I guess I've been thinking a lot about what is really important in life. Recently I watched a documentary called The Human Experience, about a boy who decided he really wanted to seize the human perspective. He spent time living as a homeless person in the streets of New York. He worked as a volunteer in a South American children's home. He visited with people in a Ghanaian leper colony. It just made me wonder, what is this thing that we do? This life that we live? Is it survival or is it living? Do we find wisdom in our daily life? Can we see God's hand in everything we do? But maybe questions are not important. A wise person knows that they don't all need to be answered. To experience wonder is the greatest joy of all. They say that suffering is a journey deeper into the heart of life.
Pleasure is fleeing. Our next meal won't last us very long. Our next relationship probably won't work out. Even though we sleep every night, we still never have enough. And we never will. The Human Experience is knowledge. Not sex, not a good meal, not a first kiss, not a long nap, not a pay raise, not a new pair of shoes. It is perspective. There are some things that are universal to all humans. Find those things. Because for the person who wants to live, it won't matter how painful it is. Risk and fear become small parts of the mind, overshadowed by a more enduring feeling. Hope. Purpose. Everyone needs to know that they have some small and unique contribution to the world. It's the idea that "Just like playing music, each of us has our musical note that we have to play. And if you know that's your note, then no one can play that music. The whole composition is waiting for you to play your note."
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Our Search for Happiness
But pleasures are like poppies spread:
You seize the flow’r, its bloom is shed;
Or like the snow falls in the river,
A moment white—then melts for ever;
Or like the borealis race,
That flit ere you can point their place;
Or like the rainbow’s lovely form
Evanishing amid the storm.
(“Tam o’ Shanter,” in The Complete Poetical Works of Robert Burns [1897], 91, lines 59–66)
Pleasure never was happiness.
The problem is that too many of us try to consume happiness rather than generate it. Shakespeare expressed a philosophy inAs You Like It that seems commendable:
“I am a true labourer: I earn that I eat, get that I wear; owe no man hate, envy no man’s happiness; glad of other men’s good” (act 3, scene 2, lines 65–67).
Another poet said:
Success is speaking words of praise,
In cheering other people’s ways,
In doing just the best you can
With every task and every plan.
It’s silence when your speech would hurt,
Politeness when your neighbor’s curt.
It’s deafness when the scandal flows
And sympathy with others’ woes.
It’s loyalty when duty calls.
It’s courage when disaster falls.
It’s patience when the hours are long.
It’s found in laughter and in song.
It’s in the silent time of prayer,
In happiness and in despair.
In all of life and nothing less,
We find the thing we call success.
Through every trial you should be proud God had the confidence that you could do this. Happiness does not stem from the solution to a problem, but from the personal development we go through. Hardships breeds perspective. Opposition breeds esteem. Instead of saying "Why me?" Say "Thank you" instead.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
100 things you didn't know about me :)
1. I have very ugly feet. They are all scared up from years of dancing on them. (Pointe shoes are never easy on the feet.) I used to dance so much that I left blood trails wherever I walked around the house.
2. All growing up people always accidently broke my glasses. I had to wear them all taped up like Harry Potter. These happened in a variety of ways. Once a boy punched me in the face when he got in a fight with another boy. Another boy hit me in the face with a lunch box when he was trying to throw it to me. Another time my friend hit me in the face with a pool noodle during P.E. A dog chewed them up once. Bad luck. I hate glasses.
3. I love infectious diseases. I want to study them.
4. I am super squeamish. So much for working with infectious diseases.
5. I can't stand bad smells. I'm no clean freak except for when it comes to things that smell bad. Clutter is fine.
6. I love lists. I constantly have them all around me. My hands always have quick lists written on them.
7. I hate doing dishes. They smell bad. (Refer to number 5)
8. I hate clothes. I don't like wearing clothes. If I had a choice I probably wouldn't wear them.
9. I want another excuse to wear my prom dress. It is so beautiful. It should be worn more than once.
10. I have people in my life that I admire and look up to. Not very many, but there are a few.
11. I wish I was better at crafts. I intend to get better.
12. I pray all the time. I never forget to say a prayer. But I have a really hard time remembering to read my scriptures. This is strange because I love to read!
13. Since I was about 2, I have never not been in the middle of reading a book. I read constantly, although through college it has been more difficult to do so. As a kid I would read all day, and finish a book a day. I was best friends with my librarian. I would even read at the table as I ate.
