Since the release of Silence of Souls earlier this month, I've been having a few absolutely incredible experiences. I can't believe these things are happening to me, especially this quick- I would have thought it would take years before experiencing anything like this: I feel like a "celebrity."
Obviously, not to the scale (or anything even remotely close to it) that Brad Pitt or Ellen DeGeneres feel like celebrities, but there have been a few occasions where I felt like I was somebody. I have "fans," and it's incredible. There's been four people who have contacted me, praising my work, and telling me how inspiring I am to them. I've gotten to know a couple of them, and they're amazing people.
Twice there's been instances in real life that were totally surreal.
The first one was when I went to a party about a month ago, and there was this girl there I had never met. I introduced myself to her, and she said "Oh, I know who you are! You wrote 'Surprise Party!' That was a fantastic play, and it's so nice to meet you!"
The second one was when I met this caretaker that comes to visit my grandpa once a week. She asked me if I was the "writing granddaughter he always talks about" and I said yes. She then asked me to write down my name and the title of my book so she can look it up, so I did. When I handed her the piece of paper, she read it and then said "Oh, this sounds really familiar. I think I've heard of you!"
It's completely flattering, humbling, and unbelievable that these things would happen. I'm not sure I've really done anything to deserve such recognition, but I'll admit that I am really enjoying this incredible ride.
One of my friends, whom I have known for years, has been following along the whole time with my publishing, writing, et al. He gave me a piece of advice: "Now that you're starting to gain a rapidly-growing following, you should be mindful of who you are and create the image you want to be. You should stop posting political stuff and speaking your mind so much. If you're more bland to the public, more people will like you."
While I appreciate his advice and understand what he's saying, I don't agree with it- I respect his opinion, and if he feels that is what he wants to do when he starts gaining a following, then that is fine with me. But that's not the right choice for myself.
I am who I am, and I would rather have 100 fans who like the real me instead of 1,000,000 fans who like a bland, fragmented version of who I really am. I have strong beliefs, I have opinions, and I have a personality. I'm not going to hide who I am just for the possibility of gaining fans.
It took me years, but I finally like who I am- why would I want to oppress that now?
Undoubtedly, there will be people out there who don't like me for me. There will be people who dislike that I am pro-equality. There will be people out there who won't read my work because I believe in an afterlife. There will be people out there who assume that just because I am on the left side of politics that I am also very supportive of stricter gun laws (not so, but that's a story for another time).
I am who I am, and I like me. I hope you like who you are, too. Over the years, I've grown emotionally, expanded my mind, experienced things that have shaped who I am, and have formed opinions based on facts and what makes sense to me. It wasn't an easy journey to become who I am, so why should I try to hide it? It's impossible to be universally loved, so why be something I'm not when I can't please everyone anyway?
Be who you are, there's no one else like you. We are all so different- each with a unique set of experiences, beliefs, reasons, motivations, understandings, and so on. It's so much more interesting when we let the "real" us out instead of hiding behind what society expects us to be. At least, that's what I believe. ;-)
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Monday, August 27, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
The Chick-fil-A Controversy: It's A Beautiful Thing
I'm sure most, if not all, of you have heard about the controversy surrounding Chick-fil-A. If you haven't, here's the short version: Chick-fil-A's CEO, Dan Cathy, came out as against marriage equality in support of "traditional values," and in response, proponents of marriage equality have been protesting and boycotting the fast food chain on a national level.
This- ALL of it- is a beautiful thing when you really think about it, albeit kind of a Catch-22.
Should we muffle someone's right to free speech or should we allow the oppression of equality?
For one, Cathy is exercising his right to free speech. He has the right to say what he feels and what he believes in. Thanks to religious freedom, he has the right to practice activities that coincide with his religious beliefs, including giving money to anti-LGBT organizations.
On the other hand, Americans have the right to protest and speak out their on beliefs which conflict with his. Americans have a right to fight for equality, and no group (heterosexual couples) should have rights that are denied to another group (homosexual couples). It is the epitome of "unconstitutional," and pretty much NOT what our Founding Fathers had in mind at all. I'm fairly certain that the Founding Fathers would be pro-marriage equality.
Some people would be shocked to think that the Founding Fathers would be pro-LGBT equality. I've even heard a guy once say "Our Founding Fathers would be rolling in the Christian graves if they knew what we [pro-LGBT activists] are doing here, but it needs to be done!"
For one, the Founding Fathers were NOT Christian. Most were deist, a few were theist. Several of them have been quoted with statements that are anti-religious, stating that they believed the world would be a better place without religion. They founded our nation on freedom of religion (which also includes freedom from religion), equality, and liberty.
Second, marriage is NOT a religious institution. Originally, marriage was created as a legal agreement for the purposes of social or financial gain. (Some marriage scholars say you can go back even further, pre-dating any legal system, and see that marriages were a form of union between two people to raise children; most lasted until the kids were four years old.) It wasn't until the 12th century that marriage was associated with love at all, and it also wasn't until then that marriage was associated with religion on a wide basis. There are records of legal marriages that can be dated back to more than 4,000 B.C., millenia before it was ever mentioned in any religious doctrines. Through the centuries, the various religions and cultures have adopted marriage and molded it to fit with their own beliefs, but they are far from being the original creator of marriage.
Anyway, back to the Chick-fil-A controversy. Personally, I am very pro-marriage equality: I just can't wrap my head around any reason to deny equal rights to same-sex couples when our country was founded on equality. Most people who oppose same-sex marriage do so because of their religious beliefs, but (as stated before) religion was not the originator of marriage and we have Separation of Church and State.
When it comes down to it, it's a battle between freedom of speech and the pursuit of equality, both of which should be protected. Dan Cathy has every right to speak out against marriage equality, just like the American people have every right to speak out against him for donating millions of dollars to anti-LGBT organizations that try to oppress equality.
