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Friday, October 20, 2006

Random Thoughts And Current Events
Random Thoughts And Current Events - WHAT IS TRUE BEAUTYWHAT IS TRUE BEAUTY?©Sheri Liegh AdamsJune 7, 2006According to Dictionary.com, Beauty is defined as:The quality that gives pleasure to the mind or senses and is associated with such properties as harmony of form or color, excellence of artistry, truthfulness, and originality.One that is beautiful, especially a beautiful woman.A quality or feature that is most effective, gratifying, or telling: The beauty of the venture is that we stand to lose nothing.An outstanding or conspicuous example: “Hammett's gun went off. The shot was a beauty, just slightly behind the eyes” (Lillian Hellman).Most often, when people think of beauty, they think of looks, appearances and what they see. But isn’t there more to beauty than just looks? I could get 10 different people to look at the same picture and I would likely get 10 different opinions and insights to what they saw. I believe that beauty is a personal thing. And I say “thing” because beauty is not just about looks. Beauty encompasses all of the senses of the human body. For those that have all their senses functioning normally and in a healthy fashion, we can experience beauty in a wide array of venues. We can SEE beauty in the flowers, trees, landscapes, faces and sunsets through our eyes. There is so much beauty in nature alone that it would overwhelm the soul to consider all that encompasses the beauty of being able to see. We can FEEL beauty in the softness of a rose petal, or the warmth of the Summer sun. We can feel beauty when we hold hands with our loved ones. We feel beauty when we take care of ourselves physically, emotionally and spiritually. We are more happy which makes us FEEL beautiful when we take pride in ourselves. We can HEAR beauty all around us. Open your window and listen to the song of the Robin. Sit outside where the children are playing and listen to their innocent giggles. Listen to the raindrops fall on the ground on a warm Summer’s day. Beauty can be heard in many forms from the birds in the air to the voices in a choir. All we have to do is open our ears and we will be sung a chorus of beauty.Believe it or not, we can TASTE beauty. I always say there is nothing like Mom’s home cooking. I can cook myself a meal and be satisfied with that, but when it comes to Mom’s home cooking, you just can’t beat it. Perhaps it is because Mom made it that makes it taste so special. Maybe she has a secret ingredient that she does not tell me about. But it does not matter what she makes, whether it is beans and wieners or a roast with all the trimmings, it always tastes beautiful.And how can we forget our sense of SMELL!!! There are so many fragrances out in the summer alone that it is almost overwhelming. I would suggest that for those with severe allergies, it may not be so beautiful, but I LOVE Summer because it has so many varied smells to enjoy. Roses, lilacs, lilies, rainfall, and even chlorine in a pool is a wonderful scent to me. And in winter, the air is so crisp and fresh that if we inhale too quickly, our noses freeze for a moment, but it is worth it to smell the clean air and fresh air from being locked inside a closed in, stuffy apartment for a few days.For every person, beauty is going to be something different. Those who are blind, may never SEE the physical beauty, but their other senses will have them captivated if they will only open up to them much like Helen Keller did when she finally figured out what it was her Teacher was trying to get across to her. Helen was blind, mute and deaf, and yet she found beauty all around her when she realized what everything was.For someone who is deaf, to be able to see and to be able to use their hands to talk is a sign of beauty. They take in much more than those of us who have all our senses in tact. I think sign language is beautiful. As a Christian, it adds to the spiritual experience when you are able to sign the songs and hymns of praise to God. It not only becomes a verbal expression of our love for God, but a physical expression as well that creates a kind of dance of praise.Beauty cannot be solely defined as something somebody sees. If it was, then many that I have mentioned would never experience it. If beauty were only for the eyes, then what of the blind people? Do they not experience beauty in their lives? I dare say they do as I have known many and I don’t think I’ve ever met happier people. Does that not mean that they too experience beauty in their own way?And aside from our senses, can we not find beauty in personalities? Honesty, gentleness, truthfulness, love, peace and so on. All of these give us a sense of beauty. You would not want to be around somebody who lies, is rough, full of hate and so on because it would cause negative feelings. All the positive qualities you can think of are beautiful in and of themselves, but especially if bundled together to create a person’s persona. I could ramble on about beauty, but again, it all goes back to a personal choice of what YOU believe is beautiful. Just as one person may admire this piece of writing, somebody else may think it horrible. It is the difference of opinion and the freedom to have that difference of opinion that I too think is beautiful. Freedom is beautiful. It gives YOU the chance to decide for yourself what you think has beauty. If you were asked what was beautiful to you, do you know how you would respond? Think about it and then be grateful that you can experience it the way you enjoy. And always remember, YOU are beautiful in your own unique way!


