YOU DON'T KNOW ME!

"They wouldn't be a good match - she's too much for him"

"They would get along perfectly, I know it!"

"You really need to meet her, she's definitely your type!"

"Him, with her? Can't happen."

Bull. Crap.

I'm sick of people assuming they know someone well enough to make these calls. Their knowledge is so superficial it's laughable. They have only seen the person in a subdued setting under predictably boring circumstances. Character is never so easily revealed. These observers don't actually know the person they are referencing  Honestly, when we don't know ourselves well enough to make an accurate assertion, how could a minimally invested friend even attempt?

 One would think that after so many surprises like "They're together!? I didn't see that coming!" we would be a little more open minded about the possibilities around us. Just because a someone is quiet and seemingly agreeable does not mean they lack strength of character, or the skills necessary to enjoyably handle a "high caliber" date.

I think we would all be astounded to see the true natures of the people around us, because right now all we see is a carefully crafted cover, hiding its true contents from our passing glances. So instead of assuming so much, let's acknowledge that we don't actually know, but are open to finding out.

Feeling Fulfilled

It is not the strength of my skills alone that bring value, but what I do with those skills. For the last 4 years I have been working on a CS degree, but it will all be for naught if I use that degree for focusing on my own personal gain. If Paul were to speak today he might have said "And though I have software development skills sought after by thousands of companies, if I have not charity I am nothing." As I go on to further my skills and enhance my career, it is vital that I continue to check myself along the way and ask "Do I have charity?"

Inspired By: 1 Corinthians 13

Addiction's Growing Roster

Addiction finally acknowledging more of its MVPs. No longer are drugs, smoking, and alcoholism the only listed players. Commenters are now talking about pornography, gambling, food, and gaming. These not-so-fresh faces are finally getting the attention and ranking they deserve. These players come with their own advantages, not needing physical consumption to be extremely effective. Another plus, Team Addiction hardly had to do any recruiting themselves, leaving us - the defense - to supply their ranks. Food and Fun use to not make the cut until we bulked up their stats by giving way to self-indulgence, forgetting self-control, and by trying to find old-fashioned happiness in endorphins and dopamine. Gaming is not bad - we are, and until we figure out what we're actually trying to find we will just keep on adding to Addiction's roster.

Inspired by: Ensign Article: Just a Game?

Modesty: It's Not About Men

This bitter meme suggests that modesty's purpose is to help keep men's minds in check. This assumption is as shallow as the feelings behind it. Would God give a commandment because He knows that He can't expect His other children to act like 'decent human beings'?

Is modesty to protect us innocent men from our "uncontrollable" urges to undress in our mind (and in person) partially dressed women? A desire which apparently increases exponentially with every square inch of skin being shown? (weight being placed on breasts, legs, back, shoulders, abdomen ... - provided that they're in mediocre condition).

God did not say in the beginning: "We can't expect men to control their thoughts, so let's make it easier for them - I need at least some of them to return to Me. Women - be modest." I'm sorry - that is not taught in any scripture or spoken by the Apostles. We, teaching this principle, are placing the importance of modesty on the effect it has on men. This priority is false, and this meme shows the illogical nature of modesty centered on protecting men.

So why is modesty important?
Let's try a definition found on lds.org: Modesty is an attitude of propriety and decency in dress, grooming, language, and behavior. If we are modest, we do not draw undue attention to ourselves. Instead, we seek to "glorify God in [our] body, and in [our] spirit"

Modesty's sole purpose is not to protect men, but is to reflect our commitment to God: to glorify Him, to help invite the companionship of the Spirit. Now admittedly, immodesty distracts men (and women alike), but that is their own problem. 

Let's not forget, men need to be modest just as much as women. We need to be modest in our language and behavior JUST AS MUCH as in our dress. 

I invite all of us to consider why we are modest and how we explain it.

Over and out.

Tech Induced Change

Shirkey's "Here Comes Everybody," attempts dryly, and repetitively, to show how social changes come through the advancement of technology. A valid point in his work is that a technology affects social rules and opportunities only when it has fully matured into wide use and acceptance in society. Such great length of time shows innovators that they might not ever see the full effect their creation has on the world, if it has any effect at all. Innovators will never be able to fully predict the influence they will end up having, but must place confidence in their creation and let society figure out the rules regarding it.