Okay, I am going to start this post with a few anecdotes. A friend of mine recently told me a story about how she thought someone was hitting on her and it freaked her out a bit. Another friend told me of two incidents in which he thought two different people were hitting on him. Yet a third friend of mine has a huge crush on this girl and is totally trying to drop hints. Friend four recently started dating a guy she worked on a drama production with. Friends five and six complain at times about their boyfriends being less than emotionally available. Friend seven is in love with someone who can never return her feelings. Friend eight cycles through boyfriends. Friends nine and ten are dating, and then not, and then again. And the list goes on.
And here I sit, listening to "Marry You" from the Glee episode "Furt" on YoutubeRepeat.
Relationships are confusing beasts. For some they offer excitement, for others they bring security. Some think that they come filled with passion. Some find them more subdued. No two are the same, no two are entirely different. But all of this "love in the air" gives me pause. With everyone hitting on everyone else, why are some people left out? I dislike throwing myself a pity party, but I have to wonder, why am I left out? (I think it would be a bad thing to list negative qualities about myself here, so I won't.)
I think, at least at the moment, that it is somewhat because I have to wait for someone else to make the first move. If someone were flirting with me, I honestly think it would go straight over my head. So until then, I am getting sick of this lovesick paranoia.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Art meets Religion: Naked Morality
The human figure has often been regarded as the highest form of subject matter in the arts, above landscapes, above the still life. Nudity in regards to the human figure in Art has been a hot button issue since the Middle Ages (or before, if you really want to argue that). The Ancient Grecian/Roman tradition states that the nude human form is something to be celebrated. In the middle ages, a nude was something shameful. The nude in Art had its rebirth in the Renaissance, again in celebratory fashion. Ever since, the argument about where the line between classical nudity and pornography has raged on.
This question of morality of the nude in Art hit home for me last year in an upper level Drawing course on figure rendering. This class was actually my first introduction to the private male anatomy that was not immediately blocked from my memory. It was here that I learned the professional detachment from and sheer aestheticism of the human figure, male or female. At this point, I figure that if the purpose of the nude is Art, then there is no perversion on the part of the artist. There were no emotions, no reactions, none of the discomfort or sense of shame that came from tracing the outline of the naked human form.
If my experience had ended there, on the side of the artist, I would have learned only one side, but I would have been happy, if yet blissfully unaware. Staying in the art program at any number of universities provides one with the most interesting of opportunities. For me, I was asked by a fellow art major to pose nude for the sake of his senior exhibition. This decision requires much deliberation and more soul searching that I would have ever guessed. I would like to take you through the short list, whirlwind tour of the thought process behind someone's decision of whether or not to pose as a nude model for the sake of art.
First, there are professional concerns, things like: this could end up in a gallery or professional portfolio. The model has to, in a sense, give up the rights to their image (literally in this personal case as the medium is photography). Am I comfortable with my peers seeing me naked, on a wall in a gallery? What would I represent by being there? What is my body going to be used to say? Will it be something I can agree with? All of these questions run through my head as an artist, and oddly enough, are answered by the character of the eyes behind the camera.
My friend, the artist, whom we will call Lloyd, is an artist in the truest sense of the word. I am very familiar with his work, and have seen how he has treated nude models in the past. He takes care not to objectify women, which is a plus for me, as a woman. Because of his professional detachment, I feel oddly at ease about my concerns with his "political" agenda.
There are more middling concerns, about the actual event of the modeling session. Does he just want to see me naked? Will he get some kind of sexual thrill out of this? Will I? Is that experience okay for the sake of Art?
My concerns on this note were honestly somewhat unwarranted. Lloyd is very open and out about his homosexuality, which eased my concerns about his possibly getting a sexual thrill out of this. Also, my being asexual and not attracted to him at all helps me to not have to worry about this situation possibly becoming sexually charged.
Finally, there are immense personal concerns. Am I comfortable enough with my body to allow someone else to see it? Take pictures of it? Don't I have too much fat? I don't fit what modern America calls "attractive."
