The Damsel’s Files

Theology and the Study of the Divine

Contrary to popular belief, studying, understanding, and analyzing a concept only deepens your appreciation for the object. It does not diminish it like what many people believe. It is true in many ideas and aspects of life, whether mathematics, politics, religion, or art. In this world, nothing is greatly diminished by further analysis, except maybe things that are already barren and empty concepts from the beginning. Religion, one of the world’s most sensitive dinner topics, is one such idea that benefits from a careful study. Such a systematic study is called theology.

To put it bluntly, theology is the systematic study of a religious belief. Theology is also an academic discipline taught in universities and seminaries. Given that most religions deal with deities, gods, and divine or supernatural beings, it follows that theology is also a study of these things as well as that of religious traditions. Theology is a broad study that can even go into specifics depending on which religion one chooses to tackle. Though difficult, there are plenty of tools to help people in this field, books like Bevil Bramwell’s book about Catholic theology (for those studying the Roman Catholic Faith).

Theology as a term gets its roots in Ancient Greece from Plato himself. In his seminal work Republic, he used the Greek word thelogia, which in English translates to “discourse on god.” His student Aristotle went ahead and divided theoretical philosophy into three parts: mathematike, physike and thelogike. The last one roughly translates as metaphysics. Therefore, the early link between the study of the nature of the divine and theology can be traced back as far as Ancient Greece. Theology then developed differently among the different religions. Some of which include Christian theology, Islamic theology, Indian theology, and Judaistic theology.

Theology has a complementary study called theology which is defined as a feminine perspective on divine matters.

There are many benefits to pursuing theology. One such thing has been outlined at the beginning of this article, and that is for the appreciation of the thing to be studied. Through theology, the said theologian could earn a deep understanding of their own religious tradition. Furthermore, he or she might grow to understand the religious traditions of others. He or she might even learn more about divinity, especially the nature of some other beliefs such as that of the ancient beliefs or even Buddhism, Shintoism, and others. Theology can also be used to propagate, reform, or justify these very same traditions. It is the reason why theology is one of the academic studies required to reach priesthood in the Catholic Faith. Theology can also be a tool for the evolution of the faith through challenging, criticizing, or even downright opposing established traditions or worldviews. Above all, theology can also be used to help theologians interpret present day situations or as a way to interpret the world.

Despite these purposes, there are others who are opponents of the study. Some notable examples in the pre-20th century include an exile of Athens, Protagoras, who was an agnostic. Baron d’Holbach described theology as “a continual insult to human reason” in 1772. Another famous opponent of theology is writer and political theorist Thomas Paine, who considered it as “a study of nothing” and that “it was founded on nothing.” These descriptions can be found in this three-part work, The Age of Reason which was written in 1794, 1795, and 1807. Even the famous American satirist Mark Twain noted the contradictory nature of theology, remarking that man is the only creature in this world preaching to love one another yet promoting killing should one’s beliefs do not align with theirs. The 20th and 21st even brought more criticism to theology, with more philosophers and thinkers stating outright that the nature of God or the divine and supernatural are nonsensical. Some others even say that theology has not brought anything beneficial to the human condition and that it was science that improved people’s lives and not theology.

Still, there is worth in studying theology. Especially when religion remains to be one of the touchiest topics in the modern discourse. Differences in religion have brought continuing conflicts and unending wars. These things might never end until people from different walks of life begin to understand and respect each other’s beliefs and not force-feed them to people. Theology might be the key to this understanding.

The World Of Poetry: Beyond Imagination

Whether we look for activities that we enjoy or love to do in our pastimes, poetry will bring us into the world of imagination.

Like any other piece of literature, poetry is written to express a particular emotion, feeling, or idea desired by the author. Without a defined format, poems come in various variations, each with its sound, smell, and taste. The most successful lyrics masterfully give readers the Ah-Ha! Experience and conveys in them incomprehensible emotions that render them vulnerable to the poet’s message. William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18 and Sylvia Plath’s Metaphors adequately contain imagery, lineation, and tone to shape the meaning and rest the reader’s thinking. However, no matter how well the poem may be structured, the poem is nothing without the reader’s interpretation. Poetry is brought to life by the author’s ability to use words in combinations that lead readers to make their own stories.

