There has been a big buzz lately surrounding the video put out by BYU's USGA group. In this video they promote the accpetance and tolerance of anybody that has homosexual struggles. While I agree that we should be loving and try to be understanding of these people, I find it hard to just accept this kind of lifestyle.
I am saddened by the people who feel like outcasts, or who even consider suicide, but does this really say anything? I am not questioning the authenticity of the people in the video, but I feel that it is possible to cling to an idea and eventually begin to believe. Have I ever thought about committing suicide before? Sure I have thought about it, but never seriously. In those occasions it may have been because I was really embarrassed or was going through a rough time in my life. Just because I have considered it, doesn't make the me right in whatever situation I was in.
If people are to just accept being homosexuals, and just say that is who I am and leave it at that, where does that lead to? Does this same concept apply to people who are addicted to pornography or drugs? One may say 'I just like pornography and can't seem to get it out of my life.' Obviously this person would have an addiction, but should not assume that because that is his or her trial in life that it should be accepted and tolerated. Pornography is clearly defined as a sin, and people are encouraged to overcome this.
Now I am not an expert on homosexuals, nor do I wish to offend them, but just because they have those feelings (which may be legitimate) does not mean that they do not have to fight it if it is indeed a sin a to be a homosexual. This may be their trial in life, just as pornography is a trial for so many others.
So of course these people need the support and love of everybody, but I do not advocate that being a homosexual is alright. I am a judge of no man, but if one were to pray, I believe God would want to comfort and show His love to any and all of His children. He, more than anybody else, knows how important it is to love His children, but this does not mean He loves or accepts the sin.
Jesus died for everybody, no matter our trials, feelings, or personality. He will help us if we but ask and persevere. Who are we to say that we tried hard enough, our problem hasn't gone away, so now I'll just accept it and tell God to do the same?
Again, this may be a sensitive subject for some, and I wish to offend no one. This is my opinion, and it will yet be seen if I am just a fish out of water.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
What is worth getting angry about?
Have you ever had one of those friends that you feel will explode at the most menial things? When you feel scared to bring something up because you are afraid of a plate being thrown at your face? Yeah, me too.
I wonder often how people can just flip a switch like that and turn into an unrelenting, unapproachable monster. This just amazes me, because much of the time, they are fun people to be around. But when you do some small thing, like root against their sport team or try and compromise splitting spoils left by an ex roommate, they just are not worth all the drama.
So I was just wondering, what is worth getting upset about? Are some things more important to some people than to others? I root for the Jazz, but if somebody tells me that they aren't very good, I could care less. But if I tell that same person that the Nuggets are just as bad and he gets all crazy defensive and ridicules what I like just to hurt me, now that is pretty lame.
Maybe some people take things very personally. Maybe they do not get the big picture of life, and cling to things that do not bring joy (like the Nuggets). They see these things as more important than friendship, more important than being civil.
It really makes things stressful because I am the type of person who wants to be kind and thoughtful towards everybody. I don't like having bad thoughts or feelings towards friends. But sometimes, I just turn out to be like a fish out of water.
I wonder often how people can just flip a switch like that and turn into an unrelenting, unapproachable monster. This just amazes me, because much of the time, they are fun people to be around. But when you do some small thing, like root against their sport team or try and compromise splitting spoils left by an ex roommate, they just are not worth all the drama.
So I was just wondering, what is worth getting upset about? Are some things more important to some people than to others? I root for the Jazz, but if somebody tells me that they aren't very good, I could care less. But if I tell that same person that the Nuggets are just as bad and he gets all crazy defensive and ridicules what I like just to hurt me, now that is pretty lame.
Maybe some people take things very personally. Maybe they do not get the big picture of life, and cling to things that do not bring joy (like the Nuggets). They see these things as more important than friendship, more important than being civil.