These concerns are the ones that cannot be answered as easily as the rest, because, by nature, they can only be answered by the one asking them. I have body issues. You'd be hard pressed to find any female in America who doesn't. I have stretch marks from weight fluctuation. I am short and have breasts that are uncomfortably large for my small frame. Believe me, I am not boasting. I find nothing about me to be visual appealing or striking, but of course I'm biased. So, to get past this last hurdle, I did what the cautious part of me looses sleep over. In my mind, duty and responsibility always win out over comfort, so I said "yes." I agreed to model nude for my friends senior exhibit, because when am I ever going to get to do it again?
So, here I am, waiting for the call about "are you free to come to the lighting studio?" I've already battled second thoughts, but so far, the "ayes" still have it.
Stay tuned for the follow up post to find out how this story ends.
This question of morality of the nude in Art hit home for me last year in an upper level Drawing course on figure rendering. This class was actually my first introduction to the private male anatomy that was not immediately blocked from my memory. It was here that I learned the professional detachment from and sheer aestheticism of the human figure, male or female. At this point, I figure that if the purpose of the nude is Art, then there is no perversion on the part of the artist. There were no emotions, no reactions, none of the discomfort or sense of shame that came from tracing the outline of the naked human form.
If my experience had ended there, on the side of the artist, I would have learned only one side, but I would have been happy, if yet blissfully unaware. Staying in the art program at any number of universities provides one with the most interesting of opportunities. For me, I was asked by a fellow art major to pose nude for the sake of his senior exhibition. This decision requires much deliberation and more soul searching that I would have ever guessed. I would like to take you through the short list, whirlwind tour of the thought process behind someone's decision of whether or not to pose as a nude model for the sake of art.
First, there are professional concerns, things like: this could end up in a gallery or professional portfolio. The model has to, in a sense, give up the rights to their image (literally in this personal case as the medium is photography). Am I comfortable with my peers seeing me naked, on a wall in a gallery? What would I represent by being there? What is my body going to be used to say? Will it be something I can agree with? All of these questions run through my head as an artist, and oddly enough, are answered by the character of the eyes behind the camera.
My friend, the artist, whom we will call Lloyd, is an artist in the truest sense of the word. I am very familiar with his work, and have seen how he has treated nude models in the past. He takes care not to objectify women, which is a plus for me, as a woman. Because of his professional detachment, I feel oddly at ease about my concerns with his "political" agenda.
There are more middling concerns, about the actual event of the modeling session. Does he just want to see me naked? Will he get some kind of sexual thrill out of this? Will I? Is that experience okay for the sake of Art?
My concerns on this note were honestly somewhat unwarranted. Lloyd is very open and out about his homosexuality, which eased my concerns about his possibly getting a sexual thrill out of this. Also, my being asexual and not attracted to him at all helps me to not have to worry about this situation possibly becoming sexually charged.
Finally, there are immense personal concerns. Am I comfortable enough with my body to allow someone else to see it? Take pictures of it? Don't I have too much fat? I don't fit what modern America calls "attractive."
These concerns are the ones that cannot be answered as easily as the rest, because, by nature, they can only be answered by the one asking them. I have body issues. You'd be hard pressed to find any female in America who doesn't. I have stretch marks from weight fluctuation. I am short and have breasts that are uncomfortably large for my small frame. Believe me, I am not boasting. I find nothing about me to be visual appealing or striking, but of course I'm biased. So, to get past this last hurdle, I did what the cautious part of me looses sleep over. In my mind, duty and responsibility always win out over comfort, so I said "yes." I agreed to model nude for my friends senior exhibit, because when am I ever going to get to do it again?
So, here I am, waiting for the call about "are you free to come to the lighting studio?" I've already battled second thoughts, but so far, the "ayes" still have it.
Stay tuned for the follow up post to find out how this story ends.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Perfectionism: Not as Perfect as One Might Think
We all have areas in our lives where we want to excel, but really, at what cost? What do we lose when we devote so much time and effort, sweat and tears into something instead of simply moving on? Is it possible that we can actually lose a part of ourselves?
