Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Adjustments
Done with finals for this semester. These past four months of work and school have left me numb. I'm very much done with the whole full time school/full time work schedule. Although it pays the bills, I keep losing my personality later in the semester as I turn on "survival mode" due to stress. I'm gonna talk with my manager about only working full closing 8 hr shifts Thursday-Saturday as a barista. This way, I will not have to work on school nights, not have the stress of a shift, and (most importantly) have enough time to devote to practicing and schoolwork. There's so much more behind all this, but is more personal than what I'd like to post. I hope that the adjustments I will make will be beneficial to my school journey and career.
Monday, December 14, 2009
As P.O.D. Would Say, "Welcome To Hard Times"
It is interesting how much stress individuals can take. We each have our own breaking limit; and over this past month, I've reached and passed mine. This has been easier to get through this with the love and support of my family, but nevertheless is still difficult. It's also interesting how much of stress or difficulty we are willing to let others see. "What will people say?" is something that I briefly covered in my last post. Like I said before, I don't live my life based around others' opinions. But the occasional struggle lays in, "Is the example I'm living, reflect my beliefs, and more importantly, who Jesus is?"
I'm not proud of it, but I don't always do the right thing. Sometimes this is all that is needed to show that someone is going through a difficult time. It's best to sieze an opportunity when someone seems a little jaded, to show him/her more love and acceptance. This may be simply done through a kind action (opening a door for someone, or 'comping' his/her drink) or by saying "Let me know how I can help." I was shown two of these today; thank you Tomas and Chris. It may be all that is needed to shine a little light into his/her valley. This is something that I will also try to practice...when I get out of my valley.
So if this isn't "wearing my emotions on my sleeve," I don't know what is...haha.
This all shows how important to love people really is...inspite of difficulties they are having. We don't really know someone's full story, however joyful or difficult it may be. The important thing is to show love to people, no matter what they are going through.
I'm not proud of it, but I don't always do the right thing. Sometimes this is all that is needed to show that someone is going through a difficult time. It's best to sieze an opportunity when someone seems a little jaded, to show him/her more love and acceptance. This may be simply done through a kind action (opening a door for someone, or 'comping' his/her drink) or by saying "Let me know how I can help." I was shown two of these today; thank you Tomas and Chris. It may be all that is needed to shine a little light into his/her valley. This is something that I will also try to practice...when I get out of my valley.
So if this isn't "wearing my emotions on my sleeve," I don't know what is...haha.
This all shows how important to love people really is...inspite of difficulties they are having. We don't really know someone's full story, however joyful or difficult it may be. The important thing is to show love to people, no matter what they are going through.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
This Response Needed To Be Addressed
Some time ago, Cameron, a blogger responded to my Halloween post. I have not checked my responses for a while because I have been busy with my studies. After reading his response, I was also prompted to respond. Cameron's response is the following paragraph; and my response is below his. These thoughts are very important to me. Thank you for reading.
Cameron's Response:
"I think its a bit unfair to judge someone based on a Halloween costume. To say that a person didn't receive enough love and attention as a child is a bit harsh. Assuming that the parents did not do a good job of raising him/her, and saying you can do better, is pretty self righteous. It's you're opinion and you're entitled to it, but c'mon. Really?! You saw someone's costume and thought to yourself, there is something wrong with her. First of all, its Halloween. One day a year to let loose, be or WEAR something you normally wouldn't. To assume someone does not have self respect based on what they wore once, on the one day to do it, is just plain ignorant. Its not right to judge people, especially if its based on something superficial. If one day you have a daughter, I hope that you teach her that its not how you look or how other look at you that matters. Its how she sees herself that does. And if you have a son, teach him that just because a girl dresses a certain way, it does not mean she is a certain way.I do think you are right about Jesus loving and showing them kindness. But, I also think that blogging about how she has no self respect, and how your future daughter will by wearing the appropriate Halloween costume is not the same. I'm basically saying, stop passing judgement on others before you get to know them. I could come on here and say that 2 guys talking about how they don't like seeing girls in skimpy clothing is just gay...but that would not be very fair of me, would it?"
My Response:
You bring up some interesting perspectives Cameron. I will keep my points brief throughout this response; but I will explain my reasoning so that any future misinterpretations will be avoided. Firstly, I would like to explain that my original post was not at all bashing young women for what they wear. I was not angry when I posted my reflections, instead saddened. By your tone, I am sorry that you feel so offended, I’m sure not offended. Like you said, it is just an opinion. I am keeping your response on my blog because it is something on which others, too, can reflect.
To begin, although the implication is evident, I was focused more on how I am going to raise my children and not how this young lady was raised. With respect, your conclusion and assumption that I think I can do better raising a child is inaccurate and irrelevant. Most children, when ignored or unloved, grow up pursuing other means of attention; and if looks or showing off their body bring that attention, so be it. If looks do not bring attention, then other means will. (Please keep in mind, I am not saying that unloved children are “doomed,” I have hope for anyone).
