"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
An update to things I have learned this year...
A few weeks ago I had written a post about things I have learned this year/ have really made more sense. Reflecting today, I thought of another one...
Number 11: Don't let your "sketch" "friends" meet your nice friends.
Some people are not at all who you think they are. When in doubt, do not let them meet your close friends. I have learned through some mistakes that sketchy people may no longer be part of your life eventually, but because they know your friends, they are still entangled in your life. Never again will I let people who I am not sure about meet my friends. The less mutual ground, the better.
Number 11: Don't let your "sketch" "friends" meet your nice friends.
Some people are not at all who you think they are. When in doubt, do not let them meet your close friends. I have learned through some mistakes that sketchy people may no longer be part of your life eventually, but because they know your friends, they are still entangled in your life. Never again will I let people who I am not sure about meet my friends. The less mutual ground, the better.
Monday, April 11, 2011
What is love?
For the past few weeks I have been reading "The Road Less Traveled" for my psychology class. The author, Scott Peck, challenges the reader on the topics of love, life, relationships, etc. I had to write a paper on the section of Love and thought I would share it with y'all! Enjoy!
Peck does a great job explaining love in this section of his book. He makes many good observations about what love is and is not. Unfortunately our society has come to think of love as just a feeling. Teens in high school claim to “be in love.” Marriages begin in “love” but end in divorce. I cannot say that I have ever been in love, but I can say one thing for sure: true love never ends. I disagree with Peck when he says that no one has ever arrived at a truly satisfactory definition of love. Our heavenly father has given us the best definition of what love is: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails,” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
Our society these days throws around the word love without realizing how truly deep and complex that 4-letter word is. Love is eternal, unfailing and selfless. It is not a temporary feeling of warmth, giggles and butterflies in your stomach. When high school students mention that they “love” their boyfriend or girlfriend, it honestly makes me cringe. It is not because I want to be a pessimist (I have always been an optimist), but because love does not just come that easy. As Peck says, love is discipline and hard work. It requires suffering and pain. Love is not just having a great time with someone and sharing good communication, it is more then that. Frankly, true love only comes when two people have been brought together by God. If everyone was in “love” like they claimed to be, then the divorce rate would not be sky high as it is today. It is clear that society has some serious misconceptions on what love it.
I would agree with Peck that one of the biggest misconceptions of love is that love is dependency. Too many times, couples feel like they constantly need to be with or around each other. If they are not with each other every day or in contact every minute then they are weak, disheartened and almost depressed. Many times couples break up because they claim that they did not have enough time together. It is true that in order to further a relationship, time is crucial. However, love is not dependency. Loves is when you are okay on your own, but choose to be with someone else. You must be complete on your own before you can enter a relationship. People enter relationships thinking that another individual can complete them. One of the best talks I had with my mom was earlier this year when we talked about relationships and marriage. My mother, being the wise woman she is, said to me: “Lydia, no matter how perfect a man may be, you will always want more. There are certain gaps or aspects of your life and heart that only God can fill.”
Peck argues that love is an extension of self rather then self-sacrifice. Love may not require sacrificing yourself, but it will require sacrificing some of your wants, desires and even aspirations. When you decide to love someone, you accept that you will have to give up parts of your life. The biggest example of this would be the relationship between parents and children. I have seen first hand the sacrifices my parents have made for me because they love me. My parents may want, and beyond a shadow of a doubt deserve, a vacation, however they unconditionally live paycheck to paycheck to help me to go the school of my dreams. They knew that sending me to private school would stretch them, thin yet because they love me, they put me first before themselves. There is a fine line between sacrificing yourself and sacrificing your desires. You cannot let your loved ones walk all over you, but you must be willing to put others’ desires ahead of your own.
I have heard the quote: “It is better to have loved and lost then to never have loved at all,” many times. The risk of loss may just be the hardest aspect of love. Some will avoid love all together, fearing the hurt that inevitably comes along with love. They will flee the scene instead of attempting to fix what is broken. They will accept isolation instead of risking hurt. Often times you will see “perfect” couples in which one of the people will abruptly leave the relationship with no explanation. They will eventually come to say, “I was not good enough or other absurd reasons to justify their actions.” I would argue that these are the people that are not willing to hurt. They will rather not love at all, then love and possibly one day hurt.