Let's walk through a scenario or two. First: let us say that you have an appointment to keep that is several miles away, and your car decided that it no longer wanted to function properly. But fortune smiles on you because a close friend informs you that he was going that way anyway and doesn't mind giving you a ride. They tell you that they have a meeting prior to setting out, but it shouldn't last long. They'll meet you at their car around this time.
Now, under the guise of being careful, you show up 20 minutes early, and you feel horribly betrayed when arrive five minutes after the time they said. How could they be late?! Don't they know that you have somewhere to be? They must not understand how important this is! Frantically, you pace the parking lot until they arrive, of course, all smiles.
They tell you that they're sorry, they got stopped by a coworker on their way out the door, but you don't want to hear it. You don't care about their coworker. You need to make your appointment, and unlike some people, you can't be late. You have a reputation of being impeccably early, and nothing is going to stop you.
The entire car ride, the only thing you can see is the clock. You know that if traffic is fair, you will be there just on time; it might just be enough. But then, traffic slows to a stop. No, there's no way you are going to make you appointment now. Your perfect record is broken. You might as well not even go now. Never once, in your despair do you look up to see the car on the side of the road with its passenger door caved in from the crash that stopped traffic.
Too depressing? How about one more, different scenario? You have a presentation in class due tomorrow that is worth 30% of your grade. You're working frantically for weeks because you want to maintain your perfect 4.0 grade point average. You've stayed up until 3a.m. making sure that all your research is correct, and your presentation flows smoothly. At last, it is finished, A+ material. You save your project on your flash drive and go to sleep. The next morning you wake up and get dressed in a flourish because of your excitement. You even remember to eat breakfast, to make sure you're in peak condition.
You're sitting in class, taking notes on all the other presentations until it is finally your turn. You walk up to the computer and reach into your pocket. Maybe you left your flash drive in your backpack. Maybe it fell out and is under your desk. Maybe it was in your other pocket. Back pocket? Desk drawer? Just outside?
No, you left it on your desk back home. But your teacher isn't going let you have an extension; that wouldn't be fair. So you step back in front of the class sullenly and give your presentation based solely on memory, with no visuals, none of those awesome effects or anecdotes you spent so much time working on. How will your grade stay up now?
I tell these stories to say this: there are things in our lives that we can't control. Perfection may be something we strive for, but it is on many levels simply impossible. So, do your best, but don't hold yourself, or anyone for that matter, to a standard that is unreachable. Don't get caught up in the cycle of perfectionism that tears you and those around you down.
If you are not being a blessing to those around you, you are a lot farther from perfect than you may think.
Let's walk through a scenario or two. First: let us say that you have an appointment to keep that is several miles away, and your car decided that it no longer wanted to function properly. But fortune smiles on you because a close friend informs you that he was going that way anyway and doesn't mind giving you a ride. They tell you that they have a meeting prior to setting out, but it shouldn't last long. They'll meet you at their car around this time.
Now, under the guise of being careful, you show up 20 minutes early, and you feel horribly betrayed when arrive five minutes after the time they said. How could they be late?! Don't they know that you have somewhere to be? They must not understand how important this is! Frantically, you pace the parking lot until they arrive, of course, all smiles.
They tell you that they're sorry, they got stopped by a coworker on their way out the door, but you don't want to hear it. You don't care about their coworker. You need to make your appointment, and unlike some people, you can't be late. You have a reputation of being impeccably early, and nothing is going to stop you.
The entire car ride, the only thing you can see is the clock. You know that if traffic is fair, you will be there just on time; it might just be enough. But then, traffic slows to a stop. No, there's no way you are going to make you appointment now. Your perfect record is broken. You might as well not even go now. Never once, in your despair do you look up to see the car on the side of the road with its passenger door caved in from the crash that stopped traffic.
Too depressing? How about one more, different scenario? You have a presentation in class due tomorrow that is worth 30% of your grade. You're working frantically for weeks because you want to maintain your perfect 4.0 grade point average. You've stayed up until 3a.m. making sure that all your research is correct, and your presentation flows smoothly. At last, it is finished, A+ material. You save your project on your flash drive and go to sleep. The next morning you wake up and get dressed in a flourish because of your excitement. You even remember to eat breakfast, to make sure you're in peak condition.
