I've been thinking a lot about time and how little of it we truly have. One of the things that gets to me these days is 'wasting time'. I wish people spent more quality time together and even by themselves. Just utilizing that time. I really wish people saw all the opportunity that is directly in front of them, or at least some of it; and ACTED on it. This relates a lot to teenagers in high school. I've felt very encouraged by the following quotes.
“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”
-Steve Jobs
“If you don't feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It is because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for the great.”
― John Piper, A Hunger For God
"Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most."
Friday, March 9, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
We must not forget...
People sometimes laugh when I get emotional about the importance of history in our culture.
It's something I always have and always will feel passionate about. Tonights post is on something that we must never forget. We must teach it, over and over again, until the end of time. Nothing even remotely similar to this should ever repeat itself. Yet, we see that it does even today. It is extremely sad and heavy.
Schindler's List: directed by Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List has inspired in a multitude of unique and unexpected ways. I am a teenager living in the 21st century. The horrendous reality of the holocaust was a little over seventy years ago, and despite all the teaching on World War II I receive in school, it can be a little difficult to relate emotionally to the terrors that happened to over six million jews. Our society dehumanizes the people who died through numbers, making it almost impossible to understand the entire breadth of what they actually went through. Movies like this need to be continually made and shown to public audiences through out the world. As humans, we need visuals; things that make it relatable and real in some way or another, in order to even begin to wrap our minds around the fact that genocide occurred and still does occur even to this day.
What needs to happen is the continual teaching of World War II, especially what happened to all the people who were not of the aryan race and who lost their lives during war. The teaching must be accompanied by some sort of emotionally connected movie, story, simulation, or real word diaries of someone who experienced it. I worry that time with the survivors of the holocaust is running out, and we must not forget or devalue what happened in any way, shape or form. When we forget or think we’ve become so much more improved in our modern day society, is when the threat arises of history repeating itself. We must keep teaching, learning, growing, and problem solving.
The holocaust was one of the most horrendous events ever to occur, and proved how a ruthless dictator is just the beginning. It’s no one man’s game, and it was never about Hitler. It was about the people who followed him, and why, and how they ever slept at night knowing that even just one human life was being put to shame and anguish by being forced to strip down to their bare bones and walk into a gas chamber. “When a man saves one life, he saves the world entire” This quote from Hebrews was shared in the movie, and It really spoke to me. One life, even, is worth the entire world. Millions of lives? Those are all opportunities and chances and passions lost. Death is never justified. And we must remember that Hitler wasn’t some all powerful omniscient guy who prophezised about the glorious future and success of Germany. What intrigues me is the way in which all his followers took what he said, and creatively and horribly found a way to make his words a hellish reality.
Thank you for reading, I hope the significance of learning and relearning our history has sparked something inside of you to learn and grow with the knowledge of previous years. We must use it to better the future of the world.
Schindler's List: directed by Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List has inspired in a multitude of unique and unexpected ways. I am a teenager living in the 21st century. The horrendous reality of the holocaust was a little over seventy years ago, and despite all the teaching on World War II I receive in school, it can be a little difficult to relate emotionally to the terrors that happened to over six million jews. Our society dehumanizes the people who died through numbers, making it almost impossible to understand the entire breadth of what they actually went through. Movies like this need to be continually made and shown to public audiences through out the world. As humans, we need visuals; things that make it relatable and real in some way or another, in order to even begin to wrap our minds around the fact that genocide occurred and still does occur even to this day.
What needs to happen is the continual teaching of World War II, especially what happened to all the people who were not of the aryan race and who lost their lives during war. The teaching must be accompanied by some sort of emotionally connected movie, story, simulation, or real word diaries of someone who experienced it. I worry that time with the survivors of the holocaust is running out, and we must not forget or devalue what happened in any way, shape or form. When we forget or think we’ve become so much more improved in our modern day society, is when the threat arises of history repeating itself. We must keep teaching, learning, growing, and problem solving.
