Monday, August 9, 2010

Love: The Core of Humanity

Over the past couple of weeks, I've reflected on a couple topics: 1) What do I need in order to enjoy and find beauty in life?; 2) As humans, who are we at our core?

Some people enjoy life by having that particularly fast vehicle to give them an adrenaline rush or status, or living life in the club scene, or just physically looking the best. So what do I need in order to enjoy and find beauty in life? My times out mountain biking have evoked an answer to this question deeply rooted within me. I find complete peace when I'm outdoors. I find rest and even sometimes stand in awe at how beautiful this world is; and how it was prepared for us all to enjoy. Having two wheels to take me through the dirt trails is just a bonus. It's out in God's creation where I know who I am. It's where everything comes into focus. It's where I realize who I am at my core and what we all share in common, whether or not everyone admits it; and that thing in common is love.

Everyone was born with the essential need and gift to love. Just the other week my landlords and I had to put their dog to sleep. It was an emotional time for them, and a time for me to support them. I've only been living in their house for a few weeks, which isn't much time to really emotionally connect with someone. But as we were in the room at the clinic, my landlord was just in tears, full of tears. It didn't matter who was in the room, or if crying would be embarrassing. What really mattered was the love for his dog. I could totally relate to what he was going through, having gone through the same thing myself about 10 years before with my dog. After reflecting on the whole experience, I realized two things: 1) Everyone has the ability to love and 2) (As a dear friend pointed out) How big God made our hearts. Our ability to love totally blows me away...even the ability to love an animal.

This thing, love, is the common thread that we all share as humans. It's what surfaces in me when I'm out in God's creation. It's what living is all about. And it's what we were made to do. Where do you find rest? What brings you peace? And where do you find this wonderful gift of love?

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Thought For The Day #2

People are so much more similar than we think. We just handle our life's experiences a little differently.

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Thought For The Day #1

I'm learning how important it is for someone to remain consistant and not to let inconsistant people change that.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Boxes, Boats, and Thank-you's

These past couple of weeks have provoked a people observation, well more of a question, which is "Where are the 'thank-you's'" and "Where are the people who don't ignore someone for doing showing kindess"? And I am totally not talking about the over-the-top-you're-obsessing-over-me-with-what-you-call-'kindess', (which is a whole-nother world of person/person interaction and pshycology).

I understand a lot to do with how we interact is how we were raised (Though I do know that someone can break through bad influences). A few questions surround this, given how I was raised, for instance: Is a simple 'thank you' beginning to be too much for which to ask? Am I expecting too much as a word from someone to affirm gratitude or that I did something that encouraged someone? Is this thinking also known as selfishness? I realize that by posting this, I am revealing an insecurity; possibly...and/or...yes. But I believe that this topic is something that has become too far and in between for me to leave unexploited.

People make my day when they say thank you; that's just how much it means to me. It's an encouragement and an affirmation. I'm saddened that we don't say thank you enough to people. Don't get me wrong, I do hear it and other compliments throughout the week, and it's wonderful (this 'thank-you's' for you). But I've recognized for a while that it seems that we have become more cold, and it breaks my heart (And of course, I am holding myself accountable also). Throughout the week I ask myself, "Is there anyone who is living outside of the cold 'norm-box?'" This seems like a lot of finger pointing, but my finger points at me too. How am I living outside of the box? What am I bringing to the table that someone else values? Believe me, I try daily to walk a mile in another's shoes, but it doesn't seem like it makes a difference. Huh..."it doesn't seem..."

So here's what trips me out: So obviously what I value differs from what another person values. So I ask, what do people value? What makes people's days, these days? But by not hearing 'thank you' says: "It doesn't mean anything to me." With this reaction (not being recognized or thanked by someone), we stop going out-of-our-way for people. And when someone does go out of his/her way, the other person is simply out-of-practice recognizing that person's efforts. Also, thinking "It doesn't mean anything to that person" creates an assumption or judgement. So if the only reason that I show kindess is because it pleases God, then it shouldn't matter that I hear recognition from someone, right? I'll regroup here.

I know that the world isn't peaches and cream, but we as humans all need recognition and affirmation, it's in our nature; love...is in our nature (along with other things, positive and negative). It's easy to let "believing in someone," "loving someone," and "doing something for someone out of love," become "being let down by someone because he/she didn't say thank-you." Sure this can all be interpreted as simple minded thinking, or perfect world thinking, and is something that I struggle with; but we're all in the same boat. I'm sure we'd all like to hear "thank-you" more. So honestly, let's thank each other. Let's affirm each other. Let's encourage each other. Let's show kindness towards one another. Let's uplift each other. Let's show love for one another. Which all encourages me to say: How great would that effect our lives.

This is just a different perspective, that's all. It's coming from someone who took a second, who's day was uplifted by the beauty of creation and potential in people. It's coming from someone who was sippin' on some Casi Cielo outside while the sun warmed up San Jose, who thought, "There seriously has to be more to life than this." "Get me the heck out of this box!" "Show me the potential." And..."We were made to live for so much more."