Alright, you can thank chickens for the inspiration for this post.
I am serious.
I am about to write an analogy that would make any professional public speaker proud. And it's all because of... chickens. There. I admitted it.
Chickens are very, VERY simple animals. They aren't that bright. I mean, have you ever observed chickens? They kind of just... exist. Not that they aren't helpful, they produce eggs, eats insects, and provide chicken nuggets. But a chicken's life is very mundane. They wander around, pecking at the ground (and occasionally, each other,) they eat and drink and lay eggs and that's about it. It's a boring life, certainly, but for a chicken, it suffices.
(I can't believe I'm writing about chickens...)
Anyways, I went out to feed the chickens the other day. And there they were, just kind of bumbling around, looking for all the world like they were the most bored animals on the face of the planet. That is, they did look bored. Until I walked up. Suddenly, they all became one giant mass of wings, beaks, and feathers as they crowded by the door, clucking like there was no tomorrow.
I guess they were hungry...
Now, let me explain something to you. A mass of chickens, clucking and pecking and staring at the scoop of food in your hand like it's the Holy Grail can be very intimidating. At the very least, the moment you step into the pen they will flock around your feet and try to consume them until your pour the food out. They might leave a present on your foot. It's not an ideal situation. To avoid this, I opened the door and flung the food into the pen, throwing accuracy to the wind. They got the food. I kept my feet. I would say that it was a pretty good trade off. However, they don't receive one scoop of food, but four. FOUR. And flinging the food into the pen haphazardly really only works once. You have to spread it out so they don't kill each other. And I really didn't want to be surrounded by a bunch of bloodthirsty chickens. (Erm... bloodthirsty may be a bit of an exaggeration...) But here's the thing about chickens. They. Are. Stupid. Absolute idiots. And it's not really their fault... but that doesn't change the fact that they're completely brainless.
So really, all you have to do to avoid being swarmed by chickens is outsmart them. It's not that hard.
The chickens were completely fascinated by the food already in their, fighting over the small portion. I left the door open, quietly went for another scoop, and tiptoed into the coop, pouring out the second scoop in the corner. A few chickens noticed and ran over, but I was out of their way by the time they started viciously pecking the feed. I repeated this two more times, and closed the door on my way out. Chickens, fed. Mission accomplished.
Right now, if you have made it thus far, you are staring at your computer screen with a mixture of disbelief and confusion. The thoughts running through your head probably sound something like this: "...what? Why do I need to know this? Why do I care? ...I must be really bored..."
I have a point, I swear. I wouldn't drone on about chickens for no reason.
You see, I was able to leave the door of the coop open and feed the chickens without being swarmed because I knew that they wouldn't leave the food placed in front of them. If they happened to be one of the few that noticed the new pile of food, they would run over there, but they wouldn't follow me. And they wouldn't leave.
They were so wrapped up in the food in front of them that they didn't even stop to think that by following me (the one who brought them food,) they could find the source of the food and get more than they ever imagined. They didn't think about going out the open door and seeing what they could find. (You know... not that chickens think...)
And so, I knew that I could leave the door open while feeding them and not worry about them following me or leaving.
Then something struck me. We act like those stupid chickens sometimes.
Before you get offended, think about it. Actually think about it. Search your feelings, you know it to be true. (Okay. I couldn't resist the reference.)
We have so little ambition sometimes. We give up on our hopes and dreams because the pile of food in front of us is fine. It's not the best, and there are a million other chickens fighting us for it, but it's right in front of us. It's easy.
What became of our dreaming? Anyone who says that dreaming isn't productive because it's unrealistic is not realistic, but rather unimaginative. We give up on our dreams, on what's out there that might actually be better, because it isn't easy. Because it isn't realistic.
Tell me which is more fulfilling: a life spent chasing your dreams and reaching your goals, failing sometimes but always confident that you are going after what you love? Or a life lived in a rut, in which you give up on your dreams because they aren't realistic and spend your life doing what you hate?
I will take the first option, please.
The easy thing is almost never the right thing. If it is your dream to be an astronaut, why give up because it "isn't realistic"? That's an absolutely preposterous thing to say. I believe what you meant is that it isn't common for someone to be an astronaut. Of course it's realistic. We have astronauts, don't we?
