The Screwtape Letters

What a phenomenal and heartening quote from CS Lewis:
"Sooner or later He withdraws, if not in fact, at least from their conscious experience, all those supports and incentives. He leaves the creature to stand up on its own two legs-to carry out from the will alone duties which have lost all relish. It is during such trough periods, much more than during peak periods, that it is growing into the sort of creature He wants it to be. Hence the prayers offered in the state of dryness are those which please Him best. We can drag our patients along by continual tempting, because we design them only for the table, and the more their will is interfered with the better. He cannot 'tempt' to virtue as we do to vice. He wants them to learn to walk and must therefore take away His hand; and if only the will to walk is really there He is pleased even with their stumbles. Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause is never more in danger than when a human, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's will, looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys."

Frankly, my trials in life are nothing to boast about, truly, I am more blessed than I could ever say, but I was so affected by reading it, that I am truly grateful to know that I should be encouraged by more difficult times, and that it means greater things than easy times I've enjoyed before in my life.

summer chronicles: no [wo]man's an island

This worn-out adage has come to mean more to me than I'd like to admit. It's silly, or maybe it just feels that way because I've been in denial for too long [that sounds like some stupid facebook status - bleh.] I always honestly considered myself above needing other people, and I suppose that to a very small degree that is true, I can continue breathing and moving forward by myself, but I don't believe that I will ever be able to actually thrive without some fellow breathers and movers of the human variety. And guess what, I said "i love ____" at work tonight about a hundred times. I couldn't believe myself. Most of that is because now that I've allowed myself to let down my guard a wee and gotten to know the crew[s] better . . . guess what . . . i like them . . . surprise surprise rachel. If I could just get over the silly superiority complex and realize that all people are worthwhile, man my life would be so much better. So, here's to letting loose and allowing the next six weeks (and fifty-one short days) to be the greatest I've had. I'm not quitting, I'm not giving up, and most importantly, I'm going to go for it and latch on to the mother land. No more coconuts/palm trees/sandy beaches for me

. . . okay, maybe a few beaches.

Diagnosis: RMS

Restless Mind Syndrome. I'm going a little stir crazy. I'm sitting here seeing all these amazing things that other people are doing, and I'm trying to make something of myself at #20. I've been asked thrice what I'm doing this weekend, and guess what? I had no response. Well, I did actually. I conjured up some semblance of a socially acceptable answer that would appease the interrogator (involving the special olympics, best of intentions - truly), but my head was buzzing with annoyance at myself for my halting lack of assertiveness. Here I am, going on about "oh la, i have so much potential" blah blah. But where is my conviction. When will that stored up potential get a push and magically transform into something beautifully kinetic?

I understand that I ought not compare myself to others because everyone's circumstances are quite various. . . . not sure where I was going with that in fact. 

I've been exposed to some refreshingly novel notions as of late. I'm always caught with my mouth vaguely ajar, and my brow slightly distanced when my mind is enlightened with an idea that I hadn't even dared to explore. But then I can't get it out of my head, and more prevalent upon my stage of thought is the nagging demand - why is it that that had never occurred to me? Am I not at a university where I am supposed to experience some form or other of enlightenment on a regular basis. Is it my fault? Am I simply neglecting those courses that would yank at your eyelids of understanding, to open your mind's eye to the ideas of this world? I mean really, don't I deserve to be exposed to radical ideas at college. Gah, I'm so sick and tired of every bloody person have such similar ideas that fit so precisely into "reasonable/scholarly thought." This blog is about magical thoughts n'est pas? So why in heaven's name do I feel like I'm either 1. still at high school, or worse 2. I was more enlightened at my public school than at this revered private university. There is diversity . . . sure, but honestly, in my two semesters, there was one day (make that two) that really brought out magical thought. Seriously?!

Let me tell you about them. 

