this is one of the hardest topics for me to discuss, so im going to keep a running tab on thoughts here till i come to my own conclusion. tolstoy, ghandi, martin luther king jr., gk chesterton. and the list of pacifist's grow. this should seem like such an easy and logical decision. war= not good. death. killing. peace= contentment, stability, life. but when you have grown up in a country where the church, state, and weaponry have all blurred into the same entity it is a much harder decision to come to. there are SO MANY INTELLIGENT PEOPLE on this blog, just read through the comments! my LORD! you guys are brillant. ang said "There is a time and a place for everything, it depends on the situation." but i would like to hear the situations in which violence is necessary. defend yourself? your family? but what about war, when do we have to kill? 'one murder made a villain, millions a hero'. your right ang this is hard because i would defend my family to the death wh...
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that about sums me up.
Hey, I've got something to add to previous post, concerning change: this post.
thanks again for the inspiration you provide for so many.
I'm not being cynical I promise. I just haven't found my passion yet.
But there's one reason that motivates me to hold on to certain dreams: if I'll fail, which is sometimes very likely even though I'll persist, at least I will be able to look at myself in the mirror and remind myself "at least I tried with everything that was in my might" and then have peace with it.
I think we have to face (and live with) the fact that a certain percentage (say, 70%, maybe more?) of our plans, hopes and dreams will always remain plans/hopes/dreams and never reality. When you're not aware of this the risk is big that you'll turn into a bitter, dissappointed and disillusionated human being without resilience in the end.
The trick is - in my humble opinion - to remain childlike, to dare to expect a lot from life in spite of previous dissappointments, to challenge yourself AND to keep both feet on the ground, in the dirt - don't loose touch with your current situation and try to come up with practical ways to build the bridge from your daily life to that project or dream or whatever it is you should persist for.
But know that with certain things you can persist till you stop breathing and it simply will not happen. That's called life, I think?
I'm not trying to discourage anyone, wait, maybe I am, no I'm not- I just want to add that you should realize that you can expect a lot of dissappointment too, so you better arm yourself against it - not by not trying anything and lock yourself up, but by going for it 100% while being prepared for bruises.
Or something.
-ian
My passions are what keep me up at 2am...
I would say that I'm a creature of habit, only my routines don't seem to follow what one would call a 'normal' time schedule. Sometimes I work out at 2am, other times I write emails to friends, and other times I read, which is what I intend to do after posting this.
I think that inconsistencies in a person's routine vary person to person, but we can make it a goal to change that if we want to see results sooner. I think the baby steps approach is a good one *sometimes*. You do have to take the first step in a marathon and with each one after you're closer and closer to the finish line; however, I'm a 'bigger picture' person, and holding the ultimate goal or vision in mind is the only thing that keeps me motivated about something.
So I don't think the huge gap between 'here' and 'there' as far as taking the leap towards achievement should be so such an intimidation as a dangling carrot to encourage action.
And lastly on the subject of persistence, when I said that I was going to take a break from writing and you said NOO, I understand that even if you're busy or whatnot and not able to lend an ear, it's still beneficial to 'me'..It gives me a chance to introspect and unravel my own memoirs of my life. So thank YOU.
~S
your persistent friend,
-A :)
With an elaborate combination of persistance and perseverance, one can reach any goal. Thanks for your words, Stephen. They help when times seem dire and foggy.
John
Currently, I am attempting to write a book, and have been working on it slowly, but surely, for the past two or three weeks.
Stephen, you constantly amaze me with the way that you can make me feel as if there is true hope in todays world, even after all of what has happened in the past eight years to everyones morale levels.
Through your words and your music, either with Anberlin or Anchor & Braille, you constantly inspire me.
Thank you, Stephen. You give a lot of us hope, when we feel that all is lost.
As an artist, how many times has someone told you that you are talented, boosting your confidence, only to have that confidence destroyed once you don't succeed?
Also, Mike Gentry from Joey's Loss wanted me to tell you hello and he hopes you are well...
Jpxxx
"Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never, Never, Never, Never give up."
~Churchill