Health care is an extremely important issue, and it will continue to be an issue that people struggle over for as long as men live. My Mom and I recently had an intense conversation (or some might say argument) about this issue a few weeks ago. My Mom and I were on our way home from some place when I brought up the fact that I needed register to vote soon as I am now eligible. I went on to say how I felt guilty for not keeping up with the candidates and their platforms like I should. My Mom, a Republican, brought up how she was undecided and was sort of leaning towards Barack Obama, a Democratic candidate. I asked her for an explanation. And she feels that he is strong and would be a good leader, however she feels that could not trust him. I agreed; from what I had seen of Obama, there is potential for him to be a strong leader—not good, but strong. But then, she started running her mouth about how Health Care is such a big issue, and how she feels that it is ridiculous for someone to have to pay thirty dollars for a bottle of Tylenol at the hospital. “It’s ridiculous,” she shouted again. “What if I needed to have some special treatment for my heart and we can not afford it,” she said, articulating each word so well that spit was flying out of her mouth. “So what is your solution, ‘free’ health care?” “Well, ya…” she said reluctantly.” But it was too late, she already opened a huge can of worms and I was about to get very emotional.
To be continued...
Friday, January 25, 2008
"Scaredy Cat"
It’s amazing how much there is to learn. Learning never ends; it’s this wonderful journey that leads me to see the world around me in a whole new way. I have always been interested in learning and experiencing new things. I’m a person who would love to annoy you with question after question, even if it was on the subject of nail polish. My desire to soak in new philosophies, concepts, and facts seems to never end. However, often I’m scared to ask questions in a public setting of any kind—in a class, at a restaurant, or on a tour. I have struggled with this since I was in middle school. Throughout these past seven years, I have worked to overcome this obstacle; so that now I ask questions, but only enough to get all the information I need to know and not the all the information I want to know. For as much as I love to learn, it continues to amaze me how much fear I feel deep inside me when asking a simple question. What do I expect to happen? Do I think everyone will laugh at me if I pronounce something incorrectly or have a “nerdy” idea? What bothers me most is that I am more afraid of whatever is that is holding me back, than I am courageous and zealous for how much I can learn.
Signed,
"Scaredy Cat"
Signed,
"Scaredy Cat"
Food For Thought
Try digesting this for a few moments…
Have you ever experienced hunger or thirst? But of course! Everyone has experienced these physical urges. But I’m not talking about how we feel after not eating for four or five hours or even after skipping a meal or two. I’m referring to a hunger and thirst that most of us Americans have never felt before and most likely will never know.
Third World countries are full of people who do not even know when their next meal will be and what it will consist of. Many times these people must work—fight and chase—to get the food that they so desperately need to survive. And when it is all said and done, they might end up eating something we would never dream touching, yet they’re happy to eat and live. These people are a great example of why we Americans must take advantage of the excellent circumstances that most of us have been born into. If we want to make a difference, we must fight for what we believe in, and truly hunger and thirst for change. This means we must sometimes sacrifice “taste”, such as saving our money, or give up a Saturday to do community service. Perhaps we might also have to “chase” after our goal by knocking on doors or simply stepping out of our comfort zone to converse with others.
As a Christian, I am commanded to hunger and thirst for God’s Word—to study and act upon it daily. This concept of nourishment really hits home for me; I just think about how much I would complain if could not eat for even a day or two. Therefore, I must work to serve and need God the same way I need food and water.
This may sound like somewhat of a stretch to some, but I believe that if anyone sets their mind to something, they can make a difference; that is the beauty of the great nation in which we live. So let’s get out there and make it happen!
Have you ever experienced hunger or thirst? But of course! Everyone has experienced these physical urges. But I’m not talking about how we feel after not eating for four or five hours or even after skipping a meal or two. I’m referring to a hunger and thirst that most of us Americans have never felt before and most likely will never know.