Scenario #1. Honors {supposed to be a very enlightened class yes?} English. We were discussing an article written by a woman who worked at an abortion clinic and she very honestly yet tactfully described the comings and goings of the clients, the process, the emotions, the clean-up, the repercussions, etc. What a fascinating piece of prose. During class, we were informed that this article was very nearly not included in the course's collection of essays. I ventured to ask why that was, and was given the most disconcerting response I could have imagined, (in fact i'm a little on the verge of tears just thinking about it.) Apparently it was too inappropriate, too much an advocate for what is wrond, too "not fitting into the curriculum." No! Please, please. The discussion that followed the reading of that article made me feel alive, like those billions of links in my 3lb. brain were getting off their comfortable seat of complacency and compliance and jumping onto a mental treadmill. It was exhilarating, and it gave me hope for my education. That hope has since dissipated. 

Scenario #2: Honors (that word again) lecture. It was my very first one, and it discussed french philosophers and explored the concepts that define whether we're really here. Are we? How do we know that everything isn't just created to tickle our senses. The lecturer came to the conclusion that it is through our relationships with other people. The quaint details of human interaction stand as a witness that we are indeed living and breathing in a world that is real. We can't deny it. I haven't quite been the same since.

I just can't dismiss the hold on my chest whenever I think about how little it seems I'm exposed to. Are people nervous that if I hear a twinge of opposition that I will begin to malfunction and be rendered useless? Is the staff incapable of radical thought? Am I being to difficult? no. I don't think I am. I was always one who dealt better with opposition than most. Complacency pushes me to my limit - I can't stand it. I would rather struggle through something worth my while than sidle on by and make it easily. Don't worry, I've had plenty of work to do, and I will wholeheartedly admit that I've struggled in my time here. But the crucial point in this discussion is whether it was worth it? Am I really a better person for all I've done since last September. Honestly? Am I much improved? 

Let's be frank because hey, I don't know many people will happen upon this flaming red corner of the blog-o-sphere, so why not eh? My expectations haven't been fulfilled. I graduated from my school preparing for a stimulating and challenging environment where everything that I knew would be questioned, then exalted, and I would feel overwhelmed with both work and lofty thoughts. Well, those lofty thoughts may need a helium shot because they drifted rather low to the ground. I can't get over it. Should my expectations NOT have been that high? I don't know. But don't I deserve to be overwhelmed with stimulation. Bloody hell* that's why I came here isn't it? To be enlightened to come back a new woman with all these amazing ideas that I could venture to share with the world like a bag full of feed, scattered among all the little birdies that I come into contact with. I don't feel like that. I learned things. Please understand. My little head has lassoed plenty of interesting data about the world around me and life and . . . blah blah. The worst part is . . . I love learning. Come on, ask anybody, and they can attest to seeing my face light up at discovering something -anything! But here I am, dreading the idea of having to register for classes that will get me closer to nowhere. I feel like I'm running in a race without actually going anywhere. Exercise is great, but what good is building up strength if it doesn't actually get you anyplace?

I miss the diversity. I miss hearing ideas that were so opposite to what I had always believed, but then catching a glimpse of reason in the words they spoke and then introverting, examining my own beliefs, then coming out with a renewed sense of conviction. I have missed introspection. Now in the gospel setting, I have enjoyed a great deal of looking within myself (especially in the last stretch of my life.) But I can't stand everything being so feel-good. I realize that we should "seek learning by study and also by faith" - I get it. BYU, you are doing and PHEN-omenal job of pounding this into the minds of your student body. But study and faith, though friendly, are NOT the same thing. NOPE! they're not. Please understand. I love allusions to the gospel in class. We're all very nearly on the same page, and the gospel is the most important thing in all of our lives, mine included. I'm a member of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and I am so, SOOOO happy about it. But I've discovered that can't be all of me. One thing I realized when I got here and saw that that couldn't be my identity, because it defined everybody else too, and unless I was desirous of just becoming a part of that mash of individuals, I have to find something else to define me. I am also me. Somebody completely different. So STOP trying to shove me into a mold. Please. Don't assume that I'm another one of those girls, or even worse, don't assume that I'm NOT one of those girls. Frankly, I don't know which I am, but more likely than not, I'm neither. Please, just leave it up to me. I'm trying to figure out my blasted life, and I'd like to do it without too much gentle prodding towards where all the other cattle are headed. I'm not trying to disassociate, merely differentiate. And I'm having trouble.

