A Thought

In things unbeknownst. In a God that is..... What? God is. What more could God be? Why do I need faith? Why do I desire faith? Do I desire faith? Isn't faith enough? Or do I need to believe in the condemnation of others to truly know that this path is correct? Isn't faith enough? Or do I need to do certain things in order to maintain this faith? But is faith enough? Will it lead me to a better place in my life? Will it not provide a hope and spirit that can conquer all conflict with peace and joy? Will it really help me to love more deeply?

Product of my recordings from Saturday afternoon. This hymns has been stuck on my mind!

That's why TED talks are awesome and textbooks are not. 

I respect you more than you can know. Only my fear can make me day otherwise.

Where do I go How do I know What shall I do I turn to You

I wait foolishly On the hot sand, beneath the heavy sun Assuming a therapeutic state I stare wearily At the turbulent ocean, vicious waves on the beach Struggling to consider thereafter I slouch weakly From the inactivity, hours cowering away Aching for actual alleviation I stand awkwardly Off of the ground, course sand tickling my feet Stumbling forward I breathe deeply Through my itching throat, taste cool breeze Discovering confidence I dive whole-heartedly Towards those forgotten feelings, into a whirlpool of memories Reviving life by drowning another

- Mark Edmundson, "The Ideal English Major"

http://chronicle.com/article/The-Ideal-English-Major/140553/

"It's all going to be all right."

David Mitchell, "Cloud Atlas"

David Mitchell, "Cloud Atlas"

With an incredible amount of free time, college is a perfect time to discover yourself. However, some people take that time to continue to distract themselves with the sins of this world. Sin and evil are sometimes referred to as those things which separate us from God. What will resonate with the people of my generation is that temptations from substances and experiences separate us from ourselves. In everything we do, we have the choice to follow impulses that will define us. So, tread lightly. In all decisions, we are faced with several options of varying degrees and from various sources. They fall into two categories: natural impulses and nurtured reactions. Yet, these choices aren't really "choices" in the traditional sense. They exercise the logic faculty, but not our agency. However, there is a third category, and that is the one from God, our free will. We truly exercise our free will when we act within our most innate and spiritual desire to connect with God. And that which is closest to God is our True Self, our soul. You are always faced with decisions, none particularly good or bad, but those which vary in pleasure and opportunity cost. The only choices that take us above our impulses and carnal desires and really make us humans (in the image of God) are those which align with the will of God, namely love, peace, and joy.