2008 Year in Review: One is the loneliest number …

I think the election actually fueled most of this thought this past year.  I’m a conservative in a world of liberals.  Apparently, I’m also a Republican in a world of Democrats.  And when I say “world” I mean those around me.  Obviously, this is a highly generalized statement since I do know some of my friends are as conservative as I am but looking over the past year I definitely felt like I stood out in the way I thought. 

The thing is I have no real clue as to how I became a conservative.  I actually think I’m a more moderate conservative who bends towards some of the beliefs of the Libertarian party (aka civil liberties).  Looking at my parents they’re Democrats who are a mix between liberal and conservative ideologies though I’d say they probably lean more towards the liberal Democrat side.  The church we attend and which I grew up in is pretty liberal as well.  Interesting enough, currently those of my age group are on the conservative side and those of the older generation are the liberal ones in terms of theology.  So basically since I grew up in the church I’d think my theology would be more liberal since that’s what I was taught.  My school friends were mostly a non-descriptive other than one friend who I’d say was the only one who expressed his Republican political thoughts.  So yeah, still no clue how I am the way I am.

It’s funny though most stereotype conservatism as putting the “man” down, removing personal freedoms or freedom of choice.  That to be liberal means to be a free spirit or caretaker of their own domain.  Folks are free to think and do as they please.  Rules are meant for the drab and for those who can’t think for themselves.  Why is this funny?  Mostly because the same is said about theology. 

That conservative Christians who see that Gods words are true and have meaning; that there are rules and a better way of life is set by God for us.  It may seem like our freedoms are being removed and that our freewill has been removed and we are just a tool of a influential man – yet it’s the total opposite.  Realistically it’s a freedom from everything we humans know of.  Conservative Christians say to wait for marriage before having sex.  Liberals say their body is their own choice and domain and if they choose to have sex then so be it.  Yet, I wonder if we all waited til marriage would there be as wide cases of STDs in the world?  But we have medicine to cure most of them.  So? 

There are so many examples of how “these rules” that remove our so called human freedom would actually save us from ourselves.  Yet, folks don’t learn.  It’s all about them and themselves.  If you don’t believe me listen to what the message is.

I think that’s what drew me towards being more conservative in thought and theology.  It’s not about “me”.  It never was no matter how much I want to make to.  A baby thinks the world revolves around them.  How many grown-ups ever realize they’re not babies anymore in terms of where the world revolves around? 

And maybe that’s why I feel so alone.  Everyone else is just thinking of themselves … and trying to put the conservative Christians down.

2008 Year in Review: Friends …

Friends.  Or maybe lack of friends?  Or maybe lack of keeping in touch with friends?  I don’t really know just yet.  I know that both Chewy and I are pretty introvert and lack many friends.  Though the friends we do have I think we tend to develop pretty good relationships with.  However, I think we both tend to have problems staying in touch or just being very friendly with our friends.

We don’t really hang out with our co-workers.  We don’t really hang out with our church friends other than during fellowship activities or post-Sunday service.  As for all the other friends in our lives we barely see or talk to.  It really does seem strange.  It’s not like we don’t like these people cause we do (especially those that read this little site on the internet ) – really we do.  I tend to see a few friends whenever I’m not injured and can play basketball.

Sadly I saw two friends leave the area.  Both were sorta awkward.  I knew they were leaving and that it probably would be extremely hard to keep in touch with them but the whole farewell thing was so blah.  Maybe it’s a guy thing.  One friend was an old high school buddy who in a group of Asians was our “token.”  Pretty down to earth guy, funny and straight forward.  Finally moved to Florida to be with his wife who moved down there close to a year ago.  The other was a friend from church who enjoys watching most of the same television shows as I do.  Keeps up with technology and has an extremely giving and Godly heart.  When they left it seems so non-nonchalantly.

Interesting enough, at the gathering for my high school friend who was leaving there was another high school friend whom we all lost touch with.  He even lives somewhat close to us.  It’s strange how some friends move out of our lives and old ones (and new ones in some cases) move back in.  I’ll have to see if we continue to see them beyond the standard high school gatherings our friends do.

So yeah, friends.  Weird relationships with them.  Hopefully, we can do better next year in giving more of our time to continuing building our relationships with them and forging new friendships with the people we may meet.

From Chewy, Sharka and myself …

We hope everyone has a Happy New Years!