Discussion of Religion

Originally posted: July 31st, 2009

I'm a strong supporter for discussing things like religion and politics. As my housemate said, these are things that need to be discussed. It's unfair to stop discussion simply because someone was offended. Fights and wars happen because people do not take the time to understand foreign cultures, religions, views, and each other. Frankly, the ones who were offended shouldn't have been in the first place. That said, the opposing side may have been the ones at fault; if they were, then they should really try to approach things in a different way, consider their words more carefully (ESPECIALLY when arguments are posed in text, where we are unable to view gestures and read faces).

Someone once voiced worry about "I don't see how..." statements:

Doubting the validity of someone's beliefs never bodes well. You can exchange ideas safely and promote a feeling of goodwill, but the second someone says "I don't see how..." you have someone else, a tad offended and/or angry, on the defensive. [sic]

I love asking people about their religions and views; it's an area in which I'm quite curious. It helps me refine my own views, it helps me understand where people are coming from (and ultimately, them), it helps me ask questions about my own beliefs. I think that is important. To question oneself. Fortunately - though rarely - I've bumped into religious people who did not mind my very prying questions, even ridiculous ones such as, "If 6 billion people pray to God every day.. wouldn't he get annoyed or bored about it?", and "Why does God always need us to thank him for things? I see him as more humble than that."

Personally, I think God is a really laid back dude. If you "use his name in vain", or if he is the butt of a joke, I don't think he'll mind - he's not that uptight. If you're questioning him, he won't get pissed off. I think he'll be proud that you can think for yourself. If he exists, and you start to challenge the evidence of his existence, he'll say "Bring it."

Sure he deserves respect, but he's not a spoiled brat.
And if he is - as many people seem to treat him as such, then damn it, we're all screwed.

Reflection.

I have not experienced any personal deaths or tragedies (Grandpas died before I was born, never got a chance / get chances to grow close to my Grandmas, no pet deaths yet, etc), I am not depressive.

However, life has felt extremely empty to me for most of my days. I've abandoned many of my childhood dreams upon realizing I had no capability of achieving them. I could not find passion - or loss - in anything. Life was bland, linear. I was 'going through the motions' (just writing that sentence upsets me).

I major in Psychology. The first big thing that has helped me steer off of the straight, vacant road that was my life was taking an elective in Positive Psychology - pretty much the opposite of what Psychology has turned into these days.

The most relevant thing I got out of that was Mindfulness. Simply put, being /aware/. Not trying to change anything, just.. being aware of all things in life. All things good, and definitely, all things bad. Mindfulness is not being numb to everything, it is the exact opposite. It is ok to be sad. Be aware of it. Notice how you feel, notice your thoughts. But never dwell on it. Notice things, let them pass. Life is certainly something beautiful - once you take the time to notice it. When you can really /see/ things, oftentimes you'll become awestruck, at peace.

Unfortunate events, while indeed crushing, are necessary to lead a rich life. Something that really stuck by me was being pointed out that without bad things, how can good things be good? Without black and white, there is no colour. Unfortunate events provide for us not only enhancement of good things, but also room for learning and growth. Thus, just by being aware of things, my life already did not seem so empty anymore. I still have no goals or direction in life, but life is so /good/.

The second biggest thing that has happened to me was over a duration of a little over a month, July of this year, in fact. I went back to summer school, and a couple of my housemates stayed to work. I've 'lived' with them for the past year, though I've only really gotten to know them this summer, since we were the only ones around. They have, simply put, shown me a world I did not know existed.

One of them showed me the importance of spontaneity, of randomness, of doing things simply for the hell of it, of always /always/ trying to bring any idea to fruition, and the freedom that trying first, thinking later can bring.

The other showed me the importance of unconditional acceptance, the true valiance of generosity and selflessness, how critical it is to always go out of one's way to make others feel good about themselves and everything around them, to never push anyone down for anything, but to always hoist people up. He could help you turn any dead or failed joke/idea into an amazing one, while keeping the original essence of the thought that you and your wonderful mind came up with - he makes sure that ultimately, the credit is your's. It is very difficult to do; it is a talent of his that I think he is unaware of.

Together they have unknowingly opened my eyes to a whole new world of possibility. I am excited and eager to show every and anyone what I was allowed a quick peep into.


Looking over my posts, I see that the ones I made back in the Spring (March 13th and April 15th, to be exact) are a far cry from my recent ones. Having no goals or direction does not necessarily mean having a meaningless, sad life. Let's see how I do once school comes around. It can just do that to you sometimes.

Sit Down, Hang Tight, Don't Forget to Smile.

The most depressing thing man can accomplish is to go through life on auto-pilot.

Should he return to his seat early [enough], he will find himself in a foreign place far away from where he started, surrounded by things he doesn't understand, amongst people who look familiar and unfamiliar at the same time, people he may have unknowingly wronged. He's clueless; he wasn't flying his plane.

Should he return to his seat too late, he will find that he has coasted through a life that had potential to be rich. Instead he gains from life all that he put into it - nothing. He dies empty.

So I propose man be aware of the life he leads, appreciate all that is good, and embrace all that is bad. Do not numb yourself should you fly into turbulence - you risk flicking on the auto-pilot switch.

Originally written: July 23rd, 2009

Planners

Some people just enjoy the process of doing things. A story that really stuck by me is one about a mountain climber. He says the thrill of it is not reaching the top, but the climbing itself. He would always wish that the mountain could go on forever and ever.

I find I am the sort of person who loves to plan out things. I have spent many sleepless nights planning out new projects in my mind, but I've never stayed up to finish the projects I've planned so meticulously for. I have a whole pile of half finished projects.

The solution I have contented myself with - though probably not helped by my procrastinating habits - is.. well, just knowing that my interests lie in the process. I've accepted the fact that this absolutely amazing idea that keeps running through my head probably will never get done, and no one will ever see it. So I just happily plan away, maybe actually get started on it (because it's so darn amazing! :p), but I won't kick myself for not finishing it.

Another solution I've been fiddling with, though it hasn't proven to work every time, is to skip the planning step. I've never planned for a single painting in my life (the brainstorming, the composition sketches, the colour studies... yuck), because it ruins everything. Just dive into your project, and if you happen upon any bumps due to lack of planning, then fix it on the spot! It makes things more interesting (unpredictability!) and fun anyways.


Originally written: August 5th, 2009