Third World countries are full of people who do not even know when their next meal will be and what it will consist of. Many times these people must work—fight and chase—to get the food that they so desperately need to survive. And when it is all said and done, they might end up eating something we would never dream touching, yet they’re happy to eat and live. These people are a great example of why we Americans must take advantage of the excellent circumstances that most of us have been born into. If we want to make a difference, we must fight for what we believe in, and truly hunger and thirst for change. This means we must sometimes sacrifice “taste”, such as saving our money, or give up a Saturday to do community service. Perhaps we might also have to “chase” after our goal by knocking on doors or simply stepping out of our comfort zone to converse with others.
As a Christian, I am commanded to hunger and thirst for God’s Word—to study and act upon it daily. This concept of nourishment really hits home for me; I just think about how much I would complain if could not eat for even a day or two. Therefore, I must work to serve and need God the same way I need food and water.
This may sound like somewhat of a stretch to some, but I believe that if anyone sets their mind to something, they can make a difference; that is the beauty of the great nation in which we live. So let’s get out there and make it happen!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
When Friendships Teach You Invaluable Lessons
It’s a sunny Thursday afternoon. The time is 12:30p.m. The campus is bustling with students on a very important mission—to eat! As I approach the music building, I can’t help but feel anxious for my private violin lesson at 1:30p.m. I swing open the main door and fling myself, my backpack, my violin, and a grocery bag in with me. Spotting an empty bench in the lobby, I plop down all my things and pick up the grocery bag. Slowly, I remove the contents and placing them on the bench. “I feel so lonely. Every Thursday for fifteen weeks I was going to have to sit here and eat lunch all by my lonesome self; how pitiful is that? But you would think that after all the effort I put in to get my violin playing this far, I would be more grateful that I am at this school, to have these great lessons from the teacher I want, and to not have to pay for tuition,” I thought to myself as I open up a small, white, “Chik-fil-a” box filled with chicken nuggets. “I just want to go to college with my boyfriend in Florida and not have to worry about achieving all these goals and practicing my violin all the time. I miss him so much,” I whine to myself. “What is wrong with me? Why am I complaining? I should be so grateful I even have a loving boyfriend who cares so much about me, that he’s willing to stay together even though we live fourteen hours apart. I should just stop whining so much,” I whispered to myself. Just then, someone walks up and asks “Can I sit with you?” “Sure,” I say, feeling ashamed of myself for having been so negative, because she has the biggest brightest smile on her face. “You’re Meghan right?” With a rather quiet voice, I respond, “Yeah.” I remembered her from orchestra, she also played an instrument—viola. I had just made a friend I plan to never forget.
Despite the many things that were going seemingly “wrong” in my life, she was there to help me along. We were only two weeks into the first semester of our freshman year and I was feeling very overwhelmed, as is expected I suppose. She kinda took the load off. She is just one of those kind of people who make you feel great inside, like you’re worth something. Now, all of a sudden I had someone to hang out with on the weekends. We eventually became “practice accountability partners”; at about 7:45 am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we would meet up and go to the music building to practice. Later, we even started working out on Friday afternoons together. One Saturday we went shopping all day and went out to lunch at Olive Garden; it was so much fun! When my eighteenth birthday rolled around, she covered my door in a huge poster that said, “Happy 18th Birthday Meghan” and put streamers up, got me lots of balloons, took me to dinner, got me my favorite candy bar, and had a bunch of my friends from the music school sign a card for me. Things were great! I was just so excited to have someone to do stuff with all the time. But I guess all things here on this Earth, whether good or bad, do come to an end.