At home, I was an anomaly. I was like nobody else, no, not one. And here, gah, I am a member of the masses. Don't get me wrong, please, I was really looking forward to blending into the faceless crowds of the growing future. But now, instead of everyone not having a face because they're all so different that they melt into a sea of indistinguishable diversity, everybody's got the same blasted mask on. I feel more lost than had I been in a place absolutely foreign to me. I get frustrated. I know I'm not the most original person. I know it. My thoughts are really very normal and  . . . . boring. But how can I get past that if everyone is so so concerned with being polite, and reverent. Can't we shake it up a bit. Sometimes we all need a shake. Sometimes we need a smack across the face to remind us that we need to be on our guard. I feel like I've been drifting along. When there isn't an opposing current, our am I supposed to build up the strength that comes through resistance. I'm enjoying the ride, sure, but I can't help looking around me at the others pushing through tides of opposition and feeling a little jealous. I wanted to be shocked when I got here. I wanted to feel so out of my element that I wanted to cry, but through my tears I wanted to toughen up and exert with determination that I would, I WOULD fight against this and be strong. I didn't want anybody to be nice to me. I wanted to find it out for myself. Stop giving me the answers. 

This is what I feel like; I feel like I'm going into a test where the teacher went through all the answers, and although it was easy, and I felt confident about the whole experience there's a lack of satisfaction. I love the perspective the gospel gives us, but sometimes I think that things achieved through a bit of struggle are more worth the earning. Yet here I am, floating. 

I don't honestly think that carping about all of this will make a difference. And you know what, I'm sure most think that I'm being more harsh than I should. I should be grateful, and I am. I chose to come here,  I realize that, I know. And that's one thing that I just can't get my head around. This was the only place I wanted to come to. I didn't want to apply to other schools. This was easy. I was accepted before other people's applications were even started. Did I just give up because it was easier. Did I not apply to other schools because that would have required effort that I wasn't willing to exert? I don't know. But I'm here, and I have been happier here than I ever have been. Sometimes I forget what it was like to be in a situation of opposition, the frustration and the restlessness. Maybe I'm just a discontent person who needs to suck it up. Maybe. Maybe not. I dunno.

But I have to get these things out. I have to articulate how I'm feeling, what it is that has been nagging at me that I refuse to give notice to. Well, here it is. I've been wondering what it is that I'm doing here. I've heard others say that it has been affirmed that they know this is where they're supposed to be. No such luck. I don't know. I've pondered since day one (literally, i can remember new student orientation thinking about it) what my purpose is here. No answers as of yet. Frankly, I'm kind of dreading the affirmation of what I believe the answer to be, that it doesn't really matter where I am. I could have succeeded anywhere, but this is where I am, not necessarily where I was meant to be, but this is my situation right now. Maybe that's not why, I just hope someday I can figure this business out. It's pretty tricky. But that's what it's about I guess. 

If I can flesh out the most wicked part of the situation, I feel like only then can I find the middle ground, where I want to be. Which brings me back to the original point. I like to see both sides of things so that I can figure out where I stand. And I guess I feel like I'm just trying to cling to the wall of the one side of a cliff because I haven't got anything else to connect to. It's a little perturbing. 

I can't be everything, I have become aware. This is very unfortunate for me, because I think I honestly always believed I could be. This is a big step forward, but because of my ambitious past, I have trouble letting go. But I realize that I need to move forward, I want to move forward. There is satisfaction in progression, and I have changed, and I am happy. But there are still some things that need to be resolved. Here we are, inconclusive, yet feeling significantly more relieved.