The world will try to tell you not to chase after your dreams. They will tell you to accept a mundane life because that's what's normal. But if you do chase your dreams and fight for what you believe, doesn't that make it all the more fulfilling?
So, in the words of one of my favorite movies: "Go... live your dream." (Alright... it's Tangled. I'm sorry, but that movie is adorable.)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Valentine's Day
I think everyone is aware that Valentine's Day is coming up in less than a week. (And if they aren't aware, they either don't own a calendar or they live under a rock.) Now, I understand that this holiday is all about "love" but what I don't understand are the expectations that come with this holiday. They seem to be as follows:
1. It is absolutely essential that you have a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse for this holiday.
2. It doesn't matter if you only date a person because you don't want to be alone on Valentine's Day. Who knows? It could lead to something.
3. If you have a special someone, you must buy them a gift.
4. If you don't have a special someone, you are honor bound to be bitter and denounce Valentine's Day as stupid and pointless.
Although "Valentine's Day" was originally a day set aside to celebrate Saint Valentine, obviously the focus of the holiday has changed. Which isn't in itself a bad thing. But our interpretation of love and romance is so warped that we have come up with the above expectations, and more, because we don't get the concept.
Let's start with point number one. Exactly why is it so important to have a date for Valentine's Day? Before you start looking at me like I'm crazy, I'm not saying it's a bad thing to have a date. I know it's a nice thing to have someone special to share Valentine's Day with. But why is it so important to have a date for Valentine's Day itself? Wouldn't you rather just wait for the right person to come along instead of running around trying to find someone and rushing into a relationship so you can have Valentine's Day plans? The whole obsession with having a "valentine" seems to kill the romance of it all. Think about it. Which is more romantic? "We've been dating for a while and on Valentine's Day we're going to go out to dinner and take a walk under the stars." (Cheesy, I know, but hear me out.) Or: "We've been dating for a day and we know nothing about each other besides the fact that we're both good looking and didn't have a date for Valentine's Day." 9 out of 10 dentists agree, the first choice is best. (I know. Lame reference. But the point has been made.)
Second expectation kind of follows the first. If you are so wrapped up in having someone, you lose the romance. There is nothing special about trying to get into a relationship just because you want to be in a relationship. Like those people who are in new relationships every few weeks. (And don't accuse me of exaggerating. I know you know people like this.) The only reason they're in and out of relationships so often is because they only want to be in a relationship. They don't really care who it's with as long as the person makes them feel special. It's the same thing with trying to get a date for Valentine's Day. You are so desperate to have someone that you stop really caring about who it is. Instead of finding someone special, you just find someone who's available. And there is a difference. Don't settle for just anyone because you want a date.
Point three is a little easier to understand. I don't agree with it, but I can understand it. Personally, I think if you love someone, you shouldn't have to buy them flowers, chocolates, and a card to prove it. Call me a sentimentalist, but I think that it's the thought that counts. But that's just me.
This last point is probably the one that baffles me the most. It's just... bitter. Just because you're single on Valentine's Day doesn't mean that you have to hate everyone who isn't. It doesn't mean you have to hate the holiday or oppose it or call it a scam cooked up by the greeting card company. And being single doesn't mean that you're alone either. It's tempting to want to sulk around and feel bad because there are so many couples in love and you aren't in a relationship, but don't fall into that trap and don't be bitter. Your special someone will show up someday, and they will be all the more special because you waited for them and didn't get into a relationship just for the sake of being in a relationship.
Above all, remember that at it's very essence, Valentine's Day is just a silly holiday. And it's cute and it's fun and sweet and all that but it's certainly nothing to get upset over. Just enjoy the day.
1. It is absolutely essential that you have a boyfriend/girlfriend/spouse for this holiday.
2. It doesn't matter if you only date a person because you don't want to be alone on Valentine's Day. Who knows? It could lead to something.
3. If you have a special someone, you must buy them a gift.
4. If you don't have a special someone, you are honor bound to be bitter and denounce Valentine's Day as stupid and pointless.
