I had this great blog post in mind today about curly fries. I mean, I legit had it all planned out in my mind what I was going to say. Then I picked up a friend of mine and we went to the bookstore, and on the way home, he poked me into ranting about a bunch of deep things. When we got back to his house, he playfully insinuated that he intentionally prodded me to make me rant. He is not the only one. At least two other friends have admitted to intentionally poking me me in an attempt to get me to rant (not mentioning any names, ANGELA), others have acknowledge how easy it is to get me going, and others have jokingly prodded at me as a nod to the fact that I rant a lot; although I find it doubtful that the latter actually want to hear what I have to say on a given subject when they do so, and it is far more likely that they are just pointing out the fact that I've ranted at length on some particular thing previously.
When I asked my friend why he prods me in an attempt to get me to rant, he said that I always make him think way more deeply and critically about something than he usually does. At least I have that affect on people. Most of the time my ranting sounds like pointed ramblings about nonsensical or inconsequential things, and I know I tend to harp on certain points again and again. I don't know why you crazy people enjoy my cantankerous nature. You're the weird ones. I'm just crazy insane. But I love you all and I appreciate the way you put up with my rantings.
Anyway, my friend said that my stream of conscious ramblings are like "free writing" but in the verbal sense. So I'm apparently a "free ranter". And I don't charge either.
Today's prayer is for Tommy. Tomorrow's blog will be about fries.
As a special postscript, I apparently have at least three tags about "rant"s, "ranting", and "angry/rage/rant" in case there was any trouble in believing that I rant a lot.
Showing posts with label ranting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ranting. Show all posts
February 19, 2016
March 9, 2014
Why Go to Church?
You don't really need to, right?
I hadn't really been thinking about this today, but as I sat down to write my blog, it just sort of came to mind. It all started with a conversation I had yesterday evening with someone who was very upset that her cousin was "being made" to go to church at the age of 15. Her issue seemed to be that a 15 year old should be made to go to church at all when it wasn't necessary; after all, one can find God on their own.
This wasn't the entirety of that particular story, but it was enough to make reflect on where I would be if I chose to stop going to church. My parents stopped taking us to church when I was very young because of disagreements about the message being taught. We church hopped for a while, but never really settled into any particular one. When I was going to be 13, I was forced to go back to church so that I could get confirmed in our church (as had practically everyone else in my family since we helped to rebuild the church centuries ago). I'll be the first to admit my experience in that particular church wasn't good. However, I wasn't actively trying to find God either. I consider this point in my life the first time I really started to consider why I wasn't happy at the church we were attending, and the point where I finally started to research theology in earnest.
This is precisely why I don't think it's necessarily a bad to 'force' children to go to church. That being said, I will acknowledge extenuating circumstances where particular situations may occur that bring about negative experiences associated with the church. E.G. I really didn't ever plan to return to church after we left our church for the second time due to my own awful experiences and it wasn't until my senior year of high school that a friend of mine convinced me to go back. At the age of 15, a person is capable of understanding and reasoning why they like or don't like a particular situation. They are becoming abstract thinkers. They are trying on different personalities/lifestyles to see which one fits. If nothing else positive comes out of their experiences, they may just get a better understanding of the people who attend church or particular worship in particular denominations.
This is hardly the only reason why attending church is a good thing, however. I can honestly say my faith would not have grown the way it has if not for my parish. I am a very different person than I was a year ago and my desire to grow closer to God has only continued to increase. I can't get enough of the homilies, I adore going to worship, and the extra things our church offers to supplement a Christian life really helps me to make the changes in my life that I need to be a follower of Christ. On my own, I may have read scripture, may have prayed, may have had more discussion with different people from different denominations about their thoughts and ideas, but I don't believe I could have ever reached the depths I've started to delve. I genuinely want to change my life, to become the person God wants me to be. I don't know that many people could do this on their own. If so, they're probably the exception to the rule.
A good church provides strength and stability, growth and compassion, forgiveness and hope. I sincerely wish there were more good ones out there, or that people would give them more of a chance. It's something to pray about at least.
St. Meinrad's
I hadn't really been thinking about this today, but as I sat down to write my blog, it just sort of came to mind. It all started with a conversation I had yesterday evening with someone who was very upset that her cousin was "being made" to go to church at the age of 15. Her issue seemed to be that a 15 year old should be made to go to church at all when it wasn't necessary; after all, one can find God on their own.
This wasn't the entirety of that particular story, but it was enough to make reflect on where I would be if I chose to stop going to church. My parents stopped taking us to church when I was very young because of disagreements about the message being taught. We church hopped for a while, but never really settled into any particular one. When I was going to be 13, I was forced to go back to church so that I could get confirmed in our church (as had practically everyone else in my family since we helped to rebuild the church centuries ago). I'll be the first to admit my experience in that particular church wasn't good. However, I wasn't actively trying to find God either. I consider this point in my life the first time I really started to consider why I wasn't happy at the church we were attending, and the point where I finally started to research theology in earnest.