A poem is a moment written tactfully and captured by the poet without limitations. Nevertheless, the poet writes the poetry with the clear conviction of pulling the reader into its hold and taking them through a journey of boundless experiences. The poem’s value comes from the reader, and if a poem can jolt and surprise those who read it, then it has successfully come to life; something about that poem was able to clasp the complex mind of a reader. The connection formed between the poem and its reader dictates the grandeur and entity of the poem itself.

Below are some of the poems that will interest you to read such:

Haiku. The haiku (or hokku) is an ancient Japanese form of poetry that has become very popular worldwide. It consists of unrhymed, short lines. These lines can take many forms of brief verses. However, the most common haiku structure features three lines of five, seven, and five syllables. A haiku poem generally presents a single and concentrated image or emotion. Haiku is considered a fixed poetic form and is associated with brief, suggestive imagery intended to evoke emotion in the reader.

Free Verse. Free verse poetry has no fixed metrical pattern and no rhyme scheme. Often echoing the cadences of natural speech, a free verse poem makes artistic use of imagery, sound, and a wide range of literary devices. It is a popular style of modern poetry, and as its name suggests, there is a fair amount of freedom when writing a poem like this. Free verse can rhyme or not, it can have as many stanzas or lines as the poet wants, and it can be about anything that interests you!

Sonnet. The sonnet is a type of poem that has been a part of the literary repertoire since the thirteenth century, made famous by William Shakespeare. It originated in 13th century Italy, perfected by the poet Petrarch. Traditionally, sonnets usually deal with love and consist of 14 lines. As a rule, Petrarchan (Italian) sonnets follow an ABBA ABBA CDE CDE rhyme scheme, whereas Shakespearean (English) sonnets are typically ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. But of course, rules are made to be broken! Sonnets can communicate various details within a single thought, mood, or feeling, typically culminating in the last lines.

Limerick. Limericks poems are usually fun poems designed with humor (sometimes rude!), but that doesn’t always have to be the case. They are sometimes scanned, and the final line is designed to make people laugh. A limerick contains just one stanza, a group of lines within a poem, much like a verse within a song. When discussing how poems rhyme, we often refer to it as a rhyming scheme. In the case of the limerick, the rhyming strategy is AABBA.

Nevertheless, some of us prefer poems that focus on the nature of love. The subject of ‘Love Poetry’ has given rise to some of the most fascinating and beautiful poetry. The poets illustrate the people’s feelings concerned with them or their own emotions through figurative and expressive language. Raymond Quattlebaum is one to consider when looking for poems that express love and life. His books “The Color of Love” and “Poetry in Motion” describe the miracle of life, decorating the essence of who we indeed are within ourselves and the expression of ourselves through life, respectively.

In closing, poetry is universal. Timeless. Yet, it is also very individual, filtered by our own lives and expectations.

Hope in the Midst of Despair

Hope is one of the many virtues that define a human being. It is a feeling of anticipation, desire, and wanting something to happen. Often used interchangeably with faith, hope is a natural human instinct to want a specific outcome, usually a better result. But does hope comes naturally? Or does it take mustering up courage and strength to feel hope? In author Walter Hoge’s book Easter: McEaster Valley, hope is symbolized in that tranquil, serene, and wonderful scene, an otherworldly valley, that the author and his dog encounter as they traverse across the mountains of the Sierra. Hope is something that stems from committing a life to serve and help others or the environment in the hope that the result would be a life that is peaceful, tranquil, serene, and, yes, wonderful.

Finding Hope

Does the feeling of hope come naturally to everybody? Everybody goes through the ups and downs in life, and some even go through the longest downs they have ever been that it’s difficult to look for that light at the end of the tunnel. Finding that hope is challenging for people going through very traumatic experiences. These experiences are so bad that the person going through them feels no more longing for life and becomes too comfortable in the darkness of misery that they find themselves in. So, how does one find hope when everything seems to be against all odds?

Reach Out to Others

Like a drowning person, the first instinct of someone who is drowning in despair is to reach out and grab on to the first thing or the first person that they can hold on to. The act itself of reaching out means that the person wants to be saved. Hope is available to those who want to be saved. The first act of finding hope is to reach out to other people, talk to other people, ask for help, be vulnerable and honest in saying that help is needed and that the person could not survive without the help of others. There are a lot of non-profit organizations offering free counseling services to people who are in despair, who have lost all hope in life, and to those who need to talk to someone to feel that they are being listened to.

