Unconditional Acceptance

This is to thank all my friends out there for their love. You know who you are. I may talk to you everyday or once every couple of months. Regardless, I know you are always here for me and I am always there for you. You truly exemplify what it is to unconditionally accept a person. This trait is similar to the Greek word “phileo” or brotherly love. The kind of love that comes from those whom are related through blood, but you have shown me the same kind of love through your actions.

I do not take you for granted, it takes some people a lifetime to develop the friendships I have come across, in the past couple years. I don’t know where I would be without you. I do know that you have helped me to stay sane, given me someone to vent to, and we’ve had a lot of fun.

I want to be that same type of friend to you. One that no matter what your circumstances; I am there and never judgmental, hasty, flaky, or untruthful. My goal is to be honest, trustworthy, caring, genuine, and forgiving.

Let’s face it sometimes we wrong each other. Whether it’s intentional or not, it happens. Sometimes we have to ask for forgiveness. Other times forgiveness must be given without the other person knowing they have even done harm. I want you to know that you have that kind of forgiveness from me. That sort of forgiveness is to me, true unconditional acceptance.

Unconditional Acceptance: Knowing that no matter what happens in our lives we will ALWAYS be there for each other.

Are you getting an education or just giving yourself a gift?

I work in Higher Education, and I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree. But that does not mean that I think everyone should be where I am. I know there are benefits both to getting college degrees, and for working through life experience. They both have lengthy benefits and cannot be compared equally to each other.

I suppose maybe that is why I do not take extraordinary pride in having my Master’s degree, to me; it was just another thing I needed to do, to get the career I wanted. With God’s help I was able to get the degree, and the career. I try not to forget to praise Him for that.

There is no way though, that I could convince or even assume that everyone needs to get a college degree. There are people that are satisfied in their career, well-paid, and have a great sphere of influence; that do not even have an Associates Degree. On the flip side there are also people who have multiple PhD’s that have not accomplished many goals and are not being productive in society at all.

So I hope you ask yourself, as I have asked myself, and my friends many times, “Why do I want to get this degree?” Because even though it is Education we are seeking after, if the degree isn’t necessarily required, then maybe we truly are just giving ourselves the gift of education.

Wow, I'm Single and Still Functioning!

I just don’t know how I do it, don’t I need a romantic relationship just to survive? The truth is no! Whoa, did you hear that? There is a way to be perfectly content and single. Some people might need to take lessons in order to actually fathom this thought. I am living proof that it is possible and maybe we are single because we can actually handle not having to be dependent on someone else in this life. I’m not trying to bash any of the couples out there; instead I am just cheering on my single pals and rationalizing my current state of singleness. See I have been single for a while, and have never let that factor affect my life or the things I choose to do.

For instance, I will still go to events, even if there is no one to go with me. I have ability to occupy my own time without needing someone else to help me figure out what to do. I can make decisions without needed a significant other’s counsel. Eating at a restaurant is something done with friends or occasionally by myself. Never would I need a man to do these things.

Nor would I need a significant other to help me: pay the bills, carry large furniture, cook dinner, plan a trip, drive a long distance, keep me company, keep tabs on me, keep me spiritually accountable, force me to exercise, attend to me emotionally, or even help me decide what to wear.

It is not a question of need, I believe too many times people think they NEED someone in their life to take care of these things. Maybe I’m just a little too independent, but I don’t believe we NEED a significant other to do these things at all. Instead, being part of a couple is supposed to add to our already established lives. Not fill a void.

It frustrates me very much, losing friends and potential friendships because people have given so much to that other person that, they have no room for anyone or anything else in their life.

On the other hand, I was given the ability to take care of myself, to handle things in my own life and have awesome friends to help me through things. (I don’t want to forget God in this part of the note, because I can do nothing without Christ who strengthens me). I am glad I am not dependent on a significant other and I do not have to be a part of a couple.

Congratulations to those of you who are happy in couple-dom but please don’t sell yourself short of the opportunities in this life just because you have someone to share affection with.

I’m not letting being single hold me down, nor will I be held back as being part of a couple. Instead, I am striving to have the most fulfilled life, no matter what my relationship status. I encourage everyone to do the same.

I feel hot when I go to Wal-Mart

The other day I had to go to Wal-Mart. I didn’t get dressed up or do anything special, I just stopped by on my way from point A to point B. Little did I know, that I was about to get a self-esteem boost. I was just walking around minding my own business and got jolted from my own thoughts by curious on lookers. Suddenly there were grins and smiling eyes looking my way. Surely they weren’t looking at me that way, but there wasn’t anyone else around. A couple of guys even said the typical ice breakers of “hello” and “how’s it going?”. How surprising and delightful!

Now I still don’t understand how or why this happened, I just consider myself fortunate. I also have a new outlook on Wal-Mart trips, not only did I get to challenge myself to only get the items I went there for, hopefully I will feel hot again next time I go there.

I just had to blog about this but its just crazy and out there. Hope everyone is having a good day, if not, you should go to Wal-Mart and maybe you too will feel hot there.