Random Thoughts And Current Events
WHAT DEPRESSION FEELS LIKE©Sheri Leigh Adams October 2006I am more than sure that there are people out there who have experienced depression. Yet for the few fortunate who never experience this crippling disorder, I want to explain what it feels like. Why would I want to explain what it feels like? The best answer I can give you is because there is still a huge negative stigma attached to any mental illness and somehow, somebody has to start talking about it so the stigma dies and people are understood and not judged.I have been dealing with depression for over 10 years now. I have been tried on more than 60 different pills and combinations of pills and they are still working on finding the right combination. It is draining and tiring to go through so many changes in the short time I have gone through them. It really wears on a person’s body.People who are depressed often times feel hopeless like there is no future for them. They may feel like there is no reason to get up in the morning. Some may choose to not eat while others will overeat which is called emotional eating. You eat to make you feel better, then you feel guilty about overeating so you eat some more. It is a continuous cycle. Some people are so depressed that they cannot even leave their homes. They have what is called agoraphobia. And a person can have agoraphobia, the fear to go anywhere, to the most severe degree which is they can never leave their home, to the tiniest form of being afraid to use public transit or be in rooms or other places where people are – aka social phobia.Depression can cause physical pain. You get all slumped over and before you know it, your back is hurting, you get headaches, you become weak and limp. TV’s go off, music is shut right now and the couch is your only friend.Medications are often used to try and treat depression and if the right pill or combination of pills are found, that person is very fortunate that they have found the correct “cocktail” to make them feel better and are able to get back to LIVING life.Depression can affect anybody, any age, gender, race etc. It is not biased and when it does finally appear, the person feels worthless and useless. They feel guilty for taking the time to try and get better because in their minds, they feel that they should be helping others, not themselves. Guilt is a huge issue in depression.If you know somebody with depression of any sort, try and be there for them. Offer them support when they are down. Invite them out or over for a coffee. Don’t become a doormat for them, but at least let them tell you how they are feeling. You really cannot do anything to help them but listen and support them in whatever they decide, and if you see sings of danger such as signals that they are going to give up on life, call the police and talk to them. They will know what to do.If you have depression, work at helping yourself. Write out how you are feeling, colour, draw, exercise, talk to friends, volunteer somewhere… There is always something you can do to help yourself – but you have to be WILLING TO TRY. Don’t give up, because if you can get through the valley moments, the mountain moments will be worth so much more. The only failure in life is to not try.