You're sitting in class, taking notes on all the other presentations until it is finally your turn. You walk up to the computer and reach into your pocket. Maybe you left your flash drive in your backpack. Maybe it fell out and is under your desk. Maybe it was in your other pocket. Back pocket? Desk drawer? Just outside?
No, you left it on your desk back home. But your teacher isn't going let you have an extension; that wouldn't be fair. So you step back in front of the class sullenly and give your presentation based solely on memory, with no visuals, none of those awesome effects or anecdotes you spent so much time working on. How will your grade stay up now?
I tell these stories to say this: there are things in our lives that we can't control. Perfection may be something we strive for, but it is on many levels simply impossible. So, do your best, but don't hold yourself, or anyone for that matter, to a standard that is unreachable. Don't get caught up in the cycle of perfectionism that tears you and those around you down.
If you are not being a blessing to those around you, you are a lot farther from perfect than you may think.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
A Picture that is Irritating
http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=52350
Go look at this picture. Right now. You have nothing better to do, just go. Come back to me once you've taken a good hard look at it. I'm not going anywhere; I'll be here when you get back. Go on.
Did you see it? I mean really see it? Scary isn't it (and I don't mean the kid in the mask)?
First, let me just say that this picture does call out those luke-warm Christians who have no cause to champion. All Christians have been called by God, and while most have not been caused to lead the war on abortion rights, some have, and I appreciate them. I do not believe that I personally am called to combat abortion rights.
Abortion does not continue because Christians don't care, it continues because humans have this wonderful thing called "free will." This idea of "free will" is what allows us to love and act in compassion, but it also allows us to do other things, like stealing and indulging in chocolate. It allows us to do things we want, like enjoying the beauty of an Appalachian sunrise or voting in an upcoming election. Free will also allows people to get abortions, and carry signs condemning their fellow Christians for not throwing the country into chaos over what some women do with their lives. Let's take a look into the Bible real quick. The Bible is filled with prostitutes. Prostitutes who were redeemed, FORGIVEN! even. Jesus himself forgave a prostitute who would have been stoned otherwise.
You know, I think our emotions end up misplaced very easily. We can do nothing after someone has an abortion. Nothing we can do is going to bring that child back to life. So what good does it do to condemn our brothers and sisters for something they have no control over? Instead of holding up signs like these, how about we start holding ones that say: "Christians, Remember to love your neighbors!" or "Nothing can separate us from the love of God."?
This whole idea of people holding signs talking about how much "God hates YOU!" really pisses me off. I know that there probably is a place for it, but does it seriously work? Go look at Westboro Baptist Church, the "Christians" who protest soldiers' funerals, saying that they died to protect profanity and corruption. How can people who have experienced the LOVE of CHRIST, condemn the world outright? True we are called out of the law of the world, but we stay in the world to be the light. Who in their right mind will run towards the light if all it does is condemn them. These people tell the world that there is no loving God, there is no forgiveness, there is no abundant life, only judgment and death and condemnation. Oh yes, that's what Christianity is ALL ABOUT! (Please note the sarcasm.)
So, that's why these people piss me off. Yes, they challenge us to examine our lives and consider our own apathy, which is good, but we are told to reproach our brothers in love, not judgment.
Go look at this picture. Right now. You have nothing better to do, just go. Come back to me once you've taken a good hard look at it. I'm not going anywhere; I'll be here when you get back. Go on.
Did you see it? I mean really see it? Scary isn't it (and I don't mean the kid in the mask)?
First, let me just say that this picture does call out those luke-warm Christians who have no cause to champion. All Christians have been called by God, and while most have not been caused to lead the war on abortion rights, some have, and I appreciate them. I do not believe that I personally am called to combat abortion rights.
Abortion does not continue because Christians don't care, it continues because humans have this wonderful thing called "free will." This idea of "free will" is what allows us to love and act in compassion, but it also allows us to do other things, like stealing and indulging in chocolate. It allows us to do things we want, like enjoying the beauty of an Appalachian sunrise or voting in an upcoming election. Free will also allows people to get abortions, and carry signs condemning their fellow Christians for not throwing the country into chaos over what some women do with their lives. Let's take a look into the Bible real quick. The Bible is filled with prostitutes. Prostitutes who were redeemed, FORGIVEN! even. Jesus himself forgave a prostitute who would have been stoned otherwise.
