Hockey Tough > NBA tough

This article is funny because it's true!

Oh YEAH!

How can I ever write anything else?

The closer something is to Truth the more impossible it is to put into words, but at the same time it is incredibly easy.

Love for all.

Wash your veggies

I brought some grapes into work and several people asked me if I had washed them due to the possibility that they might have dangerous pesticides on them.

So then I was thinking that 100 years ago if you asked that question you would be laughed at.

Just struck me as interesting.

Your thoughts?

The most popular drink in the world

(behind water of course)

Ok, so I really don't want to be 'that guy' raving about the tea but I thought this graphic was interesting and informative.

If everyone prayed like this

The world would be a better place

Poll: Best Non-Sex feeling ever

Best Non-Sex feeling ever
	The feeling when you first wake up but you don't have to get out of bed yet
	The feeling after vacating a VERY full bowel
	Dangling a cool metal chain over your hand and slowly lowering it down so it collects in your palm
	Crushing your enemies, seeing them driven before you, and hearing the lamentations of their women

Nerd Gangs: The new urban threat

Gives 'tags' a whole new meaning.

Mini Blog 1

I was going through some of my old notebooks, many that are full of incomplete thoughts. I decided I am going to start posting them. Perhaps eventually I will expound upon them, but for now enjoy not having to read too much.


Unity and Diversity
Diversity was built by God for the purpose of making perfect unity. Unity is not sameness, it is not universal conformity, it is diverse parts being brought into oneness.
(From August 2011)

To add to that: Diversity is not a divergence from God's perfect plan. It is a part of the method for executing his perfect plan.

Good Intentions?

This photo showed up in my Facebook feed a few days ago.

Ok...

So I appreciate the message behind this ad. Definitely some good things to think about. Also, I am NOT the model example of correct grammar and spelling. But seriously:

"After 3 Month Better the lung 30%" - WTF?!?!

"After 8 Hours Out Extra (CO) From Your Body" - I personally like to capitalize every word while simultaneously failing to make any sense, but the literary community has some different views. Also I think we may be blazing into some new territory with the verb 'out'. I guess that 'Extra (CO)' was in the closet somehow.

"After 12 Weeks Your lungs recover the ability clean itself" - So now "lungs" is singular. I guess I'm no expert on biology but I'm fairly sure that the human lungs aren't smushed together into a singular unit...

"After 1 Year Less than your risk of heart disease to half" - Um....hmmmm...............yup, nuff said.

Poll: How critical am I being?

(1) Not critical enough

(2) Just critical enough

(3) Way too critical

(4) Too Way Just Critical Enough

Paradoxes: The hidden keys to Truth

par·a·dox

 

noun

1.

a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory orabsurd but in reality expresses a possible truth.

I believe that all the greatest Truths in life lie at the heart of a paradox. The reason they are so controversial is that paradoxes are impossible to fathom. In trying to understand how two seemingly opposite and exclusive ideas simultaneously exist and are intertwined in a greater idea is outside of our scope of understanding (in its fullest). It is much easier to understand a singular aspect of a paradox which is what many people fall into. Humans are capable of understanding one side of a paradox nearly perfectly with a lot of time, study, and practice (even if they are incapable of acting on that understanding). In fact, the only way that we can marry two seemly opposing views is through some sort of compromise.

An example of this is in the Faith vs Deeds dichotomy. In reading through passages like Ephesians 2:8-9 as well Luke 10:38-42 it is clear that deeds in and of themselves have very little inherent value. What we do pales in comparison to what we believe. It is what is inside that counts. But then again deeds are extremely important right? Faith without deeds is dead? What kind of a person sails through life on belief without ever doing anything about it, without changing based on that belief? So perhaps actions truly do speak louder than words in that our actions are the best way to determine what other people believe? What is inside you always eventually pops through to the outside for all to see. But then again everyone sins, no one is perfect. Then why is it that very many people feel they have to perform a certain way to be accepted by many religious circles? What is the deal with faith and deeds?

As you can see there are definitely two different sides to this issue. And, in this case, it should be fairly apparent that there are true aspects to both sides. People tend to gravitate towards one side or the other at different times, often swinging back and fourth between the two sides. In other areas, perhaps ones where a marriage of two aspects of a paradox are harder to understand, there are much clearer party lines. Boarders are drawn, factions form, battles wage.

The key in seeking the Truth is knowing that there is almost always another side to the coin. And although on the surface it may not seem to hold much water, if you keep an open mind, always seeking the truth in everything, you should find that the truth lies deep inside a complex marriage between both sides. And since we are unable to fully understand these complexities, it is alright to admit to an imperfect understanding of these paradoxes.


I really want to know what you think of this idea. Are there any other similar paradoxes that you have noticed/thought about?

Retro Post: Franny, Zooey, and success

I was looking through one of my old journals and found this. It was some thoughts of mine when I was reading "Franny and Zooey" by J.D. Salinger. It's funny looking back at how I thought when I was younger how many themes persist and how many have changed. Lately I have been thinking a lot about the paradox that you can only truly attain something of value if you are content without it. If you can't come to peace with reality then you can never progress in a positive meaningful way (obviously not a complete picture). But anyway, hope you enjoy this:


People need things. We all have a part of us that feels empty and we tend to fill it with things. Sometimes we start to need those things in order to escape the feelings of emptiness.

If you need something perhaps you don't deserve it; perhaps you aren't ready to really have it.

I feel like some people need to be successful. I have always thought very critically of success. It seems logical and desirable by society, but somewhat contrary to the life and teachings of Jesus. But most importantly success is dangerous. Success changes you. Success can be a very selfish endeavor. Some people need success. It drives them, the spotlight, respect, power, money, success. I fear success.

"I'm sick of not having the courage to be an absolute nobody." Zooey in Franny and Zooey p30 [context: Zooey is a famous actor struggling with happiness in the light of apparent success]

I'm alright being a nobody. Or at least I need to be alright with it. Maybe if I need success I shouldn't have it. Maybe if I can't be nobody I shouldn't be somebody.

Hiked after work today. Reached my first summit of the season!

Bear peak via NCAR and Fern Canyon
~7 miles round trip
~3000ft elevation gain

Got a little video of the top, not great quality but meh.
Summit panorama here

The Journey: don't stop believing!

I do not consider a belief somehow 'backward' based on whether or not it is right or wrong. By basing judgement of beliefs on correctness you become chained to time. No one has a perfect understanding of truth. What was revelation becomes outdated by the mere passage of time. Enlightenment turns to backwardness in the matter of a few generations. The journey to perfection isn't about attaining perfect beliefs but in constantly realizing and coming to terms with our own imperfection.

Announcement:

I have removed most of my posts temporarily. I need to take some time and actually proofread and polish my thoughts.

Thanks Matthew Turner and jesusneedsnewpr

This is satire btw....hilarious

Explore Indie Flex - Playlist

If you know me at all you know that I am very much into music. I find that allowing myself to leave behind any sort of preconceived notions and ideas and letting a song move me where it will opens me to new kinds of feelings and ideas.

If you know me pretty well you know that I love playlists. I believe this is a combination of two of my other loves: music and ordering/categorizing. 

I have been messing around with a playlist which I thought I would post in case anyone wants to take a listen. Below is the Spotify link as well as a track list. There are likely a few songs you may be familiar with but hopefully many which you aren't. It is an exploration into Indie music with a wide scope of genre. (If you don't have Spotify I would highly recommend getting it)

Playlist: Explore Indie Flex

explore indie flex