Approaching Life

My psych book says that "[certain groups of people] are more likely to cope with [certain things] by distraction". which basically means: not thinking about it and distracting yourself so you won't think about it. ("it" refers to [certain things] that people cope with)

I remember in high school when I read For Whom the Bells Toll, I would start to think just like the narrator--very directly, in a straight-forward, "just do it" way. People in the military are trained to obey commands like that--not think excessively, but just to trust the commander and not to hesitate or let yourself get in the way of what you have to do or be.

And that's how I've been approaching life in the past 2-3 weeks. And I realized (with the help of sisters) that eventually, I have to think about the bigger issues of life in a deeper way (not a simplified distracting way), and that I can't keep doing things and distracting myself. I have to face my problems, even if that means my life won't be stable, that I won't be consistent, that I may or may not be "okay". But I still sometimes take this approach to life, just because it's more efficient, and because I need to graduate from college.

We live to love God and love others and everything else that comes from those two things, but then, what are we doing in all other aspects of our lives? why do we do all these other things? I guess all other things that we do are motivated by our love for God, and just trusting Him that what we do is not futile and that there is hope.

^{Ecclesisates 1:18} For with much wisdom comes much sorrow;
the more knowledge, the more grief.

If this verse is true, then Jesus suffered the most sorrow and grief while in this world, since He had all wisdom and all knowledge.

When you're a kid, toys make your world a better place; when you've grown, a big house, good job and lots of gadgets may not be able to distract you or shield you from all the pain and injustice in the world. But only the blood of Jesus, only His saving grace and overwhelming love can comfort you and give you the conviction that all will be okay, and that there is hope for all.

Jamie, go to prayer meetings

"Boredom" (the kind that is in quotations) is a horrible disease. There are millions of things to do..., none of which interest you.

Jamie, go to prayer meetings.

I like this verse from Revelations 2:5a

"Remember the height from which you have fallen. Repent and do the things you did at first"

It's so easy to forget. everything. like, how beautiful God is. And how good it was when we treasured time with Him and put it ahead of all else. And how good it was to be excited to talk about Him and pray with others.

the joy of seeing a friend come to Christ; the joy of knowing you are on the path to greater spiritual growth; the joy in trust, in vulnerability, in knowing that you truly have nothing to lose and everything to gain when you obey God and trust in Him and confess your sins to one another in true humility. and to be one with brothers. oh the joy.

The more I seek you

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZfsxydxEXA&feature=related

My Brother teaching me about life

My 9 year old brother makes me cry, makes me frustrated.
because I don't want to give up on him, even though I want to.

He reveals all the selfish parts of me. because I really want to give up on his growth, academic and spiritual and maturity-wise. but deep inside, I love him too much to do that. I'm sure my mom has similar struggles since she has to make him do homework every day.

In 4th grade, I wanted a brother. I told God that I wanted a brother because I wanted to learn how to love people, and I thought the best way was to have a brother, since I thought that it is hardest to be nice to your own sibling, especially a younger sibling. Many of my friends had siblings and they didn't get along. I always had a dream to be in harmony with my sibling. And so I thought that if I can learn to love my brother, I can learn to love everyone. And in 5th grade, God gave me brother.

I guess I haven't quite lived up to that dream. It's so hard.
This summer I tried to teach my brother piano, but I just ended up crying. He takes so much energy to teach. And just now, every 10 seconds, I had to tell my brother to concentrate, to hurry up and do his homework.
and then I cried in frustration. He muttered some complaint like, "i have the worst life" and then I cried while explaining to him that he didn't have "the worst life". I tried to tell him about kids who couldn't even go to school, who had parents who argued every day, who had sisters who beat them up, or fathers who left home, or no food, people who can't turn on their heater because they're trying to save money, who live in tiny apartments with two other families, etc. I went into great great detail. Then he said that he sucks at everything. I told him that it's because he doesn't try. All he thinks about is friends. Then he said that he just wants everyone to be nice to him. So, I asked him who was mean to him, and he tells me about this one girl in school. Then we had a conversation about how he should be nice to people who are mean to him. And he asked me if bad guys go to heaven. My brother is pretty logical. He understand the things I tell him, even though I usually get too deep.

Sometimes I wonder if this whole asian academic thing is right. I know it does train kids to be responsible, and it keeps them from "turning bad" in school, because they spend all their time on academics. But man, my school district is so competitive; is it really healthy to give kids this muc homework?. My mom gives my brother extra homework every day. a lot of it. and yet, he's still behind in school. And maybe my brother has a gift that we're ignoring, maybe it's just not academics. He's pretty good at acting.

sigh. life is so complicated. There are so many paths. which one is best? I guess it doesn't matter too too much. We walk with God. Life is an adventure.

