“The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with oneself.”
- Mark Twain
By this Mr. Twain is saying that without self confidence and peace, you cannot really feel the completeness of companionship. Instead of being able to think of those you are with, you dwell on your own incapabilities in social, mental, or spiritual areas and thereby keep yourself from enjoying others. In this state you are lonely even when surrounded by loved ones and even more lonely when physically withdrawn from family or friends.
This is something I believe that everyone struggles with. We stress about what others are saying about us, or what they might think of us. I myself have have tendencies in this direction, but like my earlier blog said, “the world doesn’t revolve around you.” In other words, people don’t think about us like we think they do so we don’t have to worry about them thinking about us. It is also helpful to know that our Heavenly Father thinks highly of us and His view of us is the only one that counts anyway.
I have come to love my time alone. I enjoy sitting in my room and journaling or reading a good book. I don’t have to feel uncomfortable or lonely with myself because my Heavenly Father is always by my side.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Number 17- Older Students
Adults heading back to school can be good or bad depending on the situation. In some cases it is a very good thing. Perhaps a man or woman has worked at the local breakfast joint for the last ten years. They have enough money to sustain themselves but not enough to have a family, something that they want very badly. In their case it would be good for them to return to college in order to have a better education thereby being able to obtain a better job. On the other hand, if a single mother with three kids was trying to return to school and work two jobs while taking care of her kids, I don’t think college is the answer. While it would eventually get her a better job to provide for her kids, it will take too long and in the mean time her family will suffer for it.
Older students may face certain drawbacks when returning to school. Some of these may be the lack of time because of their job or family, a fear of failure like they may have experienced when they were in college before, or simply a fear of being socially unaccepted because of their age.
I believe that older students would be helpful in the improvement of society because of their experience. The older you are the more experienced you are. An older person may find it much easier to apply the things that they learn to reality and thus become a great asset to the working force of America.
Older students may face certain drawbacks when returning to school. Some of these may be the lack of time because of their job or family, a fear of failure like they may have experienced when they were in college before, or simply a fear of being socially unaccepted because of their age.
I believe that older students would be helpful in the improvement of society because of their experience. The older you are the more experienced you are. An older person may find it much easier to apply the things that they learn to reality and thus become a great asset to the working force of America.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Number 16 You Mean to Tell Me, It's Not All About Me?
“The world does not revolve around you.”-unkown
This phrase has crossed the lips of many a mouth and yet I don’t think that many a mind understands how true it really is. I’ve been in company with all kinds of people of all different ages and I’ve found that most think that everyone else is watching them. I strongly believe that this isn’t the case. People are so concerned with doing their own will and their own thing that the wants and the needs of others are often lost.
Selfishness is the inherent path that humans tread. It is the lack of love and care for others. Because of this awful trait we automatically focus in on us, not others. How often do we lay awake at night worrying for the livelihood of our neighbors or our classmates? Maybe its just me, but it seems like we are all pretty concerned with our own problems and our own feelings. The funny thing is that we worry about what other people think of us when other people aren’t even thinking about us. I’ve noticed in my own life I tend to dwell on myself entirely too much. As a follower of Christ my focus should be on the saving of souls (Matt. 28:19,20) and we read in Revelation that all those who dwell on the earth will be lost (Rev. 17:8). Thus we must lift our thoughts higher; we must lift them to the throne of grace where we will find rest for our souls and love for those around us. We must dwell on Jesus and we will then focus on others as we become like Him.
This phrase has crossed the lips of many a mouth and yet I don’t think that many a mind understands how true it really is. I’ve been in company with all kinds of people of all different ages and I’ve found that most think that everyone else is watching them. I strongly believe that this isn’t the case. People are so concerned with doing their own will and their own thing that the wants and the needs of others are often lost.
Selfishness is the inherent path that humans tread. It is the lack of love and care for others. Because of this awful trait we automatically focus in on us, not others. How often do we lay awake at night worrying for the livelihood of our neighbors or our classmates? Maybe its just me, but it seems like we are all pretty concerned with our own problems and our own feelings. The funny thing is that we worry about what other people think of us when other people aren’t even thinking about us. I’ve noticed in my own life I tend to dwell on myself entirely too much. As a follower of Christ my focus should be on the saving of souls (Matt. 28:19,20) and we read in Revelation that all those who dwell on the earth will be lost (Rev. 17:8). Thus we must lift our thoughts higher; we must lift them to the throne of grace where we will find rest for our souls and love for those around us. We must dwell on Jesus and we will then focus on others as we become like Him.
