Things got worse, and I alienated myself even more as I accepted that the friendship might be diminishing.
It was only last night that I truly realized I was doing this, and I was extremely disappointed in myself. I quickly sent a message to my friend asking if there was anything I had done to make things awkward so I could work on it--something I should have done over a week ago, and, of course the response was along the lines of, "You've been so distant and sad lately, and we've been getting really worried about you, but we weren't sure how to help :(."
What an utter fool I am to think that I am so mature that I know everything others are thinking, just like the crime I accuse the philosophers of committing. A whole week of depressed awkwardness was solved with just three Facebook messages and could have been avoided altogether!
So, here's the message for all of you who may be holding your feelings and hesitations about your friends or significant others to yourself: Don't wait more than three days to communicate with people, because you're really hurting both yourself and them, and life, especially the college experience is far too short to waste time on high-school-level drama that we all know better than to submit to.
I have a friend who gave up negative emotions for Lent. I was a bit shocked and skeptical at first, but I've noticed how much happier he is lately. Now that's a philosophy I'll stand by.
Hope you all have a great day! :)
Friday, February 19, 2010
Religion...that's right--I'm going there...
Allow me to begin this post with an apparently vital piece of information: I'm a Christian. Now, before you all click away to participate in the Yahoo vs. Google War (Google wins, by the way), just let me define this belief system that so many people dismiss as a pushy, Bible thumping, "religion" that is nothing but a televangelist annoyance. In my perspective, and to put it in words that I've found to be the most accepted by people, Christianity is a broad faith, and it simply implies that the Believer is a person who feels that God exists, and believes that He did send Jesus to die for us. It's almost that simple. Yes, we Christians try to live with morals as our guides, but I know Christianity is not the only religion that supports that. Society itself, through school programs and television promotions, asks adults and children alike to practice responsibility, abstinence, courtesy, and other values.
So why, if the only true difference between a Christian and the common good person is their faith, are people so very flustered and perturbed when I admit that I'm Christian? And why, if all this is true--which I believe it is, so that question is wholly rhetorical--do I have to take it upon myself to choose my words so very carefully, like I did above by avoiding the phrase "religion," to make people of other faiths or agnosticism feel more comfortable when this is my blog about my views and my core beliefs? I can honestly tell you that I don't have the answer.
What brought this on? some of you might be wondering, since I seem to be going off on a rant here, and I feel perfectly comfortable telling you. The honest truth is this: last night I was asked by a friend to join him and what, in basic terms, was a Bible study. I probably wouldn't be able to count the number of people that would be groaning right now, and I was right there with them! I have a very deep devotion to my faith, but I'm not too keen on hearing complicated verses and applying them to my life, even though many of them are very applicable. It gets dull, and I find it very hard to pay attention. I used to dread church, escaping, if I could, to my grandmother's house, or even volunteering at the nursery just to avoid sitting through the pastor's lectures. Bible-based speeches can sometimes tend to be very dry and lack-luster, and I can't really blame anyone who bases their judgment off of that, but look deeper. I went to this event anyway because I've been trying to expand my circle of friends a bit, and the frustration I'm venting now about having to censor myself was already bubbling over, so I thought this might be a refreshing place to stir up some new acquaintances.
As it turns out, I was not disappointed. I met students who were in fraternities, some from sororities, one that I've known for a while from having had classes with him, and some I've never seen before in my life, and all of them were welcoming, and none of them were what you'd call Bible-thumping eccentrics. The service, for lack of a better, more fitting term, was even enjoyable. We sang a couple songs that were thankfully upbeat as compared to the usual hymns of a church, and we colored. Yes, colored. It did have a point to it: that we were to consider what God might be asking us to do with our lives and think about how to be patient with His timing, which is something that I wrestle with a bit since I'm extraordinarily impatient to begin living the life I have planned. But none of this was boring at all! I can even tell you that I looked at the clock and said, "Wow, it's almost over already!", and my friend scolded me for watching the clock when I should have been paying attention, but I was able to rebut him by admitting that I said that because the time went by quickly and painlessly.