It really makes things stressful because I am the type of person who wants to be kind and thoughtful towards everybody. I don't like having bad thoughts or feelings towards friends. But sometimes, I just turn out to be like a fish out of water.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Hunger Games
Well, I saw the much hyped movie, The Hunger Games last Saturday. I have never read the books, but have been told the basic storyline. Let me say that it is very intriguing plot. I am not sure how I should feel about it though.
The movie is very interesting and does a very good job of catching the viewer's interest. I found myself waiting anxiously for what would happen next. I can not help but ask myself however, if this is the type of movie I should watch, or if it is ethical. I guess the big hurdle for me is just the fact that older teenagers slaughter younger or weaker teenagers throughout. Should this be something that I am excited to watch? Or support by watching it?
The thing is though, is that I do enjoy watching other movies with lots of action, and sometimes fighting is glorified in those movies. People even die in those movies as well. By watching these movies, am I not still supporting violence? Is my conscience waking up now because instead of adults, it is children dying?
I like to tell myself that it is okay, because they are just movies and what happens is not real. But maybe I really am desensitizing myself to things that really are bad and violent and should not be portrayed in such a glorious fashion.
These are just my thoughts as I ponder on whether Hunger Games really is a movie that I can feel comfortable watching.
The movie is very interesting and does a very good job of catching the viewer's interest. I found myself waiting anxiously for what would happen next. I can not help but ask myself however, if this is the type of movie I should watch, or if it is ethical. I guess the big hurdle for me is just the fact that older teenagers slaughter younger or weaker teenagers throughout. Should this be something that I am excited to watch? Or support by watching it?
The thing is though, is that I do enjoy watching other movies with lots of action, and sometimes fighting is glorified in those movies. People even die in those movies as well. By watching these movies, am I not still supporting violence? Is my conscience waking up now because instead of adults, it is children dying?
I like to tell myself that it is okay, because they are just movies and what happens is not real. But maybe I really am desensitizing myself to things that really are bad and violent and should not be portrayed in such a glorious fashion.
These are just my thoughts as I ponder on whether Hunger Games really is a movie that I can feel comfortable watching.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
The Joys of Acceptance
Yesterday I was accepted into the Marriott School of Management business program at BYU. Let me tell you that it was a joy and such a relief to be accepted into this college.
This is a very significant and important accomplishment in my life not because of the prestige of the program, but because it will allow me to pursue what I really want to do. The months and weeks leading up to this were very stressful, because if I did not get into this school, it would have been a year wasted away and I would need to spend more time thinking of a good plan B.
I can not help but wonder, however, as to why such a rigorous selection process is necessary for the Marriott School. I understand that it is a top program and prestigious around the nation, but does limiting who comes into the program make it that way? Wouldn't it rely more on the people coming out? How many of the people who were not accepted could have turned out to have really great business careers? They could obviously transfer to other universities if that is really their dream, but most BYU students do not want to leave.
I can understand BYU turning away prospective students, there just is not enough room for everybody to come in. I would think that the very fact that students get into BYU would be enough of a sign that people would be able to succeed in the business school.
This may just be my biased perspective, since I was probably pretty close to being one of those students turned away, but I can still realize how some people feel negative about this.
I love BYU and I am grateful to be in the Marriott School of Management. I just wish it could have been easier.
This is a very significant and important accomplishment in my life not because of the prestige of the program, but because it will allow me to pursue what I really want to do. The months and weeks leading up to this were very stressful, because if I did not get into this school, it would have been a year wasted away and I would need to spend more time thinking of a good plan B.
I can not help but wonder, however, as to why such a rigorous selection process is necessary for the Marriott School. I understand that it is a top program and prestigious around the nation, but does limiting who comes into the program make it that way? Wouldn't it rely more on the people coming out? How many of the people who were not accepted could have turned out to have really great business careers? They could obviously transfer to other universities if that is really their dream, but most BYU students do not want to leave.
I can understand BYU turning away prospective students, there just is not enough room for everybody to come in. I would think that the very fact that students get into BYU would be enough of a sign that people would be able to succeed in the business school.