Number 15- Claire a President? Is that Really a Good Idea?
Let me tell you something. If I were ever to be elected president it would be through an unlucky and strange turn of events. I am sorry to say that those under my rule would probably be better off if they were to run to the caves and cry for the rocks to fall down on them. Not only would I deplore the position of presidency, I would be a determent to this awesome nation. I am truly grateful for the president that is in office at this time as well as very thankful that I am not. Nonetheless, if I were president I would make some changes and address several things. These are those that follow:
Terrorism
I believe that we are being too easy on the terrorists. Instead of playing around in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever else we might be at the moment, I think that we should get the job done. We need to wipe out the terrorists instead of trying to please the blind green party participants who don’t realize that peace can only be obtained by war. Once we get rid of the terrorists then peace can reign without the fear of suicide bombers and terrorists’ attacks.
Illegal Immigration
Because of illegal immigrants our economy is plummeting. I would crack down on “illegals” like never before. If they want to come here legally then I am glad to have them but I cannot have them sucking the economy of its life blood while they’re illegal. Once they become legal they can do their part as law abiding citizens to keep this country on her feet.
Health Care
For health care we need to drop the taxes. The reason I say this is because people are having to pay such high taxes for other people’s health care that they cannot pay for their own. My own family has struggled with this so I have experience in this area. If the taxes were dropped then people could fend for themselves and not loose out on their health care because they are paying for the health care of others.
These issues are dearest to my own heart because I believe that they are very important to society and the livelihood of America. We cannot allow terrorism to get under our skin and wipe us out therefore we must abolish it. We cannot let illegal immigration slowly infiltrate us and eat away at our economy thus we must crack down on it, and we cannot let Americans themselves suffer from health problems so we must lower taxes so they will be able to go to the doctor and pay for their broken bones, illnesses and medications. I know that these courses of action will not please everyone in America but I believe that they are they which will bring her out of the slump that she is finding herself in. This is what I would do if I were the president.
Terrorism
I believe that we are being too easy on the terrorists. Instead of playing around in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and wherever else we might be at the moment, I think that we should get the job done. We need to wipe out the terrorists instead of trying to please the blind green party participants who don’t realize that peace can only be obtained by war. Once we get rid of the terrorists then peace can reign without the fear of suicide bombers and terrorists’ attacks.
Illegal Immigration
Because of illegal immigrants our economy is plummeting. I would crack down on “illegals” like never before. If they want to come here legally then I am glad to have them but I cannot have them sucking the economy of its life blood while they’re illegal. Once they become legal they can do their part as law abiding citizens to keep this country on her feet.
Health Care
For health care we need to drop the taxes. The reason I say this is because people are having to pay such high taxes for other people’s health care that they cannot pay for their own. My own family has struggled with this so I have experience in this area. If the taxes were dropped then people could fend for themselves and not loose out on their health care because they are paying for the health care of others.
These issues are dearest to my own heart because I believe that they are very important to society and the livelihood of America. We cannot allow terrorism to get under our skin and wipe us out therefore we must abolish it. We cannot let illegal immigration slowly infiltrate us and eat away at our economy thus we must crack down on it, and we cannot let Americans themselves suffer from health problems so we must lower taxes so they will be able to go to the doctor and pay for their broken bones, illnesses and medications. I know that these courses of action will not please everyone in America but I believe that they are they which will bring her out of the slump that she is finding herself in. This is what I would do if I were the president.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Number 13 Favorite Holyday
My favorite holyday has always been Christmas. I can remember from when I was little going to my grandparents’ house to eat good food and unwrap presents under their over-decorated tree. It was such an exciting day for me that I would make calendars to count down every day of December until it was Christmas.
Interestingly enough, that same holyday has now become my least favorite. I still enjoy gathering as a family and being together, but new light has been shed on Christmas that has changed my feelings for it. Christmas is not the day of Jesus’ birth. It is in fact, the day of Tamuz’s birth. Tamuz was the son of an Empress long ago. She claimed that the Sun God has impregnated her with Tamuz and that Tamuz was to be worshipped and celebrated. Thus, on December 25 of that year, a holy-day was erected for him. Many years later the church tried to come to an agreement or compromise with the heathens and by doing that the church changed several things about herself. 1) She gave up the seventh-day and worshipped on Sunday, 2) she melded her days of celebration with that of the heathens (I.e. Jesus’ birth which was in spring now was celebrated on Tamuz’s birthday so both groups of people could celebrate and also holydays such as Valentine’s was adopted to honor the Fertility God).