You know, I think our emotions end up misplaced very easily. We can do nothing after someone has an abortion. Nothing we can do is going to bring that child back to life. So what good does it do to condemn our brothers and sisters for something they have no control over? Instead of holding up signs like these, how about we start holding ones that say: "Christians, Remember to love your neighbors!" or "Nothing can separate us from the love of God."?
This whole idea of people holding signs talking about how much "God hates YOU!" really pisses me off. I know that there probably is a place for it, but does it seriously work? Go look at Westboro Baptist Church, the "Christians" who protest soldiers' funerals, saying that they died to protect profanity and corruption. How can people who have experienced the LOVE of CHRIST, condemn the world outright? True we are called out of the law of the world, but we stay in the world to be the light. Who in their right mind will run towards the light if all it does is condemn them. These people tell the world that there is no loving God, there is no forgiveness, there is no abundant life, only judgment and death and condemnation. Oh yes, that's what Christianity is ALL ABOUT! (Please note the sarcasm.)
So, that's why these people piss me off. Yes, they challenge us to examine our lives and consider our own apathy, which is good, but we are told to reproach our brothers in love, not judgment.
Monday, August 30, 2010
CWO to sent up Propoganda for the Pope
London, September 2010, Pope Benedict will share the streets with fifteen of London's famous red buses carrying signs that simply say "Pope Benedict - Ordain Women Now." The CWO, or Catholic Women's Ordination, has paid a healthy sum to the city to use the buses as advertising space, and also plans to rally during one of the Pope's scheduled speeches.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100826/od_nm/us_britain_pope
So, what does this mean, for those Christians here in America? Well, to Catholics worldwide, should the CWO succeed in their endeavor, female priests will finally become a reality. Should the Pope decline to head the CWO'c demands, the possibility of further driving a wedge into the Catholic community would become imminent. So here stands Catholicism, on the verge of change, no matter what the Pope decides.
Now, I'm not Catholic, so at first, I have to ask myself: "What do I care?" Well, not being Catholic doesn't mean that what happens with the Pope doesn't affect me at all. Let's take a short trip down history lane. Judaism gave way to Christianity, which evolved into Catholicism, which split and helped give rise to Protestantism, and subsequently, all the non-Catholic Christian denominations. Ergo, just like what affects the Jewish nation affects us, what happens to Catholicism affects us.
If the Pope allows the ordination of female priests, it will become easier for other denominations to allow women into positions of authority. Currently, very few Christian denominations allow women into high positions, but that could change.
In all honest, I don't see the Pope ordaining women. I think it's sad that he most likely won't, but I feel that he will most likely hold to tradition. It seems like the Catholic thing to do. (Please don't think I am necessarily stereotyping all Catholics; I am just basing that statement on the knowledge that Catholicism leans towards conservatism and traditionalism.) So, odds are, in my opinion, the rift over sexism in the church will simply linger on.
What do you think?
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100826/od_nm/us_britain_pope
So, what does this mean, for those Christians here in America? Well, to Catholics worldwide, should the CWO succeed in their endeavor, female priests will finally become a reality. Should the Pope decline to head the CWO'c demands, the possibility of further driving a wedge into the Catholic community would become imminent. So here stands Catholicism, on the verge of change, no matter what the Pope decides.
Now, I'm not Catholic, so at first, I have to ask myself: "What do I care?" Well, not being Catholic doesn't mean that what happens with the Pope doesn't affect me at all. Let's take a short trip down history lane. Judaism gave way to Christianity, which evolved into Catholicism, which split and helped give rise to Protestantism, and subsequently, all the non-Catholic Christian denominations. Ergo, just like what affects the Jewish nation affects us, what happens to Catholicism affects us.
If the Pope allows the ordination of female priests, it will become easier for other denominations to allow women into positions of authority. Currently, very few Christian denominations allow women into high positions, but that could change.
