Time vs. Schedule

Well, Dear Reader, shall we define "time" first or "schedule"?

Given the general consensus, schedule seems to be a measure of time. Ever since Personal Data Assistants became popular, more people find it necessary to "pencil it in" than they find to actually keep the majority of commitments made.

Have you noticed, Dear Reader, the block-like way that we now (whether forced to or not) organize our time? I have a little day-by-day timesheet of my classes, colored in bright colors per class per day. Where is it hanging? Where I can see it on my tack board. When I'm not around that little piece of paper with my schedule on it, I have trouble remembering which block of time I need to commit to next. Why can't I remember what I have given my word to? Is it so far from my mind to where I go because I'm just ready to be there?

Well, wait, if I'm ready to be, do I treat time differently?

Then what is time?

How can one define time? It has an end, as we are all told. Therefore, it must also have a beginning. But is time solely a measurement, or could it be that the idea of time is as abstract and incomprehensible to the human intellect as it would be if I were to attempt to paint it? Regardless, time is very nearly incapable of definition. We can "picture" time by drawing a clock, or something similar, but time as an existence? How to draw an existence?

I've just started reading Ecclesiastes, beginning with chapter one, title: Everything is meaningless. Great start for early morning devotions. Ecclesiastes also includes the famous "A Time for Everything" chapter (chapter three), which lists everything from emotions to work, with the same phrase.

Remember the previous post where I ranted (I did, and I apologize) about youth and apathy? Where I criticized being "busy" with nonessentials?

What is it about time that our culture defines it so differently from others? Where one culture will insist that time is "do-ing", others will insist that time is "be-ing".

Since returning, I have struggled with Task vs. Relationship. Or Schedule vs. Time. Here, I study grammar, mathematics, and theology. Abroad, I studied culture, language, and people. Both sets are equally important; however, to different cultures these two sets are unequal in value. If I believe in Task, I will set a schedule to make the most of my Time. If I believe in Relationship, I will have lots of time.

People should always be more important than tasks because they are people.

What are tasks? The schedule will always be full if we fill it, but Time can never be full until it has ended.

Looks like this post is long enough.

Youth and Apathy

Dear Readers,

Thank you for enduring my ridiculous lack of commitment. I could regale you with a list of my classes, followed by a full detailing of my extracurriculars and campus jobs, but I'm sure you really wouldn't care to hear my excuses. Thus, we begin.

We had a really interesting chapel speaker on Monday, who, among other things, caused me to wonder about a common recurring theme I've only recently noticed among myself and my peers. Having visited three countries in the last six months, I remember hearing about things like the Nicaraguan revolution against their cruel dictatorships, or in Panama, the Kuna taking back their lands both diplomatically and by force. Or, even more recently, the Costa Rican students involved in city programs.

I'm not saying that here, in the United States, we are all lazy and uncaring; just that we are very apathetic.

Did anyone notice how none of the youth really cared about politics until the presidential elections last year? I heard nothing of state, provincial, or even of city elections all last fall. Granted, I was here in Michigan, but still--shouldn't there have been some sort of talk? After all, the president can only do so much for the states that they can't do for themselves.

It is the motivated who are actually doing something, obviously. What is it, though, that almost all of the people who care are abroad in other countries? Those who stay in this land to serve fellow countrymen are few and far between. The youth of this nation are apathetic.

When I went on my semester abroad, I became so relaxed and laid back. I absolutely loved spending time with people and talking to them face to face. I made sure to listen carefully and show others my true interest in what they had to say. Without cellphone, without car, without instant messaging, I discovered one of the greatest commandments: Love God, Love People. It made sense.

Coming back, I had to get myself motivated to a new type of busy. I came back to my computer with instant everything, my cellphone, and my dad's car. I had to try to adjust to people (for some odd reason) wanting to know everything about me, all the time, as soon as possible. The youth of this nation ARE busy. But we are busy with things. I'll be having a conversation with another student, when all of a sudden there will be a buzzing sound and the student will reach in his pocket, pull out some sort of communication device and--while texting--tell me, "Go ahead, I'm still listening." I find this extremely rude. Why have conversations with fourteen different invisible people and ignore the one person physically standing in front of you? Unfortunately, this happens all the time now. What became of common courtesy? When people talk to me, I try to look them in the eye when possible.

