Awareness: The arising of from a narrow mind

During the time where my urgency level for occupation is lowered, and my mind more relaxed than usual I am able to fix on the strands of perspective, judgment, and observation which I have been spieling onto a spool to later be purified and woven into my general cognition. I can conclude of myself that I am ever winding into at least a slightly bit more than usually exclusive yarn. Perhaps exclusive would be a false term, for we are each exclusive of one another. I believe hipster would be the socially understood term.

As my mom goes through her usual preparation for a trip with her extreme packing regime, I am ever reminded with each modeling of another shirt, jacket, and alternative pair of flats, how different I am from her and also how unlikely this ought to be. My mom is the typical mother and wife. She works part-time as the modern woman -particularly the modern woman in the role of a family- does, but her primary feat is maintaining the home. My father is given the utmost submission to authority by my mother. As her contribution, I like to think of the example where my mother may have to go to work several days a week, do the purchasing of resources necessary for the house-hold, clean, and ideally—cook in where it seems that after all of these things at the end of the day, my mother must have prepared a meal for my father. On nights that my father is working, there is an excuse for my mother and I to eat something out quickly, or scavenge among the house and fend for ourselves on a simpler basis. And when my father will be there, the very best and most is saved for him. It is this one detail that sticks out in my mind as the symbol of my parents’ lifestyle, and that of many others.

"We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color."Maya Angelou
 Having been born and raised in the Midwest, where there is class indeed, but in a safely subdued manner where most are comfortable and think acceptable of their relaxed middle-class lives, and to a family ideal to this definition, I would think myself to not deviate from this static life experience. Most dominant of the area, houses are colonial style in neutral color & decorated with department store repeats in likewise neutral colors, most every female owns a pair of suede boots in the winter (specific to the era of course) eluding to the fact that what is a fad is the most highly sought in almost every case, and males are typically expected to take obsessive interest in the university football team. (to be continued)

My Testimony

Part3As I became a little older and learned more- became more independent, I began to take more responsibility for my newly developing personal relationship with Christ. This was implemented through my experiences and learnedness at the Bible camps I would spend a week at each summer. I began going when I was in third grade. Before that, I had certainly been encouraged to read my Bible daily, pray, live my life for Christ which is the life of a Christian, respectively but I never really made time for doing that. At that age, most of my life was still fairly facilitated. When I didn’t have anything I needed to do, or was forced to do, I had to find in my own responsibility the self-motive and necessity for making time for the Lord. I can say that it was probably because I didn’t find auto-amending revenue in this utilization of time.

One year at camp however, I was made aware of the most important discovery and understanding that could ever be in mortal life. From what had once been thought of as a duty to talk with and learn about whom I knew to be the majestic Maker of the world, was now a newfound interest and longing to spend which time in relation with. In an environment where every aspect of the day was focused on Christ-like living; all of my peers and I being kind to one another knowing we were all aware of the way we ought to act, having cut out time for chapel and one-on-one time with the Lord so that we were completely immersed, I was challenged in my faith, and began to fall in love with the idea of Him. After a short amount of time with this new state of mind and practice, there was one night in the latter half of the week where we had a campfire and went for a midnight walk out in the open where we could see the stars. I got this feeling of new awareness and I saw the stars as I had never before. It actually felt as though I was looking at another planet rather than the sky being a plastic cover around Earth with little lights jammed in from the back and the rest all a fake set-up. It gave me just enough of a perception of great depth and distance that God became aware to me in the most real form that I had ever experienced. Something changed in me or was revealed to me which made Him seem truly real. 

My Testimony

Part2My family was all home on that particular evening and I remember that my dad told me that we would pray after dinner. Before the meal, he prayed and thanked God that I had the desire to commit my life to Him. With the Lord’s blessing, my father guided me in a prayer. Even as my father talked to me and asked me questions, I was consciously not really listening to the words I was saying or meaning them. I knew that God knew this too, I was aware of this but to me I thought that perhaps all I needed was to go through the motions of the prayer. Afterwards, I went to the sandbox and played nicely with my sister. I wanted to feel like there had been a major shift like I had hoped before which was part of my desire to pray in the first place. It seemed there ought to be an enlightened feeling which would be my new life median. I wasn’t sure if I felt that or not and wondered if it was sort of an immediate aftershock sort of thing. My respected inspiration and influential motivator in becoming a so-called child of God who was my sister, now seemed different in my eyes. Previously we would get on the others nerves and spend our lengths of time living and playing together in disagreement just as children do: selfish. Suddenly we got along very well and our play was pleasant with respect and light-heartedness.

The next morning, I believe I had forgotten all about my transformational prayer from the previous day. I woke up and although I don’t remember the events within that vicinity of time specifically, I know that I did not go through a period of my life in any difference from the time in my childish life before I accepted Christ in my life to after. Of course I continued to grow in my wisdom with my consistency of involvement within my church family and with my own adaption of personally building a relationship with Christ. 