*ahem, excuse me.

A Step for Assertion

I feel strongly about a few things. But frankly, sometimes I’m not terribly vocal about those things. Sometimes this frustrates me because ofttimes the things that I feel most strongly about, the things that are closest to my heart are the things that I am most hesitant to open up about.

 For instance, there is my religion. I see people all over the world being very open about what their beliefs consist of. This by no means is a lack of faith, nor am I ashamed to admit where my beliefs lie, but I would say that my . . . hesitancy stems from a desire to keep what I hold sacred unscathed by the derision of the world. When I was in high school, nearly the entire school was well aware that I was indeed a member of the LDS church, lovingly referred to as the Mormons. But I never really brought it up, or forced it upon anyone, and if ever confrontation arose, I tried to curtail the conversation as deftly as possible, often to no avail. People were curious, and rightly so, but I had no desire to see my special beliefs pulled out to be exposed to the mockery of the average high schooler. So I didn’t push it.

 Now I am in an atmosphere where there is very little threat of mockery, or even vague disagreement. I am comfortable. My beliefs are not being challenged, and part of me believes that the lack of resistance is causing my muscles of assertion to go limp. I don’t really have a solution to this problem, but simply putting it out there is a step in the right direction, a step that could help me to puch myself a little farther every time.

worth fighting for

Sometimes I am prompted to ponder, what are the issues that will define our society? We can all look back upon the indents of previous societies, and utilizing our broad perspective, recognize the big topics that were really the most important - the things worth fighting for.

Where we stand today, particularly as Americans, is the result of many moral conquests. The countless individuals that lived and died for issues such as the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, or civil rights laid the foundation for so many individuals to have the rights they deserve. Without them, the world we live in would be one limited by oppression of liberty. So I can't help but wonder- what should I be fighting for, and more importantly- is there a limit that if crossed, signifies that we've gone too far?

We've got a lot of touchy issues on our hands nowadays. Issues that not only test the bounds of liberty found in the Constitution, but also the limits of one's moral and ethical beliefs found in one's heart. Where should we stand? What should we focus on? Too many issues exist to even attempt to address them all, so which one is the most important? Does the war in Iraq take precedence over the failing educational standards of American public schools? Should we all attend to the needs of the starving children in Africa, or the secularization of American society? 

My personal religious beliefs do play a large role in the way that I view a lot of issues, but even so, I am not sure where I should place my emphasis. Sometimes when I think back of those people that put their lives into worthwhile causes, I feel anxious at the idea that I might be missing out on something big. I don't really know. I suppose that in the least, I can keep myself involved and passionate about what goes on in this country, and stay strong on those issues that seem to have the greatest impact on my life.

the conquest of freedom

            The founding fathers established this nation with the absolute intention that she would maintain her goodness if her people would maintain their sense of virtue. These men set up a very firm moral foundation upon which to build the rest of this great nation, in order to bless the lives of her future people. Thomas Jefferson and the signers of the Declaration of Independence confirmed the existence of “self-evident truths” that applied to all men, and were “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” Although they are indeed self-evident and unalienable, in order to maintain their efficacy and prevalence in today’s society, they must be upheld through enduring effort. Thus each individual has a moral responsibility to exercise his or her free agency to attain, maintain, and spread freedom in the face of an increasingly secular culture.