In all honest, I don't see the Pope ordaining women. I think it's sad that he most likely won't, but I feel that he will most likely hold to tradition. It seems like the Catholic thing to do. (Please don't think I am necessarily stereotyping all Catholics; I am just basing that statement on the knowledge that Catholicism leans towards conservatism and traditionalism.) So, odds are, in my opinion, the rift over sexism in the church will simply linger on.
What do you think?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Job Search
In our current economy, many people feel that "rising" unemployment rates makes it nearly impossible to land a job, even a temporary job, much less a career. Well, let me first encourage any job seekers out there with some statistics from the Department of Labor Statistics:
"Total non-farm payroll employment declined by 131,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.5 percent. Federal government employment fell, as 143,000 temporary workers hired for the decennial census completed their work. Private-sector payroll employment edged up by 71,000."
So, as you can see, there are still jobs out there. Employers are still hiring. So, let's go through a few options that might help with landing that all-important income.
1) First off, there's nothing that says willingness to work than simply pounding the pavement. However, nothing says desperate like pounding the pavement. It can also say "inexperienced." So, it may work, it may not. A lot of people do it, but that means it has to work every now and then, or else no one would do it.
2) Fork over the 50 cents to buy the local newspaper, or if your newspaper lists it's classified ads online, check them out there. Know what openings there are in your area. Know what employers are wanting out of someone in this capacity. Contact the company directly and let them see how good you could be for their image, reputation, productivity, etc.
3) Manage your profile on social networking sites. Many companies now check the way promising employees act on sites like Facebook and MySpace. If the smiling, well dressed, impressive candidate who walked through their door turns out to be a drunk flousey, your chances have just dropped, my friend.
4) Go to a temp agency. It may seem beneath you, but how desperate are you? If you need some kind of income, a temp agency may be the way to go.
5) Make sure you're qualified. This could mean anything from going back to school, to learning what not to put on an application. There are many online and print resources on how to write a resume, a CV, fill out an application, etc. Take advantage of those resources.
6) Check out news websites like Yahoo!. It was there that I came across this headline: "Can't Find a Job, College Grad? National Park Service Is Hiring." How awesome would it be to work for the National Park Service. Granted, it's a government job, but money is money.
So, whatever method you choose to pursue, remember to pray that God leads your life and your job hunt.
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/110370/cant-find-a-job-college-grad-national-park-service-is-hiring
"Total non-farm payroll employment declined by 131,000 in July, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 9.5 percent. Federal government employment fell, as 143,000 temporary workers hired for the decennial census completed their work. Private-sector payroll employment edged up by 71,000."
So, as you can see, there are still jobs out there. Employers are still hiring. So, let's go through a few options that might help with landing that all-important income.
1) First off, there's nothing that says willingness to work than simply pounding the pavement. However, nothing says desperate like pounding the pavement. It can also say "inexperienced." So, it may work, it may not. A lot of people do it, but that means it has to work every now and then, or else no one would do it.
2) Fork over the 50 cents to buy the local newspaper, or if your newspaper lists it's classified ads online, check them out there. Know what openings there are in your area. Know what employers are wanting out of someone in this capacity. Contact the company directly and let them see how good you could be for their image, reputation, productivity, etc.
3) Manage your profile on social networking sites. Many companies now check the way promising employees act on sites like Facebook and MySpace. If the smiling, well dressed, impressive candidate who walked through their door turns out to be a drunk flousey, your chances have just dropped, my friend.
4) Go to a temp agency. It may seem beneath you, but how desperate are you? If you need some kind of income, a temp agency may be the way to go.
5) Make sure you're qualified. This could mean anything from going back to school, to learning what not to put on an application. There are many online and print resources on how to write a resume, a CV, fill out an application, etc. Take advantage of those resources.
6) Check out news websites like Yahoo!. It was there that I came across this headline: "Can't Find a Job, College Grad? National Park Service Is Hiring." How awesome would it be to work for the National Park Service. Granted, it's a government job, but money is money.
So, whatever method you choose to pursue, remember to pray that God leads your life and your job hunt.
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm
http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/110370/cant-find-a-job-college-grad-national-park-service-is-hiring
Monday, August 23, 2010
Stuck in Traffic?
