Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Science and Religion: Evolution
My own personal belief concerning evolution is still being formed. There are many different theories and I've never believed that science is in direct conflict with religion. For the most part, I don't think they're even in the same sphere.
My current opinion of it right now is that we are celestially-driven spirits in evolutionary-driven physical bodies and that this life is finding that continuous balance between the two, to serve the needs of the body without denying our eternal goal, but also not sacrificing the body to serve spiritual goals (a la asceticism). After all, we need our bodies to progress and to become more like God. So much of this life is finding balance. We have seen examples in history's past that have served both.
I think right now we are seeing a trend towards serving physical pleasures and giving ourselves entirely to the evolutionary instincts. For example, the media's view and description of how women should be is, scientifically, entirely driven by biological wants and needs. Honestly, we don't all need to be supermodels, but that is, for now, the ideal. And if anybody is going to blame anybody, we can blame our genetics. That is entirely from a worldly perspective.
However, we know from the Gospel that there is another way. We can subdue this natural man. Natural selection itself shows the survival of individuals and species with the best genes. To me this means two things. 1. we want the best. So it is only natural for us to choose mates that are more physically attractive or better off (wealth in today's world) and 2. we are all driven by our own need to survive at the expense of others. I don't know any example in nature where an animal will sacrifice itself to help an enemy (even honeybees who sacrifice themselves when they sting are doing it for the hive, and other animals who sacrifice themselves seem to do it more often and more likely for those who are family).
However,
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" Matthew 16: 25 as Jesus taught. We know that there is a spiritual side to everything and that we can find constant happiness in that, instead of being driven by our basic man instincts.
My current opinion of it right now is that we are celestially-driven spirits in evolutionary-driven physical bodies and that this life is finding that continuous balance between the two, to serve the needs of the body without denying our eternal goal, but also not sacrificing the body to serve spiritual goals (a la asceticism). After all, we need our bodies to progress and to become more like God. So much of this life is finding balance. We have seen examples in history's past that have served both.
I think right now we are seeing a trend towards serving physical pleasures and giving ourselves entirely to the evolutionary instincts. For example, the media's view and description of how women should be is, scientifically, entirely driven by biological wants and needs. Honestly, we don't all need to be supermodels, but that is, for now, the ideal. And if anybody is going to blame anybody, we can blame our genetics. That is entirely from a worldly perspective.
However, we know from the Gospel that there is another way. We can subdue this natural man. Natural selection itself shows the survival of individuals and species with the best genes. To me this means two things. 1. we want the best. So it is only natural for us to choose mates that are more physically attractive or better off (wealth in today's world) and 2. we are all driven by our own need to survive at the expense of others. I don't know any example in nature where an animal will sacrifice itself to help an enemy (even honeybees who sacrifice themselves when they sting are doing it for the hive, and other animals who sacrifice themselves seem to do it more often and more likely for those who are family).
However,
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" Matthew 16: 25 as Jesus taught. We know that there is a spiritual side to everything and that we can find constant happiness in that, instead of being driven by our basic man instincts.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
California
The weather struck me as weird here in CAlifornia. I had been used to the cold. And now...its warm. I LOVE it, I forgot how amazingly gorgeous the weather is here. There are perks that come from living in SoCal. oh yeah.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Adversities
You know what? I'm thankful for adversity and challenges all forms and sizes and dimensions. The hard part of challenges here in Utah is that many of it come from people here whether intentional or unintentional. And the thing about the people here is that they are LDS. They are supposed to be nicer, better, more righteous. I'm grateful that for the most part, they are. Sometimes however, they aren't, and maybe not even on purpose. That's why its good for me to return to California and sip some nastiness. haha. I'm also grateful for the awesomeness of the Mormon girls here in Utah. They've changed my opinion of Mormon girls. I was never interested in Mormon girls before coming to Utah. I didn't imagine how I would ever marry one, much less hang out with one. But...they're not too bad. haha.
however, girls need to stop worrying about feelings, and tell guys straight up if they're not interested. In their attempts to save feelings they just prolong pain and confusion. Of course, I do this too, so its something I have to work on. haha
But I'm grateful. It helps me grow. I become better. Its easy to become embittered though, and eventually, probably offended. But the path to heaven was never easy was it now?