And, most importantly, I was able to speak very freely, not having to pick and choose words at all about my religion. Because, fellows, that's what it is. That's what it's always been, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it! I have three friends that I know for sure are Christians, but the rest of them roll their eyes every time I say the word, becoming more accepting when I call it a "faith", however, because that is the "cooler" thing to believe in. I have another acquaintance that used to tell me that calling God "the Universe" was more likely to get people to listen to me. "Tell 'the Universe' what you want and those things will come to you," he would say in a cultist tone, and people would look at him in awe as if he were so intelligent, but what was he really doing? Lying to dress up the truth. Why, may I ask, would you "send thoughts to the Universe" when you could be speaking personally and privately with the One who created the universe? I don't know about you, but I'd much rather the quality assistance of the CEO than that of the person working in the cubicle from 9-5.
But whatever you believe is fine with me, and I'll completely respect it, because if it makes you feel secure and comfortable, then I am so happy for you. That sense of comfort is why I'm a Christian, and I truly believe many religions are connected. I call it God and angels, just like the ancient Greeks called it Zeus and the lesser gods, just like the Hindus call it Vishnu and his lesser gods. If you believe the same thing as I do, then I am glad and would be happy to be your friend, but if you have another religion that I am unfamiliar with, I have complete respect for you and would love to learn more about your perspectives, and I'd still be very happy to be your friend. God did say that it is not our place to judge, and for that reason and the fact that everyone is their own, beautifully unique person, I will not judge...but please don't assume that this means that I will lay aside my beliefs just to accommodate you, because that wouldn't be fair.
So, in blissful conclusion, I am not asking anyone reading this to "convert to Christianity lest you be spurned by the Almighty God!" He doesn't spurn anyone unless it's absolutely necessary, and it hasn't been since the Old Testament. What I am asking of you, however, is that you not scoff at me or show me pity when I admit to you that I am a believer in God and Jesus Christ, because I cannot tell you how much this faith has gotten me through and how many examples I could give you as proof to my perspectives. I am not asking you to become Born Again, though if you should happen to, I'd be glad to hear of it, but I'm merely asking that you practice what parents, society, children's books, and the Golden Rule itself requests of you: respect others, and treat them as you would want to be treated.
I greatly respect and thank you for reading this, and I hope you have a fantastic day. :)
So why, if the only true difference between a Christian and the common good person is their faith, are people so very flustered and perturbed when I admit that I'm Christian? And why, if all this is true--which I believe it is, so that question is wholly rhetorical--do I have to take it upon myself to choose my words so very carefully, like I did above by avoiding the phrase "religion," to make people of other faiths or agnosticism feel more comfortable when this is my blog about my views and my core beliefs? I can honestly tell you that I don't have the answer.
What brought this on? some of you might be wondering, since I seem to be going off on a rant here, and I feel perfectly comfortable telling you. The honest truth is this: last night I was asked by a friend to join him and what, in basic terms, was a Bible study. I probably wouldn't be able to count the number of people that would be groaning right now, and I was right there with them! I have a very deep devotion to my faith, but I'm not too keen on hearing complicated verses and applying them to my life, even though many of them are very applicable. It gets dull, and I find it very hard to pay attention. I used to dread church, escaping, if I could, to my grandmother's house, or even volunteering at the nursery just to avoid sitting through the pastor's lectures. Bible-based speeches can sometimes tend to be very dry and lack-luster, and I can't really blame anyone who bases their judgment off of that, but look deeper. I went to this event anyway because I've been trying to expand my circle of friends a bit, and the frustration I'm venting now about having to censor myself was already bubbling over, so I thought this might be a refreshing place to stir up some new acquaintances.
As it turns out, I was not disappointed. I met students who were in fraternities, some from sororities, one that I've known for a while from having had classes with him, and some I've never seen before in my life, and all of them were welcoming, and none of them were what you'd call Bible-thumping eccentrics. The service, for lack of a better, more fitting term, was even enjoyable. We sang a couple songs that were thankfully upbeat as compared to the usual hymns of a church, and we colored. Yes, colored. It did have a point to it: that we were to consider what God might be asking us to do with our lives and think about how to be patient with His timing, which is something that I wrestle with a bit since I'm extraordinarily impatient to begin living the life I have planned. But none of this was boring at all! I can even tell you that I looked at the clock and said, "Wow, it's almost over already!", and my friend scolded me for watching the clock when I should have been paying attention, but I was able to rebut him by admitting that I said that because the time went by quickly and painlessly.
