By definition, there can only be one version of truth, because there are many lies, but there are only a handful of truths. Truth doesn't change, because then it would be lie. Truth has very strict limits, as you can see here. So, when confronted with two seemingly opposing ideas, who have both been proven as truth, there can only be ONE truth that they share. So the truth has to be the same, even if the ideas seem opposite.
I'm going to talk to you today about a contriversial topic that has been here since the dawn of time. Religion vs. Science. One who studies religion cannot deny its truthfulness, nor can one who studies science deny its truthfulness. If a person is open-minded, both of these things become truth and right. So if they both contain truth, and can only have one truth shared between them, both are true.
Does that mean that evolution fits in there? Yes, it does. What about the creation of the universe? That fits there, too. What about neanderthals and Cro-magnons. Definately. You can find a way to bridge ANY scientific topic to any religious topic. There is a way to explain everything.
The goal of the scientist and the pastor alike is the obtaining and applying of truth. Both strive to gain knowledge and use it in daily life. Their methods are the place where they are different. One relies on past knowledge, tools, etc., while the other relies on enlightenment. This explains why scientists discover more worldly things, while pastors and prophets discover spiritual matters.
So when you are concerned that although what you study in school and such has evidence to back it up, it may not be true, just remember that if you can prove something, it is truth. And truth is an important thing to obtain.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Happy
First off, I'm sorry that I haven't been posting comments on your blogs. My google account isn't working quite right, so I can't post any comments. I'm going to try and fix it, but it looks doubtful.
If you would have told me 6 weeks ago that I would feel like I do now, I would have laughed at you, and then shipped you to the looney bin. It would have been quite the joke! But now, there is no joke.
I don't know exactly what happened, or how it happened, but for some reason I'm happier now than I ever have been before. I feel... free. Unburdened. Grateful. It is a very strange soaring sensation that takes me above the clouds. I have so much that is going for me, so many people who are willing to be friends with me. It's an incredible feeling.
Sorry for this seemingly pointless post, but I would like to thank all of you (one in particular) for helping me to feel this way. You are all incredible!
If you would have told me 6 weeks ago that I would feel like I do now, I would have laughed at you, and then shipped you to the looney bin. It would have been quite the joke! But now, there is no joke.
I don't know exactly what happened, or how it happened, but for some reason I'm happier now than I ever have been before. I feel... free. Unburdened. Grateful. It is a very strange soaring sensation that takes me above the clouds. I have so much that is going for me, so many people who are willing to be friends with me. It's an incredible feeling.
Sorry for this seemingly pointless post, but I would like to thank all of you (one in particular) for helping me to feel this way. You are all incredible!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
The End...
It's been quite a year! Not only in my life, but on this blog too. I feel like I got my wish, and though few voices actually had the patience to read my writing, I got what I believe out there. I've talked about so many things that otherwise nobody would probably would even think about in their lifetimes, and it's been satisfying to know that perhaps I might have helped the country be a little better through the minds of a few Young Adults.
From my blogs about Politics, to the Environment, and then to the very things that make us human. Not only have I shared ideas on the most basic things of humanity, I have also gained ideas. Ideas from people such as Ghandi, Stephen Biko, my Geography teacher, my English teacher, and my friends. I have learned much, and I still have much to learn.
I have loved writing this blog all year. It has improved my writing skills, and allowed me to interact with my classmates on level I have never before experienced. I have grown incredibly, and have connected myself with the world better.
I would like to thank all of those who made this blog possible: Mr. T, my dedicated Honors English teacher, who introduced me into this world. The Music Man, who's comments have often sent my mind reeling for hours at a time. The Ruler Of The World, who's critisism has helped me to take a hard look at myself and what I write. Mystique, who's comments have helped to increase my sense of being in the world. Fermata, who always has something intriguing to say that gives me a sense of wonder.
And finally The Girl From Cedar City, who has cheered me up on many a sad day.
This is not the END end, of course. I will continue to write this blog and stay up to date with the rest of the people who will continue to write theirs. This is simply the end of honors english and ninth grade.
I hope you guys still have some patience left in you, because it isn't over till it's over!
Adrian.
From my blogs about Politics, to the Environment, and then to the very things that make us human. Not only have I shared ideas on the most basic things of humanity, I have also gained ideas. Ideas from people such as Ghandi, Stephen Biko, my Geography teacher, my English teacher, and my friends. I have learned much, and I still have much to learn.