This may just be my biased perspective, since I was probably pretty close to being one of those students turned away, but I can still realize how some people feel negative about this.
I love BYU and I am grateful to be in the Marriott School of Management. I just wish it could have been easier.
Monday, March 12, 2012
March Madness
Once again, the college basketball regular season has ended, and the tournament can now begin! For me, this is the most exciting sporting event of the year. I always get so enthralled filling out a bracket and just hoping that it does not all fall apart on me. Sometimes I am lucky, other times not so much.
What is it about the tournament though, that makes everybody want to skip work a couple weekends and just watch game after game of college basketball? Is is just the fact that they are invested because they have filled out a bracket? Does the bracket make them think that they have a responsibility to pay attention to only that during this month. Or we are just really prideful and feel that there is no way our bracket could be so wrong. That national champion should be Kentucky, right? 50% of the nation will pick them to win, only to see them lose in the Sweet 16, and then the riots will begin.
Whatever it is, it is all very exciting. Competing against friends and family. Maybe the most frustrating thing about filling out the brackets, is that it really doesn't matter how much you paid attention to the sport the past four months. I watch it all the time, and last year I was still beaten by a seven- and a nine-year-old. How embarrasing, right? Not really. I'm over it now. It really all is just randomness and lucky guesses. (That's what I have to tell myself at least.)
The one major drawback to filling out a bracket however, it that it dictates who I root for in games, even though I may want the underdog to win. That is the really frustrating thing. Will BYU win the championship? Probably not. But if I were to have Marquette say, go to the Final Four, would I root for or against BYU in the second round?
Oh the madness!
Here is one of my brackets that I filled out, it was a fun one because I picked absolutely zero upsets in it.
What is it about the tournament though, that makes everybody want to skip work a couple weekends and just watch game after game of college basketball? Is is just the fact that they are invested because they have filled out a bracket? Does the bracket make them think that they have a responsibility to pay attention to only that during this month. Or we are just really prideful and feel that there is no way our bracket could be so wrong. That national champion should be Kentucky, right? 50% of the nation will pick them to win, only to see them lose in the Sweet 16, and then the riots will begin.
Whatever it is, it is all very exciting. Competing against friends and family. Maybe the most frustrating thing about filling out the brackets, is that it really doesn't matter how much you paid attention to the sport the past four months. I watch it all the time, and last year I was still beaten by a seven- and a nine-year-old. How embarrasing, right? Not really. I'm over it now. It really all is just randomness and lucky guesses. (That's what I have to tell myself at least.)
The one major drawback to filling out a bracket however, it that it dictates who I root for in games, even though I may want the underdog to win. That is the really frustrating thing. Will BYU win the championship? Probably not. But if I were to have Marquette say, go to the Final Four, would I root for or against BYU in the second round?
Oh the madness!
Here is one of my brackets that I filled out, it was a fun one because I picked absolutely zero upsets in it.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Mass emails
Do I mind mass emails? No. It doesn't bother me at all when I get an email of any kind (that isn't spam). Just because I do not mind it though, does not mean I will respond to it. It does not take very much effort on my part to click the delete button. When I do, I do not think twice about the email that I just deleted.
I can not help but notice though, how many clueless students there are. My number one pet peeve about mass emails from BYU students is that they never say for which class they are asking help for. How am I supposed to know that they are in my D&C class or in my Spanish Literature class. Do they expect me to know there name? Sorry, but only a few people are that important.
I also can not help but think that the people sending these emails are the ones who never attend class. They always ask no brainer questions such as, 'When did the teacher say the test was?' or 'Is there a review session for the upcoming test?' If they had gone to class, they would have known.
Also, it seems like every mass email begins with, 'I'm sorry for sending out this mass email. I know everybody hates this.' Save your fingers some exercise. That just makes more to read. As I said, it does not take very much effort to put an email in the trash can.
So, write all the mass emails you want. I probably will never respond to one. I probably will never think longer about one than it took to write this post ever again. But it makes for a good rant.