I apologize if this is too adult for some readers, but going into a coffee shop wearing a slightly see through costume without undergarments is very inappropriate, and is to what I was referring in my blog. Just because Halloween is one day out of the year to “let loose,” it doesn’t mean that all rules of social etiquette are out the door. Sure, Halloween can be fun with costumes and such, but when someone dresses like this, it steps outside of the “fun” mindset and enters into a completely different realm of communication and psychology.
I think some women have much more potential than they think they do. Some women, and by no means all, feel like they need to compensate for this with a need for attention in other areas: i.e. their looks, body, or the showing off of the two in a promiscuous manner.
As ignorant as you accuse me of being, I think most people would agree that this act would not only raise a few eye brows, but also communicate much of how this young lady thinks of herself. I agree with you, it is not right to judge people. I am not saying that she is a horrible person; I do not know her. I know her only by what she communicated through her inappropriate choice of attire. Approximately eighty percent of communication is non-verbal.
I also agree with you when you said, “…it’s not how you look or how others look at you that matters, it is how you see yourself that does.” Well put. I certainly do not base my life on what people think of me. But again, what else is a young lady who dresses like this telling others? It communicates very much; in fact too much for the purposes of this entry.
I am not here to argue; I am here to discuss. I am going to refrain from posting any words of retaliation because “come backs” do absolutely no good for my purpose here. That being said, I will simply ignore the last sentence in your prior response.
The purpose of this entry can be summed up in two sentences:
1) Some young women need to know that they are worth so much more than “just a body.”
2) And honestly, if there was one thing that I could have said to the young lady of whom I speak, it would be, “You are a person who is worth so much more than just a physical shell, and I hope that you can see and believe that someday.”
Cameron's Response:
"I think its a bit unfair to judge someone based on a Halloween costume. To say that a person didn't receive enough love and attention as a child is a bit harsh. Assuming that the parents did not do a good job of raising him/her, and saying you can do better, is pretty self righteous. It's you're opinion and you're entitled to it, but c'mon. Really?! You saw someone's costume and thought to yourself, there is something wrong with her. First of all, its Halloween. One day a year to let loose, be or WEAR something you normally wouldn't. To assume someone does not have self respect based on what they wore once, on the one day to do it, is just plain ignorant. Its not right to judge people, especially if its based on something superficial. If one day you have a daughter, I hope that you teach her that its not how you look or how other look at you that matters. Its how she sees herself that does. And if you have a son, teach him that just because a girl dresses a certain way, it does not mean she is a certain way.I do think you are right about Jesus loving and showing them kindness. But, I also think that blogging about how she has no self respect, and how your future daughter will by wearing the appropriate Halloween costume is not the same. I'm basically saying, stop passing judgement on others before you get to know them. I could come on here and say that 2 guys talking about how they don't like seeing girls in skimpy clothing is just gay...but that would not be very fair of me, would it?"
My Response:
You bring up some interesting perspectives Cameron. I will keep my points brief throughout this response; but I will explain my reasoning so that any future misinterpretations will be avoided. Firstly, I would like to explain that my original post was not at all bashing young women for what they wear. I was not angry when I posted my reflections, instead saddened. By your tone, I am sorry that you feel so offended, I’m sure not offended. Like you said, it is just an opinion. I am keeping your response on my blog because it is something on which others, too, can reflect.
To begin, although the implication is evident, I was focused more on how I am going to raise my children and not how this young lady was raised. With respect, your conclusion and assumption that I think I can do better raising a child is inaccurate and irrelevant. Most children, when ignored or unloved, grow up pursuing other means of attention; and if looks or showing off their body bring that attention, so be it. If looks do not bring attention, then other means will. (Please keep in mind, I am not saying that unloved children are “doomed,” I have hope for anyone).
I apologize if this is too adult for some readers, but going into a coffee shop wearing a slightly see through costume without undergarments is very inappropriate, and is to what I was referring in my blog. Just because Halloween is one day out of the year to “let loose,” it doesn’t mean that all rules of social etiquette are out the door. Sure, Halloween can be fun with costumes and such, but when someone dresses like this, it steps outside of the “fun” mindset and enters into a completely different realm of communication and psychology.
I think some women have much more potential than they think they do. Some women, and by no means all, feel like they need to compensate for this with a need for attention in other areas: i.e. their looks, body, or the showing off of the two in a promiscuous manner.
As ignorant as you accuse me of being, I think most people would agree that this act would not only raise a few eye brows, but also communicate much of how this young lady thinks of herself. I agree with you, it is not right to judge people. I am not saying that she is a horrible person; I do not know her. I know her only by what she communicated through her inappropriate choice of attire. Approximately eighty percent of communication is non-verbal.