P.S. My success rate with LDS girls isn't nearly as good as with non-Llds girls. I dunno what the problem is exactly.... haha
however, girls need to stop worrying about feelings, and tell guys straight up if they're not interested. In their attempts to save feelings they just prolong pain and confusion. Of course, I do this too, so its something I have to work on. haha
But I'm grateful. It helps me grow. I become better. Its easy to become embittered though, and eventually, probably offended. But the path to heaven was never easy was it now?
P.S. My success rate with LDS girls isn't nearly as good as with non-Llds girls. I dunno what the problem is exactly.... haha
Monday, November 23, 2009
Grateful
I'm grateful for the little things ya know? I mean, like, muffins. And starcraft. And zombies. I'm grateful I can be better lovers with them than with my own eternal companion. Dang. BTW, I want the jewels of Pizarro. HAha.
Anyway. I'm also grateful for the lessons I've learned from this past year. Here's a quick summary.
Charity - to love someone despite how they act towards you back. Sure, its easy to love those who love you, but to love those who hate you? Now, that's the next level. Thus, charity.
Cross the River - sometimes, we hate change. The saints probably did when they crossed the Mississippi leaving Nauvoo. But they did anyway, looking with hope towards the future. That's what I need to do.
Have I done any Good in the World Today? - I always need to look out for service. Its a powerful antidote to solve your own problems.
Take it as a Challenge - I love challenges. When there's a trial, I know God wants me to learn something from it. I need to see it as such because often times I wallow in self-pity.
Worth - everyone has worth. We have infinite potential with unchanging worth. Worthiness is a different thing, but we will always have great worth in the eyes of God. So press forward!
Integrity - the virtue that leads to many other virtues.
God will Provide the Strength - I've asked, and He's given me the opportunities. How successful I am depends on if I capitalize on those opportunities.
Anyway. I'm also grateful for the lessons I've learned from this past year. Here's a quick summary.
Charity - to love someone despite how they act towards you back. Sure, its easy to love those who love you, but to love those who hate you? Now, that's the next level. Thus, charity.
Cross the River - sometimes, we hate change. The saints probably did when they crossed the Mississippi leaving Nauvoo. But they did anyway, looking with hope towards the future. That's what I need to do.
Have I done any Good in the World Today? - I always need to look out for service. Its a powerful antidote to solve your own problems.
Take it as a Challenge - I love challenges. When there's a trial, I know God wants me to learn something from it. I need to see it as such because often times I wallow in self-pity.
Worth - everyone has worth. We have infinite potential with unchanging worth. Worthiness is a different thing, but we will always have great worth in the eyes of God. So press forward!
Integrity - the virtue that leads to many other virtues.
God will Provide the Strength - I've asked, and He's given me the opportunities. How successful I am depends on if I capitalize on those opportunities.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
oh darn. I'm a stalker.
So...
....this is interesting. Interesting enough that I'm going to blog about it.
Yesterday. At the testing center. I was in line. There was a cute blond girl in pink in the line next to me... I thought nothing of it. Until...she switched over to my line.
Then...we started talking. About stats, and HEPE, and just small talk in general. She said, "good luck" and we went our ways.
When I was finished with my test and was getting up, I realized she had sat close to where I was. Thought nothing of it.
THEN. Today, I was sorting through my mail, I got an e-mail from ldsplanet.com. OK. Short background so you don't ask questions. I registered four years ago when I turned 18 just for fun. Right after I joined facebook just for fun after I heard something about it (trying to get in with the college students cause at the time, FB was just for college students).
Anyway, I still get e-mails from the site telling me about flirts and messages I'm receiving... that I CAN'T SEE because I'm not a full member. For all I know there flirts and messages from the site to convince me to pay.
So I just milled around the site amusing myself...when I came upon a girl who had an interesting picture... ....and upon further inspection...realized it was the same freakin' girl from the TESTING CENTER!!! AH!!!!!
Now hopefully, if she sees that I've viewed her profile that she will not think I am some creep or stalker, because this truly was a coincidence! I promise!!
Her pictures were all scandalous though...
anyway.. ..that's it. I feel better now.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Vision
Be you. Don't change. Improve. But if who you are is not who God wants you to be, then its not being happy. Its being comfortable.
In this journey through life we must not forget what the end goal for all of us is: exaltation.
We can get caught up in the little intricacies of life, but in the long run, in the "eternal scheme of things", a lot of attention paid to little trivial things could derail us from our goal. With callings, jobs, work, school, careers, family, friends, and dating and all the little things that go along with it we often get frustrated too much. But there is always hope, there is always another day.
