Upon reflecting, I do not think that I express my thanks for the obvious enough. Join me as I do just that. Today I am thankful that I am healthy. I can walk, see, feel, taste and hear. I have family that loves me unconditionally. I live in a free country, due to the sacrifice of countless men and women throughout these past 232 years. I can worship as I please, study as I please… and most importantly think as I please (I can have my own opinion and vocalize it). I have friends that I can spend time with; whom, for the most part, understand me and allow me to be me. I have a means to express myself creatively.  I have the ability to gain wisdom from each and every circumstance that life brings me (or I bring my life). Let us try to be more open with our thankfulness. 

My readings this morning over coffee were from C.S. Lewis’  The Four Loves. Clive’s books have had a major impact on my spiritual journey. When I was younger, yes; but even more so in the last 5 years. This is one that I have not read before. Truthfully, I picked it up to see how one of the greatest thinkers separated the various characteristics of a word so boundless. I am also very curious to see more of his viewpoints on sexuality and the need to connect physically as well as spiritually. Leading off he touches upon a thing he dubs “Need-love.” And counter-balances the description with “Gift-love.” I cannot pretend to explain this any better than Mr. Lewis himself did, so I will insert an excerpt for you (that was fun to say).

I was hooked on a majority of the statements in that passage and cannot wait to tear through this book and gain more knowledge on his viewpoint of what makes us “tick” as humans living here together on earth.

Along the vast lines of Need-love:  I feel that I have gained a healthy balance, for myself, of structuring alone time and social hours. It is a tough thing to juggle, most definitely in todays “day and age” with the craziness (crazimess) of social networking. Technology has given society both the means and alleged reason to be in constant communication and make demands from others (friends, acquaintances etc…).  Albeit it can be a wonderful thing and have many benefits… I don’t believe that many have captured, what I would call, a “healthy-balance.” Thus putting pressure on parents to do the right thing in the way they train their children (the next generation) with regards to the internet, social status and standards.

I am seeing more and more, especially in those younger than I, the bleeding desire to be accepted.  A constant need for a 24/7 companion.  The need to be patted on the back daily by others.  People, this is not healthy. Don’t get me wrong here, I love technology and enjoy being able to connect at a moments notice. However, I miss the days of having a home phone and an envelope with stamps. If you didn’t get back with someone for a week they didn’t start a hate-smear campaign against you. It is my opinion that technology, if not careful, can stunt your growth.  If all you do is live for the next comment on your “page,” or the next person you can meet from the internet, or the amount of “friends” you have… where do you gain your acceptance?  I certainly hope it isn’t in those things, yet from an obvious perspective I fear it is.  Where is your time alloted for learning, discovering who you are as your own individual, and developing on the inside? Who are you? Are you who your profile says or portrays? Or are you creating an image for yourself based on what you think the world wants you to be… or what you think will attract the opposite sex. Do you cut and paste pieces of others “profile” to create who you want to be, thinking that will actually make you the person you have created in cyberspace?  I have even heard people say that it is selfish to spend time alone, that you should be out giving away pieces of yourself to everyone you meet. That these actions are selfless and helping better the world. What?! If you want to help the world give your time and money to organizations. Be an example to a child. Build a house for the homeless. Travel to a third world country and let yourself be changed forever. Collecting friends and having 200 shallow relationships that you must keep up with isn’t helping anyone, and is slowly deteriorating your soul. Look, I don’t believe there is anything wrong with having a Myspace or Facebook page to check daily for enjoyment or entertainment. I just think it is more drug (addiction) than cure (solution). 

In part, I guess what I am saying is this: Stop clicking refresh on your social network site of choice. Go grab a book to read. Take yourself for a walk outside. Do not fear being alone. Quit lying to yourself, thinking that you are something that you are not. Learn to be comfortable in your own skin, it is not going to go away (although the walks may help trim it down a bit). 

And yes, the teacher must be taught by his own lessons. And I am. 

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read and partake. I hope that in some way it has provoked thought and inspiration to step out of the norm and become who you were meant to be. 

Godspeed,

Cory Basil