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The views represented on this blog are not necessarily those of Higher Things, nor does Higher Things necessarily endorse them.
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Posted At: 12:31am by Anna Joy
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I've changed a lot since I went to college. In some ways, for the better. In some ways....not so much. I feel like I've become more skeptical of everyone and at the same time become more honest with what I really think about people. Is it necessarily a good thing? I don't know. I've often wondered that. There's such a fine line between bearing false witness and....well, bearing false witness. Is it better to be honest and let people know what you really think of them or to just tell them that - yeah, sure, you're fine, I don't actually hate your guts. (But maybe that's too dramatic...)
People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
But isn't it easy to? I've come to the point in my life where professionalism has got to kick in at some point, and yet I don't feel like professionalism and the office politics I'll soon be engaging jive with my personality. I'm not a conversationalist. I don't like to tone it down. It either is or it isn't. It's not in between. It's not almost. In some situations, I do. In others . . .
As someone who strives for consistency, balance, and "norms," I find it incredibly difficult to actually achieve these things. No matter how much I want to will it into existence, there isn't always a clear black and white. In my mind, maybe there is. But in yours? What if you're black and I'm white? Granted, I'm still stuck on earth, and it doesn't look like death is in the 5 year plan (so far, obit. probably in the paper tomorrow - struck down by lightning).
I don't know where to fall. Obviously, I'm not perfect. And lately my human nature seems to be particularly strong in thinking that if not perfect, then pretty darn close. But...oh, wait, that's wrong, too. Even when the answer is staring you in the face, sometimes it's hard to come to terms with, no? This guy died for me some 2,000 odd years ago and it's free...and it's...everything.
Why is it so hard?
Lord, have mercy.
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Posted At: 4:26pm by Anna Joy
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A couple years ago I went to a conference where I heard a great pastor tell me that God doesn't give you all the answers in life and that no matter where you go, He'll use the gifts and talents that He's given you for the good of those called according to His purpose. (I wonder who that was.......maybe a certain Borghardt we have running around here.) Those words and that approach to life has often brought me great comfort despite everything.
God's Law is good. It shows us that we need a Savior. It is a gift of God. But the Law doesn't say "Anna, you will be a surgeon" or "John, you will be a supervisor." It isn't designed for that purpose. God leaves that up to us. And while that is incredibly freeing, it's also incredibly difficult to come to terms with. What if I choose the wrong profession? What if I choose something that will make me miserable? As long as I choose something that will not hurt or harm my neighbor or cause him to stumble, then I can work wherever I please. God's given me certain talents and abilities. For me that's the ability to look at a two dimensional surface and organize it to make it efficient and beautiful. I'm good at organizing and communicating. If I can utilize that, great!
But that doesn't necessarily mean that hard decisions won't come up. Like:
Do I stay in the US and pay off my student loans after college or go straight into aid work?
What happens if I decide to settle down?
Should I volunteer from home?
What organizations should I attempt to become involved in and where will that lead me?
The list could be 20 pages long.
And that's where I rely on God's grace. Not only does it save me from my sins, but it gives me the freedom to make tough decisions with the promise that He will always be there watching out for me.
Edited on: July 05th, 2008 11:14 pm
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Posted At: 9:38pm by Anna Joy
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I don't like to discuss politics too often on this blog. Every once in a while, though, I get frustrated and have to talk about it.
I don't much care for Bush. I don't think he's done that good of a job during his second term and some of the policy decisions that he has made have been just downright crappy. I'm not anti-Republican, though, nor am I anti-democrat. I tend to think of myself as more of an independent libertarian.
I don't like McCain and Obama scares the h-e-double-hockey-sticks out of me. Obama is one of the most liberal senators in the country if not the most liberal. He's pro-abolishment of partial birth abortion bans, because pulling a baby's head out of it's mother and then stabbing it in the neck with scissors isn't murder, apparently. He's pro-supporting overseas agencies that promote abortion. He's pro-legislation that would make it legal for abortion clinics to give abortions to underage girls without parental consent if they cross state lines. He's for raising taxes, because they aren't high enough already. He's anti-drilling for oil off-shore and in ANWR. I honestly would say that if I had to pick between Obama and Hillary, I would've picked Hillary.
But this isn't an election about policy. This is a popularity contest. Who's the better looking candidate? Who has more charisma? Who has more money? Who gives better speeches? Who debates better? Who has the best smile? The answer to these questions is, of course, Obama. If you stand McCain and Obama next to eachother you see a charismatic young senator on one side and you see an old dog with a droopy eyelid on the other.
It's sad to me that most people my age, or any age for that matter, are going to vote without actually reading up on the political and moral views of each candidate. I beg you that before you vote, look up what each candidate believes and supports. And *please* don't vote for someone just because they've got great charisma. Even the devil has charisma.
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Posted At: 9:24pm by Anna Joy
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So, over the past two years, the skin on my face has gotten more and more red as time has gone on and my complexion has gotten cruddier and cruddier looking. I never really had facial acne all through highschool and even now, I don't really have any. But the fact that I look pathetically sunburned constantly isn't good.
I'm going to war here.
This is definitely not the worst physical ailment I have. Next to celiac's and the fact that my left knee is permanently screwed up because of something stupid I did while using a press at the library back in September, it isn't that big of a deal. But is it annoying to look in the mirror every day and despite taking good care of your skin, you see a lobster.
I went to Walgreen's and bought almost every over the counter thing they have for rosacea. L-lysine amino acids, Eucerin, prosacea, cetaphil, the works. We're going to try it. And if anyone else has any advice on how to deal with skin irritation, please fill me in.
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Posted At: 6:33pm by Anna Joy
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I know I'm not voting for Obama because of his stance on abortion and physician assistant suicide, regardless of his charisma or how much hope he has for America. (This article was originally posted on Jane Casey's blog and I stole it, so go read this.) But, I found this nifty site where you can look up policies and whether or not the candidate voted for it or against it.
Go to Project Vote Smart
If you're not an informed voter, please don't vote.
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