The holocaust was one of the most horrendous events ever to occur, and proved how a ruthless dictator is just the beginning. It’s no one man’s game, and it was never about Hitler. It was about the people who followed him, and why, and how they ever slept at night knowing that even just one human life was being put to shame and anguish by being forced to strip down to their bare bones and walk into a gas chamber. “When a man saves one life, he saves the world entire” This quote from Hebrews was shared in the movie, and It really spoke to me. One life, even, is worth the entire world. Millions of lives? Those are all opportunities and chances and passions lost. Death is never justified. And we must remember that Hitler wasn’t some all powerful omniscient guy who prophezised about the glorious future and success of Germany. What intrigues me is the way in which all his followers took what he said, and creatively and horribly found a way to make his words a hellish reality.
Thank you for reading, I hope the significance of learning and relearning our history has sparked something inside of you to learn and grow with the knowledge of previous years. We must use it to better the future of the world.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Hope and Inspiration!
If that blog title didn't get you to read this then I don't know what will :)
You guys, I've been feeling so amazing lately. Things just keep falling into place, whether that's getting an A on my history exam or understanding the message of Jesus better, it's all happening right now. God is working so fast and so miraculously all around me and to those around me. This weekend was one of the most beautiful ones Portland has seen in a while, and it made me remember how thankful I am for sunshine and just being able to experience nature all around me, and with the people I love most!
The point of this blog post is to share a verse that I may want to tattoo on my foot when I become an independent and liberated women on my 18th birthday (sarcasm). My mom, who is my biggest role model, showed me this verse the other day. Funny how, even though I've heard it before, it means so much more to me now that I heard it from my mom and she explained her reasoning behind why she loves it so much. It was like a lightbulb exploded in my head.
Micah6:6-8
With what shall I come before the LORD
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
and that's what it means to be a "Christian." That's what it means to have Jesus in your heart. He wants us AS we are NOW! Despite all the muddy issues in our lives. Jesus gave us the most precious gift anyone could have ever given. The reaction his earliest followers had to his death is huge. They didn't bow there heads in defeat, give up, say "oh well, hopefully the next prophet/messiah will come along soon.." NO. They were so grateful for Jesus, loved him so much, that they, with the holy spirit inside of them, set off to spread the love of Jesus through out the world. They weren't sent from a religious man to spread the word of a religious doctrine to get people to convert to their beliefs. That's missing the point, and that's not what the raw truth of what being with Jesus means. Jesus's earliest followers literally were talking about the amazing things that their loving and kind Jesus did, so that others might feel and experience this type of love and sacrifice. Jesus's death was and is the ultimate expression of love! His followers wanted people to see this, to understand that Jesus already won the battle. We just have to keep loving one another and treating each other as brother and sister in unity from Jesus.
I'm totally ranting now.....let's just say I had a very inspiring weekend and I wanted to share that with you. Thank you so much for reading this always slightly unorganized post. Have a great week everyone!
You guys, I've been feeling so amazing lately. Things just keep falling into place, whether that's getting an A on my history exam or understanding the message of Jesus better, it's all happening right now. God is working so fast and so miraculously all around me and to those around me. This weekend was one of the most beautiful ones Portland has seen in a while, and it made me remember how thankful I am for sunshine and just being able to experience nature all around me, and with the people I love most!
The point of this blog post is to share a verse that I may want to tattoo on my foot when I become an independent and liberated women on my 18th birthday (sarcasm). My mom, who is my biggest role model, showed me this verse the other day. Funny how, even though I've heard it before, it means so much more to me now that I heard it from my mom and she explained her reasoning behind why she loves it so much. It was like a lightbulb exploded in my head.
Micah6:6-8
With what shall I come before the LORD
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
and that's what it means to be a "Christian." That's what it means to have Jesus in your heart. He wants us AS we are NOW! Despite all the muddy issues in our lives. Jesus gave us the most precious gift anyone could have ever given. The reaction his earliest followers had to his death is huge. They didn't bow there heads in defeat, give up, say "oh well, hopefully the next prophet/messiah will come along soon.." NO. They were so grateful for Jesus, loved him so much, that they, with the holy spirit inside of them, set off to spread the love of Jesus through out the world. They weren't sent from a religious man to spread the word of a religious doctrine to get people to convert to their beliefs. That's missing the point, and that's not what the raw truth of what being with Jesus means. Jesus's earliest followers literally were talking about the amazing things that their loving and kind Jesus did, so that others might feel and experience this type of love and sacrifice. Jesus's death was and is the ultimate expression of love! His followers wanted people to see this, to understand that Jesus already won the battle. We just have to keep loving one another and treating each other as brother and sister in unity from Jesus.