Perhaps it is because of our "conveniences" that we no longer care about current events. In a culture where everything is at our disposal--technology, services, information--we have everything, and nothing at all. How many of us actually take the time to Google all the information in the world? How many of us own every prototype of technology available and still get out to see the sun? How many of us take advantage of all the services available in our state in one fell swoop? Most likely? Few to none of us. The few ridiculously rich who can afford all the technology will probably prefer to learn about the "outside" world from the "comfort" of technology. These few will not have a definite "need" (at least in their own minds) to move beyond the shadow of comfort to experience because one can read others' experiences instead.

What motivates nowadays? Well, given the political/economical state of things, I would say that politics and economy are very motivating. At least, these are the subjects upon which every person has his own opinion. Why is this? Because we hear the most about politics and economy on the evening news. More, that we can find numerous websites, blogs, and columns with the "hottest" topics. Topics are only "hot" based on who says they're hot.

The youth of my country are apathetic. I try not to be, but it's an infectious disease, the type that is mind-numbing and pulpit-accepting. Of course, it depends who is numbing the mind, and who is standing at the pulpit. If it takes too much work to think, we tend to give up that chore--Remember the Power of Choice!!

For now, good night and a warning: Think critically about what you hear, and become motivated!!

TWITTER!!!

Dear Readers, I apologize for not being a more interesting writer! I have been editing news stories for our student publication The Pulse, and have been trying to keep up with homework...

I have two topics I want to discuss, but alas cannot do them justice right now. They are: Youth and Apathy, and Time vs. Schedule.

I will write about these either tonight or tomorrow--sometime this week.

I have a Twitter now! Follow me at http://twitter.com/thoughtisms.

This is definitely the shortest post I have written.

Entering Adulthood

School has officially started up again. I am taking 14 credit hours which (for some unknown reason) translates to only three classes. Actually, it's four, but one is an online class.

One of my misgiving upon returning to the same university after my semester abroad, was whether or not I would be accepted by the same people, or even come to acknowledge the same group or the same thoughts. Part of entering "adulthood" is supposed to be about finding my place in the world.

Right now, I am absolutely, 100%, completely, positively happy to be me. I feel better about myself enough that I don't mind if the same people I knew before don't accept some of my changes. I feel confident enough that I don't need their approval in the same way I did before. Going to another country again when I could understand the physical, social, philosophical and cultural ideas better has really improved my outlook on life. I had jitters earlier about not having the "right" ideas. It's okay now.

I mentioned in an earlier post about how I wasn't going to be dumb enough to post ALL of my personal thoughts online. Neither was I going to pick fights with others about unanswerable topics of religion and politics. I am just going to believe what I believe, as I plan to let others believe what they believe.

I still think that there is an absolute Truth, just as much as I believe there are relevant "truths".

I am still the push-over I was last year except for one difference: I am no longer a welcome mat. If a friend says X to me and expects me to take their opinion solely because they believe they are right, I will listen to their ideas, but I will not allow them to force me into an acceptance of X. In fact, I may just listen, accept their argument, but continue believing Y. I have a right to do that.

I'm finally getting the next piece to the puzzle of my life. I am starting to understand my boundaries and the boundaries of others. I am beginning to take into account something different.

It's weird self-analyzing all the time.

I must get to class!!

Have a wonderful day!

Remember Our Fallen Heroes

Dear Readers,

Today is a special, somber day. Today, eight years ago, many thousands of citizens lost their lives in a terrible act of terrorism. Today, eight years ago, the World's eyes were opened to a different view, as commercial 747s were purposely flown into two of the Western world's most influential buildings. Today is the day of Our Fallen Heroes, the day of 9-11.

You were there, weren't you, on the day the towers fell?

You surely saw, didn't you, the victims who jumped to their death rather than be crushed by the upper floors?

With out a doubt, you too stared at your TV screen in shock, repeating "Oh my God."

When the people let out a great roar at the atrocities committed today, eight years ago, you let your voice be heard as well, didn't you?

As the rubble was cleared, you too were praying for just one more survivor, weren't you?

I was.

Every year, I wonder if people will remember, or if they will go on with their lives as if nothing had happened. Every successive year, I find that I am disappointed. I agree with what I said last year in the post "Reflections".

Crying won't bring back those lost to us. But ignoring such a sacrifice won't allow them to live on either.

Whether we had someone close to us, someone far from us, someone we liked, someone we disliked, someone we respected, someone we feared, someone we had never even lain eyes on, we all saw the planes. We all saw the towers cave in on themselves. We all saw the fires. We all saw the jumpers. We all saw what happened.