I also agree with you when you said, “…it’s not how you look or how others look at you that matters, it is how you see yourself that does.” Well put. I certainly do not base my life on what people think of me. But again, what else is a young lady who dresses like this telling others? It communicates very much; in fact too much for the purposes of this entry.
I am not here to argue; I am here to discuss. I am going to refrain from posting any words of retaliation because “come backs” do absolutely no good for my purpose here. That being said, I will simply ignore the last sentence in your prior response.
The purpose of this entry can be summed up in two sentences:
1) Some young women need to know that they are worth so much more than “just a body.”
2) And honestly, if there was one thing that I could have said to the young lady of whom I speak, it would be, “You are a person who is worth so much more than just a physical shell, and I hope that you can see and believe that someday.”
Monday, November 2, 2009
A Note on Girls' Halloween Costumes Last Night
This is all that I'm gonna say on this one...
(and by the way, I'm putting this as nice as possible):
I am going to be a father who loves his daughter (if I have one someday) and teaches her to respect herself.
...Enough said?
(and by the way, I'm putting this as nice as possible):
I am going to be a father who loves his daughter (if I have one someday) and teaches her to respect herself.
...Enough said?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Loving People
During my reflecting time the other day, I realized something significant to my perspective, life, walk with God, and how I treat others. Even though we are all not brothers and sisters of the same family, I am called to love people (love your neighbor). But how can I love everyone? How did Jesus do it? How did he view people? So I changed my perspective and thought of people belonging to one family, my family; and it has given me a better perspective of how to treat people with more love. This includes the guy who cut me off on the road this morning, or the girl customer at work who treats me inferiorly because she's rollin' in a newly-leased Beemer, or the homeless person outside 7-11 asking for money to buy dinner, or the person I can't communicate with because he speaks another language. I share two of the greatest things in common with all of these people: we are human and God loves everyone of us.
These past few days, I've been thinking how much we, as people, all have in common, and it's kind of boggling my mind. So here's what really got to me: If I think of everybody as brothers and sisters, part of the same family, then how much differently will I think of the people who steal from me! What a radical change of perspective.
So here's the "getter": If God loves everyone of us, (and I couldn't comprehend this), how much would it please Him that I love the same people too. How much would it please Him that I show the same people he loves, mercy? How much would it please Him that I show them forgiveness and grace instead of frustration? Is that what we were made to do? Would that make a difference? Would that show people Jesus? I hope so, because I hope to please God.
These past few days, I've been thinking how much we, as people, all have in common, and it's kind of boggling my mind. So here's what really got to me: If I think of everybody as brothers and sisters, part of the same family, then how much differently will I think of the people who steal from me! What a radical change of perspective.
So here's the "getter": If God loves everyone of us, (and I couldn't comprehend this), how much would it please Him that I love the same people too. How much would it please Him that I show the same people he loves, mercy? How much would it please Him that I show them forgiveness and grace instead of frustration? Is that what we were made to do? Would that make a difference? Would that show people Jesus? I hope so, because I hope to please God.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Beautiful World
I've had quite some time to watch TV in between naps while being sick this week. Currently, one of my favorite channels is the nature channel. The other day, there was a show on about some intense explorers that got me thinkin' how awesome this world is in which we live.
I read a book not too long ago entitled Wild at Heart. Although there are some things that I don't 100% agree with, most of it is pretty 'spot on'. One subject author John Eldredge talks about is the one thing that is hardwired into the hearts of men: The need for exploration. This is true for me. Everytime I'm biking an unfamiliar mountain trail, it fills me with this rush of "gotta keep going" and "I know something beautiful is just around this next hill." Ten miles later I realized that I've spent all my energy getting there and not saved enough to turn around, just because I couldn't stop taking in all the new sights. Granted, it doesn't take being a man to appreciate the newness and beauty this world has to offer.
Here is what struck my brain while I was watching the nature channel's most extreme explorers: With all of our technological advances, and all the thousands of years humans have been exploring, we daily continue to discover so many new and exciting things about this planet. Even the little things like how every sunset is different, every rain fall is different, every season differs from the year prior...there are so many things that I take for granted that shouldn't be. It blows me away that after all this time, humans have not grown tired of this earth. It just left me in awe. Then it made me think how depressed humans would be if we knew everything about our environment and became bored with it. But that isn't who we were made to be (cue Switchfoot's "Meant To Live"). This world is such a wonderful gift. It's a gift of changing beauty, of which we sometimes need to be reminded.
I hope this reminds us to let nature's beauty make us smile again and to take enjoyment in such a wonderful creation: our home.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
First Day of School
First day back to the good 'ole SJSU. God provided today in soooo many ways.