Despite the hurt and pain love may bring, at the end of the day God intended for us to love and be loved. Unfortunately our society often times gives love too freely to all the wrong people and for all the wrong reasons. Love is not about feeling complete or about having fairy tale dates or about receiving constant attention. It is about extending yourself for the spiritual growth of another. You give up your personal time and personal desires to meet the desires of your loved one. The ultimate example of love is when God came down to Earth from heaven to die for us so that we may live. We may not be called to die on a cross but we can love sacrificially so that others may see the love of Christ in us.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Things I've come to realize over the past year
There have been so many changes in the past year/year and a half. So much joy, excitement, pain and worry and throughout it all I have come to learn little things about myself and life and whatever else happens to cross my mind. Here's a few...
1. College makes you extremely money conscience.
It's not like I have ever been a crazy spender. I have been working since junior high and the money I spend is the money I worked hard for. I do have a credit card, but I pay it off every month in full. However, because I cannot be a full time student and a full time worker, I am on extremely limited funds. The kind of limited where you cannot put fruit on your fro-yo because you cant afford to pay the extra dollar... haha.
2. I cannot think in a dirty room.
My roommate and I try to keep our room quite clean and I do not think I could not have it otherwise. Plus my mother has always told me that the state of one's home reflects the state of their mind.
3. Its not about what you do, but who you are with.
I have always known this but this past year has really reflected the beautiful thing we call friendship. Even spending 3 hours walking around Target can provide you with the most amazing of memories as long as you are with good company.
4. I am more attached to my family then I thought I was.
We have always been close, yet the first month at Point Loma I was beyond homesick. Before, I was so eager to be on my own yet eventually a life without family is a life short-lived.
5. College makes you a hoarder.
I've almost become like my grandma who recycles christmas wrapping paper and takes ketchup packets from fast food places. Due to limited funds and rising prices, you end up taking any plastic utensils, salt/pepper/sugar packets, plastic cups/plates, napkins, samples you can get your hands on. Its a free country right?
6. Scheduling/Planning is a must.
Don't get me wrong, I love being spontaneous but when theres a million assignments due every week, scheduling is the only way to get it done and remain sane. I have appreciated so much the people who give me a heads up on their plans and ideas. Its so nice when I can get all my work done, fit in sleep and get to live a little.
7. Graduate school isn't really an option
Getting my masters is not an option, it has to happen. If I ever want to be taken seriously in the world of politics, don't bother trying to impress someone with your bachelors. So what if you have spent over $100,000 on school? Everyone does that these days I guess. Graduate school, here I come...
8. Coffee is like water.
.... even when I was drinking 16 cups a day, nothing was happening. So much for an energy boast!
9. Exercise makes me happy.
I run about 25+ miles a week. I have really pushed myself to get in shape. Its good for you and its good for your body. Double win.
10. Nothing is possible on your own.
No matter how strong you are, you will crash and burn at some point. The only way to live fully is to live hand in hand with our loving, supporting heavenly father. He knows what is best for each of us and if we ask, will provide us with the desires of our hearts. He has the most perfect plan for each of us. If we can just commit to trust in Him, nothing will be impossible.
1. College makes you extremely money conscience.
It's not like I have ever been a crazy spender. I have been working since junior high and the money I spend is the money I worked hard for. I do have a credit card, but I pay it off every month in full. However, because I cannot be a full time student and a full time worker, I am on extremely limited funds. The kind of limited where you cannot put fruit on your fro-yo because you cant afford to pay the extra dollar... haha.
2. I cannot think in a dirty room.
My roommate and I try to keep our room quite clean and I do not think I could not have it otherwise. Plus my mother has always told me that the state of one's home reflects the state of their mind.
3. Its not about what you do, but who you are with.
I have always known this but this past year has really reflected the beautiful thing we call friendship. Even spending 3 hours walking around Target can provide you with the most amazing of memories as long as you are with good company.
