Books

I absolutely love reading. I love reading anything, factual, fictional, fantasy--anything. As a result, I decided I want to start posting on books I love, or don't love, or am indifferent to, whatever I happen to be reading, etc.

I will also say this--I firmly believe that everyone should find time for leisure reading. By this I mean, take time to read something that you are not required to. I always hear people say they "don't have time" or, in school, were required to read and thought it would suffice. I could go on and on about how much reading benefits a person (benefits such as gaining a greater appreciation for those outside of oneself, or even just a better vocabulary), but I will restrain myself.

Just an example: one of my close friends always has claimed to "just not be a reader," and didn't mind not finding the time or desire to sit and read through a 400 page book. Being the obnoxious person I can be, and just knowing this friend so well, and knowing how much she was missing out on, I followed her around with books for a while. I'd place one on her nightstand, her bed, anywhere. It was a bit of a joke for us, but one day she picked up the first Harry Potter book, and it just went from there. I love it! So READ READ READ!




This week, I'm going to put this book up, because I was discussing it with a friend this weekend. My brother recommended it to me in high school, and since then, I've read it multiple times, and it is still just as good. Orson Scott Card is a very intelligent author, and also penned sequels and complimentary novels to this little gem. You can find more information on it here.

I will say though, it is not for everyone, primarily due to its sci-fi nature (I love it though!). If you don't like that genre, just note that it is a very good commentary on society and politics, if you can force yourself to get past the "Nebula Winner" aspect.

Oh yes, Happy Thanksgiving!

Blogs

One of my old friends from college started a blog a few years ago, after she got married. I just wanted to share it with any of you who read this. If you can find the time, it is definitely worth reading through her thoughts and growth as a fellow sister in Christ.

I also wanted to share with you the reasons behind the choosing of the name of this blog. L and I were discussing what we could express in the address, and somehow found the verse posted on the side:

Psalm 34:14

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

The phrase "seek peace and pursue it" stood out. To me, the word peace can mean many things. It does not necessarily mean political or international peace (though, if you have ever spoken to any of us, this is something we, especially L, feel very strongly about around here), nor does it mean unequivocal tolerance of all ideas, wrong or right. What I am seeking, above all, is God's peace. It is hard to define this, because it is so many things. It is shalom in all its glory. I hope to write more on this in the future, as it is so very important to me. The process of seeking peace is not one easily laid out.

As was stated in the first post, we wanted this to be a place for exchanging stories, ideas, and lessons we have learned. I also want it to be a place of safe discussion, of questions, of doubts, etc. I am the type of person who does indeed find it hard to put into words every single day what I am learning or feeling (the reasons I have never kept a journal consistently). I would love it if this eventually became a place where people who have the same trouble as I do felt free to write in what they have learned (That being said, if anyone would like to do so, please email at seekersofpeace@gmail.com).

Again, I do not claim to have any superior ideas, or methods, or way of life. I'm simply trying to reach out to those who are also seeking God's peace.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to read my little thoughts!

J

A Favorite Poem

From In Memoriam, by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

L.

Be near me when my light is low,
When the blood creeps, and the nerves prick
And tingle; and the heart is sick,
And all the wheels of Being slow.

Be near me when the sensuous frame
Is rack'd with pangs that conquer trust;
And Time, a maniac scattering dust,
And Life, a Fury slinging flame.

Be near me when my faith is dry,
And men the flies of latter spring,
That lay their eggs, and sting and sing
And weave their petty cells and die.

Be near me when I fade away,
To point the term of human strife,
And on the low dark verge of life
The twilight of eternal day.

History

Ok, so yes, this is my own little plug. I could honestly talk about history all day, and am lucky enough to have found friends who feel the same way. Not only is history incredibly important to know and learn, it can be very amusing as well.

I was reminded of this last night while tutoring my eighth-grade student. We spent an hour or so discussing the American Revolution, its impact on the world, and everything that has come from it. The conversation moved from whether or not George Washington actually cut down the cherry tree (he did not) to what it means to have dual citizenship. I love it! And in the wake of the recent election, I am so excited to see what happens next--living and breathing history.

So, perhaps to spread the joy that is history (and by history, I don't just mean boring old dead guys and random dates), I'm recommending checking out The Living Room Candidate. This website gives you a chance to view all of the major political commercials since the election in 1952. When I was in college, I wrote my thesis paper on the impact of a certain political ad from the 1964 election between Barry Goldwater and LBJ (check it out, it's called "The Daisy Girl" or something along those lines). Some of these are hilarious, and give you an idea of the times. It gives you a chance to see history from a different point of view.

Since I could still go on and on, I'll have to cap it here. But check it out--and enjoy!

Funny

I found this article last week, and I thought it was really funny. Check it out if you want!

We are nearing Thanksgiving, I've noticed. I'm not sure where November went. However, more often than not, around this time my friends and I usually start discussing how this country was created--as in, how colonists came in and shoved aside those already native to the land. I understand that history is not black and white, but I do think it is important to remember our true roots while being thankful for all that God has given you, specifically, in life.

I'd like to end this post with a "fantastic" photo:




How ridiculous is that? I can't even begin to start with how funny this is to me. I hope you find it funny, too. Could be just me, though.

Have a wonderful day!

Late Night Musings

There's a reason people keep dream journals. I hear that usually, the best ideas come to people in that state between sleeping and waking. Since it takes me between a half an hour and an hour to fall asleep at night, I spend a lot of time in the "falling asleep" mode, where my brain is slowly shutting down, but in actuality, it is cranking out more ideas than I could think possible.

All this to say, I had a picture come to my mind last night, and I thought I'd share it.

I was thinking of the tendency some people have to be so introverted that they don't see a need to share themselves with those around them, and once that decision is made, it becomes a very careful balancing act. Once someone has set a precedent for him or herself to not be open, that person is viewed a certain way by his or her close friends, and it seems hard to backpedal and become someone who shares once one is viewed as an introvert. If that person spoke out then, it would upset the balance created in the circle of friends.

Let me draw a picture for you. If you can, recall one of those sets where someone sets up a giant domino display, carefully arranging each piece while trying not to knock any over. It's a very delicate, time consuming, careful task. Being an introvert, it seems to me, is like standing in the very middle, surrounded by a circle of five or six friends (or pieces, for this analogy), and knowing that if you make the wrong move, if you breathe wrong, you knock over the piece close to you, and it all goes tumbling down. So to prevent such things from happening, the introvert withdraws, and makes each move with much calculation so as not to upset the balance.

But then it occurred to me--what happens when one of those domino pieces is knocked over? One of two things. First, it very well could wreak havoc on the whole domino picture. One miscalculation, and the entire thing could be ruined, and it will have to be started over.

Or, one move and it could start a chain reaction. Move one domino, and the next falls, and the next, and then the next, etc. Such chain reactions are usually carefully set up to create a wonderful or fun design (like this one).

I remember once a close friend a few years ago told me about a conversation she had with her mother, where she remembered her mother reminding her that "vulnerability begets vulnerability." I think it's true. Just like with the dominoes, being vulnerable with someone allows them to be graciously vulnerable with you, and then with another person, and another, etc. It can create an environment with no hostility, and draw people closer together.

So the next time you are thinking of the risk of making a false move, think not only that you could destroy the balance around you, but that destroying it could possibly be a good thing.

Bowie

Sometimes, the afternoons get a little long, and I just have to put on some David Bowie.

I love David Bowie.