Believing in One’s Self

It is never easy to get over something traumatic. The first step to recovering from something painful is to feel all the pain, the sadness, and sorrow, and never deny oneself from crying. It takes a lot to get up and show up every day, but these are steps to finding hope again in life. Just showing up means that the person is ready to believe that they can move on and start anew with life. Create small goals, but do not be pressured to accomplish these goals. Take small steps, baby steps forward. Believe in yourself that you are capable of living life again, that you are capable of getting back on track.

Practicing Meditation & Prayer

Research shows that meditating and praying stimulate a part of the brain responsible for controlling emotions; when some reflective parts of the brain are enabled, the other part of the brain linked with taking actions is inactivated. These brain activities make a stressed person feel calm and relaxed. In essence, meditating and praying sends positive feelings, feelings that are associated with compassion, gratitude, and forgiveness. The moment a person goes through these uplifting moments, they’d feel more control over their life, in charge of their stress. These eventually lead to a person feeling that heightened sense of healing and hope.

Embracing Positivity

How does a person focus and embrace positivity when they’re in the middle of despair and sorrow? The struggle is real, especially when everything seems gloomy and there is nothing good or positive insight. But, believe it or not, practicing positivity is one way to bring that sunlight of hope into an otherwise dark and bleak life. Start small, start practicing small positivity attracting activities. Humor or laughing can help. Look for something wholesomely funny and have a blast laughing about it. Laughter is also a form of remedy, a relief that eases out tense muscles and nerves brought about by negative emotions. Another small step towards positivity is by being grateful, even over small things. Be grateful that you can wake up every day, for the meals you eat, the clothes you wear, and the roof on top of your head. It need not be a great leap towards a positive-filled life, but it is a guaranteed step towards finding hope again out of despair.

Hope doesn’t come naturally to anybody. It is a want, a desire for a better outcome, and just like achieving a desire, people need to work at it. Hope is the desired value that needs to be practiced over and over again in life. It can be challenging to practice hope, especially if a person is going through a very traumatic time. But then, hope is the only weapon that prevents people from going down that rabbit hole of darkness and misery. Finding hope is the best tool to fight off and break free from the strong choke of despair.

Values to Live By: Honoring and Respecting the Elderly

They are the dearly beloved grandparents that willingly spoil their grandchildren with no limits. They are the aged, senior citizens, retired yet sprightly, staying in nursing homes. They are willing companions to garden club events, art classes, or even simple strolls at the park. They are the families and society’s elderly folks. Ted Landkammer, in his book, Poppies on the Hill, the author beautifully told a story centering on the relationship between the children and an elderly lady, meeting along the poppies on the hill in the springtime. The book highlights the importance of respecting other people, especially the elderly. These are some important values that people should live by; to honor and respect the elderly.

“The Elderly are a treasure for our society.”

Beautifully quoted by Pope Francis. The elderly are indeed the gems, the treasure of today’s society. With them comes the lesson and wisdom of the years. They are the keeper of family traditions. From them, families learned important lessons and values in the hope of not repeating the same mistakes that happened in the past. And with the ever-changing society, they are the ones that keep the present generation grounded on long-forgotten principles that hold society’s moral values intact. What other roles do our elderly play in today’s generation?

Different Perspective

Our elderly often have different views compared with today’s society. Their years of experience as part of a family and community have taught them almost uncontestable lessons that today’s youth should follow. They have seen the changes that took place within their time. Whether those are changes in the government or changes in the community, they have seen it all, both the good and the bad. Their knowledge is pure gold. In fact, what they know is often not included or even omitted in history books. Our elderly can help explain why we are what and who we are today. They say history is selective and subjective to the writer. But if an individual wants to find out about the truth in history, the best person to ask is our elderly.

Helping with House and Family Keeping

What’s great about our grandparents is that they’re just one call away. If their children need help with looking after their kids while they’re away, the grandparents are more than happy to take over the care and keeping of their grandchildren. There’s no other more trusted babysitter than the grandparents. Grandchildren are the joy of grandparents. They are often subjected to being spoiled by treats from their grandparents, albeit too much. One toothy grin from the youngsters is enough to melt the grandparents’ hearts. What’s even great about the grandparents looking after their grandchildren is that the grandparents often would take it upon themselves to clean and cook for the whole family! Isn’t that a wonderful treat?

