The topic jumped into my head. But, you've heard my take on this (sorta) many times, so I decided to get other people's opinions and combine them with my own to create a better analysis. So, after grueling hours of surveying people, and putting together the final product, voila! My analysis.
A Somewhat Biased Analysis on the Effects of Love on the Human Mind, Body, and Soul
Love: I've spoken about it in almost every blog I've written because it's something that influences my character, and therefore everything I do. I decided to interview my peers and ask them what effect Love has on them so I can more fully analyse this whole strange territory.
The mind is a vast expanse of mostly unknown and unseen elements. It is easily manipulated, and its maladies are difficult, and at times impossible to diagnose. Love therefore plays havoc with that human mind. Many don't know what to think; thoughts are scrambled about in a whirlwind. One person said "I've been thrown in every direction unexpectedly, in both pleasant and unpleasant ways." Love is almost like a magnet to a monitor. It scrambles, confuses, and may even enable thought useless for a time. You simply cannot use both your heart and your mind simultaneously sometimes. Love not only scrambles, but during many periods of time, it will dominate the thoughts. Many say that love is often all they think about, or that they just can't get him/her off their mind.
Overlooked by some, the effects of love on the body may sometimes be the most severe and apparent. Most people experience nausea, some shake when romantic emotions are especially strong. Some even throw up, because of the overwhelming sensations. The tongue, and mouth often go on the fritz, and facial expressions are frequently uncontrollable. Many people I interviewed said love gave them more energy, or they felt more alive.
Most lasting and perhaps most importantly, love affects our souls, our basic character. From just the people I interviewed, they say love has taught them to be more empathetic, less selfish, to appreciate friends more, or has given them a softer, more open and sentamental look on life. They have become better people to be worthy of that other person. At other times, though, love takes a different role. One said that all that he is is washed aside when the certain person is near. Another changes his personality to impress that person. Jealousy is another negative side-effect of romance. Just like the Killerz say, "Jealousy, turning saints into the sea." This side-effect is so complicated, it requires an analysis for itself. Even the best people find themselves dragged under, and turned treacherous, and bitter. Overall, most people agree with Josh Groban in saying, "You raise me up."
Love has a profound and lasting effect on everyone, and if we understand it, and learn how to use the emotion constructively, we will have a most powerful edifying tool. Each is affected differently, but each may learn from his/her emotions.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Quests...an analysis
A quest: the act of pursuing, or seeking. Many have called life a quest, but what are we seeking? Will we ever find it?
Almost every human being hits a stage in their life where they begin to question. Why am I here? Why are these things happening to me? What exactly am I supposed to be doing? Who am I? Most try to forget about these sort of questions, because of the difficulty to answer them. Other times, religion fills in the gaps where we ourselves do not have the knowledge to answer our questions.
Why do unpleasant things happen? Why not? It is impossible to exempt anyone from less than perfect situations. By sheer probability, it is only natural that some will have harder lives than others, and that life cannot be ideal for long. We must pursue better lives, but also seek to find the better side of our current situations.
Who am I? Many go around trying to "find themselves" or simply rationalize behavior by saying "it's just how I am, I can't help it." I don't believe that identity is something we can search out by physically travelling. I believe identity is something we are only partially born with. I believe that most of who we are is determined by decision. Circumstances may play their part, but it is how we react to those circumstances that make up our character. As it is said in Batman Begins: "But it's not who are you underneath...It's what you do that defines you." We can decide our attitude, we can decide our reactions, we can decide our actions. We alone decide who we are.
What are we supposed to be doing? Different morals call for different answers. Many would say "improving your life." I agree with that. It is how we go about doing so that differs. Many would say "what you do doesn't matter, just as long as you get you want." Or, as written in The Prince, "The end justifies the means." In my philosophy, it is the opposite. "The means determine the end." Improve your life by improving others' lives. Improve your life by surrounding yourself that will uplift and edify you. Improve your life by improving yourself. Not physically (although health is important) but improve your character, improve your morals, improve your mind and body as well as your soul.
What is the quest of life? Find your purpose, learn how to accomplish it, and then go accomplish it. Still, don't be surprised if some of your quests change along the way.