Strange as this may sound, I was really happy to see yesterday that there were amazing amounts of people flocking to Chick-fil-A both to support the chain and protest against it. Both sides were exercising their right to free speech, the ability to demonstrate a variety of beliefs, and the freedom of choice. Neither side felt fear when speaking out. We should be a nation that encourages people to speak up for what they believe and exchange ideas, so long as it's done in a respectful, non-violent fashion.
Do I think Chick-fil-A will go out of business because of this? Probably not. But I do believe, with all my heart, that we will someday see marriage equality across the nation, and some day the people who were so adamantly anti-LGBT will be looked upon by future generations the same way young people today look back at those who fought against racial equality. Equality will win.
What's it like to be gay and work for Chick-fil-A? Read this.
This- ALL of it- is a beautiful thing when you really think about it, albeit kind of a Catch-22.
Should we muffle someone's right to free speech or should we allow the oppression of equality?
For one, Cathy is exercising his right to free speech. He has the right to say what he feels and what he believes in. Thanks to religious freedom, he has the right to practice activities that coincide with his religious beliefs, including giving money to anti-LGBT organizations.
On the other hand, Americans have the right to protest and speak out their on beliefs which conflict with his. Americans have a right to fight for equality, and no group (heterosexual couples) should have rights that are denied to another group (homosexual couples). It is the epitome of "unconstitutional," and pretty much NOT what our Founding Fathers had in mind at all. I'm fairly certain that the Founding Fathers would be pro-marriage equality.
Some people would be shocked to think that the Founding Fathers would be pro-LGBT equality. I've even heard a guy once say "Our Founding Fathers would be rolling in the Christian graves if they knew what we [pro-LGBT activists] are doing here, but it needs to be done!"
For one, the Founding Fathers were NOT Christian. Most were deist, a few were theist. Several of them have been quoted with statements that are anti-religious, stating that they believed the world would be a better place without religion. They founded our nation on freedom of religion (which also includes freedom from religion), equality, and liberty.
Second, marriage is NOT a religious institution. Originally, marriage was created as a legal agreement for the purposes of social or financial gain. (Some marriage scholars say you can go back even further, pre-dating any legal system, and see that marriages were a form of union between two people to raise children; most lasted until the kids were four years old.) It wasn't until the 12th century that marriage was associated with love at all, and it also wasn't until then that marriage was associated with religion on a wide basis. There are records of legal marriages that can be dated back to more than 4,000 B.C., millenia before it was ever mentioned in any religious doctrines. Through the centuries, the various religions and cultures have adopted marriage and molded it to fit with their own beliefs, but they are far from being the original creator of marriage.
Anyway, back to the Chick-fil-A controversy. Personally, I am very pro-marriage equality: I just can't wrap my head around any reason to deny equal rights to same-sex couples when our country was founded on equality. Most people who oppose same-sex marriage do so because of their religious beliefs, but (as stated before) religion was not the originator of marriage and we have Separation of Church and State.
When it comes down to it, it's a battle between freedom of speech and the pursuit of equality, both of which should be protected. Dan Cathy has every right to speak out against marriage equality, just like the American people have every right to speak out against him for donating millions of dollars to anti-LGBT organizations that try to oppress equality.
Strange as this may sound, I was really happy to see yesterday that there were amazing amounts of people flocking to Chick-fil-A both to support the chain and protest against it. Both sides were exercising their right to free speech, the ability to demonstrate a variety of beliefs, and the freedom of choice. Neither side felt fear when speaking out. We should be a nation that encourages people to speak up for what they believe and exchange ideas, so long as it's done in a respectful, non-violent fashion.
Do I think Chick-fil-A will go out of business because of this? Probably not. But I do believe, with all my heart, that we will someday see marriage equality across the nation, and some day the people who were so adamantly anti-LGBT will be looked upon by future generations the same way young people today look back at those who fought against racial equality. Equality will win.
What's it like to be gay and work for Chick-fil-A? Read this.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
In Memory of Those Who Died in Aurora, Colorado, at the showing of The Dark Knight Rises
Danny and I went and saw The Dark Knight Rises on Saturday. It was awesome! I saw the teaser trailer a while ago, but I hadn't seen any other trailers before seeing the film, so I didn't have many expectations when I walked in the theater. It was great, I would love to see it again. (And if I looked like Anne Hathaway, I would wear that cat suit every day!)
When we got to the theater it was about 15 minutes before the 1:00 showing. We figured we'd get in to the one after that, which was at 2:35; we expected to be at the theater for at least an hour before seeing the movie since it was opening weekend of one of the most anticipated movies of the year. However, when we went up to the box office the employee informed us that there was still plenty of room in the showing that started in just fifteen minutes; out of 300 seats, only about 50 had been sold.
We were a little surprised. Then we realized the reason it must have been so barren: the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado.
It's hard to put into words the feelings that come from hearing about this terrible event. Senseless violence and murder are something I can never wrap my head around. I just can't understand why someone would want to inflict that kind of pain on another living person.
When the movie started, I was imagining what it must have been like for them: sitting there, enjoying an evening with friends and about to see a film I'm sure they were all looking forward to, when someone comes in and starts shooting. These were people with hopes, dreams, families, expectations, goals, and so much ahead of them, and it was all taken away in the blink of an eye. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, friends, and the survivors from the theater.
One time, in a group of friends, someone asked us all what we would do if we only had two minutes left to live. Most people responded with things like "fight to the death so I can live!" and "call 9-1-1!" and asked questions like "what am I dying from? Can I find a cure before I die? Am I close to a hospital?" My response was simple: "If I had just a few minutes left to live, I would think of all the things that made me happy."