Although "Valentine's Day" was originally a day set aside to celebrate Saint Valentine, obviously the focus of the holiday has changed. Which isn't in itself a bad thing. But our interpretation of love and romance is so warped that we have come up with the above expectations, and more, because we don't get the concept.
Let's start with point number one. Exactly why is it so important to have a date for Valentine's Day? Before you start looking at me like I'm crazy, I'm not saying it's a bad thing to have a date. I know it's a nice thing to have someone special to share Valentine's Day with. But why is it so important to have a date for Valentine's Day itself? Wouldn't you rather just wait for the right person to come along instead of running around trying to find someone and rushing into a relationship so you can have Valentine's Day plans? The whole obsession with having a "valentine" seems to kill the romance of it all. Think about it. Which is more romantic? "We've been dating for a while and on Valentine's Day we're going to go out to dinner and take a walk under the stars." (Cheesy, I know, but hear me out.) Or: "We've been dating for a day and we know nothing about each other besides the fact that we're both good looking and didn't have a date for Valentine's Day." 9 out of 10 dentists agree, the first choice is best. (I know. Lame reference. But the point has been made.)
Second expectation kind of follows the first. If you are so wrapped up in having someone, you lose the romance. There is nothing special about trying to get into a relationship just because you want to be in a relationship. Like those people who are in new relationships every few weeks. (And don't accuse me of exaggerating. I know you know people like this.) The only reason they're in and out of relationships so often is because they only want to be in a relationship. They don't really care who it's with as long as the person makes them feel special. It's the same thing with trying to get a date for Valentine's Day. You are so desperate to have someone that you stop really caring about who it is. Instead of finding someone special, you just find someone who's available. And there is a difference. Don't settle for just anyone because you want a date.
Point three is a little easier to understand. I don't agree with it, but I can understand it. Personally, I think if you love someone, you shouldn't have to buy them flowers, chocolates, and a card to prove it. Call me a sentimentalist, but I think that it's the thought that counts. But that's just me.
This last point is probably the one that baffles me the most. It's just... bitter. Just because you're single on Valentine's Day doesn't mean that you have to hate everyone who isn't. It doesn't mean you have to hate the holiday or oppose it or call it a scam cooked up by the greeting card company. And being single doesn't mean that you're alone either. It's tempting to want to sulk around and feel bad because there are so many couples in love and you aren't in a relationship, but don't fall into that trap and don't be bitter. Your special someone will show up someday, and they will be all the more special because you waited for them and didn't get into a relationship just for the sake of being in a relationship.
Above all, remember that at it's very essence, Valentine's Day is just a silly holiday. And it's cute and it's fun and sweet and all that but it's certainly nothing to get upset over. Just enjoy the day.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Amazed
Are we ever truly amazed anymore?
Sometimes we get surprised. Sometimes we feign shock. But in all honesty, how many of us have been amazed recently?
"Amaze: to overwhelm with surprise and sudden wonder; astonish greatly" (Thank you dictionary.com)
Do you remember when you were little, and everything was amazing? (Not in the sense we use it in now. We say "amazing" to mean great. I mean amazing as in it "overwhelmed you with sudden wonder".) No matter how cynical you are, or your circumstances growing up, at some point you were amazed at something. And maybe you can't even remember, but deep down inside of you, you know that feeling of complete and utter amazement. What have we done to ourselves, that as we grow older, we lose that special sense of amazement?
Today I was reflecting on a few things that have happened recently, and I had the odd thought trickle across my mind: "It amazes me that God can use someone like me to do His work." The thought took me by surprise, not because it's not something that I would say, but because of the word "amaze". I tend to use the word "amazing" a lot, but I don't use it in the literal, dictionary definition sense of the word. But in this particular thought, consciously or subconsciously, I did. It had struck me that God can use someone as broken and messed up as I am to help someone else. The blind leading the blind, except for when You follow Him and He's leading you, the blind now have someone who can see to lead them. And that thought actually, literally amazed me. It surprised me and filled me with a sense of wonder. And a sense of gratitude, that someone like me could be useful. And have value. (But that's a different blog post.)