One day she did not returned one of my phone calls; I even left a voicemail. Finally, after calling a couple more times, I ran into her. “Hey, did you get my message?” She looked at me quizzically. “No,” she replied, “my phone has been acting up and my minutes have run out from talking to my family for so long. Sorry…” “Oh, that’s fine,” I said, thinking it was nothing. But then, something strange happened…I started to notice how she would not hang around me as much and eventually not at all. Over a period of one week I watched our friendship crumble into a huge pile of rubble. I could not believe this was happening. We had been inseparable for over a month and she would hardly give me the “time of day.” It was Saturday, I gathered some things that she had lent me and some different snacks that I knew she would enjoy and packaged them up. As I headed down to her dorm room, I felt so confused. “Why was she acting so weird,” I thought. I knocked and heard a voice inside; it sounded like hers. “Well, maybe we’ll finally have a chance to talk about it,” I thought, so hopeful that we could talk things out and that there was just some big misunderstanding or that she was in a bad mood and it was not directed toward me personally. Suddenly, the door swung open and I saw her talking rather loudly on the phone. Quickly, she said “hey, thanks” while she grabbed the package that I handed to her and then a quick “see ya.” I felt terrible! After a long time of waiting, I got to talk to her one on one and settle this once and for all. Over dinner we discussed what had been developing in our lives since the last time we had really spoken, which had been about two to three weeks. But after a little catching up, I was ready to ask her the burning question inside me—“Look girl, I do not mean to be rude or blunt, but what happened? I really do not feel like we have been hanging out as much as we used to. I mean please let me know if I did anything wrong. Please. I really want to make anything I did wrong right.” The look on her face from the moment I opened my mouth was one that told me she knew exactly what I was talking about. Then, she quietly responded, “I’m not mad at you or anything if that is what you think. I just feel like maybe we have been hanging out too much. I mean, I want to hang out with you and everyone else, too.” “I see,” I said reluctantly. I left dinner that night with a heavy heart. I had just lost a really great friend. The reality was just beginning to sink in.
It’s amazing how you can feel so connected to someone and have all these expectations that they will want to be friends as long as you do. But the truth is, is that life is not fair and no one is perfect, so there will be disagreements and unrealistic expectations. I failed in my expectations for her. I thought that she took friendship as seriously as I did. Every once in awhile I will cry about how much I miss her. It hurts so bad to see her walk by and not even acknowledge me there. I hate that we are not friends anymore, however, if she is happier not being friends with me, then at least she is happy. I miss her reassuring voice, her encouraging practicing tips, and support as a friend. I will always miss her, because she affected me in a way that I feel no one else has.
Despite the many things that were going seemingly “wrong” in my life, she was there to help me along. We were only two weeks into the first semester of our freshman year and I was feeling very overwhelmed, as is expected I suppose. She kinda took the load off. She is just one of those kind of people who make you feel great inside, like you’re worth something. Now, all of a sudden I had someone to hang out with on the weekends. We eventually became “practice accountability partners”; at about 7:45 am every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we would meet up and go to the music building to practice. Later, we even started working out on Friday afternoons together. One Saturday we went shopping all day and went out to lunch at Olive Garden; it was so much fun! When my eighteenth birthday rolled around, she covered my door in a huge poster that said, “Happy 18th Birthday Meghan” and put streamers up, got me lots of balloons, took me to dinner, got me my favorite candy bar, and had a bunch of my friends from the music school sign a card for me. Things were great! I was just so excited to have someone to do stuff with all the time. But I guess all things here on this Earth, whether good or bad, do come to an end.