In the wake of this shocking catastrophe, there have been a lot of people calling for stricter gun laws and more government control. People are throwing out statistics about how many gun-related deaths there are every year. The truth is, getting rid of guns won't be what makes the difference. They're simply a tool, not the mastermind behind the crime. If a person wants to inflict harm on another, they're not going to just say "Hmm, I don't have a gun. Oh well, guess I can't do anything to hurt them." They'll find other means; they'll use another tool. Tighter gun laws isn't going to change how people feel, and it isn't going to stop violence- it'll just make it so that the only people who have guns are the ones who acquire them illegally.
To back up my statement there, consider this: when alcohol was illegal during the Prohibition (1920-1933), it is estimated that alcohol consumption remained at about 60%-70% of what it was pre-Prohibition (source). That means that out of 100 people who drank alcohol before the Prohibition, there was around 70 who still regularly consumed alcohol while it was illegal. That's just an estimation, so it's likely that it could be higher. Take a look at marijuana: it's illegal (a few states allow it for medicinal purposes only, but no state allows it for recreational use), and yet it's estimated that almost half of the population uses it regularly. If people want something, legal or not, they can get it.
So what's the solution? I'm not sure, really. The easy answer is that the solution to violence is love and kindness, but I have no idea how to implement that on a national scale. Maybe the solution is to just do what we can as individuals to show kindness to all others; kindness is contagious, and it spreads fast.
Of course, some people, like James Holmes, just aren't stable. No person in their right mind would do such a thing to other people.
My heart and thoughts go out to all affected by this.
When we got to the theater it was about 15 minutes before the 1:00 showing. We figured we'd get in to the one after that, which was at 2:35; we expected to be at the theater for at least an hour before seeing the movie since it was opening weekend of one of the most anticipated movies of the year. However, when we went up to the box office the employee informed us that there was still plenty of room in the showing that started in just fifteen minutes; out of 300 seats, only about 50 had been sold.
We were a little surprised. Then we realized the reason it must have been so barren: the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado.
It's hard to put into words the feelings that come from hearing about this terrible event. Senseless violence and murder are something I can never wrap my head around. I just can't understand why someone would want to inflict that kind of pain on another living person.
When the movie started, I was imagining what it must have been like for them: sitting there, enjoying an evening with friends and about to see a film I'm sure they were all looking forward to, when someone comes in and starts shooting. These were people with hopes, dreams, families, expectations, goals, and so much ahead of them, and it was all taken away in the blink of an eye. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, friends, and the survivors from the theater.
One time, in a group of friends, someone asked us all what we would do if we only had two minutes left to live. Most people responded with things like "fight to the death so I can live!" and "call 9-1-1!" and asked questions like "what am I dying from? Can I find a cure before I die? Am I close to a hospital?" My response was simple: "If I had just a few minutes left to live, I would think of all the things that made me happy."
In the wake of this shocking catastrophe, there have been a lot of people calling for stricter gun laws and more government control. People are throwing out statistics about how many gun-related deaths there are every year. The truth is, getting rid of guns won't be what makes the difference. They're simply a tool, not the mastermind behind the crime. If a person wants to inflict harm on another, they're not going to just say "Hmm, I don't have a gun. Oh well, guess I can't do anything to hurt them." They'll find other means; they'll use another tool. Tighter gun laws isn't going to change how people feel, and it isn't going to stop violence- it'll just make it so that the only people who have guns are the ones who acquire them illegally.
To back up my statement there, consider this: when alcohol was illegal during the Prohibition (1920-1933), it is estimated that alcohol consumption remained at about 60%-70% of what it was pre-Prohibition (source). That means that out of 100 people who drank alcohol before the Prohibition, there was around 70 who still regularly consumed alcohol while it was illegal. That's just an estimation, so it's likely that it could be higher. Take a look at marijuana: it's illegal (a few states allow it for medicinal purposes only, but no state allows it for recreational use), and yet it's estimated that almost half of the population uses it regularly. If people want something, legal or not, they can get it.
So what's the solution? I'm not sure, really. The easy answer is that the solution to violence is love and kindness, but I have no idea how to implement that on a national scale. Maybe the solution is to just do what we can as individuals to show kindness to all others; kindness is contagious, and it spreads fast.
Of course, some people, like James Holmes, just aren't stable. No person in their right mind would do such a thing to other people.
My heart and thoughts go out to all affected by this.
Monday, July 23, 2012
Edjumakashun
Song Lyrics:
1973-
"Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.
Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain.
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today.And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun."
2010- "And I was like baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine."
Movies:
1985- "Back to the Future" is number one in the box office.
2009-2012- More sequels and remakes released than ever before. Films like "Piranha 3DD," "Transformers," and "Battleship" take up space in theaters across the nation.
Books:
1970-1979- The top twenty books of the decade include The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Princess Bride, The Stand, The Exorcist, Interview with the Vampire, Sophie's Choice, and Carrie.
2005- Twilight is the most read book of the year, and tops most of the charts, even though it has plenty of grammatical errors and features a relationship that hints at abuse.
Social:
1990s and before- People wrote letters, went to gatherings, knew their neighbors, and spent a lot of time with others. People knew basic grammar and spelling, and could do simple math in their head with no problem.
2000s- People do most of their socializing online. More than 39% of people say they prefer socializing digitally rather than face to face. It is estimated that 24% of unborn babies have their own FaceBook profile. People type statuses that look like this: "i cant wait 2 go 2 da beach tomarow its gonna b so much fun your gonna b so jelly that u didnt come w/ us!!!!!!!!!!"
Political:
1970s- Most people were able to correctly identify the president, vice president, secretary of state, their congress representative, and knew the majority of issues on the ballots. The majority of voting-age Americans could also explain (even if just basically) how the voting process works, what "veto" means, and what role the electoral college plays in elections.