My Testimony

Part 1I remember lying in bed listening to a familiar rerun of a children’s ministry broadcast which was on the only local Christian radio station. I was in my clean, line-dried, white night-gown, which had been worn by my older sister laying next to me, and probably the one before her, as well as our eldest. When I was five years old, it was among the most familiar of many things to me on a nightly basis and as much so as going to church was each Sunday. Being so highly involved with the Church family, I knew from a young age what it meant to be a sinner and that I was one. I also knew that in order to go to heaven, I needed to accept Christ as my savior. As far back as I can remember, I can recall things which I now know as unusual like praying thanks before every meal and not partaking in many activities or cultural consistencies of the world. Because my family is large and more mature than I, I had this idea that I was an exception to having any need to personally invite the Lord into my life. I guess to my young mind, I felt that a definite prayer would not be necessary to become a Christ follower because I already prayed to God. I figured that since I was already a Christian (because I prayed, I believed in Jesus already which is how we are saved from our sin and become Christians) serving the Lord, it must have been that once I had said the “official” prayer, that it must be a state which you enter into afterword. My siblings and my parents were all so knowledgeable and seemed to live the life of Jesus without what I thought was really any difficulty or temptation; it must have been that this specific prayer would do that for me and that it could not be discovered otherwise.

That night that I was laying there, I got up the nerve to ask my sister if it was really true like I had been told  -and was being so once again at the urge of the broadcast- that I would not go to heaven if I didn’t ask Jesus to dwell in my heart (I say “got up the nerve” because although we were all very used to going to Church together and my family’s well being was completely formed to Christ, my sister and I were not used to conversing about God. She told me that was true, but once I asked her and realized when she said that she had already done that, that I needed to as well because I was the youngest so I knew all of the rest of my family would have already done this and of course the thought of being left alone was dreadfully unacceptable. Once this had occurred, I could not keep living my life on the other side. Not long after this particular night in the summer that I was five years old, I told my dad that I wanted to pray and ask Jesus into my life.

Responsibility Osmosis (continued)

So then I wonder why it is so difficult to motivate ourselves to do the things we must- we do not rely on one another much more often to fulfill our needs, assist us for ease, and share responsibility since it would be a joy for the other to do so. The pressure we place on ourselves in our own expectations of achievement in the simpler “duties” of life could be lightened completely with the counter action of helping and receiving help because our own load would be lightened and we would be on better, more confident and satisfied terms.

I think it’s a very simple concept. It doesn’t come as a surprise that our culture does not follow this way of focused community. Particularly in the Northern part of the United States where we are one for ourselves. We are a hard-working middle class. We watch our own backs and although we may trust we seem to believe hard work and effort are most important to say for our individuality. Different even in the south where living is more family oriented and together supported

Humanity’s integrity could not be modified to this order. It would require unified cooperation which effort I do not think would be considered important to the point of disruption as it contends too greatly among social barriers. It’s something to think about. Something which could potentially improve optimism in our lives but the motivation for which to be made possible would have to be discovered within us individually. Because of its quality, it could work in a cause and effect way which may just spread to make things a little better. We are after all created with the desire to love and do so through this action.

Responsibility Osmosis

It is obvious and with great purpose that the human race be in community. It is the second of the 10 Commandments after loving God that we love one another. In this way, I believe each of us ought to take and receive in a equalized sort of osmosis like manner, or in such a way where giving and receiving would occur on the same standard and without distinction.

Most often it seems we plan and desire to take as much upon ourselves as we are in the majority of the responsibility of doing so. This can never be achieved all of the time as parents, friends, siblings, spouses, and co-workers offer to assist or just as commonly we fail to do the “everything” which we had intended.

Just as often as we aspire*to do most everything ourselves we ought to, we do not intend to ask for glep with anything. It is on the same level of interest that I evaluate this which I also consider the fact that we enjoy doing for others. Doing for ourselves I believe has half the effect of accomplishment because the things we chose to do for ourselves must make a list of priorities. We do not have to chose to do anything for ourselves knowing that no one else will do them for us. We do the things which are most important to us. Whether these things we make priorities are the things which are all the best for our own betterment is another issue. It is due to the fact that we have the primary authority over ourselves for which we do not want to do them.

In controversy there are several reasons we enjoy doing for others. As we were created to be in communion, we enjoy helping one another which is really unexplainable. Besides that, I think that we occasionally subconsciously get the idea that the things which we do for others will somehow make up for or out-weigh the things which we are responsible for, for ourselves but neglect. Helping our neighbors with their responsibilities gives us a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction which cannot be achieved by doing for ourselves as those two things are not on the same spectra.

(continued)

Love Poured Out: When agape Love is Dwelt Upon (continued)

It ended up that after praying for wisdom and courage to talk to the man, as well as a sign to know if I should or not, the door was not opened. The man fell asleep eventually, but if my mind would have been on Christ to begin with, it wouldn’t have taken so long and I may have had a better chance. Although everything happens for a reason, there is no harm in witnessing, so I believe that it was more for my own experience that God allowed this to happen.

I pray that I will fall in love with my maker in a way that cannot be contained. Not by my own consciousness, or by the simple presence of man. For with this enthusiasm, I will never lose sight of something so great and I will never cease to proclaim God’s glory for others to be transformed by. Through the seeking of Christ and His grace, I know this is possible even for a “comfortable Christ-follower”.

Love Poured Out: When Agape Love is Dwelt Upon

I have discovered –and not with extreme acuity- that more times than not those Christ-followers whom have known about God all of their lives often become numb to certain issues in the area of discipleship. For example, there is no doubt that many, many, many of us take the great pleasure, opportunity, and mere ability to have a relationship with the creator of the universe for granted. There are many times where I witness my brothers and sisters in Christ as well as myself neglecting to keep Christ and service to him in the for-front of our minds. This is not an act of discipline however, for if we are indeed in a relationship with the Greatest Being, we ought to be completely fetish and in agape love.  How backwards and terrible it is that so many of us are just so comfortable with the idea of God that He becomes limited to personal relationship. It was of course designed this way- persecution and avoidance there of being a major cause for objection to true discipleship, that being proclaiming the story of Christ. Even so, it is not canny by any means to think that this personal relationship would naturally spill out into actions, dominate motivation, and public proclamation at a primary level would become auto-enforced.

