Soapboxes
I am opinionated. What can I say? I'm a first born. It's in my blood. Thankfully, I also have been given a healthy dose of self-awareness so I attempt to temper myself. It doesn't always happen. I also have been cursed blessed with an innate desire for harmony, so I often won't state my opinions unless I feel like I'm in a safe environment. Blogs don't necessarily lend themselves to being "safe" and therefore I've started about 10 posts that I have never finished because I thought they turned out offensive in one way or another. And so my solution is to consolidate my offensiveness into one post and offend the world at once. One fell swoop. Rip off the band aid. Here we go. These are my soapboxes.
Complaining:
Just... don't. Really. It isn't attractive and it just makes you look unintelligent. If something isn't to your liking do something about it. Don't complain unless you're willing to truly understand the facts, see from the others perspective and be a part of making change. And certainly don't complain unless you are willing to have a balanced view point of the subject at hand. Take, for instance, politics. I get angry with aspects of our government as much as anyone, but at the end of the day I am still glad to live in America. I still believe that we are the land of the free and the home of the brave, and I'd still take the failings of our government to the best of what the rest of the world has to offer. We're more blessed than we realize. And to clarify, I believe there is a vast difference between cynical complaining and intelligent conversation meant to improve and educate others. If you must open your mouth, at least choose the intelligent conversation.
Doomsday Naysayers:
Someday this world will come to an end. Clearly, each day on earth brings us closer to that moment in time, so I suppose it's safe to say that we're closer to the end of the world than ever before. But sometimes I want to scream when people tsk, shake their heads sadly and say "what is this world coming too... it's just so much worse than it has ever been." Um. Really? Remember the Romans? They fed small children to lions and called it sport. Every generation has it's sins. Every society has it's demons. I mean, really all you have to do is read through the Old Testament. It's filled with atrocious accounts of immorality, vicious killing and shocking human behavior. Since the day sin entered the world, we've all been depraved. Thankfully, we have a savior who has come to redeem all this junk. The world stinks, but it's stunk for a good 6000 years and will stink until Jesus returns and makes all things new. Perspective people, perspective.
Santa:
*Sigh* I'm prepared to duck for cover after this one. But I bravely move forward with my statements anyway. We don't do Santa in our house at Christmas. I don't think Santa is the anti-Christ, but I just don't see much point in the whole thing. That being said, to each his own, and what you choose to do in your house doesn't affect me. HOWEVER, this past Christmas I was completely taken aback at how passionately people feel about Santa. News reports of parents wanting to sue a school district because a teacher told a class that Santa isn't real, parents with angry back and forths on facebook. Good grief people. He's a make-believe character. At the end of the day, you may not like it, but aren't there more important things in life to get your panties in a bundle about? If you are going to be passionate about something, please don't make it Santa.
"Experts":
I am probably an "expert's" worst nightmare. My family drinks raw milk. I put Anna to sleep on her belly when she was a baby. Both of my infants slept in bed with us on a regular basis for the first few weeks. I don't do all the vaccinations for my kids. I told people I was pregnant before 12 weeks (and before I had even been to the doctor!). Most parenting magazines cause me to feel deep-seated feelings of anger, so I don't read them anymore. Sometimes, when I do read them, I just want to do the opposite out of spite. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the many people who dedicate their lives to research and share their findings with the world. What I don't like are the hidden agendas, the behind-the-scenes alliances, and the facts that are muddled with opinions. For instance, I was perusing a parenting magazine a few months ago and they were talking about varying forms of discipline. They had a statement that was similar to this: "Even though experts agree that this form of discipline is not effective, studies show that 80% of parents still use this regularly." Ok. Let me get this right... 80% of parents are doing something, but experts are trying to tell them that it isn't effective... I mean, I'm not one to always agree with the masses, but let's be honest, 80% is a really high number. Do those "experts" even have kids? To be honest I could write a whole post just on this subject. Actually, I have. Two, actually. But then I deleted them. Maybe I'll re-write. But for now, this shall suffice. YOU are the expert of your life (and your kids'). Go with your gut. Even better, allow the Holy Spirit to guide your gut. At the end of the day you have to live your life. By all means, read the books, get counsel, ask for advice. But don't forget that you are an intelligent human being with a mind of your own. And it's probably a pretty good mind, too.
Well, there you. I shall now step down and duck for cover. Just kidding. Sort of. In all honesty, I'd love to hear thoughts on the above subjects. I love me a good debate.
Just don't complain about what I've written. And maybe go drink some raw milk.
