Race

A social construction of history and society that has had detrimental effects in both realms. Since I can not speak for the world and their individual opinions I will only speak about my personal interaction with this idea of "race." Being a product of an interracial couple this idea of race has always perplexed me. When I looked in the mirror there was no definitive answer to my question of what color or race am I? I mean was I black, white, both and what were the repercussions of the decision I decided to make? To say the least there were and still are at times questions of what racial group I identify with. I began to realize that this idea of race was really the product of societal and historic events and mentalities. As I grew up I noticed that particular personality traits, or preferences were taken into consideration as the world determined what race to associate you with. I mean personally I know that I am both black and white (whatever that means) but I grew up with an affinity to being black. Even though people will constantly remind me that I was half white on the whole I always associate with my "blackness." When you really think about it this whole idea of race is pretty crazy. After you get past the point of decided who is what race/color then within that race/color there are even more distinctions to be made. Now I know that trying to make it so people don't see others as a color or stereotype is impossible I think we can definitely change our mentality towards race. People are people and they are who they are. The color of their skin does not dictate the music they like, the people they enjoy spending time with, or anything else. People have beliefs and ideologies that are not rooted in skin pigmentation but in the minds that we all as humans possess and hopefully utilize. I understand that our history and society has made race a HUGE issue but we still have the ability to affect the present and future perception and understanding of this social constructed concept. 

How are you doing?

Everyone in the world has been asked this question at one time or another. The conversation usually goes as follows:
John: Hey Jane how are you doing today?
Jane: Good John. How are you doing?
John: Good thanks.
And that is the entire conversation that revolves around asking another human being "how are you doing?" What puzzles me about this interaction and even this question is that nine times out of ten people don't answer truthfully. The probability that they will answer truthfully to an acquaintance is much lower than if that person was a close friend but even then the response may still be the same. Some people in this world will lie about how they are doing because they have an expectation that that particular friend should know already what is going on in their lives. On the flip side the person asking the question could just be following a social norm of asking how someone is when you see them even if you really could care less. I have two challenges for you as you finish reading this post. First, only ask this question if you genuinely care about that person and the response they may give. Second, if you are asked this question answer truthfully. I am not saying you have to pour your heart out to a random person who may ask, use your discretion. When are you are dealing with your close friends though just be honest with them, who else can you be honest with if not with them?

Deadmau5 "Ghosts 'n' Stuff"

Choices

 I was just reading Luke 15 where Jesus gives the parable of the lost son or prodigal son as it is usually called. Half way through the parable I had a minor revelation. Everything in life comes down to choices. Everything that makes you who you are, the legacy you build, and where you will spend eternity is the culmination of all the choices you have ever made in your entire life. From simple things such as eating that slice of cake to major things like choosing a wife; each choice is another step down a certain path. In regards to this parable the lost son made two very distinct and life altering choices. The first was to ask for his inheritance early and squander it on a life of "luxury." This life of "luxury" was very short lived and resulted in the son eating with the pigs. The second choice was just as important as the first but had a different result. He decided to return to his father's house and beg for forgiveness. Even though he knew the potential repercussions of his actions he MADE the choice any way. As you may or may not know the result was a welcome party like non other. This idea of the severe gravity of the choices we make every second can be extremely stressful to think about. There may always be fear in the back of your mind that you made the wrong decision. Making wrong decisions is inevitable in this life but it is what you learn and how you choose to live after that is what is important. I can understand when people, especially in movies, saw the reason they killed some one for example was because they had no choice. You ALWAYS have a choice it is whether or not you are willing to live with the consequences of that choice is what makes you who you are. People also often think that once they make one bad decision life is over or they have permanently ruined something in their lives. Some choices do have permanent consequences but there is always tomorrow; another day to make the right choices. So use the divine gift of choice everyday because it is one of your greatest strengths.    

Friendship

According to dictionary.com these are the definitions of friend and acquaintance.

Friend- a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
Acquaintance- a person known to one, but usually not a close friend. 

        I have been thinking for quite some time the difference between friends and acquaintances and what really makes that distinction. For a long time I thought acquaintances were simply people you met once or twice and maybe talk to once in a blue moon but you did not know them "like that." I thought that friends you talked to on a semi consistent basis, had several similarities, and talked about some deep stuff from time to time; however, my view has slightly changed. This issue of making the distinction between friend and acquaintance has become even more difficult in our society today because of social networking. You meet some one on a retreat or summer vacation, hang out for a little, so you add them on Facebook and you are "friends." Even though you will prob NEVER talk to this person they are still constituted as part of your friends list. Now i often add people I have met and let them sit on my friends list on Facebook. Even though I do this I also go "friend weeding" as I like to call it ever so often. I go through my list and see all the people there and delete those select amount that I never talk to or I don't even really know that well. This may seem mean or unnecessary but to use a drastic example I do not understand how people have 1000+ friends on Facebook and could possibly still be in touch with all of them on a regular basis. I do understand that some people are there for specific reasons such as business or other necessary things; however, we should not be distorted to think every last person is our friend. My definition of a friend is some one that cares for you in terms of emotional, spiritual, and even physically needs that you may have. Now some of you may say that this is a very selfish view of friendship but I also have learned that you being a friend to some one may be for their benefit and not yours but if are going to claim to be some one's friend shouldn't you take the time and energy to care about ALL of their needs. So my challenge to you is go through your mind or even your Facebook friend list and really think who you are actually friends with and who are the acquaintances.