Just as I began writing this, it hit me that it doesn't sit quite right with me when I start out a post with the word I. I asked myself why this was and realized that I've been brought up to not be a "me-monster," or someone who always wants the focus to be on themselves. I think this is a typically a wonderful thing and I'm very grateful that I was reared in such a way. Thanks, mom!
Nevertheless, I'm glad that I have a place that I can write and express my own thoughts and not feel that I'm being overly selfish or self-absorbed, even though it still doesn't feel totally right yet. This thought journal is about my life, so I'm going to write about my life, and do my best to not feel weird about it. Huzzah! What a spectacular feeling. If you, however, don't feel like reading something so extraordinarily boring as this, feel free to head on over to Chuck Norris' personal website instead. I wouldn't blame you.
Anyway, back to my original thought. Before I continue, let me say that I absolutely do not mean to sound like a judgmental self-righteous wanker in any way.
I've been thinking a lot lately about something that, for the life of me, I can't figure out. It's concerning my friends and those particularly close to me. I have some excellent friends who have blessed my life abundantly throughout the years and who have taught me some incredible things. They've been there for me in many situations when I needed a listening ear or help with one thing or another. I've been taught loads of life lessons from my associations with them that many other people don't get an opportunity to learn. I love them and definitely wouldn't trade their friendship for anything.
The oddity is that many of my friends aren't the ones most people would expect me to have. For anyone who doesn't know, I live a relatively strict code of Christian obedience and morality and strive to emulate all of the virtues of Jesus Christ. Although I'm far from perfect and slip on the path all the time, I've by and large tried consistently to do everything He would have me do ever since I learned for myself that He is real and loves me. I've been fortunate to have had some wonderful examples that have helped me in that goal.
A good number of my aforementioned great friends, however, either aren't committed to living the Gospel or have seriously struggled with living it throughout their lives. I don't think that I'm saying anything they'd object to, considering the ones I'm referring to are the first to admit they've had such struggles. Many of them have had to overcome great challenges and I respect them immensely for it.
What I don't understand is why they even want me around. Most of them like to engage in activities that I won't because of promises I have made. I won't compromise my conduct because of the wants or choices of others. However, instead of trying to entice me to go along with their activities when they aren't in line with my code of conduct, they respect my decisions and don't encourage me to do what my standards prohibit. They push me to do the right thing and want me to succeed. When we spend time together, they agree to do things everyone can comfortably do.
When I consider being in their position, I'm not sure I would be amazing enough to bring along the guy who lives a different way than I do and then conform to his standards when I'm with him. It isn't just an isolated case where this has happened, it's occurred everywhere I have lived for any decent amount of time.
The other half to the puzzle is that the opposite is often true for people that live the kind of lifestyle that I do. I get along with just about everybody and could maybe number the people that I really don't get along with on my thumbs. I have many friends that are and have been active members of the LDS Church and have lived by the same standards for a long time. However, there are only a few with whom I have become really close. Although I'm friends with all of my former missionary companions and would put my life on the line for any of them if necessary, I'm not particularly close with any of them anymore.
I don't think it's because I prefer to be around one group of people more than another. As long as someone is respectful, kind, trustworthy, and wants friendship, I'm glad to reciprocate. I've known every girl I've dated to generally share my values, considering that's one type of relationship in which I require the other person to be on the same page as me. It simply seems that, for one reason or another, a lot of people who live like I do just aren't as interested in my friendship as others who don't. I'm not quite sure why this is.
Although it's puzzling, I'm honestly pretty much OK with the whole situation. I've got great friends. That's more than most can say. If I have the opportunity to develop friendships with any good people, regardless who or what they may be, I will.
Nevertheless, I'm glad that I have a place that I can write and express my own thoughts and not feel that I'm being overly selfish or self-absorbed, even though it still doesn't feel totally right yet. This thought journal is about my life, so I'm going to write about my life, and do my best to not feel weird about it. Huzzah! What a spectacular feeling. If you, however, don't feel like reading something so extraordinarily boring as this, feel free to head on over to Chuck Norris' personal website instead. I wouldn't blame you.
Anyway, back to my original thought. Before I continue, let me say that I absolutely do not mean to sound like a judgmental self-righteous wanker in any way.
I've been thinking a lot lately about something that, for the life of me, I can't figure out. It's concerning my friends and those particularly close to me. I have some excellent friends who have blessed my life abundantly throughout the years and who have taught me some incredible things. They've been there for me in many situations when I needed a listening ear or help with one thing or another. I've been taught loads of life lessons from my associations with them that many other people don't get an opportunity to learn. I love them and definitely wouldn't trade their friendship for anything.
The oddity is that many of my friends aren't the ones most people would expect me to have. For anyone who doesn't know, I live a relatively strict code of Christian obedience and morality and strive to emulate all of the virtues of Jesus Christ. Although I'm far from perfect and slip on the path all the time, I've by and large tried consistently to do everything He would have me do ever since I learned for myself that He is real and loves me. I've been fortunate to have had some wonderful examples that have helped me in that goal.
A good number of my aforementioned great friends, however, either aren't committed to living the Gospel or have seriously struggled with living it throughout their lives. I don't think that I'm saying anything they'd object to, considering the ones I'm referring to are the first to admit they've had such struggles. Many of them have had to overcome great challenges and I respect them immensely for it.
What I don't understand is why they even want me around. Most of them like to engage in activities that I won't because of promises I have made. I won't compromise my conduct because of the wants or choices of others. However, instead of trying to entice me to go along with their activities when they aren't in line with my code of conduct, they respect my decisions and don't encourage me to do what my standards prohibit. They push me to do the right thing and want me to succeed. When we spend time together, they agree to do things everyone can comfortably do.
When I consider being in their position, I'm not sure I would be amazing enough to bring along the guy who lives a different way than I do and then conform to his standards when I'm with him. It isn't just an isolated case where this has happened, it's occurred everywhere I have lived for any decent amount of time.
The other half to the puzzle is that the opposite is often true for people that live the kind of lifestyle that I do. I get along with just about everybody and could maybe number the people that I really don't get along with on my thumbs. I have many friends that are and have been active members of the LDS Church and have lived by the same standards for a long time. However, there are only a few with whom I have become really close. Although I'm friends with all of my former missionary companions and would put my life on the line for any of them if necessary, I'm not particularly close with any of them anymore.
I don't think it's because I prefer to be around one group of people more than another. As long as someone is respectful, kind, trustworthy, and wants friendship, I'm glad to reciprocate. I've known every girl I've dated to generally share my values, considering that's one type of relationship in which I require the other person to be on the same page as me. It simply seems that, for one reason or another, a lot of people who live like I do just aren't as interested in my friendship as others who don't. I'm not quite sure why this is.
Although it's puzzling, I'm honestly pretty much OK with the whole situation. I've got great friends. That's more than most can say. If I have the opportunity to develop friendships with any good people, regardless who or what they may be, I will.
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