Complaining:
Just... don't. Really. It isn't attractive and it just makes you look unintelligent. If something isn't to your liking do something about it. Don't complain unless you're willing to truly understand the facts, see from the others perspective and be a part of making change. And certainly don't complain unless you are willing to have a balanced view point of the subject at hand. Take, for instance, politics. I get angry with aspects of our government as much as anyone, but at the end of the day I am still glad to live in America. I still believe that we are the land of the free and the home of the brave, and I'd still take the failings of our government to the best of what the rest of the world has to offer. We're more blessed than we realize. And to clarify, I believe there is a vast difference between cynical complaining and intelligent conversation meant to improve and educate others. If you must open your mouth, at least choose the intelligent conversation.
Doomsday Naysayers:
Someday this world will come to an end. Clearly, each day on earth brings us closer to that moment in time, so I suppose it's safe to say that we're closer to the end of the world than ever before. But sometimes I want to scream when people tsk, shake their heads sadly and say "what is this world coming too... it's just so much worse than it has ever been." Um. Really? Remember the Romans? They fed small children to lions and called it sport. Every generation has it's sins. Every society has it's demons. I mean, really all you have to do is read through the Old Testament. It's filled with atrocious accounts of immorality, vicious killing and shocking human behavior. Since the day sin entered the world, we've all been depraved. Thankfully, we have a savior who has come to redeem all this junk. The world stinks, but it's stunk for a good 6000 years and will stink until Jesus returns and makes all things new. Perspective people, perspective.
Santa:
*Sigh* I'm prepared to duck for cover after this one. But I bravely move forward with my statements anyway. We don't do Santa in our house at Christmas. I don't think Santa is the anti-Christ, but I just don't see much point in the whole thing. That being said, to each his own, and what you choose to do in your house doesn't affect me. HOWEVER, this past Christmas I was completely taken aback at how passionately people feel about Santa. News reports of parents wanting to sue a school district because a teacher told a class that Santa isn't real, parents with angry back and forths on facebook. Good grief people. He's a make-believe character. At the end of the day, you may not like it, but aren't there more important things in life to get your panties in a bundle about? If you are going to be passionate about something, please don't make it Santa.
"Experts":
I am probably an "expert's" worst nightmare. My family drinks raw milk. I put Anna to sleep on her belly when she was a baby. Both of my infants slept in bed with us on a regular basis for the first few weeks. I don't do all the vaccinations for my kids. I told people I was pregnant before 12 weeks (and before I had even been to the doctor!). Most parenting magazines cause me to feel deep-seated feelings of anger, so I don't read them anymore. Sometimes, when I do read them, I just want to do the opposite out of spite. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the many people who dedicate their lives to research and share their findings with the world. What I don't like are the hidden agendas, the behind-the-scenes alliances, and the facts that are muddled with opinions. For instance, I was perusing a parenting magazine a few months ago and they were talking about varying forms of discipline. They had a statement that was similar to this: "Even though experts agree that this form of discipline is not effective, studies show that 80% of parents still use this regularly." Ok. Let me get this right... 80% of parents are doing something, but experts are trying to tell them that it isn't effective... I mean, I'm not one to always agree with the masses, but let's be honest, 80% is a really high number. Do those "experts" even have kids? To be honest I could write a whole post just on this subject. Actually, I have. Two, actually. But then I deleted them. Maybe I'll re-write. But for now, this shall suffice. YOU are the expert of your life (and your kids'). Go with your gut. Even better, allow the Holy Spirit to guide your gut. At the end of the day you have to live your life. By all means, read the books, get counsel, ask for advice. But don't forget that you are an intelligent human being with a mind of your own. And it's probably a pretty good mind, too.
Well, there you. I shall now step down and duck for cover. Just kidding. Sort of. In all honesty, I'd love to hear thoughts on the above subjects. I love me a good debate.
Just don't complain about what I've written. And maybe go drink some raw milk.
Katie! I love you! I'm that opinionated first born, too, so I GET IT! I agree with all your points, but especially the last one. I don't have children YET, but I feel the exact same way. I'm all for counsel, gleaning wisdom from the wise. However, I do think God gave me a pretty good brain and good ole' common sense can go a LONG way. Chris uses the phrase that many people suffer from paralysis of over analysis. I think he's right. I feel that so many (including myself at times) make life much more complicated than it has to be. I especially see this when it comes to raising kids. But, as I stated earlier, I don't have children of my own. I'll find out soon enough, I guess:) Thanks for being so offensive:)
ReplyDeleteKatie, I will have to duck and cover with you. I too agree on all of the above points. Emma was so upset earlier this year, because she had made another girl cry when she explained there was no Santa. Come on! What are we celebrating anyway? I'm not sure what my excuse for being opinionates is because I'm the baby. I, like you, prefer to share my thoughts in a safe place and not rock the boat. No worries! You are still greatly loved, even if I didn't agree with you! :)
ReplyDelete