            Each man and woman upon the earth has been endowed with free agency; each is able act for him/herself as part of God’s plan, and this free agency can never be taken away. However, freedom can be denied or reduced by the conditions of man, by way of law or natural circumstance. Thus free agency is the power to choose, and is absolute, whereas freedom is the power to carry out those choices, and can be restricted. Consequently, when the Lord guided the formation of this country, He provided for the exercise of agency, within the margins of American freedom. Hence, it becomes our responsibility, as God-fearing partakers of this freedom, to exercise that agency to extend the arm of freedom. If not, we forsake that which has been divinely crafted for our benefit.This nation is changing, and the shift is in the direction that leads one further from God. Said Abraham Lincoln “We have forgotten God . . . we have imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of their own.” The increasing secularism of our nation is depriving the current and future generations of the great benefits of this nation. Margaret Thatcher, the .. . . once told the students of Brigham Young University that “You use the name of God in your Constitution, and yet you can’t use it in your schools.” If the citizens of this great nation proceeds to do away with the values and virtues that the Founding Fathers upheld, there may be spanning consequences that affect the liberty that the Founding Fathers also tried to uphold. The more that the United States chips away at the Christian values in the government, the weaker the groundwork of our government will become, and the less the Lord will watch over the maintenance of this nation. Without faith and conviction in moral responsibility, the foundation upon which our forefathers built will inevitably fall. Thus each citizen of this great nation must exercise his or her God-given free agency to continue the fight for the conquest of freedom.

Insight

I grew up in Southern California, where diversity is a natural and beautiful aspect of living. I'll admit that living in a more . . . shall we say neutral environment has made me increasingly nostalgic for my dear little town. At my high school, as a caucasian, I was in the minority; and you know what-I loved it. I miss it. I'll admit it's rather a strange thing to "miss," per say. But the dearth of my current surroundings have brought me to an absolute appreciation for how blessed I was for the exposure to different cultures that I firmly believe contributed to my personal development.

Recently I was pondering on how it got started. I recognize that other nations are certainly diverse, but because America sprouted out of an idea as opposed to a common religion, nationality, or seizure of circumstance, her people can claim a different kind of unity, one that I believe transcends divisions more easily.

America's doors were open, and thus this nation was flooded by so many different kinds of people, but they were all united in their yearning for freedom and liberty. What a beautiful notion that is. But it is also essential to remember that some came here involuntarily. So many millions of black Africans were uprooted and brought to the United States. What a horrific ordeal that was. I shudder to think of it. But an amazing thing happened-the fervor of liberty spread to these slaves. Not only that, but hope and faith in God was also brought to these individuals. Thus all of America was embraced by the notion of liberty and it currently strives to remain there.

And so today, we are all here-every beautiful shade and belief and culture is represented, and what a great thing that is. The history of this nation is by no means without gross mistakes and some utter failings, but how grateful I am that all of that hardship has contributed to an amazing history that allows all people the chance at liberty. As for my love of diversity, I am filled with gratitude that I have the chance to be a beneficiary of all that went into establishing this great country.

Elections

Last week we had elections on campus. What an interesting event this is. The campaigning, the lobbying, the brightly colored poster, and the desperation/commitment of those dear volunteers. I am reminded of our own campaigns, namely the ones that ended with Mr. Obama, and started so long ago in this country.

I will be the first to admit that elections are a crazy time. So many things are going on, pulling you in every direction. What to do? Who to vote for? Why must this go on? But despite all of these things, or perhaps it is because of them, I love the election process. I find it amazing that power passes hands so peacefully. Politics can be a messy business, but despite all of the  . . . well politics of this event, all is well. No revolution. No resistance. At least none to boast of. That is amazing. Power can be a tricky thing, and yet the way that our government is set up allows for such an almost seamless transition . . . maybe that's generous (especially considering a shift in war tactics, and on opinions on stem cell research, and stimulus plans - nonetheless.) I live in a truly remarkable place. 

The seemingly insignificant campus elections, and that distinctive shift of power is an admirable bit of offspring from the mother of all democracies. The U.S. constitution has had a resounding impact on the governments of most of the world. This country can claim plenty of problems, but I believe that the election process, in all its vain glory can be admired. It works. It works so well that we use it everywhere, and it continues to function beautifully for our government. How grateful I am to live in a nation where peace is not only possible, but it persists and proceeds so beautifully. 