I'm totally ranting now.....let's just say I had a very inspiring weekend and I wanted to share that with you. Thank you so much for reading this always slightly unorganized post. Have a great week everyone!
Monday, January 30, 2012
mumford and sons - Roll Away Your Stone
This song is inspiring and one of my favorites. The entire album is great, I highly recommend you buy it. A lot of their songs relate to faith and explore the concept of God and the soul. Also, this video is just for the song; I'm not sure who this random surfer guy is.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sanctification
God is the potter and we are the clay
At church tonight, I was reminded of a very important message. God molds, transforms, and sanctifies us through out our whole lives. It isn't just a one time thing. I am in a very important sanctification process that continues until the day that I die. Every day is an opportunity to pick up my cross and follow my God! I was almost brutally shaken by the words of the paster, that reminded me I am currently living in sin. I am not perfect just because I have a relationship with Jesus. In fact, my flaws are magnified so that I can ask for forgiveness and turn a new leaf. Every day, pick up my cross. Every, single, day. We are inconsistent creatures by nature, and need to continuously be working on our relationship with Jesus and how he wants us to serve/provide for our community, or whatever he calls us to do. What is my calling? I need to keep asking myself and God this so that eventually, hopefully sooner than later, I'll be able to fulfill the opportunities providing God's will.
Back to the God is a potter and we are the clay statement at the beginning, I know that most of you have heard that a million times. It comes from multiple places in the bible, including Isaiah and Jeremiah. This is so beautiful to me. A potter takes such fond care of his clay; we are his masterpiece. He plans out exactly what he wants us to look like to others and to ourselves. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, and so on. God perfectly articulates us in His image. He wants us to live a life connected to him, serving each other and our neighbors as we would ourselves.
“So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me:”O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand…” Jeremiah 18:3-6
This has got to be one of my favorite scriptures. Thanks for listening, have an amazing week! I love you all.
At church tonight, I was reminded of a very important message. God molds, transforms, and sanctifies us through out our whole lives. It isn't just a one time thing. I am in a very important sanctification process that continues until the day that I die. Every day is an opportunity to pick up my cross and follow my God! I was almost brutally shaken by the words of the paster, that reminded me I am currently living in sin. I am not perfect just because I have a relationship with Jesus. In fact, my flaws are magnified so that I can ask for forgiveness and turn a new leaf. Every day, pick up my cross. Every, single, day. We are inconsistent creatures by nature, and need to continuously be working on our relationship with Jesus and how he wants us to serve/provide for our community, or whatever he calls us to do. What is my calling? I need to keep asking myself and God this so that eventually, hopefully sooner than later, I'll be able to fulfill the opportunities providing God's will.
Back to the God is a potter and we are the clay statement at the beginning, I know that most of you have heard that a million times. It comes from multiple places in the bible, including Isaiah and Jeremiah. This is so beautiful to me. A potter takes such fond care of his clay; we are his masterpiece. He plans out exactly what he wants us to look like to others and to ourselves. Physically, spiritually, emotionally, and so on. God perfectly articulates us in His image. He wants us to live a life connected to him, serving each other and our neighbors as we would ourselves.
“So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him. Then the word of the LORD came to me:”O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand…” Jeremiah 18:3-6
This has got to be one of my favorite scriptures. Thanks for listening, have an amazing week! I love you all.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Incredibly loud and extremely close.
I just got home from seeing probably the most inspiring and fantastically made movie I have ever seen. It is also a book, and it is called "Incredibly Loud and Extremely Close". The description for it on IMBD is as follows: A nine-year-old amateur inventor, Francophile, and pacifist searches New York City for the lock that matches a mysterious key left behind by his father, who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
This is what the internet says, but this movie offers much, much more than what the description online entails. Please go watch it as soon as you have a few open hours.
