Social Safeguards

I read something interesting a while ago about the things that get shared publicly. While I don’t recall where exactly I read it, or for that matter how exactly it was said, it has stuck with me.

The things girls once wrote in their diaries they now write on Facebook.

I am a Facebook user because I enjoy keeping up to date with those I know. However, since pondering this idea, I’ve constantly been filtering exactly what to share or not to share. Not infrequently I have written a status update, one of those brilliant things that comes to mind, and then I rewrite it a couple more times to make it just right; but I don’t post most of these thoughts. Instead of hitting “share”, I open my desk drawer, remove my journal from its place on the right side, take up a pen, and then proceed to carefully copy this idea off of my computer screen onto the pages open before me.

Journaling is an integral part of my daily life. Since eight years of age I’ve been writing things down. For over six years I’ve daily written in my journals. There is nothing like pulling out an old diary, leafing through the pages, smiling at humorous events and silently reading how my life has grown from my past. Each entry is a landmark in my life— a visible token of handwritten memories that I will never forget; precious object lessons; my life.

Social networking, while nifty for life in the present and possibly the future, will never hold the old charm of a well-worn page, speckled with tears or marks of happiness. Some positive memories can be made, perhaps through a shared photo or sisterly message. However, I’m continually disheartened to see countless young girls naively flaunting their sacred hopes and dreams for all.  Sharing ones heart is becoming all too easy – is it any wonder that we, the generation of the post-modern world, live in so much strife, discord, and heartache? Sharing our personal aspirations can be wholesome and positive –something the world can cheer us on for. Even disclosing certain burdens or struggles can result in encouragement from friends. However, take care, take care.

Guard that which was once cherished by our society, protected by families, and kept sacred for those closest to ones own heart.  Filter your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Do this for yourself, to protect yourself. Do this for other, to protect our eyes, ears, thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Do not think that everyone wants to read your personal journal. What is sacred and honored for an individual is not something everyone else wants to be immersed with. With this concept of protecting one another, the Golden Rule may be applied. Shrugging this idea off isn’t going to change our generation. Be accountable, be responsible, be an encouragement. You are your brother’s keeper. You are your sister’s keeper.

If you struggle with sharing things that you believe might be best kept as personal aspirations, hopes, dreams, struggles, and so forth, I encourage you to start a journal. Filling pages with your life is very rewarding. You don’t have to be as dedicated as I try to be, but I believe you will be just as happy as I am when you go over the things you’ve written in the past and see how you have changed. I challenge you, my friends: Let’s write in our journal the things we once wrote on Facebook.

The New Story

Which have I changed my mind about more often since I’ve been in college—potential majors or colleges? I think I’m still good for a few more changes of colleges. However, recently I’ve conversed with people from two of the top candidate schools of my choice and have been reading from Education concerning the real training I need to receive in my education. After GYC in Houston three months ago, I decided that I would cross off Washington state universities and focus on Seventh-day Adventist schools. I had struggled with this decision for quite a while before laying it on the alter, but I’ve had no second thoughts about it, despite urges to reconsider from different influential adults in my life for cost and transferability sake.

I think everyone that knows me recalls me going back and forth with indecision. Lately I’ve struggled with decision changing. There are times I’ve been decided but then that decision has been subject to change according to where I feel God leading me. Last summer all that separated me from Weimar College was stepping foot onto the airplane I’d booked; except a bit more than a plane ride separated me from that choice. That was a time of indecision, but I felt God’s call to staying home one more year. With this mission nearly completed, once again I have investigated my options. When I started again, after GYC, I found the perfect sounding major. I am excited about it: B.S. Medical Laboratory Science with all my medical school pre-reqs and a working degree at the end of 4 years of blissful science and clinicals. At this point in my life I am moving forward towards that degree.

            But, I can get this degree from four different SDA universities. Okay, my best friend goes to Southern. A few emails, talks with Deborah, further research into the degree and I have moved my entrance date for attending Southern to next fall. “Wait, keep praying”. God laid it on my heart to examine my attitude towards the school I was accepted into last fall. Up until about 4 weeks ago I have negated nearly every statement my mom had made about that school. Thoughts came to me: What if I could do a year there to experience a school closely patterning itself after Ellen White’s blueprint for our schools and after the Biblical school of the prophets?

            And then my spring break came the end of March and we traveled back to California to spend time with Tanner and enjoy ten days away from de-winterizing North East Washington. You know Tanner- my brother the senior Theology student at Weimar College. I don’t even need to talk about what happened there. You can guess. I saw once again the Christ-centered, mentoring environment of a school following Biblical counsel. Here there weren’t any Easter pageants or pierced students. Rather, I felt at home. I even ventured into the girls’ dorm with my cousin Ariel to see how tolerable the rooms where. They were way better than I remember them being (almost 4 years since I’d been in one there).

            Finally, the last day of my parents and my visit, I met with Dr. Jackson and we went over the possibility of my degree plan and Weimar working. And to say it simply, it does. And… It is going to. My application from last year is still valid and I’m accepted as a student for this fall. I know God will bless this coming year and show me the real direction my life is needs to go. I’m not going to plan any further on this blog post because you know me.

            I want my choices to reflect the values I have on my life and my endeavors to be more like Christ. I want to be in an environment that will encourage me. While I’m at this point planning on one year at Weimar, I want to make this year really count and experience the experiences to be had there, enjoy a semester with my brother and hopefully a year with my cousin Ariel, and experience the academic and spiritual highs of a new school with like-minded friends and mentors.

            That’s the new story; it continues to unfold. I continue to surprise myself by seeing that God is asking me to change. Through this process of growing up I’m learning more about who I am, what I stand for, and where I’m going. I covet your prayers as I move forward with this decision, plan my academic year, and prepare for a new adventure. Until next time.