Recently I went on a vacation, and flew to my destination via airplane. As this situation puts one in the position where they are confined at a decent length in time, next to an unfamiliar subject, conversation is an obvious occurrence. In the first of my four flights, I sat next to family members so talking to a stranger –which can provide limitless depth of interaction-, was not relevant. However, on the final flight I was given the opportunity to get to know someone new.

As my family and I had missed several flights before we had been blessed to catch one by filling in empty seats momentarily. We were all tired but relieved- ready to get home and finally at peace knowing we would be there sooner than expected. I had settled into a random seat next to a man who was probably in his late fifties who was very friendly and began a conversation. This, along with his uppity activeness was evidence enough that we could have likely carried on a decent conversation. However, after having to end the present chat with the interruption of the safety precautions before take-off, we did not continue the conversation. As we took off, the plane quieted with it being evening. The man began to doze in and out. That was the best opportunity I had be given to be relaxed for the day and it was then that I realized it had been quite some time since I had last paused to focus my thoughts  and surrender myself to Christ during the business of the day. My life purpose had been shamefully forgotten for quite some time and now here I had the perfect opportunity to tell about my Savior. In fact, this was the epitome of opportunities to witness: we are confined to our seats with nothing to do. However, terrible it had been that I had nearly gone through the day without even paying attention to my life role; the thing I felt with this realization was obligation. I didn’t want to have to strike conversation with the man. I just wanted to sit and mind my business.  I had to prepare myself mentally for the thought of talking about something that is so avoided in our culture. For those I am around on a daily basis I can often only hope that my actions will eventually convey Christ, especially with those whom I literally live around. The opportunity to do nothing but just open my mouth without any prior engagements is rare. Of course my closer friends are used to hearing me talk about my relationship with Christ, but that is because I live among them. In this situation, I had to directly lay everything out on the table and likely wrestle with many questions and maybe scorn too.  

This event was a very good example of how easy it is to forget what my role as a Christ-follower is. But even more so, it made me aware of where my relationship with Christ is. The prompting that it took for me to take in the situation and consider sharing the gospel not only wasted the time I had which was my opportunity to say something to the man before he fell asleep, but was also an indicator of the strength of my relationship with Christ. In times when I dwell upon the Lord during the day, the love of God is in the for-front of my mind and thus the more enthusiastic I am about sharing Christ’s love.  However, rather than a warning to change my train of thought and my actions necessarily, I realized that I needed to renew my adoration with Christ; something which is a process. When I am fixed upon Christ, His love spills over and I become a tool for his ministry. This is the sort of adoration I long for. It pains me and puts me to shame to see that I have spent a season away from Agape love which pours out when merely dwelt upon.

(continued)

BLOG THEME CHANGE!

With the changing of the season, I have decided to broaden my theme choice for this blog. It just so happened that many of my dwellings and insights were based around my previous theme of social and cultural issues, and thus the theme for my blog would naturally be likewise to that category. However, my thoughts have shifted generally, so that I now have a desire to write about insights still, but those more personally related. My blog will likely continue to consist of ideas about society and culture, however it will no longer be limited to which.

When God intervenes

Just the other day, I was the prospector of a 5k race. It took place in mid-morning during the current cool season of autumn. As I stood on the side of the course, only restrained by an ankle injusry from flushing my soles to the white painted line, a friend next to me said
"I don't know why people do this...why they like to run."
As the runners strided past with a compilation of desperation and sill-remaining hopefulness followed by a look of doubt and fear for most on their faces. Their breath forming a beard as mystical as that of a genie around their red faces. What could motivate them to line up for agony when there can only be one winner to the race? Especially for those unlikely to win. I looked at my friend, the first time far enough out of my element since its establishment in my life, with the capability to hold a "third-party" opinion on my beloved hobby. With sincerity I said,
"I really don't know, I really do not know. In fact," I said, "this looks terrible right now and I'm very glad I'm watching this race rather than being within it, exerting myself in the cold."
With disbelief and a questionable look of patheticness directed clearly at me, my friend wandered at me for explanation to my sudden metamorphesis. Surprisingly, I had an immediate and steadily founded claim.
"I suppose it's the cold which makes this competition loose its appeal for competition." I said.
I was amazed at my stark realization to the matter, for I have spent the last 4 years of my life -simultaneous to my coming of age- daily dedicated to a run. I always wondered what my feelings would be toward it once I was without out it. It was the competative sport season which yoked me to it that had me believing the lack of this physical motion was impossible by my own will. Now that I am injured however, and do not have the choice one way or another I can see that I do truly enjoy it but I'm able to see different aspects on the matter. Not only that I am a fair-weather partaker in this activity, but more importantly that I am who I am aside from this arduous and committing "hobby".
I don't think that I will take running so seriously anymore, having been given the chance to evaluate its definition in my actual life. I understand now that it isn't as important as I thought. It's interesting that when God intervenes and we are not in control, (in my being injured) how He reveals another length to the mural than what we may have been able to see when we are standing so close to it all along.