And then I got to thinking how wrong it was that I am not constantly amazed by the works of God. I mean, think about that for a second. I know the almighty, holy, sovereign Lord of all who beyond all human sense and reason cares about me, and yet I am not continually awestruck, overwhelmed with surprise as each moment passes and I see His greatness. Have we as a society become so distracted, so disillusioned, so... cynical that we can't be amazed at the most amazing thing in our lives? Just because He's always present and always good doesn't mean that the amazement should wear off. Because we should be completely astonished that He is still good and still merciful to us as each minute ticks by and we continue to stumble and fall over and over again. Because we just can't imagine what it is like to unselfishly love somebody who sometimes doesn't even acknowledge your presence, who forgets about you and is constantly questioning you and getting angry with you. Who hurts you routinely. And because this is so far outside of what we can comprehend, it should amaze us. Always.
Amazement is that thing that takes your breath away. It shocks you, but not in a negative sense. It opens your eyes a little more.
Since when did it become a bad thing to be completely filled with wonder anyway? That moment when you realize something that completely rocks your world. We seem to shun it, to shrug it off as childish or ignorant. If you didn't realize something before, then you certainly wouldn't admit to the world that you are just now realizing it. I want to challenge that. I submit that those who allow themselves to be amazed are not childish and ignorant, rather they are mature and wise. They understand that they aren't the most important, and that this world is a lot bigger than we like to pretend. It is a wonderful thing, to be amazed. Try to find a little amazement on a daily basis. It sets a particular focus and brightens up any day.
Sometimes we get surprised. Sometimes we feign shock. But in all honesty, how many of us have been amazed recently?
"Amaze: to overwhelm with surprise and sudden wonder; astonish greatly" (Thank you dictionary.com)
Do you remember when you were little, and everything was amazing? (Not in the sense we use it in now. We say "amazing" to mean great. I mean amazing as in it "overwhelmed you with sudden wonder".) No matter how cynical you are, or your circumstances growing up, at some point you were amazed at something. And maybe you can't even remember, but deep down inside of you, you know that feeling of complete and utter amazement. What have we done to ourselves, that as we grow older, we lose that special sense of amazement?
Today I was reflecting on a few things that have happened recently, and I had the odd thought trickle across my mind: "It amazes me that God can use someone like me to do His work." The thought took me by surprise, not because it's not something that I would say, but because of the word "amaze". I tend to use the word "amazing" a lot, but I don't use it in the literal, dictionary definition sense of the word. But in this particular thought, consciously or subconsciously, I did. It had struck me that God can use someone as broken and messed up as I am to help someone else. The blind leading the blind, except for when You follow Him and He's leading you, the blind now have someone who can see to lead them. And that thought actually, literally amazed me. It surprised me and filled me with a sense of wonder. And a sense of gratitude, that someone like me could be useful. And have value. (But that's a different blog post.)
And then I got to thinking how wrong it was that I am not constantly amazed by the works of God. I mean, think about that for a second. I know the almighty, holy, sovereign Lord of all who beyond all human sense and reason cares about me, and yet I am not continually awestruck, overwhelmed with surprise as each moment passes and I see His greatness. Have we as a society become so distracted, so disillusioned, so... cynical that we can't be amazed at the most amazing thing in our lives? Just because He's always present and always good doesn't mean that the amazement should wear off. Because we should be completely astonished that He is still good and still merciful to us as each minute ticks by and we continue to stumble and fall over and over again. Because we just can't imagine what it is like to unselfishly love somebody who sometimes doesn't even acknowledge your presence, who forgets about you and is constantly questioning you and getting angry with you. Who hurts you routinely. And because this is so far outside of what we can comprehend, it should amaze us. Always.
Amazement is that thing that takes your breath away. It shocks you, but not in a negative sense. It opens your eyes a little more.
Since when did it become a bad thing to be completely filled with wonder anyway? That moment when you realize something that completely rocks your world. We seem to shun it, to shrug it off as childish or ignorant. If you didn't realize something before, then you certainly wouldn't admit to the world that you are just now realizing it. I want to challenge that. I submit that those who allow themselves to be amazed are not childish and ignorant, rather they are mature and wise. They understand that they aren't the most important, and that this world is a lot bigger than we like to pretend. It is a wonderful thing, to be amazed. Try to find a little amazement on a daily basis. It sets a particular focus and brightens up any day.
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