2012- It was recently found that 34% of Americans of voting age don't know who Joe Biden is (he's the vice president); 60% have no clue who the current secretary of state is (Hillary Rodham Clinton). However, 92% could give the correct answer as to who Angelina Jolie's partner is (Brad Pitt).
1950s-1990s- Education funding and standards higher than ever, and more people are getting educated than the generations before them.
2011- More states cut education and art funding than ever before. Higher education is harder to afford, and student debt for current generations is estimated to last longer than any previous generation; some student loans will take decades to pay off.
Haha, and they say that cutting funding to education and the arts makes no difference to society! Education is crucial to the future of our world and the betterment of humankind. Arts are very important- through art comes innovation, and through innovation comes new invention and advancement. Education and art both bring better understanding of our world, our roles and purpose, and what the human experience is really like.
It hurts my heart when I hear about more cuts to education and the arts. They are critical to the advancement of our species, what sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom, and yet they're discarded as completely disposable. One of the most disturbing things I came across while doing research for this post was the political section. To learn that so few people have even the basic understanding of politics and who is running our country is disheartening- how can we improve if we don't first understand? How can people expect to make the best decision when they go into the polls if they have no idea who they are voting for or how the issues affect them?
Take your education into your own hands. Learn, study, evolve, explore, and never stop doing so.
Self-education is a powerful thing, and can make a huge difference. I know there is an infinite amount of information out there that I don't know, but I always want to learn. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. One question answered often breds three more unanswered questions. We are the future. What we know and what we do with that knowledge will influence our own wellbeing and the generations that come after us.
We can thrive; just don't let go of learning, passion, and the thirst for self-improvement.
1973-
"Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an offhand way.
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way.
Tired of lying in the sunshine staying home to watch the rain.
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today.And then one day you find ten years have got behind you.
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun."
2010- "And I was like baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine, mine
Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like baby, baby, baby, no
Like baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you'd always be mine."
Movies:
1985- "Back to the Future" is number one in the box office.
2009-2012- More sequels and remakes released than ever before. Films like "Piranha 3DD," "Transformers," and "Battleship" take up space in theaters across the nation.
Books:
1970-1979- The top twenty books of the decade include The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Princess Bride, The Stand, The Exorcist, Interview with the Vampire, Sophie's Choice, and Carrie.
2005- Twilight is the most read book of the year, and tops most of the charts, even though it has plenty of grammatical errors and features a relationship that hints at abuse.
Social:
1990s and before- People wrote letters, went to gatherings, knew their neighbors, and spent a lot of time with others. People knew basic grammar and spelling, and could do simple math in their head with no problem.
2000s- People do most of their socializing online. More than 39% of people say they prefer socializing digitally rather than face to face. It is estimated that 24% of unborn babies have their own FaceBook profile. People type statuses that look like this: "i cant wait 2 go 2 da beach tomarow its gonna b so much fun your gonna b so jelly that u didnt come w/ us!!!!!!!!!!"
Political:
1970s- Most people were able to correctly identify the president, vice president, secretary of state, their congress representative, and knew the majority of issues on the ballots. The majority of voting-age Americans could also explain (even if just basically) how the voting process works, what "veto" means, and what role the electoral college plays in elections.
2012- It was recently found that 34% of Americans of voting age don't know who Joe Biden is (he's the vice president); 60% have no clue who the current secretary of state is (Hillary Rodham Clinton). However, 92% could give the correct answer as to who Angelina Jolie's partner is (Brad Pitt).
1950s-1990s- Education funding and standards higher than ever, and more people are getting educated than the generations before them.
2011- More states cut education and art funding than ever before. Higher education is harder to afford, and student debt for current generations is estimated to last longer than any previous generation; some student loans will take decades to pay off.
Haha, and they say that cutting funding to education and the arts makes no difference to society! Education is crucial to the future of our world and the betterment of humankind. Arts are very important- through art comes innovation, and through innovation comes new invention and advancement. Education and art both bring better understanding of our world, our roles and purpose, and what the human experience is really like.
It hurts my heart when I hear about more cuts to education and the arts. They are critical to the advancement of our species, what sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom, and yet they're discarded as completely disposable. One of the most disturbing things I came across while doing research for this post was the political section. To learn that so few people have even the basic understanding of politics and who is running our country is disheartening- how can we improve if we don't first understand? How can people expect to make the best decision when they go into the polls if they have no idea who they are voting for or how the issues affect them?
Take your education into your own hands. Learn, study, evolve, explore, and never stop doing so.
Self-education is a powerful thing, and can make a huge difference. I know there is an infinite amount of information out there that I don't know, but I always want to learn. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. One question answered often breds three more unanswered questions. We are the future. What we know and what we do with that knowledge will influence our own wellbeing and the generations that come after us.
We can thrive; just don't let go of learning, passion, and the thirst for self-improvement.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Always A Work In Progress
I don't know why, but lately I've been very reflective. Frequently, I find myself attempting to gain more knowledge and a better understanding of the human experience. (I've been like this as long as I can remember, and I think it's been very beneficial.) Maybe it's a mental Spring-Cleaning of sorts, or maybe it's just the fact that there's been so much going on lately, but whatever it is, I'm craving knowledge and enlightenment on a deeper level than I have in a while.
But no matter how long I live, I will never know everything there is to know, do everything there is to do, see everything there is to see, taste everything there is to taste, read everything there is to read, or meet everyone there is to meet, even if I were to (somehow) live to be 500 years old. It may sound kind of sad and limited, but it's actually quite the opposite- there is always going to be something new for me to do, see, read, experience, etc. We will never run out of things that we haven't experienced yet, no matter how much we fit in to each day or how many days we're alive on this earth.