I have loved writing this blog all year. It has improved my writing skills, and allowed me to interact with my classmates on level I have never before experienced. I have grown incredibly, and have connected myself with the world better.
I would like to thank all of those who made this blog possible: Mr. T, my dedicated Honors English teacher, who introduced me into this world. The Music Man, who's comments have often sent my mind reeling for hours at a time. The Ruler Of The World, who's critisism has helped me to take a hard look at myself and what I write. Mystique, who's comments have helped to increase my sense of being in the world. Fermata, who always has something intriguing to say that gives me a sense of wonder.
And finally The Girl From Cedar City, who has cheered me up on many a sad day.
This is not the END end, of course. I will continue to write this blog and stay up to date with the rest of the people who will continue to write theirs. This is simply the end of honors english and ninth grade.
I hope you guys still have some patience left in you, because it isn't over till it's over!
Adrian.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Masquerade
Masks. Hundreds upon hundreds upon hundreds. All lined up in neat little rows, ready to go on in a moment's notice. The alarm clock rings. The Masquerade begins. Who knows what masks I will need today? What I do know is that I need them. Every single one of them. Anything could happen.
I know this is a ominous start to my post, but this second to last post is a thing that I have considered for many years, and I want the mood to feel a little dark. Of course, the masquerade is symbolic. Symbolic of Life. Each mask is a symbol of how you interact and act like around each person or circumstance.
Imagine a masquerade with hundreds of people in it. Now imagine that for each one you put on a different mask. This is very similar to life. We interact with people, places, and things constantly, and our attitude and outlook changes. For example if you are playing video games, you are happier and brighter than when you are doing your math homework.
A person interacts with other persons around him/her in different ways. The way you talk to Johnny is different from how you talk to Suzie. Every single person you know has a mask in your mind. When you meet that person and interact with them, you slip your mask on and dance your dance.
Of course, this is because of human nature, and because everybody is different and unique, but while this is true there is a very real danger of losing the self. You can be caught up so much in being popular that you don't ever take your mask off. All you can think about is the next mask, the next person, the next social event. Masks can also lead to an opposite effect, where the person remains silent inside a special quiet mask that prevents them from dancing with others.
Being yourself is a very hard thing to do. Showing your real face, and being proud to do it is an immense accomplishment that nobody fully accomplishes in this life. It is a striving which requires effort from all fronts, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or any other aspect of humanity. There are certain times of peace for everybody, though, when they slip off the mask for a bit. When you decide to do something strange, or thy something new, you step out of the comfort of the mask.
Doing such things requires great courage. Courage that does not come easily to any one human. I often do not acquire the courage to be myself, which always hurts me in the long run. We must be willing to get burned. Being yourself is like cooking over a fire. You may get burned, but in the long run it's worth it.
I hope to be myself more than I have before. I want to be more accepting and open to those who really need help, and most especially accepting and open to myself. We all need to gain self-esteem. Life without a mask is much better for everyone. It is worth it to try.
I know this is a ominous start to my post, but this second to last post is a thing that I have considered for many years, and I want the mood to feel a little dark. Of course, the masquerade is symbolic. Symbolic of Life. Each mask is a symbol of how you interact and act like around each person or circumstance.
Imagine a masquerade with hundreds of people in it. Now imagine that for each one you put on a different mask. This is very similar to life. We interact with people, places, and things constantly, and our attitude and outlook changes. For example if you are playing video games, you are happier and brighter than when you are doing your math homework.
A person interacts with other persons around him/her in different ways. The way you talk to Johnny is different from how you talk to Suzie. Every single person you know has a mask in your mind. When you meet that person and interact with them, you slip your mask on and dance your dance.
Of course, this is because of human nature, and because everybody is different and unique, but while this is true there is a very real danger of losing the self. You can be caught up so much in being popular that you don't ever take your mask off. All you can think about is the next mask, the next person, the next social event. Masks can also lead to an opposite effect, where the person remains silent inside a special quiet mask that prevents them from dancing with others.
Being yourself is a very hard thing to do. Showing your real face, and being proud to do it is an immense accomplishment that nobody fully accomplishes in this life. It is a striving which requires effort from all fronts, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or any other aspect of humanity. There are certain times of peace for everybody, though, when they slip off the mask for a bit. When you decide to do something strange, or thy something new, you step out of the comfort of the mask.