Listening Ear

When a child is caught in a dilemma of who to talk to without any judgment, who do they run to? Their grandparents. Our grandparents are the best example of people who would sit quietly, always lending an ear to listen, and not once judging their grandchild by their actions. Their love is so unconditional that it’s almost reminiscent of a love that is timeless and boundless. They’d let their grandchildren, or even their children, rant and rave as much as they wanted. And when all is said and done, expect that cookie or cake, along with a glass of lemonade, or any drink, to calm and soothe their children or grandchildren’s anxious hearts.

Active Community Participants

When everybody else is busy, and the local community needs some participants to be engaged in the activities, you can count on the elderly folks to drop by and participate. Elderly persons are encouraged to stay socially active to slow down any symptoms of cognitive or apprehension decline. Being physically and socially active are currently the only known methods of preventing the development of dementia. It could be as simple as meeting and chatting with friends in their houses or the parks, taking walks or brisk joggings, walking the dog, playing chess in the park, joining community organizations or charity fundraisers events, volunteering in hospitals, and many more.

Our elderly are the gems of society. More than the knowledge, lessons, and wisdom they impart, something in their physical presence is calming, almost like a confidence booster. A child would dance beautifully and give their best on stage when they know that their grandparents are among the audience, watching and cheering on them. An individual would feel more confident in making decisions, knowing that their elderly parents are giving them their one hundred percent support. There’s that special warmth and glow in the community when its elderlies are out and about and participating in the different activities. In return, all that is asked from society is just to live by these values: to honor and respect their elderly.

The Holy Bible: Cornerstone of a Catholic’s Life

The Holy Bible is the rock of the Holy Catholic belief. The origins of the Holy Catholic faith can be traced back by reading the content of this document. Due to the dominance of the Roman Catholic faith, the Holy Bible finds itself in every corner of the world. In fact, with non-profit organizations handing out free Bible all over the world, it has become the best-selling book in the world. It sells over a hundred million copies in over six hundred ninety languages every year. Averaging one thousand and two hundred pages, this book inspires its readers. For these people, the Bible advises on how to live an honest, and fulfilling Christian life. With its storied history, there is no surprise that a lot of scholars dedicate their time and life to understanding its scriptures. Different authors like Bevil Bramwell have given readers countless references on how to read and interpret the Bible.

With all of that said, a healthy practicing Catholic should devote at least fifteen minutes of his time to reading the Bible. Reading the Bible is not only a spiritual experience. It also is a meditative one. By reading the Bible at the start of each day, one can start the day with a fresh perspective. Regular reading of the scriptures written in the Bible has even more benefits.

For a practicing Catholic, the Bible grants him the chance to get to know God a little bit better. After that, the Bible paves the way for its reader to follow God’s will and teachings. Doing so has the added benefit of avoiding from a life of sin. Through the use of the Bible, one can discern the moral way of dealing with things everyday life throws, no matter what it is. In harmony with avoiding a sinful life, a regular devotion to the Bible also provides us a way to see the next step in accordance with God’s will, as shown in Psalm 119:105, which says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

The Bible is the definitive guide to a fulfilling Christian life. It helps refresh the mind and bring people to God’s will. During times of doubts and uncertainties, it is the Bible that will ascertain the word of God. It is the final authority, and as such, it has the final say in all things about the faith.

Through the religious fellowship of the Bible, it transforms at the center of the heart. With its teachings, the Bible prepares the heart of the Catholic and prepares it to receive a Catholic heart’s desires. The Bible also brings about the Good News that is through the Gospel, which is found in the New Testament. The Gospel, which details the teachings and penance of Jesus Christ, teaches the reader purely and simply to believe in Christ and love one another. It gives assurance that the coming of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is imminent. Armed with this knowledge, the Bible’s readers are given the courage to bravely face everyday life.

Though promising, a simple reading of the Bible may not be enough to fully absorb its message. A mindless run-through of the scriptures may lead to being forced into a lifestyle. These actions, although good, lack sincerity. Therefore, it is imperative that the proper approach to reading the Bible’s teachings is done to fully embody the Christian life.

To avoid such an unfortunate situation, the reader must observe a careful understanding when examining the written Scripture. The reader should take note of the proper context of the passages they are reading. This both means the immediate context of what they have read and its context in its position among the entire biblical Scripture.

At the end of the day, an excellent Christian believer will make room for a special place in his heart. He understands that it will not be a simple undertaking. He understands that this will be a physical and spiritual undertaking. As such, he will approach his study of the Bible with patience and discipline. Despite this, he will persevere because, as a proper Christian, he understands that everything will all be worth it in the end. It is his faith in the Kingdom of God and its teachings that keep him so. All of which can be found in the pages of the Holy Scripture.