One day she did not returned one of my phone calls; I even left a voicemail. Finally, after calling a couple more times, I ran into her. “Hey, did you get my message?” She looked at me quizzically. “No,” she replied, “my phone has been acting up and my minutes have run out from talking to my family for so long. Sorry…” “Oh, that’s fine,” I said, thinking it was nothing. But then, something strange happened…I started to notice how she would not hang around me as much and eventually not at all. Over a period of one week I watched our friendship crumble into a huge pile of rubble. I could not believe this was happening. We had been inseparable for over a month and she would hardly give me the “time of day.” It was Saturday, I gathered some things that she had lent me and some different snacks that I knew she would enjoy and packaged them up. As I headed down to her dorm room, I felt so confused. “Why was she acting so weird,” I thought. I knocked and heard a voice inside; it sounded like hers. “Well, maybe we’ll finally have a chance to talk about it,” I thought, so hopeful that we could talk things out and that there was just some big misunderstanding or that she was in a bad mood and it was not directed toward me personally. Suddenly, the door swung open and I saw her talking rather loudly on the phone. Quickly, she said “hey, thanks” while she grabbed the package that I handed to her and then a quick “see ya.” I felt terrible! After a long time of waiting, I got to talk to her one on one and settle this once and for all. Over dinner we discussed what had been developing in our lives since the last time we had really spoken, which had been about two to three weeks. But after a little catching up, I was ready to ask her the burning question inside me—“Look girl, I do not mean to be rude or blunt, but what happened? I really do not feel like we have been hanging out as much as we used to. I mean please let me know if I did anything wrong. Please. I really want to make anything I did wrong right.” The look on her face from the moment I opened my mouth was one that told me she knew exactly what I was talking about. Then, she quietly responded, “I’m not mad at you or anything if that is what you think. I just feel like maybe we have been hanging out too much. I mean, I want to hang out with you and everyone else, too.” “I see,” I said reluctantly. I left dinner that night with a heavy heart. I had just lost a really great friend. The reality was just beginning to sink in.
It’s amazing how you can feel so connected to someone and have all these expectations that they will want to be friends as long as you do. But the truth is, is that life is not fair and no one is perfect, so there will be disagreements and unrealistic expectations. I failed in my expectations for her. I thought that she took friendship as seriously as I did. Every once in awhile I will cry about how much I miss her. It hurts so bad to see her walk by and not even acknowledge me there. I hate that we are not friends anymore, however, if she is happier not being friends with me, then at least she is happy. I miss her reassuring voice, her encouraging practicing tips, and support as a friend. I will always miss her, because she affected me in a way that I feel no one else has.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Manifesto
Meghan Lyons
ENGL 1020
Professor Sumner-Winter
22 January 2008
First, I want everyone to know that I will not leave anything out—that I will end where I begin and begin where I end. All that I believe in is revealed in this entry.
The Sharon Statement, written on September 11. 1960, was the foundation upon which the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) organization was built. The YAF’s are primarily those in college. These “conservative” youth are promoting freedom. Many prominent American leaders were members of YAF, such as former president Ronald Reagan. What better way to make an impact in the future of America than through the up and coming youth? Throughout this statement, there is mention of the consistency of the actions of the United States with its Constitution, implying that this statement is only a collection of beliefs that look up to higher standard—the U.S. Constitution. I feel that the Bible is the standard for living. However even I, like so many others my age, desperately seek out freedom, therefore, this organization’s manifesto seems to fit my profile. This manifesto is direct and represents the struggles that I, as a young American, am going through. Here is my manifesto based on the template of the Sharon Statement.
I, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, believe:
THAT freedom comes at a price. God sent his only Son to die for our sins, so that we might be free from that sin.
THAT wisdom will always rule over knowledge. Anyone can state that a certain number of people were killed on September 11, 2001, but not everyone can think of the impact those deaths had on countless families, friends, and neighbors.
THAT pain is an teaching strategy. Every time you experience pain, you learn something from that experience. Once, I scraped my knees and my face as a result of running down concrete stairs in my dress shoes; based on that experience, I would never do that again.
THAT truth is the best policy. Living and speaking the truth in everything you do is the best way to free your mind and your body, and enable you to have clearer thinking.
THAT God’s Word is truth. God’s Word is complete; there is no book like it.
THAT love is the answer. Without love, there is no hope or joy or peace; all is death and destruction.
THAT life will pass you by if you do not stop and enjoy it while you can. After I played a college violin audition once, the violin professor on the committee said that it seemed like I had performed like my life depended on it; I was playing like I was surviving the torture of performing instead of truly living and enjoying every note that I played.
THAT what we do in this life is a reflection of what we will do in the next. If you are faithful to God, He will reward you.
THAT faith is everything. Faith is what you base your life upon. Without faith you would not feel compelled to do anything.
