Unplugged

Social media can get a bad reputation.

It's not all bad though, there are good things about it too. It is way easier to keep in touch and update your loved ones on the important moments of your life.

On the other hand Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Snapchat, Pinterest, & Google+ [who even uses that?] can also be a huge distraction and temptation. It is a distraction from REAL LIFE. We are surrounded by real people and real conversations, and yet we stop to look at the latest tweets on our phones midsentence. It is a temptation to compare, to judge, to ridicule, to envy, to lust, to covet, to gossip, to brag, to idolize, and to ignore reality. We judge ridiculous status updates instead of having compassion, we idolize and covet everything on our Pinterest boards for our unrealistic dream homes, and we envy and compare ourselves to every girl on our Instagram feed who gets engaged.

I never thought I had many comparison issues, but lately I have not been as happy as I used to be. I have an incredible family, amazingly loyal friends, a roof over my head, a job [that I may not love everyday, but it pays my bills and allows me to use my gifts]. I am so blessed. Why should I be unhappy? Part of it is that I want, want, want. I want more stuff, I want more attention, and I want to look like everyone on my timeline and friend's list that has it all together [Public Service Announcement: No one has it all together].

I couldn't help but get a thrill whenever I had a post that got a high number of likes. I judged people based on what they put online, whether I knew them or not. I even checked my Instagram at stoplights and every time I used the bathroom. There was so much wrong with my attachment to social media.

Then 8 days ago I deleted Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram off my iPhone.

And the world went on spinning. In fact, it wasn't even as hard as I thought it would be. I would reach for my phone at times and then realize there was nothing on there to look at, which would free me up to embrace the moment that I was in. There are minor inconveniences, but overall I'm glad I did it. I didn't delete my accounts so I can post updates or stay in touch with friends from my iPad or computer. That way I still have the benefit of keeping in touch with friends and family easily, but I am not constantly attached to social media and the problems that it brings.

If you struggle with the same things as me I would encourage you to try the challenge. Give yourself a 40 day trial and just delete the apps. Keep track of how your attitude changes and what you are able to do with your time. Let me know how it goes!

This broken place we all call home

We live in a broken world.

It is impossible not to see that in a time like right now.

We live in a time where people now live in fear while going to the movie theater. When poverty and unemployment are still soaring. When presidential candidates spend millions of dollars for ads trashing their opponent. When people are caught up in gun control debates and boycotting places that don't share their beliefs that are getting them no where.

Part of me wanted to write a post that may attempt to state my opinion on these matters. Or to maybe persuade someone to see my point of view. But lets be real, that probably wouldn't accomplish anything and I'm not a expert on anything so why read my opinion.

So instead I'll tell you how I try to find peace in this broken world.

I hold on to hope.

Hope in an eternal future beyond this world. Call my belief in that close minded if you want, but in a world this miserable I want to be able to believe in something better and I do.

It's no secret that I am a Christian and it defines me, and I believe that it is truth and it is freedom from this brokenness. I believe in Jesus Christ so much that I would never not want to share him and the truth and freedom that I've found through Him. That being said, I will (and do) share my beliefs with others and listen to them if they want to share theirs as well. As a Christian, I am called to share the good news that I believe so whole-heartily.

But whether or not they share my beliefs, as a Christian, I am also called to love them. I am called to love, to serve, to give, to listen, and to help others. And I intend to.

Please respect me for that.

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
-The recorded words of Jesus from John 16:33

What are ethics?

It’s a simple enough question, but its really much more than that.  It’s also something I wouldn’t have really thought much about until my human resources class today.  We were told to write the definition of what we thought ethics were.  I wrote “a set of beliefs and values a person has that helps them determine their own definition of what is right”.

Merriam-Webster defines ethic as “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation”, “a set of moral principles: a theory or system of moral values”, and “a guiding philosophy”

So if that’s what ethics are then how do we come to know them? Are they learned or intuitive or situational?  As children, we begin to learn ethics, from our families, schools, and religious affiliations.  We are taught what is right and wrong, but eventually we grow up and learn that everything in no longer black and white, and instead there is a lot of gray.  Throughout high school and college we are making our own decisions about what is right and wrong.

This means ethics become situational.  We were asked if everyone has the same ethics, which to me seems like a stupid question, because everyone has different experiences that help them develop the values and ethics they have.  So if everyone’s ethics are different then does that mean some are “better” or more “right” than others.  That is where the conflict lies.  Think about what happens with people disagree over ethics and morals.  Remember when some people thought slavery was okay and others didn’t?  Wars are created from differences in morals.

I think that to “stand firm” in your morals means sticking up for what you believe is right.  But what happens when that’s not what someone else believes is right.  I don’t think that we are required to agree with everyone’s morals, we won’t.  But instead it’s more important to at least try and understand why they feel that way.  Understanding why someone is the way they are makes us a lot more likely to be tolerant.  I’m not saying we have to be tolerant of everything, but next time someone does something you don’t agree don’t start off with judgment, instead ask them about it.  Is it really our place to judge?  Are we even able to always stick to our own morals?

One girl in my class said “stealing is wrong, but what if you have to steal medicine for your child to keep them alive”.  How wrong is it then?  We don’t always know the circumstances behind everything, but the more we do know, the more we will understand that person.

In my life, the things that determined my morals started with my parents and my upbringing.  Being raised in a middle class, white, Christian home in the south defines much of who I am.  But above this, the biggest influence of my life is my relationship with Jesus Christ my savior and all that it means for my life.  That is what defines my view of right and wrong.