14. I have worked in a school library as a TA. Twice. Once in 8th grade and once in 12th. Best job of my life.
15. I never napped as a kid. I would do everything I could to avoid it. I would usually pass out around dinner time and sleep in my food. Ask my mother for pictures.
16. When I was a kid I told my friends they couldn't play with me if they didn't wear pink dresses. So we all wore pink dresses.
17. I have very bad hearing. This leads to very comedic results at times.
18. I love to be barefoot.
19. Fall, winter, spring, and summer is my favorite season.
20. I lover garage sales and thrift shops. And bargain shopping. And coupons :)
21. I love to write poetry, although I may not be good at it.
22. I love to read poetry. I find it very inspiring.
23. For fun I read the news. Usually the justice section because I like to read about crimes. Weird, I know :)
24. I'm really into feather hair extensions.
25. Sometimes I'm pretty sure I was born in the wrong decade.
26. I'm currently on a fruit and veggie diet. Nothing but fruit and veggies for 10 days! It's hard :(
27. I really like food. I wish I was a better cook.
28. I may be a horrible cook, but I am excellent at cleaning.
29. I have just started my own dance crew.
30. I have been a cheerleading coach.
31. I really really really like cats. I fully expect to start my own farm when I grow up.
32. I am a hoarder and a pack rat. I have to keep everything. I think that everything has sentimental value. I still have wrapping paper from my 9th birthday party. I have no idea what the present was, I'm sure I still have that too, but I know I kept and have the wrapping paper.
33. I have never seen an R rated movie. I'm trying to make it stay that way.
34. I prefer to drive scooters to cars. Cuter and way more fun.
35. I'm terrified of heights. Even working on the 4th floor of my building scares me.
36. I'm also scared of spiders. Once I was home alone and had to get one of my neighbors to come and kill a spider in the bathtub for me. Luckily we were friends :)
37. I hate to travel, but I love to see new places! I just hate the actual traveling part (riding in cars for hours.)
38. I go through phases where I am obsessed with certain things. I always have. I have a very addictive personality. Even when I was a year old, my grandparents would come over and I wouldn't talk to them till Aladdin was over. And then I watched it over and over again.
39. I'm working hard to quit worrying about my problems so much, and start worrying about helping others instead.
40.I hated disneyland, but I loved seaworld!
42. I used to be a pretty good painter and sketcher, but I stopped practicing so I'm not good anymore. Same goes for piano.
43. Sometimes I can't be around boys because I think they smell bad and I can't handle it.
44. I collect giant microbes! Cutest things ever! Look them up here: http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/main/giantmicrobes-originals/
45. My favorite food in the whole world is ramen noodles :)
46. Someday I want to own my own library. And zoo.
47. Sometimes when I'm feeling down, I do something hard just to know that I can and it brings my spirits up again.
48. I hate to drive slow.
49. I have a certain pillow that whenever I sleep on it, I have nightmares. Evil pillow. Why don't I get rid of it? Please refer to #32.
50. I love gardens, but I have a black thumb and can't keep anything alive!
51. I love to study old medicine.
52. My first night after I was taken home from the hospital, I slept in a box because my parents didn't have a bed yet.
53. I love henna tattoos.
54. I'm no good with fashion. It takes everything I have just to look presentable.
55. When I was a kid I really thought I could fly. And if you told me otherwise I got really really angry cause I knew I could.
56. I don't have good dreams. I only have nightmares.
57. I hate dinosaurs. Which is another way of saying I'm scared of them.
58. I have the best family :)
59. I can only eat with plastic utensils because the sound and feel of teeth scraping on silverware makes me want to vomit. I can't hear other people do it either. It makes my brain itch.
60. I love to study the stars. I really want a telescope.
61. I love anklets.
62. I would love to be a gypsy, or an acrobat in a traveling circus.
63. My favorite Disney movie has always been The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
64. I have trouble swallowing and can't eat a lot of things. Pizza and oranges in particular are very hard to eat.
65. I like the smell of the air-conditioner in the car in the summer. It kicks the dust up and for some reason that is my favorite smell in the whole world.
66. I love music. And I love dancing. I love to choreograph dances.
67. Sometimes I get the urge to do something crazy dangerous. But then I don't cause I realize it's a really stupid idea.