That is why it is okay to not know something, and it took me a while to realize that. I don't have to have the answer to every question, I don't have to know about everything (and no one ever will know everything in this life), and I don't have to have done everything. It takes a lot of pressure off when you realize that you don't have to always be right and always know. If we ever did get to the point where we had done, learned, completed, experienced, and saw absolutely everything, it would mean this earth is a lot more simple than we thought, and it is very much not. Besides, if we were able to get to that point, I think we'd eventually just say "Well, I've done and seen and learned it all. Nothing left for me to do with the rest of my life but sit here and twiddle my thumbs." BORING!
Life is so incredible, and so endlessly beautiful and astounding. Maybe I believe that to a naive degree, but it keeps me positive and happy and always open to new ideas, knowledge, and experiences. I've have gone through tragedy, heartbreak, judgment, hardships, and have seen things that I hope other people are never forced to see, and yet I always come out of it a little wiser and more appreciative of what I do have. Those things, sorrowful as they can be, are a part of the richness and vastness of human existence. At some point or another, we will all experience the positive and negative aspects of life.
Whether they're big or little, life experiences make us who we are. We are a work in progress up until the last breath we take, and maybe even after that. We all have infinite amounts of growth potential, no matter how smart, experienced, wise, kind, or compassionate we already are. There is always room for improvement, and even though some people see it as a burden, the fact that we always have the capacity for growth is an incredible blessing.
But no matter how long I live, I will never know everything there is to know, do everything there is to do, see everything there is to see, taste everything there is to taste, read everything there is to read, or meet everyone there is to meet, even if I were to (somehow) live to be 500 years old. It may sound kind of sad and limited, but it's actually quite the opposite- there is always going to be something new for me to do, see, read, experience, etc. We will never run out of things that we haven't experienced yet, no matter how much we fit in to each day or how many days we're alive on this earth.
That is why it is okay to not know something, and it took me a while to realize that. I don't have to have the answer to every question, I don't have to know about everything (and no one ever will know everything in this life), and I don't have to have done everything. It takes a lot of pressure off when you realize that you don't have to always be right and always know. If we ever did get to the point where we had done, learned, completed, experienced, and saw absolutely everything, it would mean this earth is a lot more simple than we thought, and it is very much not. Besides, if we were able to get to that point, I think we'd eventually just say "Well, I've done and seen and learned it all. Nothing left for me to do with the rest of my life but sit here and twiddle my thumbs." BORING!
Life is so incredible, and so endlessly beautiful and astounding. Maybe I believe that to a naive degree, but it keeps me positive and happy and always open to new ideas, knowledge, and experiences. I've have gone through tragedy, heartbreak, judgment, hardships, and have seen things that I hope other people are never forced to see, and yet I always come out of it a little wiser and more appreciative of what I do have. Those things, sorrowful as they can be, are a part of the richness and vastness of human existence. At some point or another, we will all experience the positive and negative aspects of life.
Whether they're big or little, life experiences make us who we are. We are a work in progress up until the last breath we take, and maybe even after that. We all have infinite amounts of growth potential, no matter how smart, experienced, wise, kind, or compassionate we already are. There is always room for improvement, and even though some people see it as a burden, the fact that we always have the capacity for growth is an incredible blessing.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger, Pt. 2- Hardships and Spirituality
Something that has always fascinated me is spiritual beliefs. They can vary so much from person to person; even people belonging to the same religious* organization can have vastly dissimilar beliefs. (I've heard non-denominational Christians criticize Mormons; Mormons criticize Catholics; Catholics criticize non-denominational Christians; but really, they're all technically followers of Christ, so it's a bit baffling to me that they can be so hard on each other.)
It is impossible to know and prove what the truth really is when it comes to spiritual beliefs and whether or not there is an omnipotent being and a great beyond, and yet there is nothing more true to the individual than their own spiritual beliefs and religion.
In my opinion, people don't choose what they do and do not believe (for the most part, at least); I think it comes from a multitude of attributing factors in their life. Experience, what they've been taught by parents/others about spirituality/religion, personal logic and thought process, and observation all play key roles in determining a person's spiritual beliefs, and it's impossible to tell exactly what led a person to their beliefs.
One of the worst things a person can do when it comes to religion- whether they are monotheist, deist, polytheist, atheist, or any of the myriad of options in between- is to be a mindless follower. So many people (of any of the aforementioned theist and non-theist sets) don't know whether or not they actually believe what they do, but are just regurgitating what they've been told. I feel that questioning ones beliefs is not a negative thing- in fact, it should be encouraged, regardless of what the beliefs actually are. Finding a personal truth is a very important thing, whether your religion has a god, is science, doesn't have a god but has an afterlife, or any combination thereof (and no, believing in a higher power and believing in science are not mutually exclusive fields).
Another thing that has always intrigued me is how tragedies and hardships affect people's spirituality so differently. I've seen people who are devout atheist become true believers in a higher power when terrible events have afflicted their family; I've seen devoted Christians shun their life-long faith when faced with their own misfortunes and severe struggles. In many instances of tragedy and hardship, people seem to either embrace and strengthen their religious beliefs or completely reject what they have been devoted to for so long.
Many are quick to criticize the beliefs of others that conflict with their own. There are good, bad, immoral, and righteous people in all groups and walks of life. But while no side really deserves persecution from the other, no side is completely innocent, either. Many of the people who accuse others of being intolerant are themselves, often without realizing it, intolerant to a degree. Without realizing, most people are actually saying "We need to be tolerant of all lifestyles, except those which conflict with what I believe."
Separation of Church and State is very important. One of the most important foundations of our country was religious freedom, though many of the religious seem to believe that means that everyone has the freedom to be religious as long as the religion others adhere to coincides with their own. Freedom of religion means being able to practice any faith you choose, or to walk away completely from faith altogether. Freedom of religion does not mean that religious people have the right to shun the non-religious. We all have the right to believe in what we find to be the Truth.