The vast majority of people I know hate getting stuck in traffic. Some of my co-workers will stay at work, off the clock to avoid running into busy school bus routes. Some of my classmates will leave over a half an hour early to avoid lunch hour congestion to travel through downtown.
While I will often give myself plenty of time to get from point A to point B, it is generally never to avoid. On the contrary, it is to allow for time "wasted" sitting in traffic. Whether it's on I65 heading to work, I64 to or from school, or just local roads heading across town, somehow or another, I always end up spending time stuck in traffic. So, aside from planning on, and jamming to the radio, I have discovered a number of ways to get through those long moments when one can't to anything but stare at the same three license plates.
So here are some of the things I do, to keep patience and not get overly frustrated with time lost in transit:
1) Turn off the radio and look out at the horizon. Taking in the beauty of the moment often serves to help take my mind off of the fact that I have moved three feet in the past five minutes. Look at the trees or buildings. Take a few moments to cloud-watch. Check out the stars, if you're caught in night road construction.
2) People watch. Now, obviously be careful because heavy traffic is often prime-time to run into someone experiencing road-rage, so don't make eye contact with someone visibly irritated. Instead, look at some of the makes and models of cars around. Imagine who these people might be and where they are going, or what they are leaving. The man in the Volkswagen just in front of you may be a frugal middle-class businessman who's fallen on hard times. Maybe he needs prayer because he was recently laid off and his wife is threatening to leave him because he can't support her and their two children on his unemployment check. Just people watch and imagine some scenarios.
3) Take some time to pray. I know it may sound odd, but picture God sitting in the seat next to you. Tell Him about your day, your relationships, your dreams. Ask Him questions like "God, what do you think about last night's news? I know that story about Pakistan was really depressing, but there has to be some good in that part of the world, right? You know, I think I heard something about missionaries going over to help feed some of those starving children. Thank You for those people." Speak to Him out loud; it makes it more real, at least for me. And don't worry about if other people are looking at you funny, they think you're singing along with the radio.
So next time you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't get frustrated, practice love. Practice the presence of God, and remember, at least this traffic jam is not going to last for 9 days like this one in China:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100823/sc_afp/chinaroadtraffic
While I will often give myself plenty of time to get from point A to point B, it is generally never to avoid. On the contrary, it is to allow for time "wasted" sitting in traffic. Whether it's on I65 heading to work, I64 to or from school, or just local roads heading across town, somehow or another, I always end up spending time stuck in traffic. So, aside from planning on, and jamming to the radio, I have discovered a number of ways to get through those long moments when one can't to anything but stare at the same three license plates.
So here are some of the things I do, to keep patience and not get overly frustrated with time lost in transit:
1) Turn off the radio and look out at the horizon. Taking in the beauty of the moment often serves to help take my mind off of the fact that I have moved three feet in the past five minutes. Look at the trees or buildings. Take a few moments to cloud-watch. Check out the stars, if you're caught in night road construction.
2) People watch. Now, obviously be careful because heavy traffic is often prime-time to run into someone experiencing road-rage, so don't make eye contact with someone visibly irritated. Instead, look at some of the makes and models of cars around. Imagine who these people might be and where they are going, or what they are leaving. The man in the Volkswagen just in front of you may be a frugal middle-class businessman who's fallen on hard times. Maybe he needs prayer because he was recently laid off and his wife is threatening to leave him because he can't support her and their two children on his unemployment check. Just people watch and imagine some scenarios.
3) Take some time to pray. I know it may sound odd, but picture God sitting in the seat next to you. Tell Him about your day, your relationships, your dreams. Ask Him questions like "God, what do you think about last night's news? I know that story about Pakistan was really depressing, but there has to be some good in that part of the world, right? You know, I think I heard something about missionaries going over to help feed some of those starving children. Thank You for those people." Speak to Him out loud; it makes it more real, at least for me. And don't worry about if other people are looking at you funny, they think you're singing along with the radio.
So next time you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't get frustrated, practice love. Practice the presence of God, and remember, at least this traffic jam is not going to last for 9 days like this one in China:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20100823/sc_afp/chinaroadtraffic
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