This is precisely why I don't think it's necessarily a bad to 'force' children to go to church. That being said, I will acknowledge extenuating circumstances where particular situations may occur that bring about negative experiences associated with the church. E.G. I really didn't ever plan to return to church after we left our church for the second time due to my own awful experiences and it wasn't until my senior year of high school that a friend of mine convinced me to go back. At the age of 15, a person is capable of understanding and reasoning why they like or don't like a particular situation. They are becoming abstract thinkers. They are trying on different personalities/lifestyles to see which one fits. If nothing else positive comes out of their experiences, they may just get a better understanding of the people who attend church or particular worship in particular denominations.
This is hardly the only reason why attending church is a good thing, however. I can honestly say my faith would not have grown the way it has if not for my parish. I am a very different person than I was a year ago and my desire to grow closer to God has only continued to increase. I can't get enough of the homilies, I adore going to worship, and the extra things our church offers to supplement a Christian life really helps me to make the changes in my life that I need to be a follower of Christ. On my own, I may have read scripture, may have prayed, may have had more discussion with different people from different denominations about their thoughts and ideas, but I don't believe I could have ever reached the depths I've started to delve. I genuinely want to change my life, to become the person God wants me to be. I don't know that many people could do this on their own. If so, they're probably the exception to the rule.
A good church provides strength and stability, growth and compassion, forgiveness and hope. I sincerely wish there were more good ones out there, or that people would give them more of a chance. It's something to pray about at least.
March 29, 2013
Irrational Irritation and John Wesley
Today, I am struggling with something I have been dealing with for a long time; an inexplicable irritation with humanity in general. I recognize that I have anger issues. This is something I have been fighting for years and years. I have made a lot of headway with meditation, Tai Chi, prayer, and a dedication to trying to be come a less angry person. I tend to go off on ranting tangents because it helps me to reflect upon my thoughts, organize my feelings, and articulate the nature of my current "problem" with the world or certain people. However, there are times when I see injustices-either directly in front of me, or in the world at large-which just get me so worked up that all I can do is despair at the state of humanity, the depth of our hatred towards one another, and smolder about it.
I wanted so much to write up a post today articulating my current irritation. But in the middle of doing so, I was suddenly reminded of John Wesley and went about looking for one of my favorite sermons from him called "Catholic Spirit" (referring to the definition of "catholic" as universal). It's kind of funny how sometimes all it takes is a clear head and a fresh perspective and the worries of the world can disappear. I also think that I've finally discovered something that will help me with my anger problems in the future: just having good literature to refer to does wonders.
Since I am nowhere near articulate enough to emulate John Wesley, I want to share a link to this sermon with anyone who reads this blog. I hope you take the time to read it, meditate on it, and take it to heart. I can only imagine what the world would be like with a little more catholic spirit and a little less hostility...it's something I still need to work on.
http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-39-catholic-spirit/
I wanted so much to write up a post today articulating my current irritation. But in the middle of doing so, I was suddenly reminded of John Wesley and went about looking for one of my favorite sermons from him called "Catholic Spirit" (referring to the definition of "catholic" as universal). It's kind of funny how sometimes all it takes is a clear head and a fresh perspective and the worries of the world can disappear. I also think that I've finally discovered something that will help me with my anger problems in the future: just having good literature to refer to does wonders.
Since I am nowhere near articulate enough to emulate John Wesley, I want to share a link to this sermon with anyone who reads this blog. I hope you take the time to read it, meditate on it, and take it to heart. I can only imagine what the world would be like with a little more catholic spirit and a little less hostility...it's something I still need to work on.
http://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-39-catholic-spirit/
February 28, 2013
Drifting
I have spent so much time doing school work that I feel like I have absolutely no creativity left in me. About a week ago, I was brimming with ideas. Those ideas have been killed by relentless onslaught of assignment after assignment.
I'm sorry, but I fail to see how it's "best practice" to teach teachers that the only way to learn is by giving unreasonable amounts of homework weekly, expecting students to finish it, and then have them sit through lectures as well. My school has absolutely killed my desire to continue learning in this field and almost to continue wanting to teach altogether. The irony here is that if I do get a job teaching, I have to do continuing education classes in order to maintain my certification. They literally have me coming and going.
This week alone, I just finished ten reflections, the fourth major paper in four weeks, and a multitude of other assignments which are mostly minor but when put together with being in the classroom daily and the things I have to do for church, I am left with only brief periods of time to devote to this blog before bed. This cycle is destroying my creativity and my desire to wake up in the mornings. My organiziation has failed, my health has deteriorated with illness, and there's no promise of a job in my future.
I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water and listlessly drifting without any real plan.
On a less depressing note, have some kitties:
I'm sorry, but I fail to see how it's "best practice" to teach teachers that the only way to learn is by giving unreasonable amounts of homework weekly, expecting students to finish it, and then have them sit through lectures as well. My school has absolutely killed my desire to continue learning in this field and almost to continue wanting to teach altogether. The irony here is that if I do get a job teaching, I have to do continuing education classes in order to maintain my certification. They literally have me coming and going.
This week alone, I just finished ten reflections, the fourth major paper in four weeks, and a multitude of other assignments which are mostly minor but when put together with being in the classroom daily and the things I have to do for church, I am left with only brief periods of time to devote to this blog before bed. This cycle is destroying my creativity and my desire to wake up in the mornings. My organiziation has failed, my health has deteriorated with illness, and there's no promise of a job in my future.
I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water and listlessly drifting without any real plan.
On a less depressing note, have some kitties:
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