Go to class and pay attention. Otherwise you will be like a fish out of water.
I can not help but notice though, how many clueless students there are. My number one pet peeve about mass emails from BYU students is that they never say for which class they are asking help for. How am I supposed to know that they are in my D&C class or in my Spanish Literature class. Do they expect me to know there name? Sorry, but only a few people are that important.
I also can not help but think that the people sending these emails are the ones who never attend class. They always ask no brainer questions such as, 'When did the teacher say the test was?' or 'Is there a review session for the upcoming test?' If they had gone to class, they would have known.
Also, it seems like every mass email begins with, 'I'm sorry for sending out this mass email. I know everybody hates this.' Save your fingers some exercise. That just makes more to read. As I said, it does not take very much effort to put an email in the trash can.
So, write all the mass emails you want. I probably will never respond to one. I probably will never think longer about one than it took to write this post ever again. But it makes for a good rant.
Go to class and pay attention. Otherwise you will be like a fish out of water.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Communication
Everybody comes up with different ways to express themselves, and naturally expects people around them to know exactly what they are saying. We know what we mean, why doesn't everybody else?
Well, I have learned that people do not always understand what I say. It may not be my word choice, but more the tone of voice I use. I find that many times I know things because I have thought about them. It is usually little, everyday things that I know what has happened, and expect others to know what has happened. So when people ask what are to me some obvious decisions, I sound like it is a ridiculous question, and my tone of voice reflects it.
I realize that people do not know what I know, but I still assume that they would immediately know what conclusion I have come to.
I guess I just need to slow down sometimes to better communicate my thought processes so others will understand, and not be offended.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Valentine's Day
Another year comes, and we now we have another Valentine's Day. I wonder how this day came to be so popular. It appears to be a good concept, showing your affection to your significant other; however, shouldn't you be showing your affection every day to him/her?
Are significant others only important one day a year? That's not very significant if you ask me. If you love somebody, why would you make a big deal about just one day? I know Valentine's Day isn't anything bad, I just do not understand why people would go through such lengths on this day rather than any other. Roses are more expensive, restaurants have outrageously long waits, and the specialness of the day is zapped because you are doing what you are doing because it is expected of you.
Once again, I do not want to accuse anybody of doing something special on Valentine's Day, I just hope it isn't your only special day of the year. I sure hope Jessica is never able to accuse me of that :)
Maybe not doing something special on Valentine's Day would make people feel like a fish out of water?
Are significant others only important one day a year? That's not very significant if you ask me. If you love somebody, why would you make a big deal about just one day? I know Valentine's Day isn't anything bad, I just do not understand why people would go through such lengths on this day rather than any other. Roses are more expensive, restaurants have outrageously long waits, and the specialness of the day is zapped because you are doing what you are doing because it is expected of you.
Once again, I do not want to accuse anybody of doing something special on Valentine's Day, I just hope it isn't your only special day of the year. I sure hope Jessica is never able to accuse me of that :)
Maybe not doing something special on Valentine's Day would make people feel like a fish out of water?
Monday, January 30, 2012
Being a Cougar
I love the excitement in the Marriott Center during BYU basketball games. They are usually highly entertaining games with the uptempo style at which BYU plays at. There are always thousands of fans, including a very large student section. I am always amazed at all the hands waving when the fight song is played for the umpteenth time. As I look over the section, I am in awe at all of these proud Cougar fans.
But then the games starts. Then a referee makes a bad call. My awe turns from pride to shame. I know, I know, it is difficult sometimes when people are in such a charged state to accept some calls, but I think that sometimes it is too much. I have to admit that I was not pleased myself with all of the officiating that went on at the most recent home game, and some 'boos' escaped my lips as well. And for that I feel terrible for doing something that I loathe when others do.
It's hard to accept calls by the refs sometimes. However, I have noticed through the years that no matter how loud fans may 'boo,' the referees change their call about zero percent of the time. You would think fans would have realized that by now. Instead, it got even worse against St. Mary's. Even after being warned, some student just had to show his dislike of a call by throwing an object onto the court. Whoever that was, good job! You just made it worse for team, and the fans. I think a little more self-control would have served us better, don't you?