I heard this quote earlier: "Telling someone else that what they do is wrong because it conflicts with your own religious beliefs is like getting mad at someone for eating a donut when you're on a diet." Separation of Church and State is very important; freedom of religion was the main foundation for our country. No one can try to force their own beliefs on others, and if they do, they shouldn't be surprised or get upset when others resist or push back.
But this isn't a post meant to bash religious or non-religious people. It's an observation, a pondering of what drives a person to believe one thing or another. My beliefs are something that I think about almost constantly, and over the years they have evolved and expanded as I go through life. I know they will continue to change as long as I live. What I believe now isn't what I believed ten years ago; my beliefs have even become more defined from just three days ago. We constantly change, if we are open-minded, and I think it's a good thing. If we didn't change, how could we grow?
What I also find a bit humorous is how so many people assume they know a person's beliefs just based on a few comments; sometimes those comments they base their judgement on have nothing to do with spiritual beliefs. I've been jumped on from both sides. People have criticized me for being a Christian and others (sometimes in the same conversation) have criticized me for being an atheist, while none of them bothered to actually ask me what my beliefs are. Religion is a personal thing, but I think that it shouldn't be a taboo subject. Learning about other people's beliefs can really help you reflect on your own, and may help to see whether those beliefs are your true beliefs or just a regurgitation you may think you're supposed to believe.
*throughout this post, the terms "religion" and "religious" are used to generally cover all belief systems and spiritualities- monotheist, polytheist, atheist, deist, pagan, and everything else that falls under spiritual beliefs that are not specifically mentioned.
It is impossible to know and prove what the truth really is when it comes to spiritual beliefs and whether or not there is an omnipotent being and a great beyond, and yet there is nothing more true to the individual than their own spiritual beliefs and religion.
In my opinion, people don't choose what they do and do not believe (for the most part, at least); I think it comes from a multitude of attributing factors in their life. Experience, what they've been taught by parents/others about spirituality/religion, personal logic and thought process, and observation all play key roles in determining a person's spiritual beliefs, and it's impossible to tell exactly what led a person to their beliefs.
One of the worst things a person can do when it comes to religion- whether they are monotheist, deist, polytheist, atheist, or any of the myriad of options in between- is to be a mindless follower. So many people (of any of the aforementioned theist and non-theist sets) don't know whether or not they actually believe what they do, but are just regurgitating what they've been told. I feel that questioning ones beliefs is not a negative thing- in fact, it should be encouraged, regardless of what the beliefs actually are. Finding a personal truth is a very important thing, whether your religion has a god, is science, doesn't have a god but has an afterlife, or any combination thereof (and no, believing in a higher power and believing in science are not mutually exclusive fields).
Another thing that has always intrigued me is how tragedies and hardships affect people's spirituality so differently. I've seen people who are devout atheist become true believers in a higher power when terrible events have afflicted their family; I've seen devoted Christians shun their life-long faith when faced with their own misfortunes and severe struggles. In many instances of tragedy and hardship, people seem to either embrace and strengthen their religious beliefs or completely reject what they have been devoted to for so long.
Many are quick to criticize the beliefs of others that conflict with their own. There are good, bad, immoral, and righteous people in all groups and walks of life. But while no side really deserves persecution from the other, no side is completely innocent, either. Many of the people who accuse others of being intolerant are themselves, often without realizing it, intolerant to a degree. Without realizing, most people are actually saying "We need to be tolerant of all lifestyles, except those which conflict with what I believe."
Separation of Church and State is very important. One of the most important foundations of our country was religious freedom, though many of the religious seem to believe that means that everyone has the freedom to be religious as long as the religion others adhere to coincides with their own. Freedom of religion means being able to practice any faith you choose, or to walk away completely from faith altogether. Freedom of religion does not mean that religious people have the right to shun the non-religious. We all have the right to believe in what we find to be the Truth.
I heard this quote earlier: "Telling someone else that what they do is wrong because it conflicts with your own religious beliefs is like getting mad at someone for eating a donut when you're on a diet." Separation of Church and State is very important; freedom of religion was the main foundation for our country. No one can try to force their own beliefs on others, and if they do, they shouldn't be surprised or get upset when others resist or push back.
But this isn't a post meant to bash religious or non-religious people. It's an observation, a pondering of what drives a person to believe one thing or another. My beliefs are something that I think about almost constantly, and over the years they have evolved and expanded as I go through life. I know they will continue to change as long as I live. What I believe now isn't what I believed ten years ago; my beliefs have even become more defined from just three days ago. We constantly change, if we are open-minded, and I think it's a good thing. If we didn't change, how could we grow?
What I also find a bit humorous is how so many people assume they know a person's beliefs just based on a few comments; sometimes those comments they base their judgement on have nothing to do with spiritual beliefs. I've been jumped on from both sides. People have criticized me for being a Christian and others (sometimes in the same conversation) have criticized me for being an atheist, while none of them bothered to actually ask me what my beliefs are. Religion is a personal thing, but I think that it shouldn't be a taboo subject. Learning about other people's beliefs can really help you reflect on your own, and may help to see whether those beliefs are your true beliefs or just a regurgitation you may think you're supposed to believe.
*throughout this post, the terms "religion" and "religious" are used to generally cover all belief systems and spiritualities- monotheist, polytheist, atheist, deist, pagan, and everything else that falls under spiritual beliefs that are not specifically mentioned.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Power to the People
Sometimes I'm not sure which is worse- a person who has the ability but chooses not to vote, or a person who votes without knowing what they're voting for. Both are a negative thing- one has the power, but throws it away, while the other one makes an uneducated vote based on who knows what factors.