Four hours of my most recent Friday afternoon was spent at Church History Symposium. Yes it was long, but well spent. The theme was record-keeping, or something along those lines, and I felt prompted by the influential people that have gone before me and have had the foresight and conviction to keep a record of themselves and their people. 

All of the great things that a society may boast of are recorded {besides those with oral tradition, but that's another matter entirely.} The foundation of this nation is grounded in the recorded thoughts of others, and what wisdom we have gleaned from not only their acquired knowledge, but more importantly, from the fact that they wrote it down. For instance, the Bible. All it is is men that recorded significant events that occurred over the course of their lives. Such significant events have shaped the course of how our modern society operates. And perhaps these events didn't really seem terrible significant at the time. Like Anne Frank, the course of our lives may not seem like it could pose any significance to anyone except for ourselves and yet what great enlightenment we have received on account of that girl.

I remember when I was younger, I used to pretend to drop hints in my journal writing, in anticipation of it being found and published as phenomenal insight, but alas, it may just provide some entertainment to an encroaching generation. Nonetheless, we must write. Our lives are indeed interesting, as are our thoughts and ideas, and each of us is under obligation to make some kind of record of it. We will never know who will benefit from our very simple records. My life is really not profound, but I hope that I can work to preserve the beautiful life I have been blessed with so that I can share it with others!

The World We Live In

I'll just say it-I can't help but notice and feel affected by the current situation of our economy. I have the blessing of reading the NYTimes everyday, but sometimes I just glaze over the front page with steely emotions because each story about how bad it all is. I've discussed this situation with a friend, and we get so excited when the main story is NOT about the economy . . . the stimulus package . . . . or more layoffs . . . etc. 

But then I think back, to the financial system we live in, to what was originally intended for this great nation, and how all of this is supposed to work out. 

Capitalism. It's what we do. It may be deemed corrupt by some, and frankly it thrives off of divisions between the people, but where are we now? I will not profess to know even a reputable amount on this subject, but I know enough that it usually works out. But now? In the Constitution, the government was given certain duties over the financial side of things, but essentially private ownership provides the foundation for our economy, but now? We need to adapt and help everyone out.

One article I recently read discussed how Americans need to spend. Spending is why our government works, and now we're all saving . . . which is quite frankly screwing everybody. I don't have any answers-plenty of questions-but I hope that some time from now, I can look back and sigh with relief that we came out of it. 

An Appreciation

I adore the United States of America. The red white and blue on the fourth, crying during the national anthem, stopping wherever I am to say the pledge. . . love it, but I will not deny that I love the notion of the International world. It has so much to offer. 

Too often, I think that Americans get this notion in their head that we are far superior to the rest of the world, and frankly-in many respects-we are . . . I won't deny that. But we are not the end all be all. We would not exist, nor would we be what we are today without the rest of the world. Having a very real possibility of living outside of the country  for three months right in front of me, I can't help but feel the need to yank myself out of the egotistical American mindset and realize that the rest of the world is great! There is worth outside of the fifty states, and each of us needs to recognize that fact.
And yet it seems that the most beautiful thing about living within the realm of the International, is that we have something to offer. We, as Americans have great freedoms {some of which have become far limited since 1776, but nonetheless} and how blessed we are. We cannot shirk the responsibility we have to inspire others for good. We cannot put off familiarizing ourselves with how other people eat and sleep and talk and live their lives. We are all connected in this human race, and whether you're from Marseilles, Shanghai or Jakarta-you're a human being. America is a beautiful land, and I will never be able to express the magnitude of my gratitude for being here, but I refuse to allow myself to go through my life without acknowledging the beauty of this entire world- of each person and the traditions, that come with them. I am most certainly proud to be an American, but I am even more thrilled to be part of this human race. It's a beautiful yet challenging time to be alive, and so we need to realize our need for the rest of the world. We're all in it together, and I'll admit that I am glad.