I feel guilty by the booing however, because although I am an avid sports fan, I am also a committed member to BYU and the LDS church and always keep in mind the appearance that I make to others. While at games I always think of what an outsider would think. A fan for the away team may marvel at how fanatic we are as sports fans. What if there were such obvious bad calls and we did not boo though? What would they have thought then? Maybe that we were better people in general than better sports fans? I tend to think that people are always watching us at BYU, to see how strange we are maybe. Why not show them what we really stand for by being understanding and good sports when bad calls are made?
I am sure that if I stated these sentiments during a game though, the student section may just view me as a fish out of the water.
This blog also talks a lot about sports, and the Giants!
But then the games starts. Then a referee makes a bad call. My awe turns from pride to shame. I know, I know, it is difficult sometimes when people are in such a charged state to accept some calls, but I think that sometimes it is too much. I have to admit that I was not pleased myself with all of the officiating that went on at the most recent home game, and some 'boos' escaped my lips as well. And for that I feel terrible for doing something that I loathe when others do.
It's hard to accept calls by the refs sometimes. However, I have noticed through the years that no matter how loud fans may 'boo,' the referees change their call about zero percent of the time. You would think fans would have realized that by now. Instead, it got even worse against St. Mary's. Even after being warned, some student just had to show his dislike of a call by throwing an object onto the court. Whoever that was, good job! You just made it worse for team, and the fans. I think a little more self-control would have served us better, don't you?
I feel guilty by the booing however, because although I am an avid sports fan, I am also a committed member to BYU and the LDS church and always keep in mind the appearance that I make to others. While at games I always think of what an outsider would think. A fan for the away team may marvel at how fanatic we are as sports fans. What if there were such obvious bad calls and we did not boo though? What would they have thought then? Maybe that we were better people in general than better sports fans? I tend to think that people are always watching us at BYU, to see how strange we are maybe. Why not show them what we really stand for by being understanding and good sports when bad calls are made?
I am sure that if I stated these sentiments during a game though, the student section may just view me as a fish out of the water.
This blog also talks a lot about sports, and the Giants!
Monday, January 23, 2012
It's a good thing that content in this blog is not graded, because I am drawing a blank on what to write about today. I feel that a good blog post shouldn't be something about me exclusively, but something that other people are able to read and relate to. The point of a blog is to have people read it, and so I want to try and think of things to write that will be helpful or uplifting to those who read.
So that is where I am at today. I can't think of something that has happened to me recently that I can expound upon and give it some social significance. I could write about my week, but that is what my journal is for. That is what it should be for. Usually my journal entries are me catching up in my life because my journal lay dormant for the past three months.
Hopefully I can think of something between now and next week. Maybe I will think of some way to relate one of my experiences to society as a whole. Right now though, it is not happening.
So that is where I am at today. I can't think of something that has happened to me recently that I can expound upon and give it some social significance. I could write about my week, but that is what my journal is for. That is what it should be for. Usually my journal entries are me catching up in my life because my journal lay dormant for the past three months.
Hopefully I can think of something between now and next week. Maybe I will think of some way to relate one of my experiences to society as a whole. Right now though, it is not happening.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
From Analytical to Expressive?
This semester is only a little over a week old, and it is already stretching me in ways that my first four semesters at BYU haven't. I have taken numerous math and general education classes, which generally teach through logic and repetition. This suits me well, as I am a very analytical person. My most painful class at BYU was my freshman English class (with Bio 100 a close second). I don't know how I survived whatever five or six page paper that I may have had to write. I just remember it was horrible.
Somehow, this semester I find myself in a position with no math or typical general class. My MCOM class has me writing blogs and learning grammar all over again, my Spanish class has me reading and analzying poems and essays (in Spanish! I can't even do that in English very well!), and my preparation for marriage class appears like it would be just another religion class, except for the fact that I'll have three 7-8 page essays to write. And two of these classes have already assigned me groups to work in for the semester. Groups! Really?! Not that I have anything against my groups, its just that I much prefer working on my own.
