Our Great Depression is Our Lives

The film, Fight Club, has some of the most challenging quotes of any movie I have ever seen. They mangle all pretenses and slap you in the face with frightening reality. The most frightening part? It's true. For those that are not content to merely accept these claims as clever drama, we find ourselves in a difficult situation. Let me first preface my post with this statement: there are a lot of things about the movie I don't agree with, including the violence (some might argue that's the whole point of the movie). But I still think there is a lot to take away from it.

The shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School this week was devastating. We have fallen so far when school massacres have become the norm, while politicians capitalize on the tragedy. Our sickness has become endemic, and we blame gun control, mental health, and violent video games. There could be books written on the subject of why these mass shootings happen, but as the news networks saturated the airwaves with 24-7 coverage, I couldn't help but think of this quote from the movie:

The last few lines: "We've been raised on television to believe that one day we'd all be millionaires, and movie gods, and rock stars. But we won't. And we're slowly learning that fact. And we're very, very, pissed off."

I can't think of a better line to describe our generation. At a time where we have access to the most amazing technology, limitless knowledge, and massive potential, we are caught up in the pre-packaged fantasy of our consumer culture. We rack up huge debts, live unhealthy lifestyles, refuse to take responsibility, refuse to believe that the way the system works, there is no getting ahead. Show me a mega rich celebrity or business magnate and I will show you someone in Gracias, Honduras that is happier. I will show you someone who isn't addicted to coke, who doesn't abuse women, who is not trying to buy his/her happiness. But this is what we are striving towards? (Yes there are exceptions)

And when we don't get it, then what? What happens when life does not turn out the way we have been promised? Do we shoot up a school? Do we end our life with suicide? Substance abuse?

I can't help but draw a line right to our consumerism when things like this happen. Suicide rates and substance abuse show a huge difference between developed and developing countries. When will this be a headline?

http://www.who.int/mental_health/prevention/suicide/suicideprevent/en/

Average

Let's Read Something NOT About Politics!

Albert Camus is one of my favorite writers for a reason:

Wow I love this quote! In many ways it sums up the idea of this blog. I love people who break the rules: travel, help, love unconditionally. I love the people who don't care what others think, who don't just try and find the highest paying job and who help others because they can. I want to be more like that. I don't want to play by the rules of our society (easier said than done).

The Least of These

This is a visual representation of a story that happened in 2008. Funny how I never heard of it until recently...

This is something that would really test me. On the one hand, I value my safety and I work hard for the little I have. I am reluctant to give these things up easily. On the other hand I really hope that I could act like this towards someone. There is obviously a chance that they would take advantage of the situation and it wouldn't turn out exactly like the above story, but even so I think that person would go away shaken an wondering why I acted in such a way. I pray that if I am ever faced with such a situation, I could act in love towards that person.

Version of the story on NPR: http://www.npr.org/2008/03/28/89164759/a-victim-treats-his-mugger-right

Matthew 5:41

Freedom

I need a reminder of this as often as anyone. Healing starts when forgiveness starts. 

My Cultural Rebellion

Love. 

Faith. 

Hope. 

People.

Joy.

Encouragement. 

Courage.

Emotion. 

Victory.

Beauty.

Solitude.

Community.

Music.

These are the things that are important to me. These are the things I want to share while I am still here waiting for my freedom.

It's hard to see where you are walking when you can't look forward because of the blinding snow. My inadequate shoes trudge through the traffic-churned slush on my way to class. Others around me pull their coat tighter around their neck, trying to halt the biting wind. We are all on our way to or from class, we are all pursuing a piece of paper that will give us a leg up in life.

I smile to myself, thinking about everyone's different stories, their different motivations, their different dreams. A taller guy with buzzed hair in a thin hoodie walks by, hands in his pockets, trying not to look very cold. Another girl walks by, you can hardly make out her eyes under her floppy, furry trimmed hood. Life is full of these moments. People go about their own business as the world flies by in a flash around them. Who are you? What is your life story? What is your passion? I don't have time to ask them; they are gone.

I believe with all my heart in the extravagant. No, not the kind which can be bought, but the kind which is priceless. The comfort of a friend, the towering massifs of an icy mountain range, the breathtaking colors of fall, the unconditional love of a parent, the generosity of a stranger, the liberating emotion of music. It's these things which color our world and give life a yearned-for quality. For these are the elements that take us from merely living, to truly alive.

Our lives are invaded with the negative: a murder on the news, the terrorists in the Middle East, don't fail this test, don't miss this deadline. Stress and worrying are familiar friends. Pay the bills, buy more things, get a higher paying job. Material things.

More things.

Just a little more, then I will be happy.

Me.

Can you make me happy? No? Good day then.

I can't do this. I don't know why. I wasn't always this determined and I still have my moments, but I believe there is more to this life than what our society says is important. This is my counter culture; my cultural rebellion.

Sometimes I get frustrated with myself. I want to throw off the bonds holding me here. I want to wander and find a need. I am here, though. This piece of paper everyone is racing to get is two years behind schedule. I value my education, but not the paper. It is a stepping stone, a tool, but if it weren't for the merits of critical thinking I would be long gone. So I am patient, or I try to be. I wan't to shake everyone by the shoulders and shout, "why do you care?!" But I know the blank look on their face: "you're here too, why do you care?"

I have plans. I have dreams. Huge, monumental, epic dreams which terrify me, but it is the affirmation I see in my life around me which holds me on course. These things I write about renew my vigor and remove my complacency. While I am here, I will share these passions. Most people won't care. Few will follow closely, being of similar mind. But if I can give a little hope or encouragement to someone when they need it most, well then, every single second of toil was justified.

1 Cor. 13:13

Decisions

I refuse to waste my time chasing what does not matter.

By Bruce Lee.