68. I wish I could tan, but I just burn.
69. I love being a redhead.
70. I think... like so much! I am always thinking! Haha
71. I am passionate about so many things. But I think this drives me to accomplish so many things.
72. I get alone with everyone.
73. I actually really hate texting. I believe in real communication.
74. I feel like good things are ahead. And I am so excited for them.
75. I have way more makeup than any person really should.
76. I have the best parents in the world.
77. My mom usually has to pack for me when we go on trips. My idea of packing is 7 books and a few pairs of underwear.
78. I really want to learn how to pole dance. Not because I want to be a stripper or anything, but because real pole dancing takes so much strength and control. Look it up, it is truly amazing.
79. I think I'm afraid of being alone.
80. I have always worried about everything. It is only recently that I started trusting God with everything. Life is so much easier now.
81. I don't have a sweet tooth. If anything I have a salty tooth. I love salty, spicy, and full-flavored foods!
82. The swings are my favorite thing on the playground.
83. One day I want to live on a houseboat.
84. I have a thing for nerdy boys.
85. I'm kind of a homebody.
86. I love things that are whimsical.
87. I love beautiful places. Even just looking at pictures of rooms or scenery :)
88. Most people don't understand my sense of humor. It is very dry.
89. I always wish when I see that is 11:11. I'm actually pretty superstitious. I also always keep pennies that I find that are heads up. They are good luck :)
90. I have the worst spelling.
91. I have wanderlust. Look it up if you like.
92. I know that the sky is not my limit.
93. I can't ever remember how to use the laundry machine.
94. I'm definitely the wifey type :)
95. I never want to live a normal life. Sometimes I worry that the type of life I wish to live is only available in my daydreams.
96. I sometimes have jealousy issues. But I'm working on it :)
97. I love children.
98. I wish I could make more time to do the things that I love.
99. Politics frustrate me. No one is every right. No one can ever win.
100. I have come so far.
2. All growing up people always accidently broke my glasses. I had to wear them all taped up like Harry Potter. These happened in a variety of ways. Once a boy punched me in the face when he got in a fight with another boy. Another boy hit me in the face with a lunch box when he was trying to throw it to me. Another time my friend hit me in the face with a pool noodle during P.E. A dog chewed them up once. Bad luck. I hate glasses.
3. I love infectious diseases. I want to study them.
4. I am super squeamish. So much for working with infectious diseases.
5. I can't stand bad smells. I'm no clean freak except for when it comes to things that smell bad. Clutter is fine.
6. I love lists. I constantly have them all around me. My hands always have quick lists written on them.
7. I hate doing dishes. They smell bad. (Refer to number 5)
8. I hate clothes. I don't like wearing clothes. If I had a choice I probably wouldn't wear them.
9. I want another excuse to wear my prom dress. It is so beautiful. It should be worn more than once.
10. I have people in my life that I admire and look up to. Not very many, but there are a few.
11. I wish I was better at crafts. I intend to get better.
12. I pray all the time. I never forget to say a prayer. But I have a really hard time remembering to read my scriptures. This is strange because I love to read!
13. Since I was about 2, I have never not been in the middle of reading a book. I read constantly, although through college it has been more difficult to do so. As a kid I would read all day, and finish a book a day. I was best friends with my librarian. I would even read at the table as I ate.
14. I have worked in a school library as a TA. Twice. Once in 8th grade and once in 12th. Best job of my life.15. I never napped as a kid. I would do everything I could to avoid it. I would usually pass out around dinner time and sleep in my food. Ask my mother for pictures.
16. When I was a kid I told my friends they couldn't play with me if they didn't wear pink dresses. So we all wore pink dresses.
17. I have very bad hearing. This leads to very comedic results at times.
18. I love to be barefoot.
19. Fall, winter, spring, and summer is my favorite season.
20. I lover garage sales and thrift shops. And bargain shopping. And coupons :)
21. I love to write poetry, although I may not be good at it.
22. I love to read poetry. I find it very inspiring.
23. For fun I read the news. Usually the justice section because I like to read about crimes. Weird, I know :)
24. I'm really into feather hair extensions.
25. Sometimes I'm pretty sure I was born in the wrong decade.
26. I'm currently on a fruit and veggie diet. Nothing but fruit and veggies for 10 days! It's hard :(
27. I really like food. I wish I was a better cook.
28. I may be a horrible cook, but I am excellent at cleaning.
29. I have just started my own dance crew.
30. I have been a cheerleading coach.
31. I really really really like cats. I fully expect to start my own farm when I grow up.
32. I am a hoarder and a pack rat. I have to keep everything. I think that everything has sentimental value. I still have wrapping paper from my 9th birthday party. I have no idea what the present was, I'm sure I still have that too, but I know I kept and have the wrapping paper.
