Philosophy 1

This semester's personal project is to find a philosophy each week (or every few weeks) and really try to apply it to my life. I'd like to see how my life could be changed just by thinking a little differently. The plan is to pseudo-/semi-document the occurrences here or other thoughts that come to my mind (you know, the general purpose of a blog) that are at least indirectly related to my new way of thinking.

This week's (and probably next week's, too) is "Fish where the fish are."

I have a tendency to be agoraphobic. I don't go out much without considerable coaxing. I could honestly stay in my room 23.75 hours a day as long as I had food, water, and a book. I like people, but I can often satiate my need for human contact by just listening to people, be it through walls, doors, or on the TV. Of course, there are sometimes when I wish I met new people easier. This is where the philosophy comes in: I KNOW that the new people aren't going to saunter into my bedroom and instantly befriend me. So in order to meet new friends, I must go where there are new people. Genius, I know :)

This also came to mind:

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

Luke 5:4-7

If you "fish where the fish are," sometimes God can come through in miraculous ways. It's a pleasant thought.

So here's to finding new opportunities and seizing them!

Sometimes the truth just smacks you in the head

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. -- Galatians 5: 25

Day 5

I am thankful for sushi, French class, and The Office.

There's nothing profound about these things, but I am glad that they're in my life.

Sushi makes me feel mature, French class broadens my mind, and The Office makes me laugh every time. 

For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven; a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4

Day 3

I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve.

I will serve by leading or serve by serving. I will serve by leading an example and I will serve with all my abilities.

If your gift is serving, devote yourself to serving others. If it is teaching, devote yourself to teaching others.

Romans 12:7

I will stop looking for thanks and I will stop feeling resentful when I don't get a "thank you."

Watch out! Don't do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in Heaven. When you give to someone in need, don't do as the hypocrites do--blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Matthew 6:1-4

I will give as much as I can, as often as I can. 

I'm thankful for my health. I read Kylie's page every day, and it's hard to believe that a girl who lives in my town and is younger than my sister was diagnosed with bone cancer. I sit here, lazily, avoiding my homework, and I know that my family is safe, even though they're 70 miles away. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to any one of them. I'm thankful for their health, too. I really couldn't get through the day if I knew that something was wrong with them, or, worse yet, if something happened to one of them. 

I'm thankful that God always seems to have a hand in my life. Even in small things that most people call "chance" or "luck," I see God looking out for me. 

That's a good thought.