Saw this in the Economist back in the day.
By: Gabriela Yareliz
In my criminal procedure class, my professor sometimes asks us what our reaction is to some sort of controversial issue, and the response is sepulchral silence. He shakes his head and tells us how he grew up with a vocal generation that protested Vietnam and civil rights violations. The silence continues. ESPN and shoe shopping is on display on the computer screens the professor cannot see. No one speaks. No one cares.
We are that lame. Yes.
“Today’s generation doesn’t even argue–they just leave.” Pastor Jose Rojas (On youth leaving the church)
Today, people want to be walked along, hand-in-hand. No one wants to do anything to difficult or anything that means they will have to stand alone, or anything that may cost some pride. We are not supposed to leave or count ourselves absent. What is this weird resignation that has overcome the young adults of today? We are supposed to stay and reason. We are supposed to be valiant and firm. It’s time for us to stand and speak.
Jordan Fisher was interviewed on the radio. He spoke about his new single, “Never Dance Alone.” He was talking about how it’s the first time he sings a song he didn’t write; then, the station played it. It is beautifully written. I couldn’t find the lyrics or music anywhere but iTunes. It’s hot off the press.
In the lyrics of Feist, life is a dance we all have to do. The metaphor of dancing has often been extended to symbolize life.
Dancing alone can be a lot of fun, but even though adding a partner into the mix makes things more complicated at times because you have to coordinate, and it’s no longer all about you– the point is, it’s more.
It’s more graceful; it’s more memorable; it’s more magical; it’s more supportive; it’s more sacrificial; it’s more fun. It’s more.
The song is all about risks, admiration, trust, the magical moments in life, and, of course, love. I just wanted to share some pieces of it:
/You were so bullet proof around me,
I can barely take me shot;
whenever you move, I drown in envy
of anyone that gets to watch;
[…]
No matter where,
no matter when,
you will never dance alone again.
At first, there was you,
and then there was me–
and the room was spinning ’round.
I crashed into you;
you crashed into me;
Vanity Fair recreates West Side Story
[…]
Knockin’ on your heart to let me in;
we’ll listen to a song that never ends;
’cause if you put your future in my hands;
you will never dance alone again./
Happy semana santa! It’s the week leading up to Easter. It’s also our only break in the semester. It’s more of a reading week, since exams are days away. It’s a time of reflection, much studying and blessing. It’s a time usually filled with family, pastel colored dresses, chocolate, renewal and life. Spring has settled in. The weather has been exquisite.
The renewal of nature reminds us of how everything is restored, resurrected, made new.
The same happens in our lives, souls and hearts.
I hope this week you can reflect on: Service, justice, truth, sacrifice, restoration, life, gratitude and mission. I hope we can not only reflect on it, but live it and exemplify what this means in our lives. Joel Houston has a thought, basically, if what we believe in is not being reflected on the streets we walk, then we are missing the point.
I hope this week is special, fun and filled with love and gratitude.
Here is some humor, information and inspiration:
1] Stress-free seminars NYC
When: Tuesday and Wednesday, April 15 and 16
Time: 12 to 1 pm
Where: Address: 12 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018
(across from Bryant Park and on the side of the New York Public Library)
Phone:(212) 944-2788
Rumor has it there will be refreshments.
If you are in the city (more specifically in glorious midtown), come by.
2] Outlining for exams:
3] imgfave.com
4] It’s spring! Dress like it. People, we must put away the black and disgusting leggings. Marie Claire
5] The Mindy Project: Oh, the doctors… [Why all professions need Spanish]
6] Feeling kind of East LA–> Becky G style
/Watch me take it up, then I break it down
I don’t play sports, but it’s a touchdown
I don’t blend in, I-I’m a black sheep
And even then, ha, they still follow me
I rock the race stripes, can, go and check my closet
Never share the guap, can, go and check my wallet
I’m a comet heading this planet
Sitting on the throne, and these haters can’t stand it/
Chetan Bhagat’s book called One Night @ the Call Center is about the night they got a phone call from God at the call center. I can’t give you details. I am not that far along, but it seems this call changes the man’s life and his decisions are affected. It made me think, though… What if God called you? What would He say? Maybe, He doesn’t literally call you, but I think God speaks to us everyday through small and big things. It’s up to you to pay attention and receive the message.
A lesson from Chetan Bhagat’s One Night at the Call Center: “God is always with me.” (284; Rupa & Co.).
“Be gentle. Fill yourself up with love instead of hate. Fill yourself up with art, books, knowledge, experiences. Surround yourself with people who have nothing but love to give. These things are important. They will help you learn how to love.”
– (a.y)
(Source: tumblr)
From Ellen G. White’s Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2:
Pray much, for prayer is one of the most essential duties. Without it you cannot maintain a Christian walk. It elevates, strengthens, and ennobles; it is the soul talking with God. – {2T 312.2}
Seek for piety of heart. Be a consistent Christian. Possess a love of purity and humble simplicity, and let these be interwoven with your life. – {2T 314.1}
Have moral courage at all times to do right and to honor your Redeemer. I implore you, dear boy, to seek true holiness. – {2T 314.2}
Haciendo mis trabajos hoy, no se si escuche demasiadas canciones por Dani Martin o que… Pero se me fue la mente, pensando en mis actores preferidos españoles–y encontre estos cortos.
Humor absurdo, asi que, que disfruten!
By: Ellen G. White; from chapter 39 of Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2:
You suffered opposition and abuse, yet God was your source of strength. While you trusted in Him, He sustained you. In all your trials you were not permitted to be overwhelmed. How often have the heavenly angels strengthened you when desponding, by presenting vividly to your mind passages of Scripture expressing the never-failing love of God, and giving evidence that His loving-kindness changeth not! Your soul trusted in God. It was your meat and drink to do the will of your heavenly Father. At times you had a firm trust in the promises of God, and then, again, your faith would be tried to the utmost. God’s dealings seemed mysterious, yet most of the time you had the evidence that He looked upon your affliction and would not cause your burdens to be greater than you could bear. – {2T 268.4}
Through all your trials, which have never been fully revealed to others, you have had a never-failing Friend, who has said: “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” While upon the earth, He was ever touched with human woe. Although He is now ascended to His Father, and is adored by angels who quickly obey His commands, His heart, which loved, pitied, and sympathized, knows no change. It remains a heart of unchangeable tenderness still. That same Jesus was acquainted with all your trials, and did not leave you alone to struggle with temptations, battle with evil, and be finally crushed with burdens and sorrow. Through His angels He whispered to you: “‘Fear not, for I am with thee.’ ‘I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore.’ I know your sorrows; I have endured them. I am acquainted with your struggles; I have experienced them. I know your temptations; I have encountered them. I have seen your tears; I also have wept. Your earthly hopes are crushed; but let the eye of faith be uplifted and penetrate the veil, and there anchor your hopes. The everlasting assurance shall be yours that you have a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” – {2T 271.1}
Your strength in God will increase while you consecrate all to Him; so that you can say with confidence: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – {2T 288.1}
GABRIELA YARELIZ 