Almost every human being hits a stage in their life where they begin to question. Why am I here? Why are these things happening to me? What exactly am I supposed to be doing? Who am I? Most try to forget about these sort of questions, because of the difficulty to answer them. Other times, religion fills in the gaps where we ourselves do not have the knowledge to answer our questions.
Why do unpleasant things happen? Why not? It is impossible to exempt anyone from less than perfect situations. By sheer probability, it is only natural that some will have harder lives than others, and that life cannot be ideal for long. We must pursue better lives, but also seek to find the better side of our current situations.
Who am I? Many go around trying to "find themselves" or simply rationalize behavior by saying "it's just how I am, I can't help it." I don't believe that identity is something we can search out by physically travelling. I believe identity is something we are only partially born with. I believe that most of who we are is determined by decision. Circumstances may play their part, but it is how we react to those circumstances that make up our character. As it is said in Batman Begins: "But it's not who are you underneath...It's what you do that defines you." We can decide our attitude, we can decide our reactions, we can decide our actions. We alone decide who we are.
What are we supposed to be doing? Different morals call for different answers. Many would say "improving your life." I agree with that. It is how we go about doing so that differs. Many would say "what you do doesn't matter, just as long as you get you want." Or, as written in The Prince, "The end justifies the means." In my philosophy, it is the opposite. "The means determine the end." Improve your life by improving others' lives. Improve your life by surrounding yourself that will uplift and edify you. Improve your life by improving yourself. Not physically (although health is important) but improve your character, improve your morals, improve your mind and body as well as your soul.
What is the quest of life? Find your purpose, learn how to accomplish it, and then go accomplish it. Still, don't be surprised if some of your quests change along the way.
Monday, November 14, 2005
Beautiful Soul
I just love the way some people make me feel. Especially...that one. They make me feel safe, and wanted, and happy. Who doesn't want to feel that way? Sometimes I wonder why I want to be around him all the time...well, duh! He makes me feel good! And he makes me want to make him feel good.
I'll give you the sunshine!
I'll give you the breeze!
Only then might you have a fraction
The light and comfort mem'ry leaves.
I'll show you forever!
I'll describe heaven's power!
Only then might you understand
What aides me each hour.
You can keep devotion!
I've got enough!
You've got my heart!
Though be it course, and rough.
------------------------------------
I HATE MY POETRY! *rips papers* I feel mad again. But I'm really actually happy. SO...I need to go check my messages for an expected email...it's for an audition
I'll give you the sunshine!
I'll give you the breeze!
Only then might you have a fraction
The light and comfort mem'ry leaves.
I'll show you forever!
I'll describe heaven's power!
Only then might you understand
What aides me each hour.
You can keep devotion!
I've got enough!
You've got my heart!
Though be it course, and rough.
------------------------------------
I HATE MY POETRY! *rips papers* I feel mad again. But I'm really actually happy. SO...I need to go check my messages for an expected email...it's for an audition
Saturday, November 12, 2005
To Like or to Love...an analysis
Who do you like? It's a question every teenager is bound to hear at least three times more than they wanted to. Probably more. What does it really mean? I like ice cream means a completely different thing than I like Billy. If a college student says "I like Gertrude." it would be taken as a friendly admiration. If a 22 year old says "I love Randy" it will be taken as a romantic, tender feeling. If I say I love Quint, people will look at it as a friendly admiration. But what if I was to say "I like (a cute boy's name here)"?
High school. Hormones. The two are so intertwined that you can barely separate them. My mother went in the school after classes got out, and was totally embarassed by all the couples' behavior. The environment is a breeding ground for...can we call it romance? If you can tell me five couples that began dating in high school, and are still together, happily, I will give you half of the clothing I own. I agree that the feeling that causes the high school relationships is a strong one...but is it love?
I tend to say no. Many of these people barely know eachother. Those who do usually end up hating eachother later. Friendship is much more important, and will last past the relationship, if you are truly friends. Talking to eachother. I know maybe one high school couple who actually spends the time to TALK. They help eachother get through things, and have been through a lot. I don't see them involving themselves in PDA, or see any signs of them involving themselves in PrivateDA. They show their affection by understanding, by always being there. They know eachother, and are really good friends. If I ever were to have a relationship (although I won't for a good couple years) I would hope mine would be a lot like theirs.