4. I am more attached to my family then I thought I was.
We have always been close, yet the first month at Point Loma I was beyond homesick. Before, I was so eager to be on my own yet eventually a life without family is a life short-lived.
5. College makes you a hoarder.
I've almost become like my grandma who recycles christmas wrapping paper and takes ketchup packets from fast food places. Due to limited funds and rising prices, you end up taking any plastic utensils, salt/pepper/sugar packets, plastic cups/plates, napkins, samples you can get your hands on. Its a free country right?
6. Scheduling/Planning is a must.
Don't get me wrong, I love being spontaneous but when theres a million assignments due every week, scheduling is the only way to get it done and remain sane. I have appreciated so much the people who give me a heads up on their plans and ideas. Its so nice when I can get all my work done, fit in sleep and get to live a little.
7. Graduate school isn't really an option
Getting my masters is not an option, it has to happen. If I ever want to be taken seriously in the world of politics, don't bother trying to impress someone with your bachelors. So what if you have spent over $100,000 on school? Everyone does that these days I guess. Graduate school, here I come...
8. Coffee is like water.
.... even when I was drinking 16 cups a day, nothing was happening. So much for an energy boast!
9. Exercise makes me happy.
I run about 25+ miles a week. I have really pushed myself to get in shape. Its good for you and its good for your body. Double win.
10. Nothing is possible on your own.
No matter how strong you are, you will crash and burn at some point. The only way to live fully is to live hand in hand with our loving, supporting heavenly father. He knows what is best for each of us and if we ask, will provide us with the desires of our hearts. He has the most perfect plan for each of us. If we can just commit to trust in Him, nothing will be impossible.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Obama relaunches campaign, too many questions remain.
President Obama officially re-lauched his campaign early today. He sent out emails, urging his supporters to help continue the same fight, fought in the 2008 elections. He stated: "We've always known that lasting change wouldn't come quickly or easily. It never does..."But as my administration and folks across the country fight to protect the progress we've made — and make more — we also need to begin mobilizing for 2012, long before the time comes for me to begin campaigning in earnest."
Over two years has passed since President Obama took office, and honestly, I am still waiting for change to come. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate was 8.5% when Obama took office in January of 2008. 6 months later the rate was 9.7%. A year later, in Jan of '10, the rate 10.6, culminating with the highest rate of 10.4% in February 2011. The unemployment rate in January of this year was 9.8%. Unemployment is argue-ably the biggest concern on the mind of American Voters. Combine unemployment rates with the sky high gas prices and I am pissed, you are pissed, most of America is pissed.
Our government is also facing a possible shutdown. Democrats do not want to cut the budget. Republicans are simply asking for 2.6 cents off every dollar spent. 2.6 cents is nothing, yet the Democrats are not willing to compromise.
Do not get me wrong, I too hoped Obama would bring change, but two years later, not many positive changes have emerged out of Washington DC. Looking forward to the 2012 elections, the Republican Party has a chance to reclaim DC once again. There are promising candidates expected to announce their bid later this month. Personally, I am currently crossing my fingers for Mitt Romney. He seems to have all the characteristics to make a great president. But I guess only time will tell.... as we have learned, promising change does not guarantee change.
Our government is also facing a possible shutdown. Democrats do not want to cut the budget. Republicans are simply asking for 2.6 cents off every dollar spent. 2.6 cents is nothing, yet the Democrats are not willing to compromise.
Do not get me wrong, I too hoped Obama would bring change, but two years later, not many positive changes have emerged out of Washington DC. Looking forward to the 2012 elections, the Republican Party has a chance to reclaim DC once again. There are promising candidates expected to announce their bid later this month. Personally, I am currently crossing my fingers for Mitt Romney. He seems to have all the characteristics to make a great president. But I guess only time will tell.... as we have learned, promising change does not guarantee change.
Quote of the Day 4/4/11
"The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become- because he made us. He invented all the different people you and I were intended to be.... It is when I turn to Christ, when I give up myself to His personality, that I first begin to have a real personality of my own." [C.S. Lewis]
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