If you have not read the story of this remarkable eighteen year old man, then you need to do it right now. Benjamin "Breedlove" passed on December 25, 2011 at the young age of eighteen, but he was well beyond his years and wisdom. Watching the below videos and reading more about this man's life and knowledge really kept my question going of "what is this?" What is this life, what am I doing in it, or rather what SHOULD I be doing in it.
For those of you who do not know I lost my older brother on February 3, 2008. Since that day I feel like I have battled with this question and with myself internally. Though, I have had the experience to realize how short life is and how much of it we really do take for granted. Tomorrow may never come for us, or for those who we love so don't waste what time you are given - is my philosophy these days. Even still I do find myself taking my days for granted.
Reading about Ben's story, reading about his life, and his heart really made me think (again) that I can do much more with my life.
So, if you have a few minutes, please read Ben's story and think about what you are doing right now within your own life. I think we can all do so much more (including myself).
http://www.positivelypositive.com/2011/12/30/cheating-death-inspiring-life-blog/
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Friday, December 30, 2011
What is this?
"What is this?" was the thought provoking question discussed during a Christmas Eve service that I went to this past Friday night. It talked about what this entire "Christmas" holiday really mearnt and questioned - who is God - who is Jesus - and why does any of "this" really matter? Again the question, "What is this?!"
Since this service I have spent a lot of time thinking this very question and I have come up a bit short. The meaning of Christmas that flashes through the media is one of presents, presents, and more presents, but doesn't Christmas mean so much more? It seems because of the media I sometimes forget that Christmas is not about presents at all. Rather it is about a day to honor the birth of Jesus Christ (i.e. Noel, Emmanuel, etc...). It is a day to spend with your loved ones in joyful unity. It is a day to spend reflecting on how you have or have not been living your life and making your footprints clear.
All of this then added to my recent feelings of feelings like I am not doing enough for the tragedies that surround me, specifically those who are living in homeless situations. I go back to my home every night and do not usually give any thought to those who will have to sleep on the street while I sleep in a cozy bed. I don't give enough thought to children who will go without eating today, as I have ate three good meals. I don't give enough thought to those parents that have to choose between feeding their family and paying the electric bill.
Why don't we think more about others and less about ourselves? When did this world become such a self-directed society? I don't have an answer, but I am searching for it. I am also trying to search within myself and think about how I can do more with this life. Weeding out what is so unnecessary and replacing it with the immediate needs of others.
I started off by reflecting on the question, "What is this?" and still I ask it again because I don't know. I know that the more I think about it the more that I feel disappoted of myself.The more that I feel like I have been following the wrong direction.
Jesus asked his followers to drop everything for Him. To leave everything that they knew and live a life for others rather than themselves. Can I do that? Can I leave everything behind and dedicate my life fully to others? Is it possible for anyone to do it?
I hope one day that I will have a clearer picture of what this all is and what is all means. I don't think I will ever know for sure, but hopefully this time next year I will have dedicated my life more to those around me through God's will and work.
Happy New Year!
Since this service I have spent a lot of time thinking this very question and I have come up a bit short. The meaning of Christmas that flashes through the media is one of presents, presents, and more presents, but doesn't Christmas mean so much more? It seems because of the media I sometimes forget that Christmas is not about presents at all. Rather it is about a day to honor the birth of Jesus Christ (i.e. Noel, Emmanuel, etc...). It is a day to spend with your loved ones in joyful unity. It is a day to spend reflecting on how you have or have not been living your life and making your footprints clear.
All of this then added to my recent feelings of feelings like I am not doing enough for the tragedies that surround me, specifically those who are living in homeless situations. I go back to my home every night and do not usually give any thought to those who will have to sleep on the street while I sleep in a cozy bed. I don't give enough thought to children who will go without eating today, as I have ate three good meals. I don't give enough thought to those parents that have to choose between feeding their family and paying the electric bill.
Why don't we think more about others and less about ourselves? When did this world become such a self-directed society? I don't have an answer, but I am searching for it. I am also trying to search within myself and think about how I can do more with this life. Weeding out what is so unnecessary and replacing it with the immediate needs of others.
I started off by reflecting on the question, "What is this?" and still I ask it again because I don't know. I know that the more I think about it the more that I feel disappoted of myself.The more that I feel like I have been following the wrong direction.
Jesus asked his followers to drop everything for Him. To leave everything that they knew and live a life for others rather than themselves. Can I do that? Can I leave everything behind and dedicate my life fully to others? Is it possible for anyone to do it?
I hope one day that I will have a clearer picture of what this all is and what is all means. I don't think I will ever know for sure, but hopefully this time next year I will have dedicated my life more to those around me through God's will and work.