How to Choose Your Next Book – In The Most Romantic Way Possible

In the age of commercialism, we consume an abundance of reading materials like we consume many other things. Whether these readings are hardcopy, printed, online, or in the form of academic articles, short thought pieces, or full-fledged novels, reading is an inseparable part of our lives.

In the modern-day, you probably order books in bulk from Amazon or any online store regarding your reading habits. You have a selection of publication memberships that serve you as a source of entertainment or catching up with your morning cup of coffee. Even on e-books, you pay a certain amount of dollars for a limitless reading experience.

When we say reading habits, the first thing that comes to mind is reading books. Thus, we will talk about books in this article (with three recommended love poetry books to fall head over heels for) specifically, how you can pick out the right books for you and decide what to read next. Finding good books to read can appear to be a troublesome prospect. However, you are never far from an incredible find in this age of global Internet communities and online sharing.

A Guideline to Help You Decide Effectively

I know how it feels to constantly pick up the wrong book and get demotivated for your further book reading. To escape this kind of situation and feel content with what you are reading, these three simple guidelines can help you pick the next book you will read.

#1. Read Your Favorite Authors’ Work. This option is one of the easiest to go with if you have difficulty deciding what to read. If you have not already, try to complete reading your favorite author’s work? Or, if you have already, check out an author among your top favorites. Their work motivates your interest in this particular period in your life. As in my case, I love Brian Clement’s “The Anthology of Short Stories and Poems II.” This literary piece of poetry and love story in Brian’s book will leave you with varied emotions, from happy and sad to a thrill of suspense. Enjoy love stories such as “Twice in a Lifetime,” “The Folk Singer,” and “Billy, Don’t Be a Hero.” Also, enjoy mysteries involving Private Detective Jack Donovan in “If You Could Hear What I See” and its sequels. Enjoy the tearful poems “The Thin Blue Line” and “Rebuking Michael.” And do not forget to follow David and Carol Anne as they renew their relationship and end up in unusual ghostlike locations.

You will likely enjoy another book by an author you are already fond of their style and are familiar with.

#2. Create a Personal Reading List. Do you have a personal reading list? It does not have to be anything fancy. It might contain even five to ten books you are curious about and want to read sometime. Take notice of your mood, stress levels, level of busyness, areas of curiosity, and interest in that particular period of your life. You may check out Sappho’s “If Not Winter: Fragments of Sappho.” One of the most famous unique poets of all time, it surprises readers to know that only one of the earliest Greek poet’s poems survived intact. This collection shows the surviving scraps and remnants of Sappho’s work. Carson has included appendices and footnotes, but the poetry is presented in a beautiful, simple style.

These needs tend to be ever-changing. Thus, try to listen to your inner needs and pick a book that echoes more with those needs.

#3. Go to a Bookstore and Pick Up a Book That Sparks an Interest in You. Online stores take the place of conventional book stores, especially these days. However, strolling inside a bookstore is an activity that will never get old. It can also be in a library where you gaze upon the shelves, read the book’s back covers, and physically feel them; eyeing through the pages is simply a different and more authentic experience than purchasing your books online. You can even look for a modern love poetry book by Charles Bukowski. In his book, entitled “Love is a Dog from Hell” (trust Bukowski to bring us the minor romantic title on this list), there is little trace of the giddy, moonlit love of traditional love poems. Instead, his poems press the limits of heartbreak and love.

Discussing the books and strolling at the same time while you wander around the store make you feel inspired, might give you more ideas, and make you decide on a book more quickly. And it is a fun activity to do with a friend!

Final Words

Choosing and picking out the “right” book to read is the usual concern for many. We do not want to waste our time on books that do not interest us. We want to pick the best books that resonate with us and have enjoyable, fulfilling reading sessions.

To more effectively select your books and form a healthier relationship with books and reading, you will have to trust your feelings and intuitions and connect your reading needs with your current needs, wants, and needs.

You should erase your perspective of seeing book reading as a chore or task to get done with.

By implementing these guidelines and forming a healthy relationship with reading, there is no doubt that you will find books that fit your expectations and enjoy your reading experience to the fullest.

