'Guest Blog' Articles (con't)
If there’s one cliché that I hate most out of all clichés I hear about college students, it’s “finding yourself.” It’s typically used in conjunction with backpacking trips to different places, most commonly Europe or Tibet or Nepal. What I dislike most about the “finding yourself” trope is not that the idea itself is disingenuous, but that “finding yourself” often amounts to completely generalizing and standardizing the very particular and individual process of developing a sense of self. This process for many consciously begins in college, but it’s important to know that one never finds oneself in four years. That’s… Seek More
September 5th, 2012 | Leave Your Insight
You can only be loved to the extent that you are known. John Ortberg I heard this quote the other day and it really opened my eyes to understand love a little better. Love is not some magical thing that will overwhelm everything in its path. Love can only be allowed in, and it can only be allowed in to the degree that you are willing to be known. What does that mean? Well, let’s say that you have a significant other who tells you they love you. You know they mean it and you accept it, but you feel… Seek More
August 2nd, 2012 | Leave Your Insight
There is something about nature that awakens the senses. Almost every memory I have, from the time I was a very small child to now, centers around something natural. Something outside or just something to hold on to that was part of the Earth. Something not man-made or plastic or artificial, but genuine and real. As a small child, one of my first memories is of looking out of the window of my home into an autumn day. The sun was warm, the trees were hues of gold and red, and everything was perfect. I remember the piles of leaves,… Seek More
July 27th, 2012 | Leave Your Insight
There are a lot of people out there looking for love. It doesn’t have to be just romantic love. Love can mean many different things, from many different people. But one thing everyone has in common is that they are looking for ‘true love’. Real love. The authentic, one of a kind thing. But what does true love look like? How will you know it when you find it? Well, here are sixteen characteristics of true love: Love… Is patient – This is evident. Someone who is impatient doesn’t really love you. That doesn’t mean you keep them waiting around… Seek More
July 19th, 2012 | Leave Your Insight
Obviously, given the nature of the subject matter, this is a very personal and subjective list. So I don’t want anyone to take it as a “best” list or any kind of canon of required reading. I simply want to share with you some of the most inspiring, revelatory, or just plain mind-blowing books I’ve read over the years on subjects related to spirituality. 1. The Doors of Perception/Heaven and Hell by Aldous Huxley These two short books, almost essays really, are often packaged together. The former is better known (famously giving the band The Doors its name, by way… Seek More
July 18th, 2012 | Leave Your Insight
A dear friend once told me that true and honest authenticity is one of the rarest qualities people possess. I remember being rather taken aback by her bold assertion. What did she mean? Were all the people around me being fake and insincere in their day-to-day lives? Was my mother’s seemingly endless love not truly all that endless? Was my grandmother’s devout belief in God not as deep as it seemed? Was my writing teacher’s pride in my work’s improvement not real? Was my devotion to spirituality really just an act? I had enough trouble figuring out if I was… Seek More
July 10th, 2012 | Leave Your Insight
Spirituality can be described differently, depending on who you ask. For me, in order to tap into my spirit (even if just for a moment), I must focus on a different level of existence and connect this focus to the harmonious energy of the Universe. I often view spirituality as an orchestra, where everyone plays a different instrument, but comes together as one to play beautiful music. Spirituality is also a choice. Although we all possess the ability to find and connect with our souls, some of us choose to ignore it or rarely meditate on things that aren’t connected… Seek More
June 27th, 2012 | Leave Your Insight
The spiritual educational experience can be a smooth ride or a slippery slope. Life is full of numerous temptations, unhealthy habits, and terrible maladies. So how does one expand their spirituality in the midst of such world chaos? Education – of course. Spiritual education helps students maintain life goals, inner callings, and personal sanity in today’s world. But when it comes to expanding and cultivating your knowledge of spirituality, how do you make the most out of your spirituality courses? There is no sense in taking a course if you don’t get anything out of it, but these suggestions will… Seek More
June 21st, 2012 | Leave Your Insight
The world and humanity is in turmoil and disarray. One does not need a crystal ball to see this. People are constantly on the move, nothing is static, the rivers of life appear to be fast gathering momentum towards some amazing and wondrous end. Stress and tension and the pressures of peoples work are also a constant factor. The major economies of the world fluctuate like a see-saw on a daily basis, as do the prices of everyday household commodities. It’s become almost impossible to budget anymore. On top of all this, we see all the filth and the evil of… Seek More
May 31st, 2012 | Leave Your Insight
So often, you hear people say that you have the potential to do anything you want. The problem is that no one tells us how to reach that potential or even find it. The problem just may be that we cannot quantify potential, or that we cannot measure potential and we cannot even define potential! However, there are many ways we can get motivated enough to reach our fullest potential and be the best person we can be. Be Open Minded So many opportunities pass before our eyes because we are so afraid to take risks and chances. Always remember… Seek More
May 25th, 2012 | Leave Your Insight
