Things I Believe In

I believe in saying "please" and "thank you"

I believe that people are to be cherished and not used

I believe in the power of literature and the importance of literacy, which are both gifts we ought to share with the world

I believe God works and communicates to us through those close to us

I believe Jimmy Eat World is the best band ever

I believe fantasy and myth offer compelling truths on reality

I believe that happiness is a choice, but that we can't make ourselves happy...if that makes sense

I believe KU won't win another national title during my lifetime, simply because I so fervently desire them to do so

I believe God does not wish us to be idle, and that the unhappiness and discontent that follow long durations of it offer proof that God wants us to live up to our potentials and do great things with our lives

I believe in the universality of the Moral Law: that we all know inherently how we ought to act and behave to one another

I believe in telling people what they mean to you

I believe that love is a verb

I believe in the wisdom of Yoda, Dumbledore, Gandalf, and Mr. Miyagi

I believe we need each other

I believe television poisons minds and destroys morals

I believe in the power of fellowship

I believe in satire as an effective means of criticism

I believe my family is wonderful

I'm beginning to believe in "tough love''

I believe in the importance of laughter

I believe in the necessity of pain

I believe in delayed gratification

I believe televangelists are not to be trusted

I believe God is not finished molding me or you

I believe money provides security, but not happiness

I believe that two opposing forces constantly battle in our thoughts, and that this tension offers compelling proof of spiritual warfare

I believe in being a Gentleman

I believe it takes more faith to be an atheist than to be a Christian

I believe a lot of people get married too young and too quickly

I believe that authentic relationships are worth the vulnerability

I believe character is more imporant (though less valued by society) than appearance, wealth and fame

I believe compassion the answer to many of the world's problems

I believe honest doubt trumps blind belief

Cheating Icy Death

So I woke up at around 6:45 this morning after a lovely three hours sleep. Restless, I arose and decided to go about my day a few hours earlier than normal. I've been rummaging through assorted boxes I brought back from college, and I stumbled upon something my friends may find amusing. I was required to write a life experience in 2nd person narrative for Feature Writing. Here's what I turned in:

Inside your friend's SUV, your ears begin to pop as the elevation climbs higher and higher. You're on spring break, destination: Durango, CO. You've been looking forward to this for quite some time, a chance to finally escape the confines of classrooms and the various dramtics of your college life, which at times--much to your chagrin--strongly resembles an episode of Dawson's Creek.

The prospect of seeing mountains and experiencing the outdoors excites you even more than the fact that, for a week, you have absolutely no agenda. No concerns at all, except for that paper on Huckleberry Finn that'll be due within a week of your return. That can wait; it is time to frolic in the woods, imbibe the pine, and be free. Above all, it's time to do something both indisputably manly and profoundly stupid.

You encourage several of your friends to climb the mountain behind the resort. Some reluctantly agree at last and fill their backpacks with bottled water and walkie talkies. When the testosterone flows becomes palpable, your entourage sets foot to the trail in the middle of the afternoon. You don't really consider the amount of time it'll take to reach the top and return before the darkness sets, nor are you particularly concerned with your attire--a pair of Chuck Taylor's, ankle length socks, a pair of jeans, and a hoodie.

Undaunted, you plod through the snow (which is at least two feet deep) to the base of the mountain. Some of your number wise up--or chicken out (man rhetoric)--and drop out. They endure the jeers from the remaining three Neanderthals as they return safely to the resort. Proud Chief of the Neanderthals, you lead the way forth. You tell yourself you have a point to prove, but to whom you know not.

As the incline becomes increasingly steep, the ice cuts into your pathetic shoes and you begin to feel sharp pain in your feet and ankles. The situation does not improve. You switch with David and Lee as the designated leader, whose job is to plod a path of footprints so the followers don't have to sink into snow with each step. The destination seems to near, but you are more concerned with your feet and the setting sun--it'll undoubtedly be dark shortly after you reach the top. You brave the pain. "It has become a matter of pride," you tell yourself.

At last you reach what appears the closest thing to the clearing. Behold, you are on top of the world's shortest mountain. It's difficult to enjoy the moment, you know that you have to get to the bottom of the mountain very soon. After a few primal screams of triumph, you encourage the others that it's time to get down and get warm. It's the best idea you've had all day.

The descent proves much more perilous and painful than you could have imagined. The temperature drops dramatically and darkness sets in about 20 minutes into your descent. You can't safely walk down, so you're forced to sit, rendering your buttocks a most painful sliding apparatus. You start to worry about frostbite. You've seen those poor souls on the Discovery channel with blackened fingers.

The experience hits rock bottom when you see David lose his footing, fall, and barrel roll down the mountain. His forward motion is violently stopped by a tree...which he meets head first. You panic. What else can you do? You start yelling his name repeatedly. He doesn't answer. You immediately assume the worst.

Suddenly, he speaks. He's okay. It's time to get off this mountain. You contact the "pansies" sitting comfortably back in the resort via walkie talkie and relate the situation to them. Though you think it futile, the guys decide to come out in the car and attempt to find you. You no longer have any feeling below your shins...or in your buttocks.

At last, just before you profanely curse your existence and look for an icy tomb into which you can crawl, you catch sight of the most glorious vision yet to bless your eyes--the bottom of the mountain, the road, and your rescue team waiting in the SUV. Your icy hell has subsided. The friends graciously escort you back to the resort's pool area, which is thankfully equipped with a sauna. You literally thaw out and bless the heavens when you realize you aren't going to lose any appendages.