This movie really spoke to me in terms of perspective. I truly believe that every once in awhile, we must sit down and refresh our outlook on things. Before, I was getting overwhelmed with basic obstacles and challenges in life such as finals week in school, the pressure that comes with being committed to a sports team, sustaining relationships and impressing my parents. It is so easy for me to forget and lose track of the most important things in my life such as my friends, family, and of course, God. The boy in this movie reminded me to be thankful in words but also show my appreciated and love and affection to the ones who mean most to me. Actions have always spoken louder than words, and yet why do we waste our time talking talking talking when we should be acting on our truest emotions? I feel now, that if someone I loved died tomorrow, I'd eternally regret not letting them know how they've effected my life and how much I love them. It is so important to express this love. With all the hatred, chaos, death, destruction, angst, sadness, unjustness, pride, selfishness, among other horrible things in this world, love prevails. 2Corinthians4:8-9 says that, "We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed." And John15:13 says how there is no greater love than the one who will lay down his life for his friends. Jesus already died for us. The battle is already won. We just have to keep fighting for what is just, moral, humane, and Godly. Love prevailing doesn't mean that evil doesn't exist. To me, it simply means that, when I'm in a tough situation, keeping this in mind is what forces me out stronger than before. Knowing that the truest form of love, Jesus, is with me at every second of every day, allows me to tackle situations that otherwise I would not have succeeded in. Yes I know I am ranting a little bit but back to the point, all these thoughts stemmed from seeing this movie tonight.
Thank you, Stephen Daldry, for directing such an excellent and replenishing movie. Maybe I'm over thinking it, but this is my blog and I am allowed to be honest! It's a "free" country.
This is what the internet says, but this movie offers much, much more than what the description online entails. Please go watch it as soon as you have a few open hours.
This movie really spoke to me in terms of perspective. I truly believe that every once in awhile, we must sit down and refresh our outlook on things. Before, I was getting overwhelmed with basic obstacles and challenges in life such as finals week in school, the pressure that comes with being committed to a sports team, sustaining relationships and impressing my parents. It is so easy for me to forget and lose track of the most important things in my life such as my friends, family, and of course, God. The boy in this movie reminded me to be thankful in words but also show my appreciated and love and affection to the ones who mean most to me. Actions have always spoken louder than words, and yet why do we waste our time talking talking talking when we should be acting on our truest emotions? I feel now, that if someone I loved died tomorrow, I'd eternally regret not letting them know how they've effected my life and how much I love them. It is so important to express this love. With all the hatred, chaos, death, destruction, angst, sadness, unjustness, pride, selfishness, among other horrible things in this world, love prevails. 2Corinthians4:8-9 says that, "We are experiencing trouble on every side, but are not crushed; we are perplexed, but not driven to despair; we are persecuted, but not abandoned; we are knocked down, but not destroyed." And John15:13 says how there is no greater love than the one who will lay down his life for his friends. Jesus already died for us. The battle is already won. We just have to keep fighting for what is just, moral, humane, and Godly. Love prevailing doesn't mean that evil doesn't exist. To me, it simply means that, when I'm in a tough situation, keeping this in mind is what forces me out stronger than before. Knowing that the truest form of love, Jesus, is with me at every second of every day, allows me to tackle situations that otherwise I would not have succeeded in. Yes I know I am ranting a little bit but back to the point, all these thoughts stemmed from seeing this movie tonight.
Thank you, Stephen Daldry, for directing such an excellent and replenishing movie. Maybe I'm over thinking it, but this is my blog and I am allowed to be honest! It's a "free" country.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Through these hard times
As I am hastily trying to finish up my homework, projects and studying for the night, I stumbled upon a few very helpful and inspiring verses. Maybe these will help you if, like me, you've been a little in over your head with anxiety and the pressures of the world around you. When things get crazy, freeze! Take a moment to refresh, and put things BACK into perspective. Never lose perspective!!! Anyway, here are the verses.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." (James 1:5-8)
“Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)
“If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
HAVE A FANTASTIC NIGHT, I'll try and write about the topics I posted last time soon. Don't lose faith in me! ;)
"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." (James 1:5-8)
“Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)
“If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23)
HAVE A FANTASTIC NIGHT, I'll try and write about the topics I posted last time soon. Don't lose faith in me! ;)
Monday, January 9, 2012
Also, I'm in love with Oregon
There's something so encouraging about this...
and this
It's been a long time.