You won't often see me posting about politics on this blog, but I felt this was weighing on my heart and needed to be said.
Many people complain about the government and the state of the nation. It's true that things are not so great, and there is definitely changes that can be made to make our nation the grand place our forefathers dreamed of. America used to be one of the greatest nations in the world- maybe even THE greatest- but not so much anymore.
Don't get me wrong, I stand fully behind my country- just not behind my government.
Some people say that the power does not belong to the people, that we need to seize control from the powers that be in order to make our country great once again. But there's someone that most people don't realize- We actually DO have the power, now more than ever.
Voting is an amazing thing, and not something that should be taken lightly. There's few people who are neutral on Obama and his policies- some thing he's terrible, comparing him to Hitler (which, I'm sorry, whether you're for or against him, this is a bit extreme- until he declares a master race and starts the extermination of certain peoples, this is an extreme comparison), while others think he's the best thing to happen to our nation since winning the Revolutionary War. What most people don't take into account is that he does not have as much power as many think he does- Congress is a huge factor.
This post is a call to action, of sorts. I'm not going to tell you who to vote for or whether or not I think Obama should be re-elected. Instead, I'm going to strongly urge you to educate yourself before you vote this November. You've got about nine months before going to the polls, which is plenty of time to learn about the presidential candidates (even if you only spend a few minutes a week learning about their views/policies). Take time to learn about the representatives and their beliefs, both the incumbents and the new candidates. It is just as, if not more, important as who you decide to vote for to take the presidency.
This year, I'm not voting for anyone from either of the two power-parties. In my opinion, neither of them have done what would be best for the American people. Instead, I'm voting for a third-party candidate who shares a lot of my views- he especially believes that government has been overstepping their boundaries and controlling too much of the America peoples' freedoms. I think he has a good head on his shoulders, and although most people have not heard of him yet, I'm giving my vote to him.
Some say that not voting for one of the two major parties is the same as throwing away a vote. In my opinion, voting for someone you don't fully believe in is throwing away the nation's wellbeing just to hope your vote counts. This year, vote for who you REALLY want to see elected, not who you think will get elected. Don't give your vote to someone just to take away a vote against someone you dislike; vote for the person who DESERVES your vote. If all the American voters actually voted for who they believed was the right person for the job, then for once the right person might actually GET the job.
One last thing- don't get all your information from one source. Don't just watch FOX and CNN- they don't report on all of the candidates, and they are very influenced to one side. Check out as many sources as you can find- use your logic and understanding to sort through what is true and what is not true. Look at the candidate's pages (especially third-party candidates, who get next to no airtime on television) and see what their views are on the issues that are important to YOU. Don't give your vote to someone who does not absolutely deserve it!
Here's a couple of sources to get you started, but I urge you to find more (and please share any helpful links you find here):
* 2012 Presidential Candidates (a great source to start at- lists all the candidates and their beliefs on issues; well-organized and easy to use website)
* Americans Elect 2012 (helpful source about the election; also has some information on the candidates and the process of the election)
Vote wisely- the fate of the nation is in your hands.
You won't often see me posting about politics on this blog, but I felt this was weighing on my heart and needed to be said.
Many people complain about the government and the state of the nation. It's true that things are not so great, and there is definitely changes that can be made to make our nation the grand place our forefathers dreamed of. America used to be one of the greatest nations in the world- maybe even THE greatest- but not so much anymore.
Don't get me wrong, I stand fully behind my country- just not behind my government.
Some people say that the power does not belong to the people, that we need to seize control from the powers that be in order to make our country great once again. But there's someone that most people don't realize- We actually DO have the power, now more than ever.
Voting is an amazing thing, and not something that should be taken lightly. There's few people who are neutral on Obama and his policies- some thing he's terrible, comparing him to Hitler (which, I'm sorry, whether you're for or against him, this is a bit extreme- until he declares a master race and starts the extermination of certain peoples, this is an extreme comparison), while others think he's the best thing to happen to our nation since winning the Revolutionary War. What most people don't take into account is that he does not have as much power as many think he does- Congress is a huge factor.
This post is a call to action, of sorts. I'm not going to tell you who to vote for or whether or not I think Obama should be re-elected. Instead, I'm going to strongly urge you to educate yourself before you vote this November. You've got about nine months before going to the polls, which is plenty of time to learn about the presidential candidates (even if you only spend a few minutes a week learning about their views/policies). Take time to learn about the representatives and their beliefs, both the incumbents and the new candidates. It is just as, if not more, important as who you decide to vote for to take the presidency.
This year, I'm not voting for anyone from either of the two power-parties. In my opinion, neither of them have done what would be best for the American people. Instead, I'm voting for a third-party candidate who shares a lot of my views- he especially believes that government has been overstepping their boundaries and controlling too much of the America peoples' freedoms. I think he has a good head on his shoulders, and although most people have not heard of him yet, I'm giving my vote to him.
Some say that not voting for one of the two major parties is the same as throwing away a vote. In my opinion, voting for someone you don't fully believe in is throwing away the nation's wellbeing just to hope your vote counts. This year, vote for who you REALLY want to see elected, not who you think will get elected. Don't give your vote to someone just to take away a vote against someone you dislike; vote for the person who DESERVES your vote. If all the American voters actually voted for who they believed was the right person for the job, then for once the right person might actually GET the job.
One last thing- don't get all your information from one source. Don't just watch FOX and CNN- they don't report on all of the candidates, and they are very influenced to one side. Check out as many sources as you can find- use your logic and understanding to sort through what is true and what is not true. Look at the candidate's pages (especially third-party candidates, who get next to no airtime on television) and see what their views are on the issues that are important to YOU. Don't give your vote to someone who does not absolutely deserve it!