Doing such things requires great courage. Courage that does not come easily to any one human. I often do not acquire the courage to be myself, which always hurts me in the long run. We must be willing to get burned. Being yourself is like cooking over a fire. You may get burned, but in the long run it's worth it.
I hope to be myself more than I have before. I want to be more accepting and open to those who really need help, and most especially accepting and open to myself. We all need to gain self-esteem. Life without a mask is much better for everyone. It is worth it to try.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Past and Present
I have thought about the idea of forgetting or learning from the past and applying it to the present, but there is a point where you are obsessed with your past. I just want to explore some of the balance that is neccesary to live in the best way.
First off, I would like to recognize how useful our pasts can be. Memories are a compostition of past failures and succeses that we can draw from when we need to. People most often refer to this view of the past as experience. If someone has a lot of experience, they have learned the most effective ways to do or act in a certain way through trial and error.
Now I would like to point out that memories can also hinder a person's ability to do something. Memories can cause fear, discomfort, or a whole range of distracting emotions. It could make someone hesitant to do something good, like going to the Dentist, or getting a haircut. This is very evident in little children, who don't understand what is good for them, or what was an extreme example of something that normally doesn't happen.
So in light of these two things, we can go to two extremes. One is where we blow off the past and just keep living without thinking about mistakes or successes. Another is where we cling to the past, constantly moping and whining and being frightened of everything. The trick is to find the balance.
The balance is different from person to person. Some people only listen to their pasts if they blow them a little out of proportion, while others are very sensititve to past mistakes. There are also individual cases, because all memories affect us differently, where a single memory is difficult to either feel or contain.
There really isn't one correct solution, or probably even ANY correct solution to help us take advantage of the valuable resource. It is just one of those human things that will never be perfect no matter how we try right now. I hope to find the best balance I can, and I wish others luck in their search for balance.
First off, I would like to recognize how useful our pasts can be. Memories are a compostition of past failures and succeses that we can draw from when we need to. People most often refer to this view of the past as experience. If someone has a lot of experience, they have learned the most effective ways to do or act in a certain way through trial and error.
Now I would like to point out that memories can also hinder a person's ability to do something. Memories can cause fear, discomfort, or a whole range of distracting emotions. It could make someone hesitant to do something good, like going to the Dentist, or getting a haircut. This is very evident in little children, who don't understand what is good for them, or what was an extreme example of something that normally doesn't happen.
So in light of these two things, we can go to two extremes. One is where we blow off the past and just keep living without thinking about mistakes or successes. Another is where we cling to the past, constantly moping and whining and being frightened of everything. The trick is to find the balance.
The balance is different from person to person. Some people only listen to their pasts if they blow them a little out of proportion, while others are very sensititve to past mistakes. There are also individual cases, because all memories affect us differently, where a single memory is difficult to either feel or contain.
There really isn't one correct solution, or probably even ANY correct solution to help us take advantage of the valuable resource. It is just one of those human things that will never be perfect no matter how we try right now. I hope to find the best balance I can, and I wish others luck in their search for balance.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
A Prologue to a Story
Since I've sort of digressed from the organization intended to have in my blog, I decided to throw a prologue to a story I am considering writing into the whole disorganized mix. I hope you enjoy it!
"HOW COULD YOU?" shrieked the girl dangling beside me. "HOW COULD YOU?" She thrashed from side to side, trying to loosen herself from the shackles that held her aloft. She would soon give up, much like the boy to my left had, with a slump of the shoulders and an empty, resigned stare.
I use my own resigned energy to force myself to concentrate on small things instead of listening to the shrieking, like the smell of rotting plants the cold stone dungeon has, or the taste of blood which still lingers in my mouth. It's not that the shrieking itself is driving me insane, but the fact I know that I caused it.
It IS my fault that we're all here, hanging from iron shackles that lift us three feet off of the ground. It was because of my that these people who were my friends are suffering. I did do the right thing, but is it really the right thing if it causes so much pain. I look down, feeling an urge to cry, but I haven't cried for hours. It's surprising how short of a time it takes you to become inhuman in a prison.
I find myself wanting to console the girl, but what can I say? "Sorry for betraying and imprisoning you for all eternity, will you forgive me?" No, I'll just have to suffer here in the dark until they finally decide to kill me off.
