Defining Yourself

So I've finished all my homework for tonight and I'm am relaxing in my dorm, listening to one of my favorite bands called Sleeping At Last. But as I'm listening I keep thinking about a conversation I sometimes have with myself. And it seems to be kinda often. Sometimes I just wonder about people and what it means to define ourselves. I guess what I wonder is sort of like what are we trying to be. What is I that I really am trying to be. I think that people try so very hard to define themselves as what they want to be, not what they truly are. They try so hard to be something that maybe they aren't really about. We are trying to fit in some mold, whatever it may be, and we aren't being true to ourselves. I am guilty as anyone else but I really want to just be my complete self. Whether anyone thinks it is cool or not. I don't wanna ever feel like I have to fit in or I can't say what I truly feel. I like to imagine a world where everyone is true to themselves and is absolutely themselves. No fakeness or acting. Just simply real people with real words, real ideas, real thoughts and a real personality. This would be a world with real feelings and a real love I believe. When you can truly love someone for who they honestly are is an absolute beautiful thing. I find the strongest relationships in my life to be with the people I have real feelings for and a real care for. Because I know who they are and I know their heart. Because they are real and don't try to be something they're not. Wouldn't it be a majestic place if we could all be like this with each other?? Everyone being true to themselves and everyone else.

This is just a random thought I have from time to time. I still search to define myself daily and I do want to be true to myself. So maybe I'm rambling or just having a weird conversation I have with myself oh so many times. haha. But this is what I would like to see. A real world with real people.

A poem about Rain...

The clouds release and it falls.
The sun now covered by dark, thick walls.
Nature's provider of Life.
Yet a picture of gloom, pain and strife.
A drenching, a sprinkle, a cleansing.
But it seems to quiet as the birds no longer sing.
Why do we feel this way?
What is it we are trying to say?
Life is beautiful and this it brings.
But a depression is what really rings.
Sad, lonely, and wet thoughts linger.
No more trying, no more eager.
We don't dance, scream, or run.
But should soon be reminded of days to come.
Days of sunshine and green.
The fullness of nature and living things.
Creatures will sing and share,
Their story that only rain brings to our ears.
A tale of life.
Happiness and Joy.
Depression and Woe.
All the things that happen as we breathe.
And let the rain be a reminder that never leaves.
Life is precious and vulnerable.
Never safe and never dull.
Unpredictable and sometimes cruel.
But a gift it is,
From our Creator who lives.

The Musical Connection

I found this note/journal on my ipod from a couple weeks ago and thought I'd share what I was thinking. We were in the middle of a three hour van ride to a couple days up in the Nantahala Gorge for cross country camp and I had some thoughts about meeting people and the platform it creates with music and musical interests. So here it is:

I'm on my way to camp with the team. It should be fun. There's nothing like a three hour van ride to ensure bonding and opportunities to share common interests(besides running). I find it neat that really all you need is a simple shared hobby or interest to sort of connect with someone. It takes a shared opinion or agreement and you've taken a step in a relationship you share with that person. I find commonly that music is the best platform to find your common interest. Music is an emotional, beautiful thing. It makes people feel something and moves them and inspires them. People feel strongly about their musical choices and which artist makes them feel something. I believe that when people agree on music the have already made a deep connection. They have said "yes, I love fill in the blank, and they too make me feel something deeper that some cool noise." So stick to what you love listening to and don't judge another person's opinion but be reminded that there is likely a deeper reason they like that music/song/artist.

Love Your Neighbor

Love your neighbor as yourself. This is saying/quote/whatever that we have all heard. It is used in the bible and we have probably all been scolded with this saying when we didn't share or treated someone unfairly. It is a great saying to live by but I have to say that this seems more of a theory or just a consideration for most people. I am not trying to call everyone out or label them hypocrites because I will first point the finger at myself. I just wonder if this really happens for the majority of the population. I think that in today's society of self-promotion and ultimate self success that the only people we are loving is ourselves.

When is the last time you have truly seen anyone serve. Not the type of serving that occurs when you hold the door for the person behind you but the serving that takes place when someone honestly and willingly sacrifices something for someone. When somebody puts themself out there and isn't looking for any gain for themself. This is the problem with our world today and a problem for Christians of today as well. Christians are constantly being judged unfairly and I believe that this judgement is just part of being a Christian. To be honest, Christians haven't been living up to what they believe. It is terribly sad that I have to say that but that is the truth in today's world. We don't want to be called hyprocrites and whine and complain that we are judged but I feel that this is part of the Call. We are a sinful creation and making the proclamation of being a Christian is just about feeling safe that we aren't going to burn in eternity at our death but is is a daily job. A hard job and it wasn't meant to be easy. To stand out as a servant and a believer is part of our job and our covenant with God.