The term..."Like." "like like." or like if you will. There is a reason it means less than love. I am surprised that some highschooler had the maturity to realize this difference and use a different word. In the dictionary, the definitions for like never use the words love, romantic feeling, or even crush. Why have we started to use it? It's a sign of little personal commitment. It's a sign of a temporary situation. Merely a preference. I think the term describes the feeling very well.
Is it possible for a high school aged person to actually feel love? That is a difficult thing to decide. I know that it is possible, but I am forced to call it very unlikely. As a whole, teens are somewhat selfish, perhaps not more than adults, but this is the reality. Usually, MY grade is more important, who I will have more fun with, what I want to do. This is often not the case, but we naturally think this way. Most teenage relationships are selfish, and all about immediate pleasure. When we find that we truly care about others more than ourselves is when we have really grown up. That usually doesn't come until the 20's. Commitment is another factor. Only a few teenagers really would like to get married immediately. The ones that do are usually troubled, and/or horribly mistaken in their view of the world. We know the relationship won't last; we know we probably won't see the person after high school. If we were mature enough to feel actual selfless devotion and love, we wouldn't allow ourselves to, because of the absolute hopelessness of it all.
Liking is temporary; liking is fun; liking is a learning experience for the real thing. Liking is nowhere near the emotion of true love. Why, then, does it hurt so much?
High school. Hormones. The two are so intertwined that you can barely separate them. My mother went in the school after classes got out, and was totally embarassed by all the couples' behavior. The environment is a breeding ground for...can we call it romance? If you can tell me five couples that began dating in high school, and are still together, happily, I will give you half of the clothing I own. I agree that the feeling that causes the high school relationships is a strong one...but is it love?
I tend to say no. Many of these people barely know eachother. Those who do usually end up hating eachother later. Friendship is much more important, and will last past the relationship, if you are truly friends. Talking to eachother. I know maybe one high school couple who actually spends the time to TALK. They help eachother get through things, and have been through a lot. I don't see them involving themselves in PDA, or see any signs of them involving themselves in PrivateDA. They show their affection by understanding, by always being there. They know eachother, and are really good friends. If I ever were to have a relationship (although I won't for a good couple years) I would hope mine would be a lot like theirs.
The term..."Like." "like like." or like if you will. There is a reason it means less than love. I am surprised that some highschooler had the maturity to realize this difference and use a different word. In the dictionary, the definitions for like never use the words love, romantic feeling, or even crush. Why have we started to use it? It's a sign of little personal commitment. It's a sign of a temporary situation. Merely a preference. I think the term describes the feeling very well.
Is it possible for a high school aged person to actually feel love? That is a difficult thing to decide. I know that it is possible, but I am forced to call it very unlikely. As a whole, teens are somewhat selfish, perhaps not more than adults, but this is the reality. Usually, MY grade is more important, who I will have more fun with, what I want to do. This is often not the case, but we naturally think this way. Most teenage relationships are selfish, and all about immediate pleasure. When we find that we truly care about others more than ourselves is when we have really grown up. That usually doesn't come until the 20's. Commitment is another factor. Only a few teenagers really would like to get married immediately. The ones that do are usually troubled, and/or horribly mistaken in their view of the world. We know the relationship won't last; we know we probably won't see the person after high school. If we were mature enough to feel actual selfless devotion and love, we wouldn't allow ourselves to, because of the absolute hopelessness of it all.
Liking is temporary; liking is fun; liking is a learning experience for the real thing. Liking is nowhere near the emotion of true love. Why, then, does it hurt so much?
A few peices of advice (while I try to think of what to analyze)
Allow yourself to hope, but not to get disappointed with different outcomes.
Don't rationalize what you know is wrong. You'll end up doing worse things or just feeling guilty for a long time.
Loving someone doesn't guarantee getting their love in return. But it's always worth trying to earn it.
Feeling sorry for yourself won't do any good unless it spurs you into action to make things better.
Read books.
People surprise you. Don't give up on them.
Work towards what you want in life. There will always be something to show for what you've done.
Bad thoughts lead to bad actions very easily...good thoughts need force.
It's always easier on the drawing board.
Love despite the pains, do good despite the sacrifices, and laugh despite your worries.
Above all, keep a positive attitude and a pure heart. Very little else is needed to get you through.