If anyone of us holds any life at all dear, let us remember the lives taken from us, and the lives given to prevent more lives being taken. Let us remember the brave firemen, the tenacious policemen, the absolutely admirable citizens like Todd Beamer and others. Let us honor them. Let us Remember Our Fallen Heroes.

It doesn't matter if we agreed with what happened or not. The fact that human lives were lost and their blood spilt because of a difference in politics or religion or thought is a crime unto itself.

God bless the families of those lost.

God bless the families of those taken.

God bless those who are fighting against such crimes.

God bless those who try to protect us.

And God help us not to forget them.

Good night.

Laziness vs. Willingness

Today, it is raining. I don't mind; I like the rain when it's warm. But, I've noticed how the weather often affects my humor. And I say "humor" instead of "mood" or "emotions" because "humor" to me encapsulates my attitude, my state of mind, my emotional flux, and my aspirations.

Therefore, today my humor is a melancholy one. I am of a "happy" emotion; I am of a "thoughtful" state of mind, and today I have to force myself to stay focused.

I tried my best this morning, taking my new 12-speed bicycle around campus before it started pouring. Guess who left her umbrella in her room at home?

On days like today, I like to wake up early (which is weird for me) and take a hot shower while singing love songs at the top of my lungs. Then I like to settle into a corner by a heating unit of some sort, and read to my heart's content. I will often doze off during reading, relaxed by the sound the rain makes against my window. In essence, I wake up early to do...nothing.

I like doing nothing. It's comforting.

See?? See how hard it is for me to focus?? This is the most disjointed blog I've written for a while!! As I sit at my computer, drying off, my mind keeps taking flight on the most random of fantastical journeys. Even watching my goldfish swim around in his jar choking on leftover bits of his breakfast (it's really kind of funny because he swallows them, chokes, and they come out his gills) is cause for me to become lost in thought.

I don't consider days like today "lazy" necessarily, just "relaxed". I am willing to do my work and get things done, but it's really hard. The reason why I'm writing a post at all is because I have done everything I can up to this time. I'm going to chase people down for interviews come 1:30 because I can be sure that they'll all be in their offices again.

And I'm getting better at riding my bike. I'm still afraid that I'm going to run over a freshman, especially since I don't know what the rules are for bicycles on the campus grounds. I remember always jumping out of the way, so I think I'm allowed to cycle on the sidewalks. The streets go nowhere, so they're out.

Regardless, have a wonderfully raining day!

The Power of Choice vs. Happenstance

Happy September, everyone! I hope this post finds you well into the swing of things, what with schools and all.

I like the word "happenstance". It's a good blend of "to happen" and "instance".

Today, I am a victim of "happenstance": I am in bed with a fever of 100ºF because I failed to close my bedroom windows when the temperature dropped to 40º a couple nights ago. Now I'm coughing up my lungs (and vast quantities of phlegm), I have a headache, and my nose is running a marathon...

I have been told before that I am a "morbidly optimistic person". I think that's a good thing. Of course, it depends on how it is said, whether applied gently, or thrown out. Regardless, I tend to see the positive in any given situation I am put in. It isn't always something I have to constantly remind myself of, but often a reflex action to the negativity around me. Sometimes, of course, it is very hard for me to be my positive self. In fact, sometimes, I absolutely resent seeing that same joy in other people.

I really don't like being sick--it's terrible! My mom confines me to a diet of toast and tea (which doesn't ever fill me like real food), and I have to lie still for large amounts of time. I could be doing something in that time!!! Today, I had such a headache and sensitivity to light, however, that I wouldn't have been able to do much. Taking a nap has had the greatest effect on me.

The Power of Choice vs. Happenstance comes down to this: What do I choose when things are beyond my control? I left my windows barely open--just to catch a slight breeze--and I got sick. I can't stop my body from getting a fever, just as I can't physically stop my head from aching or my nose from running. I cannot choose to be better at all (trust me, I've already tried). I just have to wait it out, and continue taking Ibuprofen for my headache. While I wait it out, it does no good to complain in a loud voice my trouble. No one else can help me.

Therefore, I choose to be positive, Dear Reader. I choose to rest and take it easy so that I get well before I have to move back on campus.

And of all things, I really hope my voice comes back because it's weird ringing a bell every time I want something I can't get myself...

Have a wonderful day!!