I suppose that I had best start at the beginning, when I first met the pair of people who now hang beside me. I'll prove to you that I did the right thing. Maybe I can even convince myself...
"HOW COULD YOU?" shrieked the girl dangling beside me. "HOW COULD YOU?" She thrashed from side to side, trying to loosen herself from the shackles that held her aloft. She would soon give up, much like the boy to my left had, with a slump of the shoulders and an empty, resigned stare.
I use my own resigned energy to force myself to concentrate on small things instead of listening to the shrieking, like the smell of rotting plants the cold stone dungeon has, or the taste of blood which still lingers in my mouth. It's not that the shrieking itself is driving me insane, but the fact I know that I caused it.
It IS my fault that we're all here, hanging from iron shackles that lift us three feet off of the ground. It was because of my that these people who were my friends are suffering. I did do the right thing, but is it really the right thing if it causes so much pain. I look down, feeling an urge to cry, but I haven't cried for hours. It's surprising how short of a time it takes you to become inhuman in a prison.
I find myself wanting to console the girl, but what can I say? "Sorry for betraying and imprisoning you for all eternity, will you forgive me?" No, I'll just have to suffer here in the dark until they finally decide to kill me off.
I suppose that I had best start at the beginning, when I first met the pair of people who now hang beside me. I'll prove to you that I did the right thing. Maybe I can even convince myself...
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Bright Side
We've all heard the phrase "Look on the Bright Side" before. In fact, we've probably heard it so much that it has lost a lot of meaning in our brains. Today in this post, I will explore some of the deeper meanings this phrase could possibly have.
The phrase "Look on the Bright Side" is usually used to console or reassure someone who has had a particularly bad day or experience. It is used to show that although the situation seems bad (has a "dark" side), there is also goodness, learning, and hope (the "bright" side). For example, when someone loses a family member, a friend my try and comfort the person by saying, "Look on the bright side, he's in a better place than you are."
Does it mean more than this, though. Does it only refer to the specific good effects of situations or happenings, or does it refer to a much more universal thing?
I believe it does. I mean, think about it. The world in general can often be thought of as a "bad" place to live in. It has a lot of bad things in it. Murder, rape, greed, and other nightmares plague a lot of places. However, what happens when you apply "Look on the Bright Side" to the entire world? It suddenly becomes brighter. You remember all of the beautiful, kind things that have happened to you. Every flower, ever person that was willing to make you feel welcome, every bright ray of sunshine. Then you find yourself thinking, "It's not perfect by a long shot, but it's not too bad at all."
It is often the little things like this in life that makes life worth living. It is these small things that brighten up our days, and make them feel happier and more complete. It is so sad how often everyone misses out on a lot of that stuff because they are so concentrated on the bad. I think that the phrase "When walking upon the path of life, stop and smell the roses" expresses this idea nicely. We should all take a little time out of our busy lives to realize that the world is a wonderful, beautiful place.
The phrase "Look on the Bright Side" is usually used to console or reassure someone who has had a particularly bad day or experience. It is used to show that although the situation seems bad (has a "dark" side), there is also goodness, learning, and hope (the "bright" side). For example, when someone loses a family member, a friend my try and comfort the person by saying, "Look on the bright side, he's in a better place than you are."
Does it mean more than this, though. Does it only refer to the specific good effects of situations or happenings, or does it refer to a much more universal thing?
I believe it does. I mean, think about it. The world in general can often be thought of as a "bad" place to live in. It has a lot of bad things in it. Murder, rape, greed, and other nightmares plague a lot of places. However, what happens when you apply "Look on the Bright Side" to the entire world? It suddenly becomes brighter. You remember all of the beautiful, kind things that have happened to you. Every flower, ever person that was willing to make you feel welcome, every bright ray of sunshine. Then you find yourself thinking, "It's not perfect by a long shot, but it's not too bad at all."
It is often the little things like this in life that makes life worth living. It is these small things that brighten up our days, and make them feel happier and more complete. It is so sad how often everyone misses out on a lot of that stuff because they are so concentrated on the bad. I think that the phrase "When walking upon the path of life, stop and smell the roses" expresses this idea nicely. We should all take a little time out of our busy lives to realize that the world is a wonderful, beautiful place.
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