So why aren't there more servants in the world today? Why are we such lazy, selfish people? Some might blame it on multiple things. Many would say it is our society's fault and that they have been cramming self-promotion down our throat since we turned on the T.V. And I would tend to agree, but rather than making an excuse what if we just shut up and served somebody. Not serve ourselves, not hold the door for a stranger but sincerely serve somebody with a loving, selfless heart. So I encourage everyone to serve someone today. Commit a selfless act today. And by this people will see a different love. A love that only God shares. So instead of worrying about looking good do it because you were loved first and you want to share this love.

John 13: 34A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Mess Of Me

So as some may know, I am an absolutely obsessive Switchfoot fan. Even this very blog title is a reference to one of my most favorite Switchfoot songs. I love Switchfoot and Jon Foreman and some may know I had one of my dreams come true when I got to meet him after a Fiction Family show. Anyways, they will be coming out with a new album in October titled 'Hello Hurricane' and it shall be nothing short of amazing. So being an avid Switchfoot fan I follow them regularly on myspace, facebook and mainly twitter. I have my phone set up so that I recieve a text message everytime they update their twitter:)) Well they are doing this absolutely awesome thing through twitter so I thought I would share what they are doing whether you like Switchfoot or not(If you don't I probably don't like you;) Jk) They are releasing a new single titled 'Mess Of Me' but instead of just releasing in on Itunes and such they are letting their twitter crowd help pass out the single. If you send a reply to Switchfoot via twitter they will send you a link to download the new single! But it is a deal you are accepting. If Switchfoot sends you the link to this download you are to burn a copy to a cd and then hide it somewhere in your town and update your twitter @switchfoot(if you aren't familair with twitter this is so everyone who follows switchfoot will see your update) telling what city you're in and where you hid it. It is an awesome and really creative idea of getting your music out there. It is like a really sweet scavenger hunt for Switchfoot fans everywhere. I was lucky enough to recieve the single today and am working on hiding it here in Bristol soon. I just wanted to share this awesome idea with you and whether you're a huge Switchfoot fan like me or not you hopefully found something interesting it! Thanks for reading! Much love.

Inglorius Basterds

Tonight I went to Inglorius Basterds and was utterly amazed. Although, I believed the hype and was super pumped going into it. It was truely a masterpiece. I've always been a fan of Quentin Tarantino films ever since Pulp Fiction. He is know for being rather odd but I think that is what gives him such great success. (Btw, he is from Knoxville, TN. GO BIG ORANGE!) Inglorious Basterds was such a great combination of both humor and ruthless action. I loved the way it was presented as if each scene were a chapter and it all played in rather nicely with a monumental ending. Brad Pitt was absolutely amazing in this movie. He played a Tennesseean country boy who wanted to do nothing but Nazi's. He was hilarious and cunning and did an excellent job of portraying a sort of good ole' boy patriotic hero. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who has yet to see it so rather than talking about certain scenes I will just encourage anybody(who's of age) to go see it! A wonderful movie. 5 out of 5!

I know...

Yes, it as been almost a decade since I last blogged and Yes, I know that no one ever read my blog or cares if I update it or not but I am proclaiming for the mere action of proclaiming that I will HOPEFULLY, now be blogging more often. I really enjoy writing a lot and I do my best to keep a daily journal but I would love to share some of my expierences here on the worldwide web!!

With all this being said, I thought for my first topic as I attempt to revive my blog and blogging expierences I would fill in anyone who cares/doesn't know what I have been up to lately. As of two or three weeks ago, I am now a college student!! Yep, that's right. I'm on my own, responsible and can dress myself! I honestly love it. It is awesome to be responsible for things and to "live on my own." I have learned many lessons already and am positive more are to come. It is interesting to have to wake yourself up and drag yourself to class and make sure you have everything you need. There is definitely no mother or father telling you what to do. But this is good. I feel like this is a good time in life to learn this lesson and it truly does teach responsibility. I must say that all these wise and experienced high school teachers try a bit too hard to scare responsibility into you with the whole college sermon. They make it out to sound like an almost unachievable task and it isn't that bad. You gotta take life as it comes and learn from mistakes AND successes! The school part has been good and I am learning to manage my time a little bit better than I did before. I am also participating in cross country and am so glad I made the choice to further my running at the college level. It is really exciting and motivating when there are 8 other guys who work just as hard and desire the same success you do in the sport. I am learning new things about running and feel like I'm in better shape than ever before.

So there is a short overview of what I've been doing and where I'm at in my life. Hope you enjoyed and talk to ya soon!