God Provided Part 1: My music history teacher said that the music dept could not add any students for any reason b/c they would get fined by the university for any additional students (due to cut-backs). A few students (including myself) spoke with the professor after class and he said he'd see what he can do to add us. I just put it in God's hands and asked Him what I should do if I wasn't supposed to take the class. Anywho, I later saw the professor in the hallway and he said that he cleared it with the dean of the dept that we could actually add the class. I heard trumpets sound because of the good news. I really needed this class to carry on with my degree, so that was so awesome that I was let into the class =).
God Provided Part 2: When I got back to my car after class (around 11:30am), a gal who parked right next to me, saw me headed for my car and said, "Oh, is this your car?" "Yeah, why?" "Oh ok, well I left a note on your windshield this morning about what happened...but after you left, a girl totally hit your car while driving into the space next to you. She didn't see me, so she backed out and parked in another spot 6 spaces down and didn't leave a note. I guess she was hoping that you wouldn't find out. I wrote this note as a witness to what happened and left her plate and model/make of her car." "Wow! No way, you actually did that? That's so nice of you, bless you!" "Yeah, you're welcome."
I just couldn't believe that someone would uphold such an avenger (need to have justice served) attitude...I really admired that. I was driving away when I got a feeling like I should file a police report at the "scene." It so happened that I missed my exit to get on the freeway and I was headed back to the parking lot anyway...so I said, "Ok God I hear ya." When I got there I called the campus police who came and filed a report. It turns out that I don't have collision coverage on my car (just the basics). So I filed the police report just to be paid for the damage and not to seek revenge or anything for the girl who hit me (which didn't even cross my mind). I asked the officer what the charges would be against the other driver. She told me that a hit-and-run is considered a misdemeanor and ordered that a wheel boot (immobilization device) be secured on her wheel so she couldn't drive anywhere...I actually saw them put it on (serious stuff). I really did feel bad that the other driver would be in "it" so deep, 'cause all I really wanted was just reimbursement for my car's damage; but I guess the other driver shouldn't have been so shady as to park somewhere else to avoid trouble.
So yeah, someone at Starbucks said, "Dang man, you're really goin' through it lately huh...bike, tickets, accidents?!" And all I could say and think about was how impressed, grateful, and blessed I was with the gal who did leave a note. I can honestly say that today was a blessing more than a disappointment! So thank you, God for today...thank you!
God Provided Part 1: My music history teacher said that the music dept could not add any students for any reason b/c they would get fined by the university for any additional students (due to cut-backs). A few students (including myself) spoke with the professor after class and he said he'd see what he can do to add us. I just put it in God's hands and asked Him what I should do if I wasn't supposed to take the class. Anywho, I later saw the professor in the hallway and he said that he cleared it with the dean of the dept that we could actually add the class. I heard trumpets sound because of the good news. I really needed this class to carry on with my degree, so that was so awesome that I was let into the class =).
God Provided Part 2: When I got back to my car after class (around 11:30am), a gal who parked right next to me, saw me headed for my car and said, "Oh, is this your car?" "Yeah, why?" "Oh ok, well I left a note on your windshield this morning about what happened...but after you left, a girl totally hit your car while driving into the space next to you. She didn't see me, so she backed out and parked in another spot 6 spaces down and didn't leave a note. I guess she was hoping that you wouldn't find out. I wrote this note as a witness to what happened and left her plate and model/make of her car." "Wow! No way, you actually did that? That's so nice of you, bless you!" "Yeah, you're welcome."
I just couldn't believe that someone would uphold such an avenger (need to have justice served) attitude...I really admired that. I was driving away when I got a feeling like I should file a police report at the "scene." It so happened that I missed my exit to get on the freeway and I was headed back to the parking lot anyway...so I said, "Ok God I hear ya." When I got there I called the campus police who came and filed a report. It turns out that I don't have collision coverage on my car (just the basics). So I filed the police report just to be paid for the damage and not to seek revenge or anything for the girl who hit me (which didn't even cross my mind). I asked the officer what the charges would be against the other driver. She told me that a hit-and-run is considered a misdemeanor and ordered that a wheel boot (immobilization device) be secured on her wheel so she couldn't drive anywhere...I actually saw them put it on (serious stuff). I really did feel bad that the other driver would be in "it" so deep, 'cause all I really wanted was just reimbursement for my car's damage; but I guess the other driver shouldn't have been so shady as to park somewhere else to avoid trouble.
So yeah, someone at Starbucks said, "Dang man, you're really goin' through it lately huh...bike, tickets, accidents?!" And all I could say and think about was how impressed, grateful, and blessed I was with the gal who did leave a note. I can honestly say that today was a blessing more than a disappointment! So thank you, God for today...thank you!
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