If we stay close to the Holy Ghost we can feel at peace, even if the world is unfair or doesn't make complete sense. Everything will sort itself out if we stay close to God, love everyone, and hold no feelings of pride in our hearts. I have to learn to forgive faster, overcome my own feelings of inadequacy, and be more pure in my intents and motives. If I try for these things, even if things don't go my way, or EVEN if things or people that should be righteous aren't, I can feel no offense toward no one and to myself. Even if people that should be honest accuse you of things, you can respond with charity, disarming situations. But the fortitude to respond in such a way, and to do it consciously, takes a strong foundation. Be who God wants you to be, and you'll need no one else's opinion.
If you wonder what it takes to get the richest, most awesome prize in life, then you don't have to wonder much. What it takes is enduring joyfully all the challenges this life gives us and to just enjoy life. The reward is eternal life. And not just eternal life. But an eternal family.
In this journey through life we must not forget what the end goal for all of us is: exaltation.
We can get caught up in the little intricacies of life, but in the long run, in the "eternal scheme of things", a lot of attention paid to little trivial things could derail us from our goal. With callings, jobs, work, school, careers, family, friends, and dating and all the little things that go along with it we often get frustrated too much. But there is always hope, there is always another day.
If we stay close to the Holy Ghost we can feel at peace, even if the world is unfair or doesn't make complete sense. Everything will sort itself out if we stay close to God, love everyone, and hold no feelings of pride in our hearts. I have to learn to forgive faster, overcome my own feelings of inadequacy, and be more pure in my intents and motives. If I try for these things, even if things don't go my way, or EVEN if things or people that should be righteous aren't, I can feel no offense toward no one and to myself. Even if people that should be honest accuse you of things, you can respond with charity, disarming situations. But the fortitude to respond in such a way, and to do it consciously, takes a strong foundation. Be who God wants you to be, and you'll need no one else's opinion.
If you wonder what it takes to get the richest, most awesome prize in life, then you don't have to wonder much. What it takes is enduring joyfully all the challenges this life gives us and to just enjoy life. The reward is eternal life. And not just eternal life. But an eternal family.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Believe
My hardest trials are emotional and mental. I don't know why. I would rather prefer physical pain over them, but for some reason God gave me the hardest trials to be emotional and mental.
And honestly, its hard. Life's not without its challenges. Unlike some people, I welcome challenges and intend to dominate them. That's how my mind works. Haha.
Everytime I pray for something I get it. Many of the times, it takes increased energy from myself.
As I was pondering this past weekend, I prayed to Heavenly Father for another favor. I've been asking way too much from Him and I feel ungrateful. But I've also stepped up efforts to be more obedient. Besides, what I ask is not contrary to His will.
But as I pondered the weirdest thought came into my head: "Thanks for believing in Me".
Like almost as if Heavenly Father said it to me. Then, to return the favor, I said, "Thank you for believing in me".
Then the impact of that statement hit me. He believes in me. It had never occurred to me before that that was very true. That even during times when I had given up on myself, when I hated the whole world, or when I just felt like jumping off a cliff, He had still believed in me and He always had. People have said it before, but it wasn't until then that the gravity of that truth hit me.
Then the guilt hit me. "Well, if God believes in me, why would I EVER give up on myself?" I've got the best supporter in the entire galaxy, nay, universe! He BELIEVES in me so much that He sent His own Son to die for me. If that was true, how could I EVER get discouraged? How could I EVER get mad? How could I ever sell MYSELF short? To do so then seemed like utter mockery against God.
The greatest act of faith ever performed was the Atonement. Can you imagine how much faith Jesus and Heavenly Father had in us to do such a thing? Knowing full well that there was a possibility that we could just reject it with our free agency.
So the next time I feel a little low, or like life is unfair, I just think, "hey. There are two people I believe in. Me. And God. And God believes in me". Nobody can stop that combination.
And honestly, its hard. Life's not without its challenges. Unlike some people, I welcome challenges and intend to dominate them. That's how my mind works. Haha.
Everytime I pray for something I get it. Many of the times, it takes increased energy from myself.
As I was pondering this past weekend, I prayed to Heavenly Father for another favor. I've been asking way too much from Him and I feel ungrateful. But I've also stepped up efforts to be more obedient. Besides, what I ask is not contrary to His will.