Random Thoughts And Current Events
Random Thoughts And Current EventsFORGIVENESSJune 28, 2004There is much to be said about forgiveness and the impact it has one each life. The Bible holds hundreds of examples of people who have experienced first-hand, being forgiven of wrongful deeds: King David, Peter the disciple when he denied knowing Jesus three times, the woman caught in adultery, Paul who murdered hundreds of Christians before his conversion, Cain who killed his brother Abel because Abel’s sacrifice was accepted and Cain’s was not are just some to name a few who experienced the forgiveness of God in their life first-hand.The sole purpose behind the come of Jesus Christ as a human was that He died as an atonement for our sins. He hung on the cross in our place. By all rights, WE should be the ones hanging on the cross. After all, Jesus was WITHOUT ANY SIN, but we were born into sin, yet it was Jesus who died and it is us who live. “If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth,” 1 John 1:8. “For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard,” Romans 3:23. 1 Peter 2:22, “He (Jesus) never sinned, and He never deceived anyone.” It goes on to say in vs 23-24, “He did not retaliate when He was insulted. When he suffered, He did not threaten to get even. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. He personally carried away our sins in His own body on the cross so we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. you have been healed by His wounds!” Again in 2 Corinthians 5:21, it says, “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” And again in 1 John 3:5, “And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, for there is no sin in Him.” Notice that it says there IS NO SIN IN HIM. That means that Christ remains sinless and pure.So we have concluded that we are the sinful ones and that Christ was and is blameless. It was for the forgiveness of our sins that Jesus came and died. In Hebrews 9:22 we find that there would be no forgiveness if Jesus hadn’t shed His blood. “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:14 tells us that we are free because of the shed blood of Jesus and the forgiveness He gives us. Jesus died so we could be forgiven, plain and simple.In today’s society, when you bring up the topic of forgiveness, it can and it may start a heay discussion, or even an argument. Many cultures, religions and sects don’t believe that forgiving others is a requirement of the way we live. If they took a closer look at the Word of God, they would discover their error in the way they think.In 1 John 1:8-9 we are told to recognize sin and ask for God’s forgiveness. No one deserves to be forgiven (Ps. 130:3-4 “Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But You offer forgiveness that we might learn to fear you.”) But when we ask for forgiveness, we are freely given it – all because Jesus died on the cross, bearing our sins, and then rose to Heaven.the Bible tells us that we are made white as snow when God forgives us (Is. 1:18). When we turn away from sin, we find forgiveness (Luke 3:3). Try and understand – we have already been forgiven of EVERY SIN IN OUR LIFE if you believe in Jesus! That means if you have said the sinner’s prayer and you truly meant it in your heart then ALL of your sins – past, current and the ones you will yet commit, have already been forgiven – completely!!! And once God forgives you of your sins, He does not remember them (Ps 103:12) As humans, it is next to impossible to forget, but God can do all things. Once He forgives us, He won’t remember what our sin was. When He looks at us, all He sees is the blood of His Son, He sees us as spotless, blameless, pure, forgiven and whole. Awesome, huh?Just as we trust in Christ for forgiveness (Acts 13:38-39), so we also trust that those we offend will forgive us. In fact, we are COMMANDED to forgive those who sin against us! Jesus spoke of it clearly: Luke 6:37 – Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. Stop criticizing others, or it will all come back on you. If you forgive others, you will be forgiven.” Matthew 6:14 – “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” It is quite clear that we are commanded to forgive us in order that we, ourselves, might be forgiven also.We are even told how often we are to forgive someone who offends us. Matthew 18:21-35 tells us that we are to forgive 70 times 7 times. That means that we are to forgive EACH sin up to 490 times each day! That means if someone lies to us, we are to forgive that person up to 490 times for the same lie in one day. And, to add to the pot, if we DO NOT forgive those who hurt us, that person will remain unforgiven by God as well (John 20:23).In my life, I have had to learn, the very hard way, the peace that forgiveness of others offers. Growing up, I was sexually abused. On more than a dozen occasions, both men and women have sexually abused me. Some of my assailants were male and some were female. I’ve been abused by both genders. The abuse started when I was 3 and the last assault took place when I was 28 – I am currently 35.For years, I was angry, bitter, hateful and vengeful. I could only think of making my assailant’s lives as miserable as mine currently was. I’d been in and out of psychiatric wards on a regular basis. I’ve been through years of counselling. Then one day, forgiveness was explained this way to me: Loving somebody is like being handcuffed to them. You would do anything for them and would go anywhere for them. In this way, you are connected to them like you were handcuffed. You go where they go. So to it is when