I’m sad to say that with this knowledge Christmas is a less enjoyable season for me. It seems to be frivolous and unnecessary and I wish the Seventh-day Adventist church did not celebrate it.
Interestingly enough, that same holyday has now become my least favorite. I still enjoy gathering as a family and being together, but new light has been shed on Christmas that has changed my feelings for it. Christmas is not the day of Jesus’ birth. It is in fact, the day of Tamuz’s birth. Tamuz was the son of an Empress long ago. She claimed that the Sun God has impregnated her with Tamuz and that Tamuz was to be worshipped and celebrated. Thus, on December 25 of that year, a holy-day was erected for him. Many years later the church tried to come to an agreement or compromise with the heathens and by doing that the church changed several things about herself. 1) She gave up the seventh-day and worshipped on Sunday, 2) she melded her days of celebration with that of the heathens (I.e. Jesus’ birth which was in spring now was celebrated on Tamuz’s birthday so both groups of people could celebrate and also holydays such as Valentine’s was adopted to honor the Fertility God).
I’m sad to say that with this knowledge Christmas is a less enjoyable season for me. It seems to be frivolous and unnecessary and I wish the Seventh-day Adventist church did not celebrate it.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Number 12- The President's Sandwich... Not!
If it weren’t for that giant jar of vinegar I wouldn’t be stuck in this pickle. You see, when I was young, just a sprout, I always imagined that I would be part of a veggie sandwich that would be served to the president, or in an award winning salad at the fair. I never imagined that I would be pickled in a huge bottle of vinegar. Sad, I know. Let me tell you about it.
The first morning I saw I was just peeking out of my flower bud. I looked around and found that I was not the only cucumber in the garden. Many of the others were in different stages of development; some were fat, dark green, and curved with age while others were still a minty green and no thicker then a pencil. As we all grew older the dark green cucumbers would be picked. We would all wonder and guess about what they were being used for. I imagined the day that I would be picked. I would be the biggest, most beautiful cucumber in the entire garden and because of this I would be used for something magnificent as the president’s sandwich I mentioned earlier.
The days came and went and with each passing one I became larger and greener. It wasn’t long before it was my time to be picked and all the little buds were wondering where I was going. I knew, however, that I was headed for fame and fortune.
The gardener came and picked me and some others off the vine. We were thrown into a noisy basket full of tomatoes and carrots. Everyone was so excited that they were finally leaving the garden that they all spoke and yelled at the top of their lungs. The ride was bumpy and rather long for my liking, but I had never strayed anywhere before so I suppose I didn’t know what long was.
We arrived at the house where the gardener sorted us into various boxes and crates according to our size, color, and what type of veggie we were. Ours was the only gardener either. There was an entire building full of baskets being sorted by their reapers.
The sorting didn’t take long. The lid to the box that I was in was put over us shutting off day light. I cannot tell you much that happened now for all I knew was that there was much bouncing, groaning and darkness. I heard the words, “load,” ”truck,” “Sacramento” and, “pickles” now and again but I have no idea whether or not that had any bearing on me.
After this awful ride we were dumped out into these caldrons of water where each and every one of us were scrubbed up and down. Next these gardeners, or whatever they were, placed us in jars full of vinegar. They packed us in so tight that one could hardly gasp for air. Once the last cucumber was shoved in, the lid was screwed shut and we sat in a dark room for days.
After this dungeon like stay was over, our jar was placed on what I believe was called a grocery shelf. A day or so later a middle aged gardener, or man I think they call them, took us off the shelf and placed us in a paper bag. Again, I do not know what took place in outside of the bad except for excessive bumping and swishing around. Next thing I knew, we were sitting in front of a whole room of small men, gardeners… or whatever they are.
The lid came off and the man pulled me out of the jar and slapped me onto a piece of wood and then duct-taped me to it for, “stability.” After this two medal prongs were stuck into me that were connected to a light bulb. After the man messed with the prongs and bulb I suddenly felt a surge of energy and the bulb lighted up. He said it was something to do with, “electricity,” and ,”the pickle’s charge.”
Anyway, this is how I ended up duct-taped to this piece of wood and light bulb that you have found me on. They call you a, “Garbage Man,” right? Will you please take me off here now?