But as I pondered the weirdest thought came into my head: "Thanks for believing in Me".
Like almost as if Heavenly Father said it to me. Then, to return the favor, I said, "Thank you for believing in me".
Then the impact of that statement hit me. He believes in me. It had never occurred to me before that that was very true. That even during times when I had given up on myself, when I hated the whole world, or when I just felt like jumping off a cliff, He had still believed in me and He always had. People have said it before, but it wasn't until then that the gravity of that truth hit me.
Then the guilt hit me. "Well, if God believes in me, why would I EVER give up on myself?" I've got the best supporter in the entire galaxy, nay, universe! He BELIEVES in me so much that He sent His own Son to die for me. If that was true, how could I EVER get discouraged? How could I EVER get mad? How could I ever sell MYSELF short? To do so then seemed like utter mockery against God.
The greatest act of faith ever performed was the Atonement. Can you imagine how much faith Jesus and Heavenly Father had in us to do such a thing? Knowing full well that there was a possibility that we could just reject it with our free agency.
So the next time I feel a little low, or like life is unfair, I just think, "hey. There are two people I believe in. Me. And God. And God believes in me". Nobody can stop that combination.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Texting.
I like numbers. Today will be a number's day.
Indicator of an improving social life? ... number of texts I get/send. HAHA. XD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 13 - September 13: 1900
> + 200
September 13 - October 13: 2100 +
> + 710
October 13 - November 13: 2810*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
So... my social life is on the upswing again. Though, if it sank (especially in today's economy) I'm prepared this time around.
And where did the additional 710 texts come from? i think I have a pretty good idea.
Andrea + Cate + Kelsi + Lisa + Lyz + Shalise = 272.
The rest would be from Asia, Tiffany, Katherine, Lucia, and Nadia = about 220.
Of course, I get the usual loads from my mom, my sister, Mike, and David (oops, I mean, Luke). My top 4 contributors haha.
Random Facts:
most texts saved in my phone: Katie Moon 192
Mom - 185
Mike - 120 (I think mike probably has over 1000 texts by now from the number I keep having to delete. LOL)
number of texts from unknown numbers: 109
number of texts from top 4 contributors - 422 (and that's not including the ones I cleaned out)
*highest since June 2009, when I broke 3100 texts thanks to Lauren and Katie
Indicator of an improving social life? ... number of texts I get/send. HAHA. XD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
August 13 - September 13: 1900
> + 200
September 13 - October 13: 2100 +
> + 710
October 13 - November 13: 2810*
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
So... my social life is on the upswing again. Though, if it sank (especially in today's economy) I'm prepared this time around.
And where did the additional 710 texts come from? i think I have a pretty good idea.
Andrea + Cate + Kelsi + Lisa + Lyz + Shalise = 272.
The rest would be from Asia, Tiffany, Katherine, Lucia, and Nadia = about 220.
Of course, I get the usual loads from my mom, my sister, Mike, and David (oops, I mean, Luke). My top 4 contributors haha.
Random Facts:
most texts saved in my phone: Katie Moon 192
Mom - 185
Mike - 120 (I think mike probably has over 1000 texts by now from the number I keep having to delete. LOL)
number of texts from unknown numbers: 109
number of texts from top 4 contributors - 422 (and that's not including the ones I cleaned out)
*highest since June 2009, when I broke 3100 texts thanks to Lauren and Katie
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Confidence
written August 31st, 2009
my two cents
Confidence is knowing you’re the best student in school, even if you aren’t a straight-A student, because you’ve given your best.
Confidence is knowing who you are, what you’re capable of, what and where your limits are, and what you can still do.
Confidence is knowing you can give the best at anything you’re doing.
Confidence is the ability to handle rejection like a man, and knowing you can’t get every girl, but that its all right because its really nothing serious and that you can handle it like an adult.
Confidence is knowing that even if you do get rejected you are still happy because you were true to yourself and didn't have to change yourself to fit someone else's ideal, but rather God's ideal.
Confidence is knowing that the world cannot put you down because your own approval doesn’t come from others.
Confidence is not putting others down to raise yourself up.
Confidence is not having the best of everything, but believing you have the ability to make the best of everything and being content.
Confidence comes from standing for what you believe in without fear of what others say, the humility to accept mistakes and be better, and the understanding that building yourself will take time.
