The Golden Rule

Well... I must say that this whole Ground Zero Mosque situation has gotten to me a bit. I very rarely get too involved in the news, but I can't help but hearing about the direction this conflict is taking, (especially since my Pop has been watching News Channels for a little over a year now). I must say that my opinion on the matter is that while many Americans intentions are good, the handling of declining the construction of the mosque is pretty lurid.

People are physically and verbally assaulting Muslim Americans, (key word AMERICANS), as ignorant attempts to battle the idea of building near New York's Ground Zero. And while I'm well aware that not everyone is committing hate crimes around the nation, the overall attitude that many are treating this situation with is quite inflexible. It's always been part of my philosophy that presentation is key in this word. If I offered a stranger a greasy brown paper bag, which unbeknownst to them contained the cure to cancer, they'd likely be inclined to throw away my offering without even opening it. And if I offered someone parachute pants inside of a brilliantly wrapped box without them knowing the contents, their mind would probably be totally stoked on the idea of receiving an amazing present.

Truth be told, a lot of this conflict sounds like unmindful racism and prejudice to me. I came across a quote today while waiting in the Counseling Office at school. It read, "be kinder than necessary. For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Many Christians, as well as American citizens, have forgotten to practice respect and tolerance in this ordeal. Let us not forget that Christianity has had its own radical followers in the past -- does the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition ring a bell -- so I hope that some time soon everyone will take a 2nd look at how they're viewing this Ground Zero Mosque situation. Myself included.

Eternal Rest for Father Time

Well it turns out that 8 days after posting of my grandparents decline, my words have sort of come to fruition. My grandfather passed away this Wednesday, and now a time of grievance will begin in the family household.

Like I may have mentioned earlier, I didn't really see or know my grandparents all that well leading up my time taking care of them. Like any other human walking this earth, they have there issues. But through intrapersonal and interpersonal exploration, I've gained much insight and knowledge thanks to our time together.

My mother always likes to say, "only the good things." It's a phrase that pertains to observing the attitudes of our loved ones that are both admirable and faulty, and choosing to do "only the good things." So I'm glad to have learned only the good things from my mother's father, and will always be grateful of the gifts and interests he imparted to me

One I Love

First of all I'd like to send a Happy Birthday in my good friend Ben's direction. You and a few other guys are the inspiration for this post, so even though i started on it a few days back, I decided today would be the best day to unveil my latest thoughts. You're like a brother to me Benneth... although if I say that aloud, it means my chances with Sara are null and void. ;)

There are a lot of beautiful ladies in my life. And I mean BEAUTIFUL ladies! Beauty is something that's not one dimensional -- heck it's not two dimensional or three dimensional -- it's transcendental and an easily under/over evaluated concept among any culture. But from being the type of person that has loved to observe and contemplate the world surrounding me ever since I was born, I've come to see that elegance comes in so many varying forms... and people.

I've met girls that love fashion, girls that love singing, girls that love acting, girls that love music, girls that love video games, girls that love guys (as friends), girls that love girls (no homo), girls that love the new, girls that love the old, girls that love wisdom, girls that love life, and most importantly... girls that love Christ!!

But I'm not here to concentrate on the women God has blessed me in meeting; for this post is for all the fellas. What has truly astonished and enriched the life I have been able to live, (especially as of the last couple years), is the amount of guys that have put me near cloud nine (no homo). Its been gentlemen like the stud listed above (no homo), that have given me a glimpse into the love that surrounded my savior Jesus as He walked this earth. Jesus surrounded himself with sailors like Peter and Andrew, -- and i'm sure many of them loved to use the expletives -- a guy who worked for "the Man" (Matthew the tax-collector), and even a man that was considered crazy and a social outcast (John the Baptist). Such a vast array of differing attitudes coming together to act as a spiritual foundation for Christ and His ministry.

The common, modern-day sensibility that guys can't be or aren't emotionally expressive beings is totally mistaken. It's the choice to neglect what the World says that has allowed me to act upon my heart and form strong bonds with some of the men that enter it; men that have saved my life. It's difficult to believe the afflictions that I once shared with my counselor at a summer camp only two years prior, have largely been conquered through the graces of God. And by way of the men He's placed further into my life since then. Growing up I've been the type who, to the day, gets excessive anxiety issues around the women. So its inspiring to see how God has worked with my weaknesses and created strength in the most unique way. So ladies of my life, while you may look a hundred times better than the guys, -- no offense fellas -- its the men who end up with the award for "Best Performer in a Supporting Role". Much like the Apostle John was to Christ, these guys are "The One[s] that [I] Love", (no homo).

P.S. Forgive me for using the phrase "no homo" throughout the post. It's a somewhat bittersweet phrase because it clears up your intentions, but I feel its a little bit ignorant and intolerant. Sorry if it annoys anyone; it was the "easy" way out. Believe me when I say I'm no homophobe, so the words hit a spot.

P.S.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!!!!!

Father Time and Mother Goose

So I have been spending the last two weeks of my summer break at home in Mo Val taking care of my grandparents, amongst getting prepared for the next semester. These last couple of days in particular, have been somewhat "unearthing" in regards to my grandparents' current conditions.

As a summary of how I got blessed/stuck with the people whom my mother and I affectionately call, "The Elderlies", here's a short chronicling of my exploits leading up to that point: Life's going great; school's not. Life socks me in the groin with a frying pan; school's still not getting better. My attempts to hit Life's curve ball end up with me back on the batter's bench; school keeps going down the drain. Then...

"Lighting has done struck my brain"! -- Smee

My Mom moves the g-parents in over the summer, and the caretaker she's hired to take care of them isn't working out. So I see an opportunity for some much needed poise development, (as well as a chance to maybe escape the hardships of life for a bit). So with some reluctancy, my mother allows me to assist her full-time, and put my campaign for higher-ed on hold.

The ride has been bittersweet -- much like every worthwhile adventure in life -- and I've come to at the very most respect my mother's parents. After decades of not knowing my g-parents -- and then discovering the horrors of why my mother took such precautions -- I am excited to say that my life has become much more humbled, and I have begun to stop distinguishing myself over others around me, (such as my grandparents). When you take the time to analyze "the sins of the father" within your life, you learn to refine the standards and perspectives you have for yourself (Ezekiel 18). You learn to see less of your appearance in a mirror, and focus more on the reflection of your true character

So I've said all this to state that my time with them could be over than any of us previously expected. Grandpa's mind and energy are depleting on a faster scale than they have before. Grandma's health is dissipating unexpectedly as well. So although my relationship with them is by far not the greatest, I appreciate that they were able to be blessings to me through God's careful and creative planning