Sometimes the thought of Fat Tuesday offends me... Although any reason to drink is a reason to drink, right? I struggle because it does make me feel judgmental. I guess I think you do something because you want to, or you don't because you don't want too. But maybe it's like everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.
I've been thinking of things to give up for Lent, and like last year I tried giving up a bad attitude... I don't think I made it a day... I know this year I want to be intentional, and sincere with what I'm giving over to God. After a long thought process, and inspiration I intentionally want to give up my consumerism. I'm hoping this starts the new legacy of actually letting go of the need for "things". So the only shopping I can do is grocery necessities. No junk. No books, music, or movies, which seem to be my down fall.
In the past I have broken the need/habit from Lent, so hopefully in the future I will only buy what I need.
I pray for you and for me that this Lenten season will bring clarity, hope, and a closer understanding with God as we learn to readjust our attention.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Girls in need of a safer time
I think it's about time that we have brought to the surface of the objectification of women in this culture. This is where I become a feminist, I guess I am all the time, but this is where she gets out her soapbox to speak.
I was reading an article about how sexualization is harmful towards young girls.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6376421.stm)
It really doesn't surprise me that how the media portrays women is harmful. Look at the role model that girls have been given: Barbie, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears. Just watch any commercial, or cable after 10 pm and you see how women sell themselves short by becoming a sex object. I couldn't even go through the internet without some sort of advertisement about how to date barely dressed "perfect" women.
We all have cellulite, wrinkles, gray hair, saddlebags, and imperfect. God never designed us to look perfect, or maybe we get it wrong... Maybe as we are we look perfect to him.
I now can see why it's hard for us to take away the performance for God mentality. If I have to alter the way I look for others to find value in me, then how do go before someone who desires perfection when I am imperfect. And although God desires perfection, he understands my flaws, and loves me regardless.
I'm listening to the PodCast of This American Life; the second half of the story is about a game show for girls and how it fails miserably. It's really sad, and even though it's depressing about the culture of girls now days it's worth a listen to foolishly believe that we can change the culture for our girls so they can grow up knowing their beauty on the inside too.
I was reading an article about how sexualization is harmful towards young girls.
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6376421.stm)
It really doesn't surprise me that how the media portrays women is harmful. Look at the role model that girls have been given: Barbie, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears. Just watch any commercial, or cable after 10 pm and you see how women sell themselves short by becoming a sex object. I couldn't even go through the internet without some sort of advertisement about how to date barely dressed "perfect" women.
We all have cellulite, wrinkles, gray hair, saddlebags, and imperfect. God never designed us to look perfect, or maybe we get it wrong... Maybe as we are we look perfect to him.
I now can see why it's hard for us to take away the performance for God mentality. If I have to alter the way I look for others to find value in me, then how do go before someone who desires perfection when I am imperfect. And although God desires perfection, he understands my flaws, and loves me regardless.
I'm listening to the PodCast of This American Life; the second half of the story is about a game show for girls and how it fails miserably. It's really sad, and even though it's depressing about the culture of girls now days it's worth a listen to foolishly believe that we can change the culture for our girls so they can grow up knowing their beauty on the inside too.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Good Bye Saturdays
I would like to in hind-sight say good bye to regularly having Saturdays off. You were good while you lasted, I did enjoy our brief time together of sleeping in, and hanging out with my mom...
I'll see you hopefully in September, try not to forget me...
I'll see you hopefully in September, try not to forget me...
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
i love anne lamott
Not to toot my own horn, but i have to say that i have felt pretty inspired as of late( by that i mean yesterday and today). My emotions seem to move and change faster than the tide...
i really want to live outside of me. i get tired of me and my whiney complaints. There is a lot around for me to be inspired.
Really for the first time in my life i feel like i'm being challenged to grow, question my identity, and become this person that i am called to be. The more i talk of these ideas of things i want to do the more people around me will keep me accountable to my actions. i'm really good about talking about social justice and caring for the world around me, but the easiest and more selfish action is talking, and then not doing. Although it is so easy to get overwhelmed on where to start, so then easy for me nothing ever happens...
It's my goal to think deflect my thoughts on me and to find things that benefit the world outside me.
How much longer am I going to think about my hair more often than about things in the world that matter?
- Anne Lamott
from "Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith"
i really want to live outside of me. i get tired of me and my whiney complaints. There is a lot around for me to be inspired.
Really for the first time in my life i feel like i'm being challenged to grow, question my identity, and become this person that i am called to be. The more i talk of these ideas of things i want to do the more people around me will keep me accountable to my actions. i'm really good about talking about social justice and caring for the world around me, but the easiest and more selfish action is talking, and then not doing. Although it is so easy to get overwhelmed on where to start, so then easy for me nothing ever happens...
It's my goal to think deflect my thoughts on me and to find things that benefit the world outside me.
How much longer am I going to think about my hair more often than about things in the world that matter?
- Anne Lamott
from "Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith"
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