Black and White

I am a very black and white thinker. I like to know the rules, what's right, and what's wrong. Without thinking, I often label activities, ideas, products, and theories. I like to know the boundary and generally stay clear of it. I don't like blurred lines between different behaviors, and grey areas drive me nuts.

However, I'm starting to see that black and white thinking isn't always the best method.

As much as I would like it to be, the world is not black and white. It is made of varying shades of grey, and I think I need to learn to live with that. I'm not going to give up my convictions and beliefs, but I am going to accept that many people don't see the world as I do. I think at the end of it all, I'll
be a better person for it.

Life's Tough

Recently, life has been pretty tough.  Two of my good friends were in a really bad accident that resulted in horrific injuries.  I've been praying and I know others have been too.  I have found a few thing that have helped me focus on God and his plan.

First, Jeremiah 29: 11 has been playing itself through the back of my mind over and over again.

Psalms 34: 4-8 has helped me to pray.  It is also helping to banish my fear.

Lastly, the song, "Your Not Alone" by Marie Miller has been my battle song.

Covers: "Demons" by Imagine Dragons

Anna,

As you know, I am in love with the song "Demons" by Imagine Dragons (you can view the original music video here). As you also know, I love finding well-done covers by independent artists of popular songs. The following is a list of some of my favorite covers of "Demons." Hope you enjoy!

Anthem Lights' Version

Kurt Schneider, Sam Tsui, and Max's Version

Tyler Ward and Kina Grannis' Version

The Harvard Callbacks' Version (The quality on this one isn't the best, but the vocals are amazing)

Simply Three's Version

Roomie & Friends' Version (this one is pretty funny)

Dear Lindy... Part 1

     Wanderlust.  That is the word that many have used to describe the longing to go away.  Anywhere.  Away from people.  Away from all that is familiar and dear.

     Of late, my mind has been yearning to go to Europe.  I want to travel the street of Rome, Paris, London.  I want to get lost in the country sides of Ireland and The Netherlands.  I don't just want to tour there.  I want to live there; to learn the language; to know the people.  I want to create my own little world in a new place.

     I think one of the core reasons I want this is because I want a place of my own.  I want a set of experiences that no one else I know has ever felt.  I want to have stories to tell.  I can just imagine all the little children gathered around me listening to my tales of grand old cities on the other side of the world.

     Do not get me wrong.  I love home.  I love our kitchen.  I love all the memories in our backyard, but there comes a point where we each must sail away.  My time has not yet come.  But yours has.

     Lindy, go do life as big and wide and deep as you possibly can.  Make your own set of experiences.  Go across seas that you never thought you could cross.  Don't let petty fears and insecurities hold you back.  Travel, see the world, get to know mindsets from all over the world.  Learn.  Learn everything you can.  Take every little nugget of knowledge that is given to you, treasure it, and store it away in your mind for future reference.  You will only get these years of youth and freedom once.

     Do more than people think you can.  Do more than I think you can.  

     Do life big.

The Poster

*This is an entirely fictional story, based off of the challenge issued to me by Anna for missing one day of blogging.

One day, a long time ago, I was walking through a mall. It was an ordinary mall, nothing too huge or grand or small or shabby. In that mall I saw a poster. Now in malls, weather they are huge or grand or small or shabby, there are always posters. Posters advertising everything from belts and bags to hardware and pets.

But this poster was different.

It was a very curious poster, for on it was a poodle. Now there is nothing curious about a poodle, but this poodle was advertising a country. You would probably guess that this poster would be for some high-end, fancy country like France or something of that sort. But the poster actually advertised the country of Nigeria. Interesting, I thought.

I didn't have much time to puzzle over the poster because I had completed my shopping and had plans for that evening. So I turned and went back out to my car. After I loaded my purchases into the trunk of my car, I walked around to get into my seat. I looked down at the ground, for no apparent reason, and saw a penny just beside my foot. I picked it up because we all know that pennies bring good luck and drove home.