Well, I think that's enough ranting and time for analyzing, because that's just what I do. Maybe, just maybe, I could potentially more than any other semester at BYU. I know that I am not a great writer, and that it is a little difficult for me to articulate all of my ideas. These are definitely areas that could use some improvement. I could use some more roundness in my education. Because I do not like these types of assignments and working in groups is exactly the reason why I should improve them. I am not sure exactly what my future job will be, but I am willing to bet that writing and working in groups will be some part of it.
I do not like working out of my comfort zone. I like doing what I know how to do. I'm sure that is how most people feel. Worrying and complaining about it will not help me out though. I will struggle in different things throughout my entire life. The real challenge is learning how to cope with my struggles and improving them. I don't think that I'll ever lose my analytical mind, but I think that limiting the skills I want to learn is not a good idea.
I think it's about time that fish adapt and grow some lungs.
Somehow, this semester I find myself in a position with no math or typical general class. My MCOM class has me writing blogs and learning grammar all over again, my Spanish class has me reading and analzying poems and essays (in Spanish! I can't even do that in English very well!), and my preparation for marriage class appears like it would be just another religion class, except for the fact that I'll have three 7-8 page essays to write. And two of these classes have already assigned me groups to work in for the semester. Groups! Really?! Not that I have anything against my groups, its just that I much prefer working on my own.
Well, I think that's enough ranting and time for analyzing, because that's just what I do. Maybe, just maybe, I could potentially more than any other semester at BYU. I know that I am not a great writer, and that it is a little difficult for me to articulate all of my ideas. These are definitely areas that could use some improvement. I could use some more roundness in my education. Because I do not like these types of assignments and working in groups is exactly the reason why I should improve them. I am not sure exactly what my future job will be, but I am willing to bet that writing and working in groups will be some part of it.
I do not like working out of my comfort zone. I like doing what I know how to do. I'm sure that is how most people feel. Worrying and complaining about it will not help me out though. I will struggle in different things throughout my entire life. The real challenge is learning how to cope with my struggles and improving them. I don't think that I'll ever lose my analytical mind, but I think that limiting the skills I want to learn is not a good idea.
I think it's about time that fish adapt and grow some lungs.
Monday, January 9, 2012
From a Male's Mind
In my time at BYU I have been able to see many young and happy couples succeed in their quests to find the right 'one.' They meet, they date, they become happy, love each other, and eventually seal the deal through marriage. Several of my own friends have had this pleasure. They have found the person who they hope to be with for time and eternity.
That is one side of the spectrum. On the other side, I have seen quite a bit more of my friends fail and fail again in the realm of dating. Many become discouraged and decide to lay low for awhile, until they recover from the last heart-brake they've had. Some take longer than others.
What is it that goes wrong? Is it a misunderstanding between the two? Miscommunication? Were they just never right for each other? Do the two even agree on what went wrong when they split, or do they go their separate ways, each believing that the relationship was broken off for different reasons. It would not surprise me if the scenario described in the last question occurred frequently. Let's face it, none of us ever want to see ourselves as the problem.
Is that very smart though? If people have a misconception about themselves and are too prideful to listen to another person's criticism, they may never be able to better themselves and will be stuck in a continuous dating cycle that ends up going nowhere. Understanding one's own flaws will lead to a more humble and wiser person. I have many friends who have broken up with a girlfriend. One of these friends, I remember, would frequently be texting his ex to try and find out what he did wrong. He did not blame the failed relationship on the girl, but looked inward and wanted to find out how he could improve. Well, it must have worked, because he is now happily married.
I believe that it is more important for us to work on our own faults and understand how we live personally. Understanding ourselves before understanding another will only give us positive results. Besides, lets face it, trying to understand the female mind is like a fish out of water.
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