The Humane Relationship

By definition, a friend is someone whom can be confided in, adhered to as a partner, and waited upon. A friend is to be ever benefited from where in your lack they are available and present to offer assistance, advice, and joy through simplistic common-ends and companionship. The rationale of a friendship whether intimate, long-established to causality, seasonal, out of necessity of desperate-at-best reliance, is classified through integrity as a relationship which is mutualistic where affluence is reaped by any encounter, and commensalism out of those which are of more shallow an interaction. In some instances however -and more and more dominantly at current- the relational status of “friendship” can become a dual-ended parasitism and when not directly, on a long-term and highly affective basis.                                               

Especially typical of teenagers, I often encounter friends who are literally feeding on one-another spiritually. This can be gone about in the most innocent mannerism and by oblivion too. I think that it happens more often than what we realize and in many of our relationships, not limited to those of friendship. Throughout the course of high school, most of us are involved in a multitude of friendships as the vast majority of each day is spent surrounded almost solely by a variety of people who are likewise to our age. I think that the issue of parasitism within these friendships is most commonly in occurrence in situations of long-established friendships. Those who have remained in close friendships and cliques since they were younger seem to be most in danger of being cut off from the experiences, discomforts, and ability to understand that which is beyond the protection and familiarity of these likely- unknown-condemning condolences. The testing and expansion of our territories is one of the most basic necessities in the human life. We must  gain understanding of each other’s positions whether through simple off-stood and autonomous observation or through personal encounter. In order for these situations and opportunities for greater perspective to be made available, we must stand independently as individuals. Because friends often act as sanctuaries protecting us from exposure of the unknown, they can deprive us of the potential to retain understanding which is one of the greater of the virtuous characteristics. Understandingness is the ability to recognize a situation after having been made aware of it and then developing the ability to relate that discovery to morality. The dexterity to understand is essential to life, especially as we are undeniably societal people formed by single persons who are –no matter how spiritually bound- always divided.                                                                                                                    

At the point which it becomes uncomfortable to be alone, one can be sure that they have some desolating to do in order to find not only themselves, but also to take a look at lives around them. Another thing that can result from this unhealthy situation is that we can attach ourselves to others without setting expectations. When this happens, we can end up losing bind on our values by morphing to anyone who is also in desperation where the seasons of life remove previous friendships.

Although each of these aspects seem easily avoidable by maintaining sheer awareness of our positions, it is also just as easy to find ourselves committing social cannibalism with the people we say we love.

The Sense of Sound Investigated

It’s interesting the way a sound can be intercepted and a feeling can be attached to it and creep into our emotions without our conscious attention. The sense of sound can often be sneaky. It is the sense whose sensation cannot be controlled through filtration. Sound is also the sense which can be obstructed from invariably the largest distance. It is for these reasons I suppose, that I think sounds hold the most symbolism of the 5 senses.                                                                                                                                             

Much of the time we do not intend to hear certain things like a train whistle or a bird of the relieving of a an airplanes fuel, casting an over-whelmingness over all sounds present, yet far-set enough to be drowned by those sharper and nearer. At whatever the extreme, we can persist to be emotionally effected. When paralleled to sight, it as though –exclusively- we are looking at a snapshot which brings us to the time and place in which the photo was taken. A sound can only partially be denied and only once it has been expected. Because of this, I think sound can impact mood. Wherever I am, the sound of kids playing outside, raising their voices in excitement and meaning with leaf blowers or lawn mowers, I feel most at home as a sound can bring me to feel. These sounds are familiar, common, and are part of life which is safe and ordinary to me. When I hear jest-skis or boats, I am immediately given the sense of pleasure and my most ideal state. It is that which I am safely immersed in the position of safeness still, but with an edge. I am with my family enjoying the summer at the lake house where exceptions are made; sun-screen is neglected, bed-times are stretched, speeds on the water are tested by bravery, and competition is present as the cousins see who can jump furthest off the dock. This summed up on a summer-warmed, familiar feeling can be achieved by a sound.                                                                                                    

Likewise in effect, feelings can not only be visited, but created by a sound. These are the sounds which are mysterious and where experience is not attached to them. When I was little, the sound heard beneath the water of a pool was scary to me. There is a very distant, magnified sound beneath the water in a pool. It sounds as though the water is not limited to the walls of the pool, but rather is contiguous with the depths of the oceans, every lake, and river combined and as deep as the mountains are tall and continuing into unknown darkness. In the midst of this expansiveness, I can amazingly hear the closest things which cannot be heard above water, like hair tingling.

The Humility of Autumn

Presenting itself as the humbler form of summer, the warmth of sun sufficiently absorbed so that its light is captured in the form of color, burnt-crisp to the touch and tactile only by the gentler chastisation of rain. Despite its exhausted state of popularity, its forgiveness is finally granted and sunlight –again received with thanks- returns amongst the fog of fall. Summer long enjoyed to the point of spoilage, autumn must be the result. However, it is not with despise that the change is made, for the transition it offers into the harshness of winter is very polite.                                                                                   

It seems that fall is a revealing season. Likewise to the baring of the trees is the soul as it stands scaled to the exposure of summertime secrets and of its body’s skin-deep, yet façade-like tan. The seasons of the school years commencement, of new relationships, of revelation and reevaluation of self, and of family reconciliation; each simultaneous to fall. Fall is a healing era within the year, but healing through assessment and activated by second chances. Similar to these revolutionary aspects, is the fact that fall is my most likely time for far-future dreaming. Spring holds opportunity, and marks the start for the improved version of life and that of reality. Summer is the living out of that hoped for and those expectations formed for the desirable version of ourselves. Where these are attainable they are sought, but where it is more unlikely, impulsive dreams take their place and we begin to drift whimsicality. Fall however –to me- is the season of raw reality; life as it truly is, and not that which we hoped for. In contrast, it is also a time for similarly realistic dreaming.                                                                                                                

