Stuff on My Mind As Of Late

There are a few things I have been thinking about lately. They consist of the following. Some are lighthearted, some are slightly below the surface. Hammocks: These things are possibly the most brilliant invention ever made. There isn't really anything like sitting in a hammock in the sun reading a good book with a glass of southern sweet tea glistening with the condensation on the outer rim just beginning to drip...ahh. That is the good life my friends. There should be mandatory hammocks in every resort. They should be hung between two large palm trees and there should be varying sizes on a hammock lawn. This I am convinced of. Hugs: There really isn't anything like a good hug. If you have had a bad day, or are depressed and you get an encouraging hug it makes the whole day better. I can't stand it when I get a hug from those people that act like they are going to break you if they hug you too hard. If I am going to get a hug you better believe it should be a good strong hug, and not one of those old-lady hugs. Going over people that give amazing hugs that I know...this list consists of a couple of amazing people..Kevin Hartzell and Tim Goldsmith give the absolute best hugs. There are a few others that I can't really think of now, but I'm sure they will come to me later. Society as a whole: Ugh. Society. It makes me want to cringe when I think about it. Everything we do is constantly being formed by society in some way, shape, or form. Society is almost this separate entity that isn't really connected to anyone in particular. Society is also always changing. Just think of how things have changed in just a few years. Take Video Games for example: when I was growing up I distinctly remember going over to my cousins house and playing on their Nintendo 64. Sure the graphics were terrible, but that's all we had and we loved it. When we weren't playing on video games we had fun outside, swinging on the tire swing or making that stuff that isn't either liquid or solid...did you ever make that stuff as a kid? you could throw it on the floor and it would run all over the place and you could just push it into one big pile and pick it up? it was great! Now it seems like most of the kids are so constantly bombarded with technology that they don't know what to do without it. Society. Blech. Why is it so frowned upon to be open with other people? Why do you get wierd looks if you cry in public? Since when is it 'wrong' to be vulnerable with others? Why does society place these restrictions on us? These rules are so ridiculous, and serve no real purpose other than make us all seem like we are so similar that there is no way to differentiate between separate people. I hate being so fake. I don't want to be one of those people that is always "doing great!". I want to be a real person for crying out loud! I want to be open with my feelings and let people know if I'm having a crappy day or if something is going on in my life that's important! Yes, there are certain parameters that need to be set in place on which people you let know what is going on. You don't want to be one of those people that has that reputation of changing every time something small happens. Gahh, society sucks. Thankfully I have people I can go to when I'm down in the dumps that will listen to me and pray for and with me when I get into a difficult spot. Praise God for those friends! I would be a wreck without you guys. Appearance: This one sort of ties into Society... Why do we place so much emphasis on looks? Why do we value some people more than other people. What makes us desire to look what other people deem 'better'? Why can't we just be ourselves without all the designer clothing and globs of hair junk and seemingly pounds of makeup? I have been convicted of this just a few days ago as a matter of fact. It was Saturday so I got up normal time for a Saturday, and got a shower ate a quick pop-tart and started working on a paper. Even though I didn't get out of my room until dinner I felt as if something wasn't right, and it was because I didn't do my hair. A foolish example I know, but at least it illustrates the point. Our collective consciousness places so much emphasis on looks and 'fitting in'. Frankly it's exhausting. I am who I am, and who I am is found in Christ who does not care what brand of clothing you wear, or if every hair on your head is in the right place, or even if you have a freckle or two that is in the 'wrong' place. Oh gosh I could write so much more. And more is sure to follow, but for now I retire to bed. Goodnight all.