Tuesday, June 30, 2009

This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
1 John 3:11

As most of my friends know, I love politics. I love everything about it. And I certainly love good conservative politics. That's why living in DC should be a dream come true. But the closer I get to the "action" the more I see that politics isn't really about changing anything for the betterment of all- its about winning elections. It's about tearing people apart only so you can get your views out there. It's both parties. As I enter the second half of my summer, I'm going to make a better effort to look for the good in everyone. For those whom I agree with politically, I will pray, and those I disagree with, I will pray harder. But in the end, it's showing love and understanding that will make a change in this world- not winning elections.

Monday, June 29, 2009

First Blog

I've decided to get into the whole blogging thing. It is highly likely I will be inconsistent in my posts, but then again, I'm kind of a random person to start with. My rationale behind starting this is I feel I need to have a more positive attitude towards things. If I verbalize it, it simply reminds me of the change I need to make in myself. Which brings me to my post today.

A great friend shared this quote with me today-

“Adopting a good, healthy attitude toward life does not affect society nearly so much as us. The change cannot come from others. It must come from us.” John C Maxwell.

Odd that I use this quote for inspiration today for numerous reasons. One, I am not the biggest Maxwell fan. And two, my good friend Whitney told me once to not use quotes in my writing, it just shows you lack the originality of thought. Very true Whitney, but I'm going to make an exception this time.

This last weekend was not one which I ever hope to relive. No I didn't do anything illegal, and really didn't do anything which I should have major regrets about. Instead I learned something. I learned that ultimately we are responsible for our own actions. People will let you down. Life sucks at times. But ultimately, it is our own life to live, and our actions MUST reflect our values. Part of the reflection has to come from the world around us. Our friends, our time, our money, even our job must be a reflection of the things we value. Can you hang out with people you would never want to be like? Sure. But should they be those we count on. Never. I realize this varies from the quote, but it relates in a sense that our positive attitude changes us. And we have to expect that change from ourselves and noone else.

I'm known to speak my mind, many times too often. But I am going to make a conserted effort to look for the positive in everyone- even those I dislike. And I am going to make a concerted effort to surround myself with those whose values more closely mirror my own, instead of being around people I simply deem as fun.

A few months back I was able to share a message of not caring what the world around us thinks. This weekend was a solid reminder that what matters to me in life is having a solid relationship with Christ, friends and family who are supportive to a fault, and simply being happy.