On 9/11

To those who haven't forgotten because they can't remember:

It's difficult for me to comprehend that there is an entire generation that either wasn't born or is too young to remember the events of September 11, 2001. Like so many, my memories of that day are associated with a classroom. My classmates and I were shaken and confused, but we carried on. It was not until the days, weeks, and months that followed that we truly understood the impact and lasting effects. 

I won't question what you do and do not remember, or the influence that it has made on your life because I will never understand. I remember a definitive before. Like what the Kennedy assassination is to our parents' generation, this a defining moment in the lives of so many. A before and an after. Every generation has them, but I think the moments that happen when you are young stay with you the strongest. I don't believe that 9/11 is the defining moment of our generation, just one of many that have created the fabric of our country and added pages to our history books. However, it seems that it has been used to frame every defining moment since.  

It is my hope that in the future these inevitable defining moments will not be associated disasters, but rather with hope. That it won't take extreme upheaval and tragedy to bring people together. It is my hope that for generations to come, the good in the world will outweigh the evil and their defining moments will reflect that. It is my hope that someday, hope and peace will be the norm. And we all have the ability to come together and create that for ourselves, and for the generations to come. It all matters. 

Don't just say, "never forget." Say "never again." And vow to make this world a better place. Don't give in to hate and apathy, but to love and acceptance. So we'll carry on, together, from this day forward and incite change for the better. Carry on with hope. 

The truth.

Excuse me while I nerdgasm for a moment, but today is the 20th anniversary of The X-Files and I couldn't let the day pass without marking it in some way. The pilot episode aired on September 10, 1993, thus ushering in an ongoing era of government conspiracy theories, searching for the truth, and shipping Mulder and Scully like it was your job. (Or maybe that last one is just me.) 

I could go on forever about my unnatural love for this show, but instead I'll just leave you with one of my favorite Dana Scully quotes. It may not be the funniest or profoundest or the most well-known. However, it has come to mean a lot to me at this point in my life. There have been some big changes; something that I'm not quite ready to discuss yet. However, I will say that I've felt as though I have been constantly searching, not for aliens, but for truth and meaning within my own life. I'm slowly starting to find it, and this little piece of wisdom from my favorite FBI agent has brought me some insight:

"You will learn that the truth is not found in science or on some unseen plane, but by looking into your own heart." 

And as I continue on this journey of self-discovery, I will remember to remain true to myself, above all else. Thank you, X-Files. For being an escape in these crazy times. For encouraging me to believe. And for being a constant reminder that the truth is out there, whatever that truth may be.

Maybe there's hope. 

Adventure (finally).

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I'm off to Alaska! I can't believe it!

I don't really have a Bucket List, but if I did, this would definitely be on it. 

Have a lovely 4th, friends.

Let her play.

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Do you know what really grinds my gears? The objectification of young girls and women on the basis of what they are (or are not) wearing. Do you know what really, really grinds my gears? When that objectification is used to hold them responsible for the thoughts and feelings of others.

Last week I read the story of Maddy Paige, a 12-year-old girl from Georgia. If you're not familiar with the story, Maddy has been playing football on her Christian school's team since she was in second grade. Recently, she was told by her school's administration that she could no longer play on the team because she may cause her male teammates to have impure thoughts. Yes, that's right. Maddy was kicked off the team because of the potential thoughts of others.

The issue here isn't simply that Maddy was kicked off of the boys' team because she is a girl. By removing her from the football team, Maddy was given the responsibility for the thoughts and actions of those boys. And that makes me SO angry.

As a young teen, I remember being at a Christian summer camp  and being told that girls needed to make sure we were wearing long shorts and tee-shirts over our bathing suits so as to not be a "stumbling block to our brothers in Christ." I can remember going to youth group and being told the importance of making sure that our clothes weren't too revealing lest we cause the guys in the group to "lust after us." I remember being told from the pulpit that it was a women's duty to be modest and pure. 

Let me tell you, those are not the type of things you want to be saying to a young (or any age, for that matter) girl who is already self-conscious of her body. This bastardized idea of purity and modesty is wrong and it needs to end. Right. Now. I rarely get upset like this, but few things make me angrier. 

Don't just let Maddy play. Let Maddy, and all girls (and boys) like her, grow up in a world where they are valued for who they are. Not for what's in between their legs.

Bloglovin'

(Why, yes. Kyle and I did dress up for the midnight showing of
Man of Steel. As you can see, I was really feeling that cape.
(On a completely unrelated note.)

With the demise of Google Reader (RIP), I'm hopping on the Bloglovin' train! Be sure to follow me over there. I'll be back to regular postings soon. Promise!  :)

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BEAST IT

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"You're my friend, kind of."

Lately, I've been obsessed with the movie Beasts of the Southern Wild. It's the beautifully-told story of Hushpuppy, a little girl who lives with her daddy in the Bathtub. When a storm ravages the place they call home, Hushpuppy and her mismatched family must find a way to survive the "end of the world." 

If you haven't seen Beasts yet, I highly recommend it. The beautiful story,  gorgeous filming, and the amazing music make my heart feel full and remind me of the importance of community. Sometimes life is hard, and all you can do is keep on keepin' on. BEAST IT.

"I see that I am a little piece of a big, big universe, and that makes it right."

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Opening Day

Source: thehecklerstore.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Despite the fact that there was snow on my car this morning, (Go home, spring. You're drunk.) I won't let it get me down because the sun is shining and IT'S OPENING DAY! I know I say this every year, but I reallyreally think that this is the year the Cubs make it to the World Series. 

Seriously. I can feel it.   

Wishing all of you a happy Opening Day, no matter who you cheer for. (Unless it's the White Sox. Because duh.)

GO CUBS GO!