you hate someone or don’t forgive someone. When you hate somebody so much that your anger and bitterness rule your life – you think about them daily, you curse them daily, you let them ruin a good day when you think of them – you hate so much that you are again tied/handcuffed to them. Think about it…by loving someone totally, you are willingly being tied to that person. By hating someone to the same extent, and giving them the time and energy and thoughts in your day, you are STILL cuffed to them. Because you choose to not forgive them, but hold them accountable for what they did wrong to you, you keep them right there next to you. Because you never let them go, you, yourself, can never be free of the pain they caused you. In this way, they remain with you wherever you go, whatever you do. BUT, if you forgive them, then you too are freed from the bondage of that experience. God will be able to forgive that person for the sin they committed against you ONLY when you have forgiven them in your heart. Remember, if you do not offer forgiveness to others, God will not offer forgiveness to you!The Bible tells us over and over that we are to forgive each other: Col. 3:13, John 20:23, Luke 6:37, Matthew 6:14….We are to treat each other like this: Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behaviour. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Eph 4:31-32.The sole purpose of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection, was to provide a bridge between us the sinful human race, and God, the holy, blameless, eternal God of all that is good.Col 2:13-14 tells us when Christ forgives us, that ALL our sins and debts are cancelled – For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to a new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ. He forgave all our sins. He cancelled the record that contained the charges against us. He took it and destroyed it by nailing it to Christ’s cross. When He nailed our sins to the cross, He remembers them no more.If He was able to forgive us, even while He died on the cross because of our sins (Luke 23:26-49, especially verse 34) then who are we to do any less? Why should any less be expected of us as sinners? Christ loved and forgave us – and continues to do so - He commanded that we do the same – for both our friends AND for our enemies! To be forgiven is to be blessed…to forgive someone is also to be blessed by God. What you expect, give in return.Michael W. Smith – Secret AmbitionYoung man, up on the hillside, teaching new waysEach word, winning them over, each heart a kindled flame.Old men, watch from the outside, guarding their prey,Threatened by the voice of a paragon, leading their lambs away…leading them far away.Nobody knew His secret ambitionNobody knew His claim to fameHe broke the old rules steeped in traditionHe tore the Holy Veil away.Questioning those in powerful positionsRunning to those who called His nameBut nobody knew His secret ambitionWas to give His life away.His rage, shaking the templeHis word to the wiseHis hand, healing on the seventh dayHis love wearing no disguise.Some say death to the radicalHe’s way out of lineSome say, praise be a miracleGod sends a blessed sign…a blessed sign for troubled times.Nobody knew His secret ambitionNobody knew His claim to fameHe broke the old rules steeped in traditionHe tore the Holy Veil away.Questioning those in powerful positionsRunning to those who called His nameBut nobody knew His secret ambitionWas to give His life away.Nobody knew His secret ambitionNobody knew His claim to fameHe broke the old rules steeped in traditionHe tore the Holy Veil away.Questioning those in powerful positionsRunning to those who called His nameBut nobody knew His secret ambitionWas to give His life away.


What Languge Do YOU Speak?
WHAT LANGUAGE DO YOU SPEAK?© Sheri Liegh AdamsOctober 5, 2004Chances are if you are reading this, you understand and speak the English language. In our society, so full of multi-culturalism and constant immigrants, our language barrier is continually growing and expanding. In Canada alone, we hear English, French, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Russian, German and many, many others. I,, personally, love listening to all the different languages. It is like poetry to my ears. When I attended an adult high school in London, Ontario, where I lived for 8 years, I used to sit and listen to all the people talk on the bus on my way home, and I thought of how pretty the air sounded. I often smiled on the inside, and sometimes, even on the outside, when listening!Now, I do not know a thing about what they were saying. The only language I speak and understand well is English. I understand a very small amount of French and I have enough knowledge of the American Sign Language to talk with deaf people. I don not know if it was sad news they were discussing, or about school, or if they were cursing the ground someone was walking on. Sometimes I just closed my eyes and listened to the poetry of the different sounds. It was just beautiful! However, another language too often interrupted all the beauty of this verbal poetry. This language has become far too common in our times. This is my personal opinion, of course. Cursing, cussing, profanity, vulgarity, sexism, racism…the list is endless. Nowadays, our children, teens and even adults are speaking a language that only 15-20 years ago was taboo and shocking, to say the least.Have you ever stopped to listen to people when you are out in public? I would wager that it would not take too long before you hear the F word. It seems to be the most common, especially