Primed and Coated

In lack of exhaustion, I began thinking about the principles America was founded upon. One was the right to religious freedom. Then, I began thinking how, in order to be married (not sure how factual this is, just some late nigh thoughts), two individuals must be recognized by the Church. Now, remember, marriage does come with benefits. Government provided benefits, such as tax breaks. So, essentially the Church must recognize a couple as married in order for the government to provide the couple benefits. That isn’t a very good portrayal of separation of Church and state.

We are a country primed with freedom and coated with layers of legalities. Legalities should be just that. Legal, of or pertaining to the laws that are consistent with constitutional rights. Not something based on a specific religion. I am a supporter of equal marriage rights and I am a Christian. Raised Baptist at that. I do not speak of my religious beliefs with family members and have no idea what their opinions are, but I believe if two individuals desire to be married, then who’s to stop them? Yes, couples are happy without marriage, but we are depriving them of the benefits the equally happy, successful couples are given. Is this fair? Then again, does it even matter? Does it actually hinder them from recieving any benefits? Food for thought.

If I am mistaken in any of my claims, please comment and let me know, because these are just my thoughts concerning the topic and what I know, as of now, to be true. I would love to be corrected though!

Unexpected Home

You took the words right out of my heart!

Preconceived Notions

While casually looking for an apartment online, I come across a link to this website. Turns out, there was a shooting last fall at the apartment complex I was googling. I instantly thought, “Next, heck no.” I began to ration it may have been a random unfortunate event; just because it happened once doesn’t mean it will again.

I reminded myself there are shootings and tragic events happening all around Oklahoma regardless of the area. There was actually a homicide-suicide down the street from my old house in Edmond. My mom, my stepdad, my sister and I lived in a small quiet friendly neighborhood in the heart of Edmond. There were constantly children playing outside, elderly couples walking their dogs and people running up and down the streets of the neighborhood. It was a couple years ago when a dad and son had a disagreement concerning the son’s recent jail time. That was the first and last major neighborhood disturbance, other than petty things like grass not being trimmed according to code, etc.

Then I got to thinking how one incident, despite the circumstances, can tarnish a reputation, or give one. One fact can instantaneously change someone’s opinion about the topic, when in reality, one must know the background to truly know the incident. The incident or fact, such as the shooting, gave the apartment complex an appositive such as, “Adam’s Crossing Apartments, the place where that shooting happened.” The area around downtown isn’t known to be the safest, I can agree with that. These are just some random thoughts about reputations. So take care of your reputation, especially the one on the internet! You don’t want to end up like Adam’s Crossing Apartments (article below) whose reputation is tarnished forever on the internet!

Residents shocked after OKC shooting

Positively Positive Thoughts On Thoughts

Inspiration: Silver Linings Playbook

First off, this was an amazing movie—from the cast down to the detail. The movie cast was absolutely amazing: Bradley Brooks and Jennifer Lawrence were flawless. The two are a perfectly damaged, but fated match.  “Pat’s” family was also remarkably casted. Many personality disorders are hereditary and the father is portrayed to have slight OCD that would put his sons at higher risk to have a disorder, such as Pat’s bipolar disorder.

Although I predicted the ending very early during the movie, it was still a wonderful film. I think that movies with happy, positive endings are much more worth watching than movies with sad endings—such as Titanic. Although it might be extremely cliché for the protagonists to get their “happily ever after,” watching it still warms the heart. I might be an extremely easily pleased movie critic, but I think even if you predict, “Oh, they will end up with each other,” it is always nice to see it actually happen. To see it play out the way you would want real life to. I left this movie thinking, “I’m so happy for them. I’m glad they’re together.” Movies like this make you wish you knew someone with their story. 

We must realize real life would rarely play out the way we would like for it to—the happily ever after movie perfect ending. You don’t always win in the end. You don’t always get the guy or girl. But, as the movie title says, one must look for the Silver Linings. A positive attitude and outlook on life is an outcome of our own effort yielding inner happiness and, in Pat’s case, closure. Your thoughts shape your being. When you make the effort to eliminate negative, deteriorating thoughts, the clouds disappear and the sun is warmer, the grass is greener, and the silver lining is easier to see.