Let us "fall in love with the God who keeps shaking things up, keeps changing to the path, keeps rocking the boat to test our faith in Him, teaching us not to rely on easy answers, bullet points, magic mantras, or genies in lamps, but rather in His guidance, His existence, His mercy and His love" (Searching For God Knows What by Donald Miller)

We don't know what happens next. but it's okay. It is okay.

---edit--haha, boundless has this article: "If you're single, you aren't busy"
http://www.boundlessline.org/2010/01/if-youre-single-you-arent-busy.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+boundlessline%2Fblog+%28Boundless+Line%29
I like the definition of busy. med and law students aren't busy. "think of busyness as the amount of autonomy you have in the use of your time". This makes sense, and I agree. My life is easy.

Analogies and Reminders Everywhere

My brother, Thomas, has been bugging me to do a jigsaw puzzle with him.But it’s strange because jigsaw puzzles shouldn’t be that interesting for an active 9-year-old boy who normally plays with nerf guns, runs around the house and plays wii or computer games.

Dad is home. and Thomas goes: “Jamie’s helping me do a jigsaw puzzle!”

Me: “no, I’m doing a jigsaw puzzle” [referring to how Thomas doesn’t contribute]

Thomas: [laughs] “yea, I just want to be with Jamie”

Little kid giving up stimulating fun games to do boring jigsaw puzzle with sister—not even to do a jigsaw puzzle, but basically just to watch me do a jigsaw puzzle.

I guess, if I think about some of my friends, I’d be willing to watch them do a jigsaw puzzle, just so I could be with them too.

And I was gonna make some analogy to our Heavenly Father. But I can’t think of one right now.

lol, These are the kinds of stories that pastors use in their sermons, as examples/analogies. Because almost everything in life can remind us of our Heavenly Father. If you’re in love with someone, every time you see something even remotely related/connected to that person, you are reminded of that person.

One time last year, I saw a dog without a leash following its owner very closely. It was so obedient; I was amazed. I told my friend: “I wish I could be like that dog”, and she gave me a weird look, and I continued, “and follow God the way that dog follows its master”.

Jesus, be the center.

Be the fire in my heart, Be the wind in these sails, Be the reason that I live

Thoughts

Can we love someone we don't know? Can we love God if we don't know God? And though we know Him, there is still more to know.

The bible uses this logic: How can we love God if we don't even love our brothers whom we can see.
[is it easier to love people you see?--- it depends on how you define "loving people" right? Sometimes we think of love as this idea or image of warm feelings or whatnot. You can't love someone you don't know, because you are just loving the idea of that person? right? ]

back to the logic use:... by the same logic... :

how can we know God if we don't even know our brothers (non-gendered terminology here)

but people really don't make sense. At times they do. and at times they don't. We think there's something deeper, but then there isn't. But then later, there is. But then how deep can we go? how much deeper is there to a person? We probably don't even understand ourselves. I know I don't.

Are we supposed to make sense of everything? no. we can't. we can try. It's good to think, but not to overthink.. and overanalyze. because then your thoughts run in circles and it's futile.

These were (part) of my distracting thoughts today. This occurs sometimes. Not every day; at least not recently. Thank God. or else I'd be confused. again.

Satan likes invading our thoughts and confusing us. That's why we need to rebuke false thoughts with His word. Have God's thoughts! Pray for His will! God sees the big picture and we don't; therefore if we try to think from our perspective, we will just get confused. haha. but this doesn't mean that we shouldn't think at all.

kay, I've got work to do

A Dreamer at Heart

I have been reflecting back to sophomore year in high school. I used to be very idealistic? if that's the right world. I wanted to change the world. It was the year that I got emotional about everything that was wrong with the world.

I'm becoming more and more 'okay' with the normal path of life.. with these comforts and people, and I'm not sure if I'd be willing any longer to leave this for some idealistic dream that might not come to pass. I'm not sure if I dream that much any more. And yet, sometimes I still do. Here are 2 little bits of a poem I wrote at 2am today

Though I’m a dreamer at heart

Fear keeps me from being apart

From things I see day to day

From the plowed path, the expected way

Will I always be afraid

That everything will fade

Why do I still hold on

When I know it will be gone

I remember this quote:
"When your memories are greater than your dreams, you are beginning to die".

I think, part of the reason that keeps me from dreaming as much, is that dreamers are often lonely. People who want to change things must go out of their way, out of their comfort zone, and that often can be quite lonely, even if you're surrounded by people.

Fear of loneliness and depression ...is an issue that needs more attention than it gets. because the mind (and emotion) are dangerous. Your own thoughts can deceive you.

Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things (col 3:2)

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:7)
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil 4:8)

Often, I forget that my mind (not just my heart) also needs to be guarded.
Thank God for His mercy and grace.