As I am over-whelmed by the comfort and reoccurring familiarity of fall traditions on most years, I find a little bit of curiosity and longing for diversity among the season- and really, within life as a whole. The home-style foods long implemented within my heritage as it has been in America, and more specifically in Iowa are most prevalent in fall. As cliché as it sounds, this is the time of year in which the bounty is brought in and our plates are full of things of the earth planted and collected by the toil of my father and uncle’s. Aside from the fact that I am the youngest in my family of five children- the site of restlessness, these traditions are not my style. I prefer diversity and callowness.  Reoccurring as the season is my feeling of restlessness for further discovery of the nation I roam on minimal terms. Just as faithfully, I receive contact from my eldest sister, every fall season, who has fallen into the trance which the West Coast has to offer. Her annual longing for the Midwestern autumn is a black speck on a sheet of paper compared to her otherwise year-round babblings of mountain biking, hiking trips, visits to Seattle along the scenic coast, and the down-town life that Sacramento has to offer. Each of these are typically more exciting than that of the activities and amenities available in her home state of Iowa. The common homesickness between my three nationally spread sisters, is the longing for the sensation of the fall experience at home. It is sure that I will always have a place in my heart -no matter where I go- for fall in the Midwest. The most ideal version of the autumn season is due to the deciduous trees, cool temperatures which still include a variety of rain and sun, and –even to my occasional despise- the greatest production of the harvest can all be found in Iowa. I will especially remember to cherish my time here while I enjoy the exclusive epitome of autumn and its humbling characteristics in one of the more humble regions of America.

The American Obsession of Food

Naturally, with the melting pot composition of America there is much variety which places impact on the cultural aspects of the country. Within this diversified degree, I believe food to be the one area of culture which is the least “trendy” as opposed to those of music, art, or clothing. Food tends to be more traditional in relation to time. Although this more static manner is likely not specific to American foods but is likely typical to the cuisine status of most civilizations, I think that Americans hold a passion to their beloved aliment which would prevent any abandonment of those foods -which have become most symbolic to The USA- even aside from this cultural likeliness. I believe that this country as a whole is emotionally attached to food.                                                                                                                                                                   

It is far from possible to exclude food from every social enterprise selection in American society. Food is the usually expected element whenever we gather. It is one of the most symbolic details of holidays. It seems to take up so great an importance to pleasing our senses that we forget that nourishment is a necessity, simply because if it weren’t, we would likely still place such an importance on consuming it. However, what I find most intriguing about this is that the foods which the majority of us consume are far from gourmet and lack greatly in sophistication and creativity. The lot of our indulgences is of processed foods, and even those which do not fulfill a role in a meal. It seems extremely shallow and bashful of us that we not only fail to acknowledge the depth and potential interest which might be sought in more complex and exotic foods, but also that we are unwilling to decipher the personality of  them or simply even try them. These less complex foods are popularized because of their content of the things which are common and easy to become comfortable with such as those ingredients as oils, sugars, and carbohydrates. The collaboration of food is an art. How pitiful it is that the more common dare made about eating selection is made not on behalf of the flavor but rather on the poor substance of foods which are unhealthy. How often is it that we think it acceptable to purchase a box of donuts when we know it will be shared with a group? The common peer pressure acts in a way by which to stifle the guilt within the indulgence. With the horrible decision on hand to eat such terrible offal, we are able to smile at one another and say that “we could just use something like that to uplift our day”. When these situations become routine, there is always availability for the denial and justification which allow us to contain our taste buds within our narrow comfort zone. Perhaps however, it is not solely addiction to these junk foods which we deal with.                                                                   

When –on the rarer situation- food is selected with a high quality of taste, it still remains a center of attraction for the American gathering; although those typically of a higher class, the glorification of eatery remains. It is possible and much more reasonable in this situation that our love for food is because it is often a symbol of our gatherings. Particulars can have memories attached to them. I suppose when we want to revisit a situation or experience, sometimes the only thing we can do is stir up the dish which binds us to them by recalling the niche in the past with which was likewise shared. Tradition and symbolism, because such dominant forces upon the culture of American food, may with-hold valid enough reason for the adoration of food.                                                                                                                          

One final and obvious cause guiding America’s rave on food, is our economy. We have both the supply and the money to purchase food, which is relatively cheap enough to be a foster of senses, especially when it is technically imperative to life. Representation and addiction alongside this additional factor of prevalence having been each accounted for, there ought to be no question as to why it is that this nation is holistically a disciple of food!

Societial Trait: Formality- the Root of Relation

Recently I have closely observed the process of progression dealing with intimacy levels within a relationship. It is very interesting to me that upon the encounter of a new human being, we –as human beings- act as if we are so much more than which, or at the least choose to present the best attainable version of what we truly can be. Either selection, this behavioral alteration whether made for our own, false self-confidence or so simply and deceitfully devised with the intent of creating a quality impression for the perceiver, is typically one sought through formality. This common societal trait may be due to the standard of business, traditional proper etiquette, or self-motivation for apprehended magnitude. All of these serious and valid considerations taken into reprimand, I find it ironically and casually humorous that we put such effort and importance into simply meeting someone for the first time. It seems that no sooner after we have become familiarized, what began as a formal introduction could just as soon become the birth of a new soul- a collaboration of two in; familiarization to the point of spiritual simultaneity. Although we will each guilty of this common “social production” at one time or another, its distortivness is yet utilized with a static popularity. Why is it that we try so hard to make a façade when we are a single, united humanity made to rely on one another and become kindred so that we may learn from and of ourselves through companionship?  We have been created individualistically indeed, but not for solitude by any means. We ought to approach one another with the realization that we will never know less of the other from that instance into eternity. We ought to also enter introduction with the expectancy of an exchange; that we likewise to that of our understanding of the other have –undoubtedly- something to offer. It simple to divert from habitually and yet so such a widespread occurrence.

