Looking Back

On May 15th I will walk across the stage as a graduate of Kansas State University. Another phase of life starts soon after that. One without the college lifestyle. One with a lot more responsibility. Life's gonna be a lot different for sure. Looking back at the last couple years, I've been through a lot of experiences, which got me thinking about what life has been teaching me. So, here's a list of what I've learned from life on a couple different subjects. It's probably not complete, so I’ll add to it occasionally. And to be honest, some of these things I've learned, some... well, I'm still in the process. Maybe someday I'll really learn them.

Books
Calvin and Hobbes will never get old.

Books do nothing if left on the shelf unopened.

To really understand, you gotta do more than read the words on the page.


Entertainment
Don’t pretend movies and television are true to life.

Sometimes it seems so easy and safe to escape into a fake world when I don’t want to exist in the real one. This is not good. Middle Earth, Dillon TX, Scranton PA, McLaren’s pub, Green Gables, and Jane Austen’s England beckon all the time.

I think some shows are better just because I won’t admit watching them to some people who would tell me I know better.

There is nothing good or real about porn. I hate it.

When watching a DVD, it's best to check it for dust and fingerprints before starting to watch it. I think it's a rule that the best part of the show freezes or skips.


Politics
Republican does not mean Christian. And Democrat does not mean evil anti-Christian.


Sports/Activities
I’ll never be able to do all the fancy stuff on ESPN or Youtube. Outside of my own mind, at least.

Dancing takes some mix of confidence and not caring what people think.


People
They have hopes and dreams of what they want life to be like. I find this typically means they want to be loved; they want to feel cared about, to have their name and face remembered, and made to feel like they matter and have purpose and are important. And people will pursue things that they think fulfill those. Sometimes what they pursue is good. Sometimes not.

Sometimes I realize that I’ve only convinced myself I care about people, when I really just care about myself.

Friends are priceless, I’m sure.

A smile can really help.

Affirmation or lack of from people does not define my worth. So why do I get so tied up in it?

I never know their whole story. But I like learning.


Music
In my mind, it runs a close second to laughter as the best medicine.

Being able to play music brings a lot more satisfaction than just listening.

Sometime in my life, I’ll get better at the piano, actually learn guitar, and pick up the trumpet again. Starting….soon.

Electric pianos are not equal to a real piano. And I want a baby grand.


Girls
I like girls. They’re beautiful. And smell nice.

Every girl should be treated like a princess.

Beyond that....let's leave it at this: I don't understand them. The phrase "can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em" comes to mind, but I'm not really sure I like saying that.


Baking/Cooking
Baking for others makes it worthwhile. Baking for self, not so much.


Myself
I like beauty. And inspiring things. And cool socks. And communication.

I tend to be very sarcastic in much of what I say in everyday conversation. And I want to stop.

I need Africa more than Africa needs me.

The life I live is not my own.

My stupid heart can out-talk my brain any moment of the day.

I want to present hope to people.


God/Christianity/Religion
He does according to His will. Who can question Him?

Faith alone. By grace.

Years ago, I would never have admitted it, but I’m pretty sure I secretly thought I was better than people that didn’t love Jesus. But I’m not.

Knowing about God is a lot different than knowing God.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.

In every aspect of life, the gospel is reality.

Christ is where hope is found.