What It Means To Have Faith

What does it mean to have faith? Is it a man who is at the crossroads of his life, who is about to make a crucial decision, who closes his eyes and takes the next step forward? Is it the young girl in her dance recital, about to give her solo performance, who is utterly nervous about the thought of how the audience will react, and yet gulps down all those fears, takes a deep breath, and takes the stage? Or, is it a woman or a man coming out of a broken relationship filled with sadness and dried up from crying, yet still choosing to move forward with life and believe that there is still something or someone good out there for them? In her book The Hands of God, Judith Martin Alford sends out the message about the power of faith in believing in an omnipotent and infinite being whose love for His creation is evident through the many miracles and signs people witness in the world today. And it all starts with simply believing. It all starts with having faith.

What is Faith?

Faith has many definitions in different kinds of literature. But it all boils down to one simple definition; faith is a strong belief in something or a being without the need for strong apprehension or evidence. Faith is often equated to blind faith, similar to just following through with everything and anything without questioning. Different religions or philosophies have different takes on what it means to have faith.

The Christian Faith

Christianity talks about faith in following through in an act and believing and trusting in God’s promises. It is a faith based on the belief that man’s soul is saved through the resurrection of the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This includes a willingness to go through suffering on behalf of another, or martyrdom, as a show of love for one’s neighbor and God, the ultimate commandment of Christianity. A declaration of the Christian faith is evident in the Apostle’s Creed, which professes a faith based on the supreme God, His Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the essence of the Holy Trinity. The faith described in the Bible is the belief that something good will happen for the person who has done something for another out of kindness, compassion, acts of righteousness, or love. That good can be a reward for the soul in the afterlife or, in other literature, can take place as good karma. Faith is also an assurance of man’s deepest desire, the longing to know God, hence the belief and conviction on things unseen. And as the Bible says in Hebrews 11:6: “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

Why is Faith Important?

Often, a person goes through a “test of fire” in their lives. The test of fire could come in the form of suffering, anguish over a situation, or an obstacle that hinders a person’s accomplishment. During this time, faith plays an important role, especially when everything seems unbearable and the challenges seem to be something that cannot be overcome.

Faith is an internal strength, something that comes from the heart. Against all odds, when everything is said and done, and nothing seems to work, a person tunes in to the only strength left in them, surrendering to the belief that everything works out for the good of those who believe. Faith is that assurance that no matter what happens, no matter what the circumstances are, trust that a supreme being is looking out for the welfare of all mankind, that He loves his people, and is working out what is best for the person.

It is that “assurance” that people of faith hold on to. No matter what happens, God knows what’s best at the end of the day, and things will work out for the best of those who believe in Him. Just like the man at the crossroads, taking a leap of faith in making a decision. Just like the little girl overcoming her fear and taking the stage, believing in her passion for dancing. Just like the woman or man coming out of heartbreak, despite the overpowering sadness, still believes that there is still something good to look forward to in life. That is what having faith is all about.

Happiness & Contentment: Anyone Can Do It!

Woman standing on a field of sunflowers.

Happiness is a state of contentment and pleasure, often associated with positivity and optimism. Contentment is a disposition of satisfaction. Both happiness and contentment vary from person to person, depending upon a lot of environmental factors surrounding an individual. But to be able to achieve both states, happiness and contentment should first and foremost be shared with others, should be reflected by the giver, to be able to achieve the true meaning of what it means to be happy and healthy. The fable story by Walter Hoge, Easter: McEaster Valley, takes the reader along an otherworldly journey through the mountains of the Sierra and into a strange world where the author describes a place of tranquility, serenity, and wonderful elegance. Hoge shares the inherent beauty and simplicity found in the natural world and the importance of taking care of that world given by an omnipotent and infinite being. To commit to taking care and respecting the planet that people call home leads a person to appreciate life even more, and eventually, finding contentment and happiness from such an undertaking.

How to be Happy

Happiness is a choice; a person should choose to think and act to be happy. This includes a person taking responsibility for their actions and choosing not to blame others if things go wrong. It is choosing to look at the upside of life rather than focusing on the unfavorable circumstances. It does not mean that choosing to be happy means avoiding pain and sadness altogether. Pain and sadness are natural human reactions, so it is only normal to go through and process these emotions. Happiness is more of a person’s ability to process, interpret, and react to situations. For instance, a stressful working environment causes an individual’s irritable behavior at the end of a work day’s shift. Knowing that prolonged irritability can affect an individual’s relationship with other people, sometimes even start a fight or an argument when provoked, should the person still choose to remain irritable and risk the chance of broken relationships? The solution is to let go of stress and choose to be happy. How? Breathe deeply. Smile. Laugh. Develop an attitude of being grateful for the simple things in life. Hang out with friends and loved ones to loosen up. Turn these acts into a happy habit and routine. And soon, these habits will be ingrained in a person’s life that it will become difficult NOT to choose to be happy.