The Ideal, Significant Individual

So many dynamics there are to human society. All talents, abilities, mental states, perspectives are scientifically unique to each one of us. What widespread variety this should produce! As the Creator told us, we are all made equal under His dominion. This must mean simply that those individuals glorified by their community of surrounding are so as being symbolic to it. A person can occasionally protrude from a multitude as being better, these are those special people who are well-liked by the masses. It may be thought to more simply call this popularity. However, I do not believe that one has to be popular –in the sense of being well-known and out-going- in order to be well liked. Widespread appeal may lead to popularity, but is not the definitive of. It is natural I suppose, of our judgment to work in a way that allows us to differentiate between whether the things that make a person popular ore honest things, or whether they are truly comprised of a ruthless pettiness that is simply a cover to be played off of. In the midst of this case, it is sure that there are individuals who for whatever unique reasons, are people who are well-liked by most of the people they know. Besides these individually specific characteristics, I believe that there are common qualities which make a person likeable. Although it would seem these ought to be obvious and easily interpreted, it is of my interest to put these into words.      

Respectively every individual desires to be accepted at least, but greater more to be treasured and thought significantly of. There is an inquiring divide of understanding blockading the person whom has a sort of glow amongst a group and the rest of their surrounding fellows, providing them the luminosity to stand out against. I believe that the person whom is sincere in their worth by which to be favored is so because of their common understanding they have of their subjects, in general. They recognize the position of the admirer. A trend I also find among those people liked in society, is their boldness and leadership, or sometimes activism. Often times their broad view on things around them provide them with good judgment and especially if this is utilized in modesty after other attributes. A dependent of this is self-confidence. Although it is dependent, it can often be the founding internal characteristic of a quality person. When you consider someone you like as a person, do they not like themselves? This is very important that they at least act as thought they do -with integrity- for a person who does not like them self cannot possibly be liked by others. Self-confidence gives one reign over an aura about themselves which allows others to be comfortable around them, and if done humbly –which is vital- they will not only be appeased to, but also respected and looked up to. In addition to this, is a characteristic which has a slightly more concrete affect. That is the affect of laughter. Humorous people lighten the atmosphere of presence and literally cause the emanation of adrenaline. This is involved with natural addiction, which is tricky. If one has the ability to be funny, then people will almost automatically and inevitably be attracted.                                                                                                      

Along with keeping blithe in aloof situations, the grace to remain neutral in times of extremity is another notable characteristic in the ideal person. Neutrality works towards character in a multitude of ways because it is in opposition to moodiness, which speaks for itself. When a person is able to consider both halves of a situation, they will always have someone in favor of them. If they abide with distinct opinion, they know at what magnitude and in what situation to reveal it so as not to stereotype themselves and limit their agreeableness.                                                                                                                                       

Lastly, with all of these attributes accounted for, should follow the most obvious of all of these which is kindness. Some of these other qualities, such as humor specifically may be more God-given than others. However, we all have the ability to be kind and this –although maybe not superior on its own- is the most essential of them all. It is interesting to me to evaluate what we will all do with our characteristics if based around compassion and caringness. It seems that presentation in itself is all that is necessary, for any one person fit this ideology of “a well-liked person”.

Quoted With Reason

I wonder what the quality of society would be If we abided by the advice and outlook of those philosophers and people of influence whose thoughts and perspectives are centered by quotation marks, act as support stapled into newspaper editorials, can be found scrolled across walls, and symbolically placed within the “favorite quotes” section on facebook. If those are as true and tested as well as they ought to be for as often as they are heard of, then they should therefore simply become common understanding, effecting our perception intravenously. We all rush to record them, pass them on, change them only slightly with each encounter so as not to let the radical being of them become forgotten. Yet it is as thought they remain as distant as the long past minds by which they were devised; Ideas for a life more immortal through which perfection -sensibility and balanced, good things can be acted upon and produced. However I wonder then if we have forgotten that these things were the products not of perfection, but of the only state that we will ever be contained to on this Earth, which is that of imperfection. Rather, they are fragments of advice which will give us the best life possibly achieved in the mortal element. I say to my fellows, we ought to take heed to the moral which internally causes us to select these words of wisdom as significant. If we do so, they will fulfill their purpose and we will be of their benefit.

A Brief Insight & History of Art: Art Deco

As we approach the second decade of the century, we likewise approach the milestone of one art classification which has both historically and presently contributed to our cultural arrival at this niche in time. Art deco -an art influenced initially by French origin- began in the 1920’s. Its title is abbreviated for “art decoration” and derived after the “International Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Art”. Art deco is also known as “style moderne”.