33. I have never seen an R rated movie. I'm trying to make it stay that way.
34. I prefer to drive scooters to cars. Cuter and way more fun.
35. I'm terrified of heights. Even working on the 4th floor of my building scares me.
36. I'm also scared of spiders. Once I was home alone and had to get one of my neighbors to come and kill a spider in the bathtub for me. Luckily we were friends :)
37. I hate to travel, but I love to see new places! I just hate the actual traveling part (riding in cars for hours.)
38. I go through phases where I am obsessed with certain things. I always have. I have a very addictive personality. Even when I was a year old, my grandparents would come over and I wouldn't talk to them till Aladdin was over. And then I watched it over and over again.
39. I'm working hard to quit worrying about my problems so much, and start worrying about helping others instead.
40.I hated disneyland, but I loved seaworld!
42. I used to be a pretty good painter and sketcher, but I stopped practicing so I'm not good anymore. Same goes for piano.43. Sometimes I can't be around boys because I think they smell bad and I can't handle it.
44. I collect giant microbes! Cutest things ever! Look them up here: http://www.giantmicrobes.com/us/main/giantmicrobes-originals/
45. My favorite food in the whole world is ramen noodles :)
46. Someday I want to own my own library. And zoo.
47. Sometimes when I'm feeling down, I do something hard just to know that I can and it brings my spirits up again.
48. I hate to drive slow.
49. I have a certain pillow that whenever I sleep on it, I have nightmares. Evil pillow. Why don't I get rid of it? Please refer to #32.
50. I love gardens, but I have a black thumb and can't keep anything alive!
51. I love to study old medicine.
52. My first night after I was taken home from the hospital, I slept in a box because my parents didn't have a bed yet.
53. I love henna tattoos.
54. I'm no good with fashion. It takes everything I have just to look presentable.
55. When I was a kid I really thought I could fly. And if you told me otherwise I got really really angry cause I knew I could.
56. I don't have good dreams. I only have nightmares.
57. I hate dinosaurs. Which is another way of saying I'm scared of them.
58. I have the best family :)
59. I can only eat with plastic utensils because the sound and feel of teeth scraping on silverware makes me want to vomit. I can't hear other people do it either. It makes my brain itch.60. I love to study the stars. I really want a telescope.
61. I love anklets.
62. I would love to be a gypsy, or an acrobat in a traveling circus.
63. My favorite Disney movie has always been The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
64. I have trouble swallowing and can't eat a lot of things. Pizza and oranges in particular are very hard to eat.
65. I like the smell of the air-conditioner in the car in the summer. It kicks the dust up and for some reason that is my favorite smell in the whole world.
66. I love music. And I love dancing. I love to choreograph dances.
67. Sometimes I get the urge to do something crazy dangerous. But then I don't cause I realize it's a really stupid idea.68. I wish I could tan, but I just burn.
69. I love being a redhead.
70. I think... like so much! I am always thinking! Haha
71. I am passionate about so many things. But I think this drives me to accomplish so many things.
72. I get alone with everyone.
73. I actually really hate texting. I believe in real communication.
74. I feel like good things are ahead. And I am so excited for them.
75. I have way more makeup than any person really should.
76. I have the best parents in the world.
77. My mom usually has to pack for me when we go on trips. My idea of packing is 7 books and a few pairs of underwear.
78. I really want to learn how to pole dance. Not because I want to be a stripper or anything, but because real pole dancing takes so much strength and control. Look it up, it is truly amazing.
79. I think I'm afraid of being alone.
80. I have always worried about everything. It is only recently that I started trusting God with everything. Life is so much easier now.