You wake up the next morning wondering if what had happened the previous night was merely a figment of your imagination. You decide it was real and scoff at Death's icy grasp which you so daringly escaped. Then you realize you almost died. The room seems suddenly much colder.

You shrug your shoulders and decide upon a warm spring break destination for next year.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Understanding Women...

Could someone please write it?

Giving up the chase

"Since we are always planning to be happy, it is inevitable that we should never be so."

Blaise Pascal

A pensive mood waylaid me today while I continued my painting project...I'm sorry if it doesn't flow very well, but it needed to come out.

We spend an awful lot of time trying to figure out how we can be more happy. Regrettably, other people can become the well from which we attempt to extract as much joy or validation as possible. We don't care about the trail of tears or devastation left in our wake, as our happiness is a goal no mere mortal will deny us. Once we've siphoned as much amusement as possible from a person or object (frightening how often we treat them the same), we pack up and move on to something else. New relationships, new toys, etc. Far too many have adopted this philosophy on life...but tell me, how well does this attempt at securing happiness succeed?

I believe many of us think that if we just had that one thing we're missing (be it a relationship, a job, some material object...fill in the blank), that we'd somehow be okay. And so we labor in vain to procure the missing piece to the jigsaw puzzle. I think there's a reason God denies us certain things in life. In our Wednesday night Bible study, we watched one of Rob Bell's "Nooma" videos. He related an episode he had with his 5 year old son in the mall. It's something we all remember from childhood (at least those of us who weren't completely spoiled): the kid sees something spectacular dangling from a kiosk, and his eyes light up. "Daddy, I NEEEEED it!!!" Of course, the parent knows that the child certainly does not need the toy, it may even be harmful to him.

Bell discussed the perspective of the parent in relation to that of the child. The parent obviously possesses the wider perspective, knowing better than the child what he/she really needs and does not need. You could cater to every fancy of your child, but would that really be helping your child? Would it really demonstrate love? The correlation to our relationship with God ought to be obvious. Is it not possible that God knows better than we do what's good for us? God possesses an infinitely deeper knowledge than ours, and must at times deny us what deem the "missing piece." It's important to remember (and to believe) that God does this with best interest at heart: Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Donald Miller drew a cartoon in his book Blue Like Jazz, which depicts Don Rabbit's pursuit of Sexy Carrot. The rabbit chases the carrot throughout the state, across the country, and to the moon. At long last, Don Rabbit succeeds with a desperation lunge. Then, Miller presents the following moral: "If you work hard, stay focused, and never give up, you will eventually get what you want out of life." But on the next page, the Rabbit is dead--having choked on the carrot. Miller says that "I think the things we want most in life, the things we think will set us free, are not the things we need...sometimes the things we want most in life are the things that will kill us."

Here's to giving up the chase for happiness, which was, from the inception of humanity, a fool's errand. I don't mean that to sound so bleak, but I think we do ourselves and others a disservice by making happiness our end goal.

Jimmy and Harry

Preface: It's been too long since I have utilized writing as my creative, therapeutic outlet. Being several months removed from my beloved Opinions Editor post, my muse grows weary with my continued negligence. Sorry, muse. Prepare then, all ye brave and faitful, for my random musings, rants, and (hopefully) insights.

Friday, July 20 was one of the better days in recent memory. I had anticipated the release of The Deathly Hallows since finishing book 6 a couple weeks ago. Ergo, the release of the newest book already dictated that this heavenly decreed a good day.

The day improved exponentially when my brother Nick interrupted my painting project, bearing the good tidings of Jimmy Eat World appearing that night in Lawrence at the old Granada theatre. Ticket price? A paltry sum of $20.

Me, Jimmy, and Harry, joined together by some miraculous alignment of the stars.

We arrived at around a quarter till 8 and amicably endured the subdued, Indy opening act for the next half hour. --DOWN WITH OPENING ACTS-- After what seemed like aeons, watching the tech crew ensure each of J.E.W.'s 57 guitars operated properly, my favorite band took the stage. The place was tightly packed and it wasn't long before the sweat drops began to cascade down my face, back, etc. (too much information?). I didn't mind in the slightest. Looking around and taking in the audience reception of Jimmy, the concert seemed the equivalent of a religious experience for many. Hands were raised, eyes were closed, and Jimmy was praised.

I was pleased to glean just how much the band seemed to be enjoying their performance, as I'm sure they have slightly cooler places to visit than Lawrence, KS. Though appalled that they never played "Sweetness," they did play my favorite song of theirs, a lesser known from the Clarity album entitled "For Me This is Heaven." I was in heaven.

Part II of blissful day commenced upon our arrival to Hasting's to collect Deathly Hallows. The transition from Rock and Roll to the world of Nerdery was somehow seamless that night. I strolled past a portly wizard stationed at a table bearing the sorting hat, conducting a sorting ceremony for all aspiring witches and wizards. Gathering amusement as I spotted a pretty accurate childhood portrayal of Draco Malfoy, I almost lamented not giving in fully to my nerdery by ariving in costume. Almost.

The waiting wasn't quite as bad as I expected, nor the chaos as chaotic as I expected. Nick reported younglings casting unforgiveable curses upon one antother. Oh, to be young again...

I devoured a pot of coffee and various leftover food items because finally keeling over at 5 a.m. Thus ended my night of heaven on earth.

More to come on life, love, and graduate school.

Peace and good tidings.