Here's a couple of sources to get you started, but I urge you to find more (and please share any helpful links you find here):
* 2012 Presidential Candidates (a great source to start at- lists all the candidates and their beliefs on issues; well-organized and easy to use website)
* Americans Elect 2012 (helpful source about the election; also has some information on the candidates and the process of the election)
Vote wisely- the fate of the nation is in your hands.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Importance of Freedom of Speech
I'm currently in the middle of reading Mockingjay, which is the third in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, and it's made me really reflect on freedom.
The freedoms we have (or don't have) are ones our society has decided upon through the centuries. We don't always get to decide what we are and are not free to do (for example, look how long that only white men were allowed to vote- minorities and women have been able to vote in the U.S. for less than 100 years), and sometimes freedoms get taken away if those in power decide we should not have them for whatever reason.
I feel that the most important freedom we have is the freedom of speech. Hopefully, it is a freedom that will never be taken away from us.
Freedom of speech is the most important of freedoms because, with freedom of speech, we can share information, ideas, and knowledge. As cliche as it may sound, knowledge is power. "The pen is mightier than the sword." (I wish I could remember who said that- Abraham Lincoln? Benjamin Franklin? I don't remember.) Giving up freedom of speech means giving up true freedom. Could you imagine not being allowed to say what you believe in? Or being persecuted for saying something against the government that rules us?
That's one thing I love about living in this country (there's a lot of things, but this one particularly): being in a country where we are allowed to voice opinions and beliefs contrary to those of the powers that be and change things for the better. We can learn and grow, see the mistakes of the past, and stand up against them to create a better world, one more towards equality. The reason the slaves were emancipated, the reason women gained the right to vote, and even the reason we are no longer a British territory goes back to one small group voicing their opinion for what is right and standing up to change things. I encourage people to always voice their opinion, even if it differs from my own. I'll be completely blunt and say that if a person voices an opinion (be it agreeing or disagreeing with my own) that is completely not backed by any reasons, I'll encourage them to do some research and really think about why they believe what they believe. I believe that a person who does not know why he or she believes what he or she believes doesn't really believe it, but is just regurgitating what he or she has been told.
Another reason why I'm so grateful for freedom of speech is because I am a writer. Maybe I'm not a known writer (yet), but I am allowed to write my stories any way I choose. If I wanted to, I could even write a fictional book about President Obama falling in love with a bowl of petunias that turn out to actually be a spy from another planet sent down to study earthlings in order to take over our planet, but the bowl of petunias surprises itself when it realizes it loves Obama in return, even though its species does not have emotions so it does not understand what this "love" is but it's very conflicted over its new desire to save earth while remaining loyal to its own species. (I could write it, but I won't. I don't want to, and I doubt anyone would read it.)
On that note, I am really happy with how my second book is turning out. It's called "Reflections in the Window," and it's a thriller. I'm trying to write it so that the reader won't be able to tell if the house Rachel (my main character) is housesitting is actually haunted, or if it's just her imagination playing tricks on her. I'm hoping readers will guess and ponder up until the end when I give the reveal. We'll see how it comes out, but I think it'll be better than The Secret Room when it's done. :)
The freedoms we have (or don't have) are ones our society has decided upon through the centuries. We don't always get to decide what we are and are not free to do (for example, look how long that only white men were allowed to vote- minorities and women have been able to vote in the U.S. for less than 100 years), and sometimes freedoms get taken away if those in power decide we should not have them for whatever reason.
I feel that the most important freedom we have is the freedom of speech. Hopefully, it is a freedom that will never be taken away from us.
Freedom of speech is the most important of freedoms because, with freedom of speech, we can share information, ideas, and knowledge. As cliche as it may sound, knowledge is power. "The pen is mightier than the sword." (I wish I could remember who said that- Abraham Lincoln? Benjamin Franklin? I don't remember.) Giving up freedom of speech means giving up true freedom. Could you imagine not being allowed to say what you believe in? Or being persecuted for saying something against the government that rules us?
That's one thing I love about living in this country (there's a lot of things, but this one particularly): being in a country where we are allowed to voice opinions and beliefs contrary to those of the powers that be and change things for the better. We can learn and grow, see the mistakes of the past, and stand up against them to create a better world, one more towards equality. The reason the slaves were emancipated, the reason women gained the right to vote, and even the reason we are no longer a British territory goes back to one small group voicing their opinion for what is right and standing up to change things. I encourage people to always voice their opinion, even if it differs from my own. I'll be completely blunt and say that if a person voices an opinion (be it agreeing or disagreeing with my own) that is completely not backed by any reasons, I'll encourage them to do some research and really think about why they believe what they believe. I believe that a person who does not know why he or she believes what he or she believes doesn't really believe it, but is just regurgitating what he or she has been told.
Another reason why I'm so grateful for freedom of speech is because I am a writer. Maybe I'm not a known writer (yet), but I am allowed to write my stories any way I choose. If I wanted to, I could even write a fictional book about President Obama falling in love with a bowl of petunias that turn out to actually be a spy from another planet sent down to study earthlings in order to take over our planet, but the bowl of petunias surprises itself when it realizes it loves Obama in return, even though its species does not have emotions so it does not understand what this "love" is but it's very conflicted over its new desire to save earth while remaining loyal to its own species. (I could write it, but I won't. I don't want to, and I doubt anyone would read it.)
On that note, I am really happy with how my second book is turning out. It's called "Reflections in the Window," and it's a thriller. I'm trying to write it so that the reader won't be able to tell if the house Rachel (my main character) is housesitting is actually haunted, or if it's just her imagination playing tricks on her. I'm hoping readers will guess and ponder up until the end when I give the reveal. We'll see how it comes out, but I think it'll be better than The Secret Room when it's done. :)
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