And, most importantly, I was able to speak very freely, not having to pick and choose words at all about my religion. Because, fellows, that's what it is. That's what it's always been, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with it! I have three friends that I know for sure are Christians, but the rest of them roll their eyes every time I say the word, becoming more accepting when I call it a "faith", however, because that is the "cooler" thing to believe in. I have another acquaintance that used to tell me that calling God "the Universe" was more likely to get people to listen to me. "Tell 'the Universe' what you want and those things will come to you," he would say in a cultist tone, and people would look at him in awe as if he were so intelligent, but what was he really doing? Lying to dress up the truth. Why, may I ask, would you "send thoughts to the Universe" when you could be speaking personally and privately with the One who created the universe? I don't know about you, but I'd much rather the quality assistance of the CEO than that of the person working in the cubicle from 9-5.
But whatever you believe is fine with me, and I'll completely respect it, because if it makes you feel secure and comfortable, then I am so happy for you. That sense of comfort is why I'm a Christian, and I truly believe many religions are connected. I call it God and angels, just like the ancient Greeks called it Zeus and the lesser gods, just like the Hindus call it Vishnu and his lesser gods. If you believe the same thing as I do, then I am glad and would be happy to be your friend, but if you have another religion that I am unfamiliar with, I have complete respect for you and would love to learn more about your perspectives, and I'd still be very happy to be your friend. God did say that it is not our place to judge, and for that reason and the fact that everyone is their own, beautifully unique person, I will not judge...but please don't assume that this means that I will lay aside my beliefs just to accommodate you, because that wouldn't be fair.
So, in blissful conclusion, I am not asking anyone reading this to "convert to Christianity lest you be spurned by the Almighty God!" He doesn't spurn anyone unless it's absolutely necessary, and it hasn't been since the Old Testament. What I am asking of you, however, is that you not scoff at me or show me pity when I admit to you that I am a believer in God and Jesus Christ, because I cannot tell you how much this faith has gotten me through and how many examples I could give you as proof to my perspectives. I am not asking you to become Born Again, though if you should happen to, I'd be glad to hear of it, but I'm merely asking that you practice what parents, society, children's books, and the Golden Rule itself requests of you: respect others, and treat them as you would want to be treated.
I greatly respect and thank you for reading this, and I hope you have a fantastic day. :)
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Tada!!!
Let's try this again. Here's what you can expect:
1) I know the title is very pretty (thanks, mom!), but I'm not going to be weaving a tapestry of prefect words every time I write, and I'll tell you why-- I think that's a bit pompous. While I take pride in making pretty lines in books and the occasional poem, I'm more here to talk to anyone who would like to read. I'll probably post some short stories or sample passages from books to get some feedback, but I'm here to communicate.
2) I may also post articles about issues that get me steamed up enough for me to write something about them. They will be opinionated, though I promise to try to quell my bias to about a 4...I understand if you don't agree, but that's why this is a blog and not the New York Times! :)
3) I may even make this into a bit of a journal. Who knows!
4) I probably won't update everyday. I've been awful with that in the past (hence the "Let's try this again" up there), and, let's face it, if all I do for three days straight is eat, sleep, and go to class with no deviance at all, do you really care? I'll spare you.
Hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by!
1) I know the title is very pretty (thanks, mom!), but I'm not going to be weaving a tapestry of prefect words every time I write, and I'll tell you why-- I think that's a bit pompous. While I take pride in making pretty lines in books and the occasional poem, I'm more here to talk to anyone who would like to read. I'll probably post some short stories or sample passages from books to get some feedback, but I'm here to communicate.
2) I may also post articles about issues that get me steamed up enough for me to write something about them. They will be opinionated, though I promise to try to quell my bias to about a 4...I understand if you don't agree, but that's why this is a blog and not the New York Times! :)
3) I may even make this into a bit of a journal. Who knows!
4) I probably won't update everyday. I've been awful with that in the past (hence the "Let's try this again" up there), and, let's face it, if all I do for three days straight is eat, sleep, and go to class with no deviance at all, do you really care? I'll spare you.
Hope you like it! Thanks for stopping by!
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