Art deco was become of simultaneously to the thoughts and ideas of modernism. With new technology impacting the design of architecture and structure of the early 1900’s, art deco was founded upon the inspiration from which -combining elegance and streamline appeal multifariously. This at first, revolutionary aspect of combination art design eventually produced the more exclusive sect of abstract art, but not until the mid-1900’s. Even later, art deco had an influence on well-known pop art.

Art deco includes some baroque style and eclecticism. Often time’s exotic animal skins were used in the earlier form of art deco as well as a great abundance of more basic materials such as chrome and inlaid wood. Patterns most specific to art deco include those with straight lines and proportional shapes. Sunbursts, chevrons, and retrospects are often utilized as well. All of these factors were done usually in a repetition which created a unified, amalgamated whole appearing precise and tidy.

The ambiance of the art deco style could be captured through all forms of art whether painting, photography, or sculpture. Because it was based off of concrete, structural forms, art deco could also be articulated in a more functional format such as through furniture or buildings. Because art deco was inspired by these it was likely occasionally considered to be a cliché when utilized in this sense, yet was in no way unacceptable during even its early emergence because art deco is certainly not limited to “art” alone per say, but it is rather a general style. In fact, art deco was also exemplified in the design of automobiles at the time of its emergence.

Although art deco became less-popularized in the 1940’s, it had a descent reoccurrence into the culture of the 1960’s and 1970’s where it begin its later effectuations on other styles.

Art deco is still implemented in current-day art, but its well-known historical remnants are what we know best of it today. Particularly, this includes the buildings and architecture which had the first influence on art deco and that were also vital to the evolutionary effect on the development of the art. Buildings of this style can be found in a varitey of develope countries. In America, some of the most famous art deco buildings are the Rockefeller Center, the Chrystler, General Electric, Waldorf Astoria, and Empire State Buildings.

The Emergence of the Present-Day Teeneage Generation Into Society

In present day America there is a great amount of interest and effort put towards the influence and education of American children. With the installment of the No Child Left Behind act, teenagers being the number one target of advertising, and the ever-present force placed on adopting the good morale necessary to achieve The American Dream, it is the hope of our government, our mentors, and our parents that we as the teenage generation of this day are properly prepared when it is our turn to control the nation. As a natural result of this, there is reason for the investors of these lives to monitor and take heed to the progress and direction of their dependents while they are yet premature and their product outcome able to be sculpted. Based on our current actions, I sense that our mentors have a good deal of skepticism towards the stability of our nation’s future as it is placed in our responsibility. I have reason to think that they find us insufficient in many areas that they believe will futuristically put us below the standard which America expects. Although I agree that there is some reason for apprehension, I also believe that our generation has many quality characteristics.  Whether our elders realize the value of these characteristics or even the presence of them at all, there ought to be surprise of the benefit these exclusive strengths will hold to our account. I believe that today’s teenagers are prematurely being cut short of our potential worth.                                                                                                              

Often times I have heard my parents make comments about the disrespectfulness, irresponsibility, and carelessness of the teenage generation. I fully agree with their conception on the matter. Although it may seem that carelessness would be the least iniquitous of the three, and typically it would indeed be trumped by the other two when compared in terms of slander. However, I find this particular situation to be contrary. When disrespectfulness is merely “suppressed” by carelessness, it seems to be more of an issue of laziness and selfishness rather than anything else. In one example, both of these attributes are accounted for within a single situation of carelessness, in addition to several other attributes.

Often times I have heard my parents make comments about the disrespectfulness, irresponsibility, and carelessness of the nation of my peers. Of course they usually always back this up with saying that “the apple doesn’t fall far from tree” implying that it is the parent who is almost nearly the sole source of culpability at stake if there should be any sort of blunder found in their child’s morale. It is true that we can only know what we’ve either been taught or made able to understand whether by experience or example, so I agree with this reasoning with respect for a latter contradiction to this claim.

More presently, I can think of many times that a teacher will ask of their class a favor or a request for a leader, or even someone just to answer a simple question, and not a single student will volunteer to even attempt assistance. Even though this could be in the least complex of positions, and aside from the fact that I see this encounter on a regular and nonchalant basis, it is as if something beyond reasonable is being asked of my peers and I when this instance occurs. We just don’t have the motivation to go much beyond what it is that is asked of us without there being an incentive. I gathered this specific paragon both for its inclusion of the attributes of disrespectfulness, irresponsibility, and carelessness along with an inclusion of several other weaknesses I find my generation to hold, which are that of a lack in activism, leadership, and motivation. Of these, perhaps it would seem that carelessness and lack of motivation might be the least iniquitous of all, and typically these two would indeed be trumped by the other two when compared in terms of slander; however I find this particular situation to be contrary.                  

It isn’t until upon the emergence of the child into situations of independence where a specifically generational diversity and variation eventuate. Apart from that fact that this is with expectancy, I believe that our generation has developed our best and most exclusive attributes -for the most part- among our own esprit de corps. One of these facets I have found is to be our acceptance towards diversity, both culturally and ethnically. Ethnic integration is probably the one aspect whose evolution has had the greatest impact on society between the prebaby-boom generation and that of my own. I think that our generation is a milestone in this progression as we were born into an era where ethnic tension was nearly non-existent, acquiring for us neutrality towards our racially integrated culture. This I believe holds the greatest benefactor towards American both as a culture and a society. It will contribute to our melting pot, broaden our mindset as a whole, and assimilate us to a point of comfort where there is acceptance in the midst of diversity. All of these achieved with a creativity which I hold hope to ultimately being the crafter of a more accepting community throughout our niche in humanity.                                                                                                                                                                                             