Confidence comes from being true and honest to yourself, putting up no facades so you have nothing to hide, and nothing to lose, and even if the whole world accuses you at least you don’t have to lie to yourself.
Confidence comes from having the charity to say “I love you” to someone who might not like you all that much or treat you all that well.
Confidence comes from holding yourself to the highest standards so that you can do anything you want without having to fear yourself.
Confidence comes from knowing that you are half the battle, and then having the will and strength to do something about it.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
NBA game
So last night, went with like 12 people to an NBA game on a group date. It was fun. Real fun.
the drive up was fun, listening to Glee (lol), talking about random things.
I told my date that we should root for the Jazz because the Kings are the worst team in the league, and that in addition to being the worst team, they were also missing three players, including their best player.
So first quarter, the Jazz smoked the Kings and we were up by like 20. That's when I told her that I might get bored, since I actually do get bored by the second quarter. So we started talking about random things, like
- stealing the segway that the mascot was riding around on. She was going to distract the mascot, and I was going to jack it.
- what would you do if you ran into an NBA-sized player in the alley and he said, "hey, what's up baby?" Same plan here, she was going to distract the weirdo, and I would run. HAHAHA.
- how the NBA players tune out the booing. We talked about how maybe they get special soundtracks that just has people booing. hahaha. shalise said she wanted to find one for me. HAHA.
- psychology and all the crazy experiments that go on and how the results are so interesting.
- dancing. I do hip hop and she did cheer so we were teaching each other moves. haha.
- not living on spaghetti-o's. which is what I'm doing from now until thanksgiving.
- what our plans were until Christmas.
- busting out our routines at the half time show. haha.
Then, before we knew it, the Kings were up 20. And then...we lost. ugh.
Went to Barnes and Nobles later and got this one drink...that I ended up spilling all over my car... and then finally went over to Janine's place. I feel bad cuz shalise had church at 9 in the morning...but we stayed until 12. That was fun. 5 hours for a date. That's killer.
EDIT: The date was 6 1/2 hours. oh dang.
the drive up was fun, listening to Glee (lol), talking about random things.
I told my date that we should root for the Jazz because the Kings are the worst team in the league, and that in addition to being the worst team, they were also missing three players, including their best player.
So first quarter, the Jazz smoked the Kings and we were up by like 20. That's when I told her that I might get bored, since I actually do get bored by the second quarter. So we started talking about random things, like
- stealing the segway that the mascot was riding around on. She was going to distract the mascot, and I was going to jack it.
- what would you do if you ran into an NBA-sized player in the alley and he said, "hey, what's up baby?" Same plan here, she was going to distract the weirdo, and I would run. HAHAHA.
- how the NBA players tune out the booing. We talked about how maybe they get special soundtracks that just has people booing. hahaha. shalise said she wanted to find one for me. HAHA.
- psychology and all the crazy experiments that go on and how the results are so interesting.
- dancing. I do hip hop and she did cheer so we were teaching each other moves. haha.
- not living on spaghetti-o's. which is what I'm doing from now until thanksgiving.
- what our plans were until Christmas.
- busting out our routines at the half time show. haha.
Then, before we knew it, the Kings were up 20. And then...we lost. ugh.
Went to Barnes and Nobles later and got this one drink...that I ended up spilling all over my car... and then finally went over to Janine's place. I feel bad cuz shalise had church at 9 in the morning...but we stayed until 12. That was fun. 5 hours for a date. That's killer.
EDIT: The date was 6 1/2 hours. oh dang.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Low
Well, my confidence today has been shot. Not by anything in particular. Just by my own thinking. And that really sucks when you go out into school. The defeat, or at least recession, is in your walk, its in your eyes, and its in the way you speak.
Ironically, I have full confidence that it will be back soon. I'm too optimistic, happy, and naive for anything to last long. My step will be back, my crafty slyness will be back, my own self-esteem will be back.
On another note, drew and packed some boxes for our service men and women today to give to them for Christmas. We got 350 boxes done. Service is awesome!!
Ironically, I have full confidence that it will be back soon. I'm too optimistic, happy, and naive for anything to last long. My step will be back, my crafty slyness will be back, my own self-esteem will be back.
On another note, drew and packed some boxes for our service men and women today to give to them for Christmas. We got 350 boxes done. Service is awesome!!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
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