Happy New Year!
Sunday, December 18, 2011
What are the Holidays really about?
This holiday season, even more than those in the past I have been struggling with the real meaning of Christmas. Every where you look you see commercials, sale advertisements, bargains, etc... on what you should/can buy for someone this season. Churstmas has continued to turn into a holiday about giving presents rather than giving yourself to those you love. And the expression of showing someone that you love them has been turned into the amount of money that you spend on giving that person a gift.
This is not what Christmas is about is it? Don't get me wrong I think that giving someone a gift is a nice gesture, but it is not what we should focus on around Christmas, as well as so many other holidays (i.e. Easter, birthdays, etc...).
Christmas to me is about celebrating and remembering the birth, the life, and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ - Christ (referring to Jesus) + Mas (pertaining to affecting a large number of people) = the annual festival of the Christian church commemorating the birth of Jesus. Not the annual festival of spending money and giving presents.
Hebrews 13:!6 says "And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." The verse mentioned really caught my attention as I pondered this thought of what the holiday season is really about to me. A few words really stuck out to me here, "share, need, and sacrifice."
I believe that during this holiday season, or rather each day of our lives we need to share what we have with others that are around us and those that are in need, and to sacrifice our time, energy, and selves to service.
So, I guess this holiday season I plan to give myself, my heart, and my hands to those around me, rather than giving elaborate presents and spending lots of money. I feel that I can/should be doing more than what I am right now as there are so many people around me that are need. If not me, then who will do it?
Just one of these thoughts that I am still seaching in myself for an answer. Here's another thought from Mother Teresa that helped me ponder this question:
"At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.' Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks - but homeless because of rejection."
This is not what Christmas is about is it? Don't get me wrong I think that giving someone a gift is a nice gesture, but it is not what we should focus on around Christmas, as well as so many other holidays (i.e. Easter, birthdays, etc...).
Christmas to me is about celebrating and remembering the birth, the life, and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ - Christ (referring to Jesus) + Mas (pertaining to affecting a large number of people) = the annual festival of the Christian church commemorating the birth of Jesus. Not the annual festival of spending money and giving presents.
Hebrews 13:!6 says "And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." The verse mentioned really caught my attention as I pondered this thought of what the holiday season is really about to me. A few words really stuck out to me here, "share, need, and sacrifice."
I believe that during this holiday season, or rather each day of our lives we need to share what we have with others that are around us and those that are in need, and to sacrifice our time, energy, and selves to service.
So, I guess this holiday season I plan to give myself, my heart, and my hands to those around me, rather than giving elaborate presents and spending lots of money. I feel that I can/should be doing more than what I am right now as there are so many people around me that are need. If not me, then who will do it?
Just one of these thoughts that I am still seaching in myself for an answer. Here's another thought from Mother Teresa that helped me ponder this question:
"At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by 'I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me, I was homeless and you took me in.' Hungry not only for bread - but hungry for love. Naked not only for clothing - but naked for human dignity and respect. Homeless not only for want of a room of bricks - but homeless because of rejection."
Monday, December 5, 2011
It's simple - Love each other
It is a pretty simple concept that I think we have all heard one time or another, "To love each other." I believe that we HAVE all heard this statement, but who is actually listening to it? Who is actually putting it into action? Now, this is where the group gets smaller.See, if we all lived even a bit more by this philosophy then this place we live in would become so much more than what it is now. If we had more interest in others rather than money, success, OURSELVES... can you imagine what this world would look like, or feel like?
This past week I was sitting in a meeting that brought together various bodies from all over the region that had an interest in the education and success of children and youth experiencing homelessness. It struck me when the group as a whole got very passionate for the concern over the many youth who right now are living on the streets during these cold winter months. What are we doing for them right now? How are we working together for them, rather than working for ourselves? My only answer is that we are not doing enough. This is a concern that needs to be dealt with now and not later. It is a tragedy that needs to be talked about and given action now and not later.
During this holiday season I am beginning to think more of myself and my future, and thinking more about those who are in need around me. Those that need help now and not later.
This past week I was sitting in a meeting that brought together various bodies from all over the region that had an interest in the education and success of children and youth experiencing homelessness. It struck me when the group as a whole got very passionate for the concern over the many youth who right now are living on the streets during these cold winter months. What are we doing for them right now? How are we working together for them, rather than working for ourselves? My only answer is that we are not doing enough. This is a concern that needs to be dealt with now and not later. It is a tragedy that needs to be talked about and given action now and not later.
During this holiday season I am beginning to think more of myself and my future, and thinking more about those who are in need around me. Those that need help now and not later.
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