The first morning I saw I was just peeking out of my flower bud. I looked around and found that I was not the only cucumber in the garden. Many of the others were in different stages of development; some were fat, dark green, and curved with age while others were still a minty green and no thicker then a pencil. As we all grew older the dark green cucumbers would be picked. We would all wonder and guess about what they were being used for. I imagined the day that I would be picked. I would be the biggest, most beautiful cucumber in the entire garden and because of this I would be used for something magnificent as the president’s sandwich I mentioned earlier.
The days came and went and with each passing one I became larger and greener. It wasn’t long before it was my time to be picked and all the little buds were wondering where I was going. I knew, however, that I was headed for fame and fortune.
The gardener came and picked me and some others off the vine. We were thrown into a noisy basket full of tomatoes and carrots. Everyone was so excited that they were finally leaving the garden that they all spoke and yelled at the top of their lungs. The ride was bumpy and rather long for my liking, but I had never strayed anywhere before so I suppose I didn’t know what long was.
We arrived at the house where the gardener sorted us into various boxes and crates according to our size, color, and what type of veggie we were. Ours was the only gardener either. There was an entire building full of baskets being sorted by their reapers.
The sorting didn’t take long. The lid to the box that I was in was put over us shutting off day light. I cannot tell you much that happened now for all I knew was that there was much bouncing, groaning and darkness. I heard the words, “load,” ”truck,” “Sacramento” and, “pickles” now and again but I have no idea whether or not that had any bearing on me.
After this awful ride we were dumped out into these caldrons of water where each and every one of us were scrubbed up and down. Next these gardeners, or whatever they were, placed us in jars full of vinegar. They packed us in so tight that one could hardly gasp for air. Once the last cucumber was shoved in, the lid was screwed shut and we sat in a dark room for days.
After this dungeon like stay was over, our jar was placed on what I believe was called a grocery shelf. A day or so later a middle aged gardener, or man I think they call them, took us off the shelf and placed us in a paper bag. Again, I do not know what took place in outside of the bad except for excessive bumping and swishing around. Next thing I knew, we were sitting in front of a whole room of small men, gardeners… or whatever they are.
The lid came off and the man pulled me out of the jar and slapped me onto a piece of wood and then duct-taped me to it for, “stability.” After this two medal prongs were stuck into me that were connected to a light bulb. After the man messed with the prongs and bulb I suddenly felt a surge of energy and the bulb lighted up. He said it was something to do with, “electricity,” and ,”the pickle’s charge.”
Anyway, this is how I ended up duct-taped to this piece of wood and light bulb that you have found me on. They call you a, “Garbage Man,” right? Will you please take me off here now?
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said,"Everyone has the power for greatness, not for fame, but for greatness, because greatness is determined by service."Do you agree that everyone has the potenial for greatness? On your blog, state what you believe to be the qualifying features of greatness? Please dig deep! Don't be superficial. This is a concept that has actually made me wonder a lot.
I do believe that Martin Luther King Jr. is right in what he said. The reason that I agree with him is because of what I believe greatness is. Greatness is not determined by one’s fame or power but by a person’s character and the efforts that they put toward bettering the world. You can be great and still be unnoticed by everyone around you. For instance, there is a story in the Gospels about a woman. She was very poor, so poor that she only had two mites to her name. One mite is about a quarter of a cent, therefore she only had half a cent. When she attended church that week there were many rich men and women who dropped handfuls of gold coins into the offering plate while she quietly slipped in her two mites. While the rich men and women had given more money, proportionately they had given much less. She had given everything for the cause of the church and they gave enough to appear good to the people around them. Jesus saw all this and declared that she had given more. She was greater then the others even though only One noticed.
I do believe that Martin Luther King Jr. is right in what he said. The reason that I agree with him is because of what I believe greatness is. Greatness is not determined by one’s fame or power but by a person’s character and the efforts that they put toward bettering the world. You can be great and still be unnoticed by everyone around you. For instance, there is a story in the Gospels about a woman. She was very poor, so poor that she only had two mites to her name. One mite is about a quarter of a cent, therefore she only had half a cent. When she attended church that week there were many rich men and women who dropped handfuls of gold coins into the offering plate while she quietly slipped in her two mites. While the rich men and women had given more money, proportionately they had given much less. She had given everything for the cause of the church and they gave enough to appear good to the people around them. Jesus saw all this and declared that she had given more. She was greater then the others even though only One noticed.
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