Have it your way!

So I was at a sandwich place the other day for lunch and this thought came to me as I was overhearing a woman ordering her sandwich. This woman was every employee worst nightmare because she was very specific with every instruction. "That's too much" or "Could you add more?" were some of the common phrases she said. The best comments came when they added something she did not ask for and she of course gave them a hard time about it. Now when I ordered my sandwich I did not just say "Surprise me" and let them make whatever they want, I did have things I wanted too, like lettuce and tomato, and things I didn't want, like onions and peppers.

This blog is not about sandwiches or that woman, but how are freedom to choose can transform us. We have many freedoms and choices in this country and it would take some time to list them all. We also all have our own dreams, desires, and preferences. If I were to ask you, "What is your dream job?" Many of you would have something in mind and it will be well detailed too. Some of you would know the number of hours and when you worked, the type of working environment, the people you worked with and for, and other important detail. The same may be for your education, the kind of children you have, where you live, the person you marry, what you want for your child or love one, and the list can go on and on.

As I learned, that is not the way it is. Now I am not saying you cannot be happy, nor am I saying you won't ever get what you want because you can be happy and sometimes you do get what you want and it is not just at a restaurant. Even if you, like myself, believe in God or a supreme being, you can pray and still not get what you want. That does not mean prayers do not get answered, but that's another topic for a different time. Life is not a Subway or Burger King, where you can have it your way. Even in those restaurants, they have their limits to what it means for a customer to have it their way. It is a struggle everyone has. Even the rich and powerful will find it difficult when they try to buy the important things in life that has no price.

Maybe it is for the best that we do not always get what we want. I don't know. We are people with our own thoughts, feelings, and emotions and they are not the same for every person. That is what gives us character and personality. So because of that, a collision will happen and not everyone will have it their way. As long as a restaurant is well stocked, it can give customers what they want, but life is not prepared the same way as a sandwich shop. To say "you cannot have it your way" is easy, but to feel it is a lot more difficult. Who knows the future or whats best for you? After all, I do believe people are not old dogs and they do change. So maybe in a few years when you can stop and think about it, you might be thankful that you did not get what you want because of what you would of missed if you did or you still might be feeling down because you miss what you could not have.

Love Song

I usually do not post lyrics as a blog, but this is one is fitting...especially if you have read my previous blog. This is "Love Song" by Jason Morant.

Where can I go where can I run from You
You're everywhere
You know all my thoughts
You see through my ways
And still You come to me

So I sing a love song to You

From Heaven above on earth down beneath
Your love rains down on me
You know all my thoughts
You see through my skin
And still You come to me
So I sing a love song to You
You walk on waves
You run with clouds
You paint the sky for me to see Your majesty
Your majesty is why I sing

This is a love song to You

My life's a love song to You

God is Love

So I have been thinking a lot about those three words, God is love. It is not "God is loving" or "God can love", but "God is love".

In America and in English, it's interesting that the word "God" and the word "love" are often used incorrectly and differently, but spelled exactly the same. When referring to the god that they believe or do not believe exist, a lot of people refer to god with a capital g. That does not mean its the same god. I have met so many men named "Michael" that spelled their name exactly as I have spelt it, but not one of them was completely alike. The same with the word "Love". It gets thrown around every where, but that does not mean everyone is talking about the same love. At the same time, we have a world full of people looking for love, but instead are finding a terrible substitute with the same name.

Let's go back to "God is love". God is not created or control by anyone. So God does not love because someone told Him to do it or because it was the right thing to do, but instead He loves because that who God is. God is love. It is not a part of Him or His personality, it is Him. This love is often indescribable, but from my own experience I found it to be powerful and fulfilling. When I think about those words more and more, it makes me rethink my usage of the word "Love". There are many things that I do not know about my creator, but I do know that He is love.

Mercy to Marion?

Well if you have not heard, Marion Jones announced her retirement from the sport of Track and Field, but not before pleading guilty to lying about her usage of steroids. So today I was reading more about this story on sites like ESPN.com and CNN.com and watching their videos. Then after I had my share of that information, I read some peoples comments on ESPN.com. Boy, did these people lay it into Marion Jones. I never expected that so many people would say such hurtful comments about her. There was a great feeling of betrayal and disgust amongst the group. There were a few "rebels" who reminded us that no one is perfect and another comment on how this just makes Barry Bonds look even more pathetic. For the most part, people just threw their verbal punches at Jones. I do not know Jones, nor am I going to defend what she has done. I am just curious to why people are shocked? That one "rebel" is correct, no one is perfect. I know that is very cliche, but people still seem to forget that. While I have not taken steroids, I have not always been honorable and good. Even if you, the reader, and I have never met, I know the same is for you too. We are not perfect. People will let you down. You will let people down. I will let you down. Not one part of what I just said should be breaking news.

So what's next? When or why you forgive, if ever at all, is really up to you. Being forced to forgive someone, really defeats the purpose of forgiveness. What we can do is stop the bashing on the people that fall. I am not trying to deny anyone from expressing their feelings, but there is a reason why people do not come clean. Some of you have been in Marion Jones' shoes. It may not of been over steroids, but you have admitted your mistakes and some people laid it into you. You were called names, given threats, and shown much disrespect. For those of us who cannot understand how people like Marion Jones feel, then maybe its because we never open ourselves up. Are you afraid of what other people might say? Why do you think I have not given you, the reader, one example of my own mistake? Trust is hard to build, but easy to destroy. That is another thing you all probably know and experienced. You do not have to forgive people, be their best friend, or want to do things with them. As long as the bashing continues, so will the lies from the people with their mask on. In the case of Marion Jones, like so many others, there are no winners, only losers that got beaten up pretty badly today.

I always hear people say that their imperfections is just another part of what it means to be human. Now I am starting to wonder if not being able to forgive is just another one of those unwritten qualities of being human.