How to be Content

Contentment is most of the time linked with happiness, but there is a difference between the two. Happiness is more connected with the feeling of pleasure or delight. Contentment is more about feeling and being satisfied. A person can be happy and not content at the same time. A typical example would be a businessman. If a businessman reached his sales quota, of course, he would be happy about the achievement. But if a person is running a business, achieving a sales goal is not the end goal. Hence, a businessman is happy when he accomplishes his sales goal but is not content and still wants to aim for more future sales.

To be content can be a bit tricky but not impossible to do. One way to learn how to be content is practicing an appreciative and grateful attitude. It is being grateful for the little things in life and not looking at what’s lacking. Another way is for a person to stop comparing themselves with others. It is about taking pride in who and what a person is, being secured in one’s self and capability.

Happiness and Contentment as a Commitment

Attaining true happiness and contentment means being able to share these two feelings with others. It is reflecting, giving back these feelings, letting other people and the environment experience, and indulging in the positive impact of feeling happy and content. It is about a person sharing their time, talents, and treasures. It is committing to help others also to become happy. It is committing to help the environment become a better place for others to live in. It is committing to create a space where everyone can be content from the simplest things in life. It is possible. And yes, anyone can do it!

Musings on Friendship

Friends are defined as the person, or a group of persons with whom someone is closely associated, has a bond of affection, regardless of sexuality or status. Or, it can be an associate, someone a person just recently met. As long as that person is not hostile, and as long as there is an association, a fellowship, or a partnership with that individual, that person is considered a friend. Rosella Calauti’s Friends: Here…There…Everywhere!!! is a book about building friendships and learning about the importance of having friends in life. The author crafted the story beautifully about the friendship between Brandi, Salvatore, Lee, Lori, and Erika, how they would spend time playing together, and at the same time looking out for another. The book is not only visually appealing to its readers, both the young and the adult alike, but it also sends out the message on why friends are essential in a person’s life.

Why is it good to have friends?

Laughing almost always and all the time is what comes to mind when people think about friends. It could also be those sad times, and when someone consoles the sad or the depressed person. Either way, friends are those persons who are there for each other during happy or sad times. As the saying goes, “no man is an island,” and each person needs someone to get through life with. But why friends? What makes friends an essential part of a person’s life? Why is it good to have friends? Why is it important to create friendships?

Perhaps the number one reason friends are important is that having friends helps reduce stress. Stress can come in different forms. It can be work-related, relationship-related, school-related, financially related, etc. Any kind of stress, whether in small or large doses, has a negative impact on a person’s overall health, especially if that stress piles up and catches up with the person. If a person is stressed, they get annoyed and irritated easily, depressed, anxious, and if not properly addressed, develop a more severe case of mental health problems and could also lead to other health problems such as digestive problems, heart problems, insomnia, high blood pressure, and so on.

Having a healthy relationship with friends helps reduce stress in life. Sharing a laugh is one reason people make friends with each other, and it is the act of laughing that minimizes or lessens the adverse effects of stress. Laughing provides an emotional and physical release that loosens those taught muscles and nerves stemming from the tension coming from a stressful environment and increases the production of endorphins, a health-enhancing hormone.

Another reason why it is good to have friends is because it promotes a higher sense of overall well-being. Well-being is when a person is healthy, happy, and comfortable with their state in life. It usually includes and promotes positive emotions such as contentment, happiness, joy, excitement, and calmness. Belonging to a group that shares your passions in life or shares the person’s feelings and empathizes with them increases their sense of well-being. Having someone to talk to, someone who relates, someone to share with is enough to promote a sense of calmness and an overall feeling of peace.

Personal development is also another reason why it is vital to have friends. From the time of infancy, a person is influenced by the people that they are surrounded with. A person forms their habits, likes and dislikes, taste, and appreciation for culture depending upon the culture and habits of the people they are exposed to most of the time. Ensuring that a person has a good and healthy choice of friends is essential because whatever they do, whether good or bad, will always have an unconscious effect on them that will also reflect outwardly in their actions later on in life. Good friends also help support healthy choices in life, and they also help boost the other person’s self-confidence.