Though I go through trials and tribulations, I remember who is in control. My happiness does not rely on my freedoms, but rather in whom I place my trust. I find it unique that these young people in the YAF felt that in a time of crisis it was important that their beliefs be exposed to the world. They trusted the Constitution to guide their country in a time of need for leadership, and by sharing their truisms with the world, they found peace in their effort to make a difference. Everything they cared about was influenced by the way the country was run; they realized this and they did not let go. I believe we continue to fight the same battles today; somehow we must let everyone know where we stand. If we never act on our beliefs, our lives will have been pointless. The impact that we can make on the world around us can be great, let’s use our opportunities wisely.
My life is worth living because I know the impact that I can make on those around me. God has a plan for my life here, and if I do not act upon my convictions, I will have lived in vain. If it were not for God’s Word, His Son, and His love, I believe that life would not be the same. I praise God for giving me life and breath, and for giving me the freedom and the ability to make a difference in the world in which I live.
ENGL 1020
Professor Sumner-Winter
22 January 2008
First, I want everyone to know that I will not leave anything out—that I will end where I begin and begin where I end. All that I believe in is revealed in this entry.
The Sharon Statement, written on September 11. 1960, was the foundation upon which the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) organization was built. The YAF’s are primarily those in college. These “conservative” youth are promoting freedom. Many prominent American leaders were members of YAF, such as former president Ronald Reagan. What better way to make an impact in the future of America than through the up and coming youth? Throughout this statement, there is mention of the consistency of the actions of the United States with its Constitution, implying that this statement is only a collection of beliefs that look up to higher standard—the U.S. Constitution. I feel that the Bible is the standard for living. However even I, like so many others my age, desperately seek out freedom, therefore, this organization’s manifesto seems to fit my profile. This manifesto is direct and represents the struggles that I, as a young American, am going through. Here is my manifesto based on the template of the Sharon Statement.
I, as a disciple of Jesus Christ, believe:
THAT freedom comes at a price. God sent his only Son to die for our sins, so that we might be free from that sin.
THAT wisdom will always rule over knowledge. Anyone can state that a certain number of people were killed on September 11, 2001, but not everyone can think of the impact those deaths had on countless families, friends, and neighbors.
THAT pain is an teaching strategy. Every time you experience pain, you learn something from that experience. Once, I scraped my knees and my face as a result of running down concrete stairs in my dress shoes; based on that experience, I would never do that again.
THAT truth is the best policy. Living and speaking the truth in everything you do is the best way to free your mind and your body, and enable you to have clearer thinking.
THAT God’s Word is truth. God’s Word is complete; there is no book like it.
THAT love is the answer. Without love, there is no hope or joy or peace; all is death and destruction.
THAT life will pass you by if you do not stop and enjoy it while you can. After I played a college violin audition once, the violin professor on the committee said that it seemed like I had performed like my life depended on it; I was playing like I was surviving the torture of performing instead of truly living and enjoying every note that I played.
THAT what we do in this life is a reflection of what we will do in the next. If you are faithful to God, He will reward you.
THAT faith is everything. Faith is what you base your life upon. Without faith you would not feel compelled to do anything.
Though I go through trials and tribulations, I remember who is in control. My happiness does not rely on my freedoms, but rather in whom I place my trust. I find it unique that these young people in the YAF felt that in a time of crisis it was important that their beliefs be exposed to the world. They trusted the Constitution to guide their country in a time of need for leadership, and by sharing their truisms with the world, they found peace in their effort to make a difference. Everything they cared about was influenced by the way the country was run; they realized this and they did not let go. I believe we continue to fight the same battles today; somehow we must let everyone know where we stand. If we never act on our beliefs, our lives will have been pointless. The impact that we can make on the world around us can be great, let’s use our opportunities wisely.
My life is worth living because I know the impact that I can make on those around me. God has a plan for my life here, and if I do not act upon my convictions, I will have lived in vain. If it were not for God’s Word, His Son, and His love, I believe that life would not be the same. I praise God for giving me life and breath, and for giving me the freedom and the ability to make a difference in the world in which I live.
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