To say these past few weeks have been hectic and jam packed would be an unfair understatement. As you can see, I haven't blogged in a very long time. This is a direct correlation to the amount of essays, speeches, worksheets, tedious tasks, Internal Assessments, art projects, clubs and stress that school has dropped at my doorstep. Not to mention having basketball every day and weekend. These factors have led to a very busy and tired Anna. I do not mean to complain, I just want to explain to all who read this the reasons that I have been gone!
Don't get me wrong: I HAD A FANTASTIC BREAK! I spent a lot of it with family and friends, as did most of you. I didn't go on any vacations, as I had basketball all break. (just like every year. next year will be my first, true, winter break!!!) I baked a lot of cupcakes and random delicious treats that I discovered on Pinterst. I hung out with my boyfriend and his family a lot as well which was great. Basically, it was one of the greatest breaks I've ever had. Time well spent.
I feel as if I have too much to write about and don't even know where to start! My mind is full of things that I want to discuss with virtually anyone who will listen. I'll start by writing a list of topics, and then I'll get back to them at a later time.
(Some of these are reoccurring topics, I apologize, but they're updated I swear)
1)Religion vs. Faith
2)The political obsession
3)In regards to witnessing; How far is too far?
4)Women and movies. (progression, that sort of thing. Hey, I'm a feminist. What can I say?)
5)Discussing religion/politics with teachers.
6)Offensive terms we use against women ALL THE TIME
7)My plans for this summer (a more light hearted, exciting discussion)
8)Who decides where I go to college?
9)THE BEGINNING OF COLLEGE ELIMINATIONS
10)Following a practical career/ following an intense, personal interest/passion (that may be less "practical")
OK so this list may bore some of you but I promise I'll make it interesting. Ta ta for now.
Don't get me wrong: I HAD A FANTASTIC BREAK! I spent a lot of it with family and friends, as did most of you. I didn't go on any vacations, as I had basketball all break. (just like every year. next year will be my first, true, winter break!!!) I baked a lot of cupcakes and random delicious treats that I discovered on Pinterst. I hung out with my boyfriend and his family a lot as well which was great. Basically, it was one of the greatest breaks I've ever had. Time well spent.
I feel as if I have too much to write about and don't even know where to start! My mind is full of things that I want to discuss with virtually anyone who will listen. I'll start by writing a list of topics, and then I'll get back to them at a later time.
(Some of these are reoccurring topics, I apologize, but they're updated I swear)
1)Religion vs. Faith
2)The political obsession
3)In regards to witnessing; How far is too far?
4)Women and movies. (progression, that sort of thing. Hey, I'm a feminist. What can I say?)
5)Discussing religion/politics with teachers.
6)Offensive terms we use against women ALL THE TIME
7)My plans for this summer (a more light hearted, exciting discussion)
8)Who decides where I go to college?
9)THE BEGINNING OF COLLEGE ELIMINATIONS
10)Following a practical career/ following an intense, personal interest/passion (that may be less "practical")
OK so this list may bore some of you but I promise I'll make it interesting. Ta ta for now.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Bloggers-block
As you can tell, the winter is a very busy time for me. You can tell this by the absence of blog posts. Mind you, I still very much want to blog and will probably pick it back up around spring time. For now, however, I have a close to insane schedule revolving around basketball, school, college apps, IB stuff, my new niece, family, friends, and pleasing those whom I love for Christmas. Honestly, if I could bring myself to blog then I would, but naturally, my limbs and emotions are exhausted by all this stress that I bring upon myself around this time of year. Blogging will be infrequent, I'm sorry to disappoint anyone who actually reads this (haha).
HOWEVER when I do blog, I promise it will be great! Well, by my standards.
For now, all I want to say is to celebrate the holidays with those you can't dream of losing. That may be your family, friends, mentors, or just people whom you are fond of. Remember, giving is a thousand times more important than receiving this time of year. Use your blessings and shed them upon others who are not so fortunate. There's nothing I can press more than using your resources for the greater good. If every person gave even just a little bit of what they have to others around this time of year, a lot of people living in poverty right now would have a slightly less impoverished holiday. That's just a guess, but it seems fairly accurate.