Don't rationalize what you know is wrong. You'll end up doing worse things or just feeling guilty for a long time.
Loving someone doesn't guarantee getting their love in return. But it's always worth trying to earn it.
Feeling sorry for yourself won't do any good unless it spurs you into action to make things better.
Read books.
People surprise you. Don't give up on them.
Work towards what you want in life. There will always be something to show for what you've done.
Bad thoughts lead to bad actions very easily...good thoughts need force.
It's always easier on the drawing board.
Love despite the pains, do good despite the sacrifices, and laugh despite your worries.
Above all, keep a positive attitude and a pure heart. Very little else is needed to get you through.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Boo to dances
I'm sick of dances. Every time I get really excited for a dance I don't get asked, or I can't find a group because my friends wanna be bums...I've been asked to two date dances, and they were great. But that was when I didn't expect to get asked at all. Then homecoming rolls around and I get all excited...and then half my friends go, leaving me (not their fault, I'm just being a complainer) Then these same friends get me all excited for Sadies, and then these same friends decide last minute they don't want to go! I'd say "ha, I'll just go without you," but then I don't have a group to go with. It just makes me SO frustrated. My geologic field studies were cancelled due to rain. I threw a fit today. I feel very immature. I hate it. I WANT TO THROW STUFF! I WANT TO LIE ON THE GROUND KICKING AND SCREAMING! Why? Because my feelings are immature and therefore it seems like my reaction to them should be immature as well. I feel jealous that I don't get to go to the dance. I feel mad that my friends ditched on me again. I feel tired and procrastinatorish. I feel pouty and selfish. And the worst part is...I don't know how I'm going to deal with any of these feelings...I guess I'm mostly afraid...of being forgotten
Monday, November 07, 2005
Holy Marching Band!
YES! We went on tour. It was absolutely wonderful. As every year, we went to Las Vegas, started on Thursday morning. Before we left, however, we were in a commercial for BYU TV. That was so much fun, we got to spell out BYU TV in a big formation. We then were in the bus forEVER. It was SO much fun, though. I am still very happy about it all. We got terribly hyper on Friday night, and I did some things that I'm still a bit embarassed about, but...what happens in Vegas gets spread around and stays in people's memories and mouths for years. I'm still very tired, but I think it was all worth it. We did well at the competition, but the judges are considerably biased. They have ventured to tell us that we will never be allowed in finals again. Mean, huh? Well, I must make preparations for my geologic field studies tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
A Glass Wall
A glass wall.
I can see, through it, that I'd have fun.
I would be giddy.
He's there, behind
A glass wall.
I keep trying to get around
A glass wall.
Ironically, I built up, and put up,
The Glass Wall.
-Eliza Woodhouse
Woot, I'm learning the clarinet. It's fun stuff. And I'm giving private lessons this summer. I'm excited. I get to go to Las Vegas. THIS WEEK! It's the end. The end! When will I talk to Heidi, Dustin, Amber, Sarah, and all the others ever again? Probably NEVER. Until I die. Will I talk to Alissa every day? No. Will I see THomato every day? no. Will I have the same quality time with Zuchinni, Radish, and those who go to my school? no. It's growing up. I'm growing out. of what? Constancy. I have to accept that people are going to leave. I have to focus my efforts on keeping in touch with a few of my best friends, or I'm going to lose intimacy with all of them.
I can see, through it, that I'd have fun.
I would be giddy.
He's there, behind
A glass wall.
I keep trying to get around
A glass wall.
Ironically, I built up, and put up,
The Glass Wall.
-Eliza Woodhouse
Woot, I'm learning the clarinet. It's fun stuff. And I'm giving private lessons this summer. I'm excited. I get to go to Las Vegas. THIS WEEK! It's the end. The end! When will I talk to Heidi, Dustin, Amber, Sarah, and all the others ever again? Probably NEVER. Until I die. Will I talk to Alissa every day? No. Will I see THomato every day? no. Will I have the same quality time with Zuchinni, Radish, and those who go to my school? no. It's growing up. I'm growing out. of what? Constancy. I have to accept that people are going to leave. I have to focus my efforts on keeping in touch with a few of my best friends, or I'm going to lose intimacy with all of them.
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