I hear relatively often of grandparents and even parents who will yet occasionally be heard in mumbling behind the scenes suggesting ethnicity as a factorization in a person. It is typically skimmed over and disregarded as impertinent to an individual’s quality, but occasionally mentioned even so. Although the issue of racial discrimination has not completely lost its relevance, it is obvious that as the generations have continued, it is not nearly as large of an issue. This is evident in the way that stereotypes are no longer limited by ethnicity as I believe they once were. Also, whether a benefactor of not, racial pun has taken some sort of evolution whether in depth or in classification. I think that maybe not directly positive, this consideration shows that we have become more impartial. One way that this situation could be perceived is by exemplifying ethnical dissimilarity as having shifted from a collective typing which heaps the racial group as a whole to a more individualized selection of popularity. It seems as the assimilation of the ethnicity is attacked more so than the group of people itself. This I believe is a theme among stereotyping today in more aspects than just that of ethnic diversity.                                                         

Naturally appended to ethnic diversity is cultural diversity. Whether due to or simply simultaneous to ethnic diversity, I have noticed that my generation is becoming more and more apprehensive towards the American variety of culture. Especially now that we are nearing young-adulthood, stereotypes and bigotry towards difference has become fairly irrelevant. I believe that my generation has been taught respectively by our elders, not to judge the group but the individuals themselves despite what the teachers of this message were previously accustomed to identifying people with. (Perhaps it is because they reaped the effects of discrimination in their own youth and wanted better for their children).  As a result of our close adhering to the golden rule as a basic principal, we have created diversity in and of itself because our quality of respect for people has been -in most senses- well fostered.                                                                                                                                                                                        As far as our down-falls go, these may be things that we will acquire a higher standard of through failure and more concrete discipline. I believe that any issues of irresponsibility and laziness or carelessness will be mainly abolished when we enter a greater reality. Whether we do or whether we do not follow through with our sample qualities of today in the future, I believe that we have been well enough equipped to fulfill our expected destiny as the leaders of a nation.  Some of the contributors of this most positive anticipation are definitely thanks to our parents, while others are thanks to them for the independence with which to discover them. Either way, I find reason to place a faith and pride in the fellow peers of my generation.

Culture Hypothesized

The human mind consists of two dynamics: analysis and creativity. As a result of this, human people groups reflect and are contained by these two sects. The analytical half can be identified with science and technology, while the creative side is made up of the arts. Of course with every society, the two are in combination in the more abstract ways, and in those concrete the duals can be better identified from one another. In both situations however, I think that the two are inter-dependent upon one the other.

Often associated with society is culture. Culture usually seems to be thought of in relation to the arts. Although I believe that science and technology have and will continue to play a role in culture, the arts will remain the guiding factor to America’s modern day convention.

A culture could be defined as a melting pot, a mixing bowl, or a ground-grown basic. Personally, I believe that American culture can be described best as a melting pot, easily and recognizably due to the fact that it was formed from scratch and not from a base. The product of what began as distinct traditions and ethnicities from an assortment of origins became a combination of new traditions, stereotypes, ideas, and styles that evolved and united to create one culture. This brilliant and rather exclusive culture is subject to envy with its “high supply, high demand” mantra where most everything is accepted, and diversity is apprehended.

Now that our culture has had reasonable time to dissolve and condense, we can begin to identify pattern and repetition to our once lucidly genuine culture. In the present day, every selection of clothing, music, food, style, and perspective seems to be a shard from the rocks of decades passed. It seems that the commencement of the twentieth century marked a starting point for a new arrangement of distinction in era’s; one where culture is a remix of anything past with only a nice polish and a little bit of modern distinguishment. I wonder then if the one thing that does not remain in this time is authenticity itself. Where will our culture go when the megapixels become blurred and the lens can zoom further? I think it is important that we filter our lifestyles, our guiding themes, our dramatic ideas, and certainly our gnashing technology before we lose control of our identity as an American society.

Name Regeneration

Recently I have taken notice to the fact that the newest and most appealing baby names of the latest generation today, seem to have a vintage allure. It has been noticed that previously popular names do not become popular again until after four generations have passed. I think this is very interesting. Today, names which have been proven dapper likewise to this new era are names similar in aura to those such as Isabella, Eva, and Ruby. And for boys, names like Leo, Jack, and Henry. I believe that although there is a trend in the repetition of these names after particular periods of time (4 generations), that it says something about the way our culture is geared.
                                                                                                                                              
Names that gave the image of a grandfather surrounded by the scent of pepper-mints and tobacco in a musty, old, wall-papered house, from the vague memory of a child’s emotional mind, remain unappealing and out of style to the present-day baby-boomer. But for their children, only the good stories of their “great-grandfather Samuel and great-grandmother Ella Rose” stand out in their minds, which gives these names a refreshing flatter. Perhaps this is because it is not hard to picture calling a newborn baby a name that was typically only heard before the modern-generation parents were old enough to have remembered hearing.

About This Blog

"Each generation wants new symbols, new people, new names. They want to divorce themselves from their predecessors."

- Jim Morrison

As mortal progressors of time, humans are divided into generations which build off of one another. Each generation can be land-marked by realative ideas which become known as fads. Within this blog, there will be connections made between both present and historical American culture. Since our society's culture is ever, and rapidly changing and evolving, there are always things to be said about the present day, as that too is in constant cycle. Topics about pop culture will be frequently visited, however I believe these prominences can be better understood with insight of the past, and the trends within it.