among young people. “What the F” was that for?” “Get the F out of here before I knock your block off,” “F off! Or I’ll knock you down!” And so on. I wonder how hard it would be for a person that uses this word on a frequent basis – every sentence or so – to go one whole week without saying it. How hard do you think it would be for them to clean up their chatter? How hard would it be for you!? I think there are some people out there who would not know how to carry on a conversation properly without it. It has become a standard in our spoken language.The “F” word is not the only rude and vulgar word commonly used. Others (and I refuse to spell them all out, but I am sure you are smart enough to get the drift) would include:G*d-damnJ*s*s Chr*stA**holeSOBMother “F-er”Pi**ed offDi**headB*tchWhoreC*ntB*st*rdSh*tD*mnH*llThese are the only ones I can come up with off the top of my head and I am not one who swears! I know beyond any shadow of doubt that there are others. I have yet to understand what value they add to our English language, or any language for that matter. They don not sound pretty. They do not make a person feel good to say or to hear them. They make no sense at all. They are not uplifting and inspiring. This language is not permissible in most school papers and essays (thank goodness). Churches teach against swearing and using God’s name unwisely. Many older people like my parents’ or Grandma’s age, just shake their heads when they listen to today’s youth talking. Look how far we have sunk with our language since they were teenagers!Often times, cussing is a language said in anger, out of anger, and it’s meant to hurt whomever it is spoken to. It is a verbal assault from one person to another. When you cuss at somebody, you are verbally slapping him or her in the face or punching him or her in the gut. Now, if you were to hit somebody, for any reason, you likely would wind up under arrest because of the harm you have done to him or her. Cussing is one way to assault people where we will not be arrested. Telling somebody to “F” off is no different from slamming their head against the wall or punching them in the gut. You are not arrested for swearing at somebody and verbally abusing them. Just to say these cuss words – even to write them – makes me cringe and I feel shame inside! Yes, I have used the “F” word once or twice – but always felt horrid afterwards – I felt as though I had been drug through a mud hole. Yet there are people who use these words as often as I use the words, “neat, wow, cool, awesome” and so on; and it does not faze them! It is just a freedom of expression and they have grown accustomed to. These cuss words have become common expressions in our society, because, sadly, we have allowed it to happen.Turn on the TV or rent a movie. Listen to the language our “heroes” are using. What are our children to learn from all these cussings, cursings and goings on? Listen to a CD or turn on the radio and see what kind of language your kids – and even you are listening to! What words do your favourite actor or musician use to express themselves in their songs? Who are you modeling your life after? What exactly do you want your children to learn? What are you hoping to get out of it yourself? Do you need these words to make sense of your day? Is it necessary to go so far? I really cannot think of anything good that comes from cussing.Next, we have to consider the feelings that come from saying and receiving these cusses. Has anyone ever told you to “F” off or said “F” you? Makes you mad does it not? Makes you want to lash out at the person who said it to you. I have had both of these phrases said to me. In fact, I’ve had most of the above said to my face. The first few times I heard it, it really hurt my feelings and I was so shocked to hear it. “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names will never hurt me,” is an utter and outright lie! Name-calling hurts just as much as any physical pain one can endure. Sometimes emotional pain is harder to heal than physical because there are no visible wounds to the eye.Have you ever recorded a conversation you had with close friends or family? I would suggest sitting down and taping an evening conversation with family and friends. The next day, listen to the tape and see what language you and they are speaking. Don’t tell them you are taping it – just so there is no façade. It will likely surprise you and may hurt both your heart and your ears.Most of the time when cuss words are used, they are said in anger. It’s intention to verbally harm somebody. I’ve never heard anybody us the F word for a good reason or to celebrate. Anytime anyone cusses or uses profane language, they are angry, irritated and possibly looking for a confrontation.I don’t know about you, but all these cuss words that we allow in our society today, offend me. I find them offensive and unnecessary. They don’t add any type of value to our language, morals or standards. Call me old-fashioned if you like. I’ll gladly take that title over that of today’s youth or adult. Whatever happened to manners and considering the other person when you spoke?We often talk about cleaning up our streets from all the litter and garbage. That is a great idea. Why do we not clean up our language first? Talk the way we value our selves and our lives and where we live. Next time you are talking with somebody, listen to what you are saying. Be attentive to the expressions you and the other person are using. What kinds of words/phrases are you presently using? Do you need to clean your mouth out with soap? What language are you speaking?