Merry Christmas; As always, I hope you remember the true importance of this holiday. Have a great night everyone!
HOWEVER when I do blog, I promise it will be great! Well, by my standards.
For now, all I want to say is to celebrate the holidays with those you can't dream of losing. That may be your family, friends, mentors, or just people whom you are fond of. Remember, giving is a thousand times more important than receiving this time of year. Use your blessings and shed them upon others who are not so fortunate. There's nothing I can press more than using your resources for the greater good. If every person gave even just a little bit of what they have to others around this time of year, a lot of people living in poverty right now would have a slightly less impoverished holiday. That's just a guess, but it seems fairly accurate.
Merry Christmas; As always, I hope you remember the true importance of this holiday. Have a great night everyone!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
To live.....
"To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, and that is all."
-oscar wilde
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Proof
I know this is kind of a stretch and it may seem like I'm being sarcastic, but I'm serious! I'm very excited to be a mother one day, but for now, Edith will be more than enough :) Maybe I'll elaborate on this a little more later. Goodnight for now!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Doing the best you can.
With that motto, you really can get through anything. Why worry about something, if you truly know you are doing the best you can in the situation you're in and with the resources you're given? Not to say we shouldn't always strive for more. However when something is coming up in our lives that may cause us anxiety, apprehension or fear, we really must take 5 minutes to relax in silence and look at the bigger picture. And this applies to all things, no matter how big or small they may be. I know that we all have craziness in our lives, for me especially during the winter, but recently i've realized how important it is to not let the small things build up until they are dangerously close to spilling over. We are faced with challenges, opportunities, hardships, roadblocks and sadness every day in this world we live in. But hope is what gets us through, that and faith. To have faith is to believe in something you can not visibly or directly see. At least for me, when I wake up in the morning and think to myself "great, today I have three tests, tutoring, a game, two clubs and I have chores when I get home" I quickly dismal down and wear myself out just in the first 5 minutes I'm awake. That, vs. "Today will be good. I won't let anything bring me down, because I am blessed and thankful. And when God is with me, who/what should I fear?" With this mindset, I remember that every day is a blessing and I am truly grateful to wake up every single morning.
With that in mind, I am going to bed with a positive attitude because I know that I'm doing the best that I can.
This was slightly a pep talk for myself, sorry if it sounded too "me me me"
Goodnight!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Need a quote?
"For everything you have missed, you have gained something else; And for everything you gain, you lose something else."
it's all about your outlook on life; You can either regret or rejoice.
it's all about your outlook on life; You can either regret or rejoice.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Why do we do what we do?
do do daa do dumm do do do da da da dum de dum dum???!!
(sorry that was a bit too much alliteration)
Reasons WDWWD (if you can't figure out what that means..i'm sorry.)
1)FOR OURSELVES This isn't as obvious as it seems. Sometimes, we do things for ourselves that we are meaning to do for other people. For example, volunteering at a homeless shelter. It isn't uncommon that people want gratification for their actions, even though the point/purpose in said person being at the homeless shelter was to serve, well, the people in need. However, too often we put our need for appreciation, our need for attention, before the world's need for humble people to help out their fellow brothers & sisters. The color of our skin, the amount of money we make a year, the car we drive, the friends we have, the hobby's we have, the border in which we live does not take away from the fact that we are all human. We are all bonded together (at least this is my opinion) as God's glorious and purposeful creation. Siblings love each other, they bicker at times, but when one needs something the other is (or should be) available to help. And they shouldn't need a pat on the back for doing it. But sadly, the majority of us do.
2)FOR OTHER PEOPLE We do things for other people on a daily basis. (or so it would seem) On some genuine cases, we are actually doing it for others. It's your moms birthday and you buy her a nice candle. Your 9th grade neighbor needs a ride to school so you take him/her. Your co worker calls you with a hangover and asks you to cover their shift. You help an old lady across the street. You work to put dinner on the table for your family. You do your friends hair for prom. OK ANNA WE GET IT! The point is, there are also reasons in which we think we are doing things for other people, but REALLY we are simply in denial. However, one could argue that, as in the example earlier, working in a homeless shelter and supplying food and a roof for those people is good enough. Who cares why you're there? Don't the ends justify the means? Well my friend, it depends. A person who seeks out gratification wherever they go, and publicize their own good deeds, is only glorifying themselves. This contributes to the accumulation of ones own ego. And I can say that I 100% agree with C.S. Lewis when he wrote in his book Mere Christianity that pride is the worst sin a man can commit. Pride comes from many different sources, but one being the need for recognition of a good deed. Were human, we all do it, but my advise is just be weary and cautious. WOW well I was just interrupted with a coughing fit and I am unable to continue. I just coughed for a straight 15 minutes, darn this winter cold. I coughed up a bit of dinner. TMI? Goodbye friends.