81. I don't have a sweet tooth. If anything I have a salty tooth. I love salty, spicy, and full-flavored foods!
82. The swings are my favorite thing on the playground.
83. One day I want to live on a houseboat.
84. I have a thing for nerdy boys.
85. I'm kind of a homebody.
86. I love things that are whimsical.
87. I love beautiful places. Even just looking at pictures of rooms or scenery :)88. Most people don't understand my sense of humor. It is very dry.
89. I always wish when I see that is 11:11. I'm actually pretty superstitious. I also always keep pennies that I find that are heads up. They are good luck :)
90. I have the worst spelling.
91. I have wanderlust. Look it up if you like.
92. I know that the sky is not my limit.
93. I can't ever remember how to use the laundry machine.
94. I'm definitely the wifey type :)
95. I never want to live a normal life. Sometimes I worry that the type of life I wish to live is only available in my daydreams.
96. I sometimes have jealousy issues. But I'm working on it :)
97. I love children.
98. I wish I could make more time to do the things that I love.
99. Politics frustrate me. No one is every right. No one can ever win.
100. I have come so far.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Everyone has a weakness.
but I have two.
Everything you say,
and everything you do.
Hey self,
Everything you say,
and everything you do.
Hey self,
You deserve better.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Playlists :)
Most epic playlist ever:
1. Panic Switch-Silversun
2. Cosmic Love- Florence and the Machine
3. Hide and Seek- Imogen Heap (Dubstep Remix)
4. Scars-Basement Jaxx
5. Take off (LXD Mix)- Hellboy (District 78)
6. Lords of Acid-The Crablouse
7. Nero-Innocence
8. Kerli- She's in Parties
9. Come for Me- Linkin Park
10. Power- Kanye West
11. Savior- Rise Against
12. My Leftovers- Porcelin and the Tramps
13. Brick by Boring Brick- Paramore
14. Mirrors- Natalia Kills
15. Fireball- Dev
Sweetest playlist ever:
1. Gravity- Sara Bariallis
2. Kate Nash- Nicest thing
3. Regina Spector- Samson
4. Heavy in your arms- Florence and the Machine
5. Sia- Breath Me
6. Muse- Undisclosed Desires
7. Fine Frenzy- We stood up
8. Odd Project- Love
9. Sia- My Love
10. A Fine Frenzy- Rangers
11. Venus Hum- Hummingbirds
12. Gary Jules- Mad World
13. Cruel Black Dove- Love Song
14. Miriam Stockley- Perfect Day
15. Sick Puppies- All the same
16. Adele- Hometown Glory
1. Panic Switch-Silversun
2. Cosmic Love- Florence and the Machine
3. Hide and Seek- Imogen Heap (Dubstep Remix)
4. Scars-Basement Jaxx
5. Take off (LXD Mix)- Hellboy (District 78)
6. Lords of Acid-The Crablouse
7. Nero-Innocence
8. Kerli- She's in Parties
9. Come for Me- Linkin Park
10. Power- Kanye West
11. Savior- Rise Against
12. My Leftovers- Porcelin and the Tramps
13. Brick by Boring Brick- Paramore
14. Mirrors- Natalia Kills
15. Fireball- Dev
Sweetest playlist ever:
1. Gravity- Sara Bariallis
2. Kate Nash- Nicest thing
3. Regina Spector- Samson
4. Heavy in your arms- Florence and the Machine
5. Sia- Breath Me
6. Muse- Undisclosed Desires
7. Fine Frenzy- We stood up
8. Odd Project- Love
9. Sia- My Love
10. A Fine Frenzy- Rangers
11. Venus Hum- Hummingbirds
12. Gary Jules- Mad World
13. Cruel Black Dove- Love Song
14. Miriam Stockley- Perfect Day
15. Sick Puppies- All the same
16. Adele- Hometown Glory
Music always makes up for something
Thursday, March 24, 2011
I dream because it's the only way it can ever happen.
I like the bed I'm sleeping in,
It's just like me,
It's broken in.
It's not old,
Just older...
Like a favorite pair of torn blue jeans,
The skin I'm in
Is alright with me,
It's not old,
It's just like me,
It's broken in.
It's not old,
Just older...
Like a favorite pair of torn blue jeans,
The skin I'm in
Is alright with me,
It's not old,
Just older.
--JBJ
Monday, March 14, 2011
Things that guarantee happiness.
list:
1. Learn to live your values.
2. Become closer to God.
3. Become less dependent on the opinions of others.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
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