Hollywood Recycles

Have you ever noticed that the same people are in every movie? No matter what genre or era it was made in, the personalities are always the same across the board.  There's usually a troubled person (either boy or girl) and another who tries to change them.  Then often times you have an eccentric or funny friend that releases the tension, and always somebody completing against the protagonist.  It's the same thing every time.  You have the generic bad boy or the sweet, caring girl, or the awkward, nerd boy, and the not so sweet slut.  People in movies always have to same personalities.
It's when you begin to group the people in your life into these "movie star" personalities that you're really missing out on life.  Walking down the street I see all kinds of people--old, young, tall, short, quirky, shy, thug, nerd....
But as much as my mind wants to, I can't generalize these people like that. They don't fit into any of Hollywood's classic characters.  Some of them my remind me of a character, but they're not that person.  Each person is unique, and it's just a result of lack of creativity that every movie character has the same personality.
Life is too big and too extraordinary to reuse personalities! While I am all for recycling plastic, paper, and the like, I can't say I want to recycle a character. I am who God made me--100% unique.  That's who I am, and no matter how many times Hollywood tries to tell me only this type of girl gets the happily ever after.....I have to say:
I am who I am
Inside and out
I live my life
Without a doubt
Never knowing the ending
But enjoying the route.

For those who both possess and strive for strength

You are strong.
You are loved.
You are supported.
And you will change the world
One step at a time.

http://www.true2ourselves.com/video/viewing/900/Hillsong--Desert-Song

Dependency

So much of life is centered around being independent.  Children learn to walk; teens learn to drive.  Everyone is running away from dependency, but it's a fruitless endeavor. No matter how hard I try, I am never going to be independent.
I wasn't made to be independent.
I've come to realize I am a strong person, but I am not able to stand on my own.  I am always going to be reliant on my God and my family.  People weren't made to stand alone. We were made to be companions, to love and be loved.
I give up the struggle to be independent.  I give up striving to hold in my feelings and fight my battles alone. I wasn't made to withstand the trials of life by myself.
And there is no shame in help and support. I love to be there for others and offer my love and support, so why shouldn't I expect the same loving care from others? Can't I believe others will love me as I love them?

Can't

Never have I found a word that I hate more than can't. Throughout the world's darkest history it has been there. "Jews can't visit theaters." "Blacks can't sit in the front of the bus." "Women can't vote." "Drug addicts can't stop." "Children can't make a difference." "You can't ..."
This list goes on and on.
Each time I hear can't, it's an instant challenge to me.  If you tell me I can't as in I'm not capable of doing something, you better step back because it's going to to happen, and no one could stand in my way. I am not going to have my talents and abilities hindered by another person's impression of me. They don't know what's in my heart. They don't know what I'm capable of, and they don't know my God, with whom anything is possible.

http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/2010/03/the-amazing-art-of-disabled-artists/
These people never listened to the can'ts in their lives.  They didn't stop doing what they love simply because the world through an obstacle in their path. Writers don't give up on their novel when the publisher turns them down, and journalists in Egypt and Libya aren't turning back, even though the people are turning against them.
Life is continually throwing obstacle in your path that have the potential to keep you from your dreams. Whatever you do in life, never let any of these bumps stop you from chasing after your dream. God has given you those dreams. He has placed them in your heart for a reason.  He is not going to let you trip and tumble down the cliff of failure.  He is always there. If you stumble, his hand is always there to catch you and lift you back up again.  Reach out and go for your dream! Never stop chasing, never let anything or anyone hinder your passion and drive.

Hope

http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/nebraska/article_cfb478a8-489e-5249-b548-31533860b3cd.html

I read this article yesterday, but it wasn't the word "abortion" that stopped me in my tracks.  It was the lack of the word "hope".  I couldn't understand how this mother was willing to give up any chance for a miracle. It didn't make sense.  How can someone be completely devoid of hope at a time like this?
Then I found this article.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1306283/Miracle-premature-baby-declared-dead-doctors-revived-mothers-touch.html

I am completely inspired by this woman's faith and hope in a time of great sorrow, and I'm more inspired by God's grace and compassion. However, I can't help but feel for the women who give up so easily.  When times get hard, no matter how much I want to just lay in bed and give up, I am always the person who refuses to do so.  I know God is watching out for me, and in his guidance and love I can to anything and get through everything life throws at me. I pray that this first woman and everyone else will someday find that hope in Christ and always look for the miracles in every situation.

Ignorance

It only bothers you when you think about it.

My Journey

All books and movies are about journeys.  Sometimes the character leaves his or her current place to arrive on the other side of the world, and sometimes it is just a journey of the spirit that changes the present.  Whatever it is, the character and the world in which he lives is never the same.  Everything in this world is changing.  Every day is a new and exciting journey.  I recently met someone from a different country.  Even though she has lived in my nation for several years, she still holds on to her accent.  She believes it's a part of who she is and by changing that she would be giving up a part of herself.  I thought about this for the longest time.  It ate at my heart every day because I am not content with staying as I am.  Like everything around me, I want to change. I want to grow.  Then I realized, I am not me.  I am not complete.  It is my experiences and relationships in life that make me who I am! I will not be complete until my life in this world is over.  By changing, I am not losing a part of myself but adding to me.  Each day I add something new and wonderful or even something horrible, but either way I never go to bed the same person as I was when I woke up. I am still becoming me.