Reasons WDWWD (if you can't figure out what that means..i'm sorry.)
1)FOR OURSELVES This isn't as obvious as it seems. Sometimes, we do things for ourselves that we are meaning to do for other people. For example, volunteering at a homeless shelter. It isn't uncommon that people want gratification for their actions, even though the point/purpose in said person being at the homeless shelter was to serve, well, the people in need. However, too often we put our need for appreciation, our need for attention, before the world's need for humble people to help out their fellow brothers & sisters. The color of our skin, the amount of money we make a year, the car we drive, the friends we have, the hobby's we have, the border in which we live does not take away from the fact that we are all human. We are all bonded together (at least this is my opinion) as God's glorious and purposeful creation. Siblings love each other, they bicker at times, but when one needs something the other is (or should be) available to help. And they shouldn't need a pat on the back for doing it. But sadly, the majority of us do.
2)FOR OTHER PEOPLE We do things for other people on a daily basis. (or so it would seem) On some genuine cases, we are actually doing it for others. It's your moms birthday and you buy her a nice candle. Your 9th grade neighbor needs a ride to school so you take him/her. Your co worker calls you with a hangover and asks you to cover their shift. You help an old lady across the street. You work to put dinner on the table for your family. You do your friends hair for prom. OK ANNA WE GET IT! The point is, there are also reasons in which we think we are doing things for other people, but REALLY we are simply in denial. However, one could argue that, as in the example earlier, working in a homeless shelter and supplying food and a roof for those people is good enough. Who cares why you're there? Don't the ends justify the means? Well my friend, it depends. A person who seeks out gratification wherever they go, and publicize their own good deeds, is only glorifying themselves. This contributes to the accumulation of ones own ego. And I can say that I 100% agree with C.S. Lewis when he wrote in his book Mere Christianity that pride is the worst sin a man can commit. Pride comes from many different sources, but one being the need for recognition of a good deed. Were human, we all do it, but my advise is just be weary and cautious. WOW well I was just interrupted with a coughing fit and I am unable to continue. I just coughed for a straight 15 minutes, darn this winter cold. I coughed up a bit of dinner. TMI? Goodbye friends.
Friday, November 18, 2011
LiNK.
Today at my high school, a non profit organization called LiNK (Liberty in North Korea) came and spoke to a bunch of students. Here's their website if you would like to donate or help contribute to rescue of refugees. Anything and everything can make a difference. If you don't know what's happening in North Korea right now, it's very real and it's something we can change. It takes 2500 $ to fund a rescue of just one refugee. Imagine if the masses all just donated 9 dollars a month (the 9 lives campaign, check it out on the website provided) Can you even imagine how many people would be set free because of your donation? 9 dollars, that's 3 cups of coffee less a month. Don't stay trapped in your own little bubble, know what's going on in the world, and help when you can.
WEBSITE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBzHCVv5GeQ
WEBSITE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBzHCVv5GeQ
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Love on top.
BEYONCE.
This freaking woman right here, is amazing. I'm not one to lift people up on a high pedestal or "obsess" over celebrities, but let me tell you, this woman right here is an inspiration
And I always love to support people who inspire me, so buy her album on iTunes! "4". Some of her best songs are Love on top, Start Over, and 1+1 (at least in my opinion)
This freaking woman right here, is amazing. I'm not one to lift people up on a high pedestal or "obsess" over celebrities, but let me tell you, this woman right here is an inspiration
And I always love to support people who inspire me, so buy her album on iTunes! "4". Some of her best songs are Love on top, Start Over, and 1+1 (at least in my opinion)
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