There are many other reasons why having and keeping friends is important. The significance of friendship cannot be undermined. The kind of friendship a person has can also make or break a person’s life, that’s why choosing and being with the right group of friends is also equally important. At the end of the day, as cliché as it sounds, but nevertheless true, friends do bring color and meaning to a person’s life.

Society’s Rejects: A Story of Hope

It might seem unimaginable that being incarcerated can alter a prisoner’s life, turning the bad guy into the good guy, especially if the incarcerated is sentenced to lifelong imprisonment. Infamous Texas inmate Rickie Smith proved the impossible to be possible when the three, 99-year termed prisoner made a radical transformation from being the most violently known inmate there is to a God-fearing man who turned his life around when he discovered God’s presence in his life. Rosser McDonald’s Real Prison Real Freedom relates a tale of prison life during a turbulent time within the Department of Corrections. The Rosser book on transformation of a notorious Texas inmate demonstrates how there is hope in life, even for the so-called society’s rejects.

The Prison System

Prison is a physical structure or a facility where people are held as a form of punishment for a crime they have committed. It can also be detention or a holding facility while a person waits for trial. Prisoner or inmate is the name or term for a person legally detained for a crime committed. Imprisonment is part of the criminal justice system. The process of imprisonment slightly varies from state to state, but the main essence of the process starts with the police, to the courts, and then to the corrections system. It all begins with an arrest done by the police. A person caught in the act of committing a crime or has been tagged as a suspect because of probable cause is arrested by the police. The police then take the person into custody, take them to jail, and begin the booking or recording process such as getting profiled, fingerprints, photographed, etc. If sufficient evidence is produced to be able to proceed with a case or a trial, a court hearing is then scheduled.

A court hearing or trial by jury determines the faith of the detainee. If the court or the jury found the detained guilty and sentenced the person to imprisonment, the detainee is then forwarded to the Department of Corrections to serve out their term. Then begins a complex prison life that seemed exaggerated in books and movies but nonetheless is true in real life.

Life In Prison

Life in prison seems unreal to the average Joe. Still, the harsh reality is the overelaborate stories we hear about prison gangsters, prison wars, fighting with prison guards, drugs, prisoner relationships, and even food fights in prison canteens are all true and happening in real life. People have this visual of prisons being akin to living hell, and it is a good example of a place where the fight to survive is crucial. To be tough and intimidating is the norm. If a person is weak, that person gets the worst form of bullying ever known to man. Want to learn how politics work? Then prison is a good place to learn and practice how perfect politicking works. The inmate culture often encourages “fraternization” as a form of survival. Politicking involves getting “friendly” with the prison guards, or even with the warden, to receive special treatment or priority when a prisoner asks for favors. Prison gangs are also commonly found in prisons. They say that there is strength in numbers, so belonging to a prison group gives a prisoner a higher chance of survival or gives a form of protection from being picked on or from being bullied.

Prison life is continually painted as bleak and horrible. Any redemptive transformation of prisoners is but a small percent of the prison life. There are many stories of prisoners who transformed from being the tough guy hooligan act to a guy who chose reform and made a 360-degree nice guy transformation. A small percentage of the prison population, but still, that percentage shows that there is hope to be had for a life in and after prison.

Hope for Society’s Rejects

Prison is unpleasant, so as being referred to as society’s rejects. Being rejected by society for failing to meet society’s norm of what is normal, acceptable life is enough to send a person’s life spiraling out of control and make them do acts that eventually send them off to prison. These are people outcast by society because of many different factors, such as living in a domestically abusive environment, bullying, being illiterate, being unable to be financially and professionally successful, and many more.

Staying in the negative stigma of being a prisoner is a choice. There are a lot of rehabilitation programs, whether faith-based or social-based that offer help and support for prisoners and ex-prisoners alike if they want to change their life. A person can always drop that negative stereotype that came with being imprisoned. It is still possible to get a job after imprisonment. It is still possible for prisoners to create and have their own families. It is still possible for a prisoner to get a career and be successful at it. It is very possible for a bloodthirsty, murderous prisoner to change into a peaceful and humanitarian person. There is always a second chance for everything. There is and always will be hope, even for the rejected of society.