A Challenge

I think that everybody needs to be challenged in their beliefs, how else is one supposed to become strengthened without some resistance? I find this to be true in most aspects of one's life.

For instance, the protracted political debates of the founding fathers was absolutely necessary. Without opposing viewpoints, there is no way to truly test out one's own beliefs or methods, and ensure that they are either absolutely sound, or perhaps need to be adjusted. Compromises needed to be made in order to reach the best possible solution for the needs of our society. 

On some occasions, however compromise is not necessary. One's religious convictions ought not be compromised, but I am still firm that without some kind of resistance or broadening, it is difficult to become as firm as one is able, without an awareness, of what one is up against. For instance, in a class, we discussed an article on abortion. It was tactful, but honest (which I loved) and it truly brought people to realizations and strengthened their views. What's more, is that each of us now have a more valid and less ignorant view on the subject. You can't build muscle without some kind of resistance. Similarly, you can't reach your full potential, be it in your beliefs, your physical condition, your intelligence, or the state of your nation without something to stretch you and as a result make you even stronger than before.

A Matter of Conviction

I admire the ability of my peers, and any other individual to express their conviction on serious matters. Today I had the opportunity to feel the strength of many young adults as they expressed their feelings about their existence upon the earth, and what they wanted their life to be like, and how they wanted to change for the better.

The topic of youth being the future of this world is often discussed, particularly in the context of the measures that will need to be carried out over generations to solve certain global problems, but I have confidence that all will be well. The youth of this day and age are amazing. So many are being pushed to their limits so that they might someday lead the world in the direction that it needs to go. Miracles are happening everyday on behalf of today's young adults. They are stalwart and true, but unfortunately sometimes distracted.

The world puts forward so so many images and ideals that are simply incorrect and unattainable. And yet more often the standards put up are far too low to be even worthwhile. And yet I am fully confident that we can and will be led by individuals that have been prepared for such a time as this. Life is not random, and neither is our placement within its grasp. Each person upon the earth is meant for something, and has endless potential, and I am so so glad that this is true. It gives me hope for the future that there are individuals willing to have unique views and to express them confidently to the world. As such, I know that there is a divine creator who watches over us. I know that each of us is accountable for our actions, yet not forsaken. I know that I am somebody important, and so is every other person dwelling upon the earth. Hooray for that! 

Prepared in a Glorious Way

I am amazed by how there is such an obvious hand in the course of one's existence. I have many times seen this to be true within my own life, but even in the formation of our beautiful nation, so many things had to fall perfectly into place so that I could be here, doing what I'm doing, and living my life.

Countless individuals contributed to the formation of this country of course, but there have been certain essential components worth noting. Of course, Christopher Columbus must be mentioned, and despite the recent negativity associated with his name, I believe that he was divinely guided in order to catapult this land into the arena of civilization. No one can deny that without the role that he did in fact play, we would not be in the position we are now.

 Martin Luther also deserves to be on this list. He had the audacity to question the Catholic church, and thank goodness. Without him the protestant movement would have had no birth, which would have prevented anyone from seeking out religious freedom in a new land. 

Johannes Gutenberg, a little out of order, but nonetheless important. Hooray for the printing press, which opened up literacy, particularly for the bible. Every person alive today is indebted to the work of this man. 

The Founding Fathers are an obvious, yet profoundly essential part of this nation. I heard recently that amongst today's population, we could not duplicate this group of men. They were each reserved for a special time, and a special purpose. And their fruits of their labors is seen everyday in our dealings with the government and with each other. And of course we must thank the men that engendered the fledgling ideals that bloomed in the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution: Locke, Machievelli, Hobbs, and many others. 

I realize the amazing position I'm in as a citizen of this country, and in response to all of the fervor of our current nation, I just want to affirm that in spite of the difficulties of our nation at this time, it exists for a reason. And we can't take it for granted.