Just be still and KNOW that I am God

I blinked and Christmas was over. I was fully aware that I wasn't in the Christmas spirit, and yet, I just didn't care. I was jaded from last year's Christmas dissatisfaction - it seemed like everyone had an issue with their gift. I was aggravated by how busy we were going to be during Christmas. I didn't want to hop from one house to the next house. I wanted to relax. (Side note: I fully believe that people should show a tad bit more appreciation for the Christmas traveler because it can be a complete beat down to travel during the Holidays.) I wanted Christmas to be about me. I wanted a fatter bank account so that I could buy anything and everything I wanted. I made a Christmas list and secretly/silently (sometimes not silently) demanded that every item be bought for me (Side note: If you would like to purchase any unpurchased items for me, just let me know - totally kidding (but really let me know)). In a year that I didn't need to be spending money, I found myself obsessively shopping, planning and worrying, having many 'keeping up with the Jones' moments, and doing anything and everything but celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

And that's when Psalm 46:10 slapped me in the face, 'Just be still and know that I am God.' Throughout 2013 I have learned many valuable lessons and experienced many blessings, and yet, I still found myself missing the ball completely. I put everything above Christmas. I've realized I haven't focused on what's truly important in life. I have tried be my own god and I am simply not God. I can't be perfect and have everything I want. I will sometimes flat out not get my way. I am never going to have the most coveted closet or be the skinniest. It will never rain hundred dollar bills at my house. I won't be the most successful, and I can't climb every ladder. I won't be the best gift-giver, and sometimes I will just have to make a sacrifice and travel during the holidays. And that's alright. Someone will always outshine me, and that revelation doesn't scream poor self-esteem: it screams reality.  I need to stop chasing materialistic things because I wasn't put on this earth to accomplish materialistic success. I don't know what my life's purpose is yet, but I know what it isn't. I know that I should have stepped out of traffic, walked out of busy stores, and taken a long-loving look at the wonder of Christmas. I should have been in awe about Christmas. How could you not be in awe about someone who knows every selfish motive, witnesses every sin, and sees every tear, and yet loves you enough to send His son to earth to die for you?

My resolution for 2014 will be - to simply just be still.

In My Opinion, I'm Not Allowed to Have an Opinion

I have held an opinion my entire life. Some are outlandish - I believe in aliens. Some rival crazy - I believe in most conspiracy theories. Some are based on facts - I believe flossing helps me stay cavity free. And some have changed - I now buy into the whole dinosaur thing.

My opinion has always mattered within the context of my family. If there was a household decision, I was able to voice my opinion. When I was 10, I held the opinion that life was completely unfair because my much older sister had a horse when she was little and I didn't. When I was 16, I held the opinion that the family needed to make the switch from AT&T to CenturyTel because all the 'cool' kids had the CenturyTel cell phone plans. Did I get a horse? No ... Did my family switch cell phone plans? No ... Was I irritated that no one agreed with my opinion? Yes! Were temper-tantrums thrown? Yes.
Since my family didn't bow down to me and conform to my opinion, I was able to grasp the concept of 'real life'- not everyone is going to agree with my opinions and that's ok! Yet, over the course of my adult life, I have learned that I am not 'allowed' to have an opinion ... on anything, much less voice my opinion - a far cry from my upbringing.

In my opinion voicing an opinion is a treacherous deed. Every single thought I voice must be considered politically correct. I'm not an evil person. I love people plain and simple. I don't care who they are, who they love, where they are from, how much money they have, or what they look like.Yet, the opinionated child from Louisiana has learned to never openly express her opinion. I have watched friends lose their jobs for expressing their opinion on Social Media outlets. (I agree ... bad move). I have lost close girlfriends over a difference of opinion (not by my call). Sometimes there are fallouts from a difference of opinion and that is just life. I can't control what other people believe, much like they can't control what I believe. However, I am tolerant and still love others even when don't share the same opinion. I don't want to surround myself with people who always agree with me, that would result in a dull, boring life. I want to be challenged, I want to think. I want to truly decide what I believe. Yet, society doesn't preach tolerance on expressing different opinions, society preaches the need to conform. In an era where we are screaming for social rights for everyone, we are ultimately trying to silence a sector of society that holds a different opinion. Do I agree with various opinions that have been voiced by mainstream personalities? Most of the time No ... Do I want to see them become social outcast for holding an opinion? No. It's their opinion, plain and simple. Conversations and change have been birthed out of a difference of opinions.

You may or may not agree, but that's the beauty of my opinion.

Stop the Injustice

Before I step foot in 2014, I would like to make a movement to remedy several social injustices.
1. A call for bashfulness in 2014.

The was the least offensive
photo I was willing to post

I would like for Miley Cyrus to take a step back and fully grasp the repercussions of her "Free the Nipple" campaign. If we free the nip, we will eventually have to free everything, and quite frankly I am not down with freeing everything. I am 99.2% positive that most of America would agree with me, your junk needs to stay covered. It is a massive injustice for me to have to view  semi-nude selfies on my Facebook and Instagram feeds without any warning.

Prime Example of 'Modest is Hottest'
Fashion

Side-boob is not an accessory and neither are your pelvic musles. I am assuming these photos are meant for me to lustfully swoon, but in reality I am vomiting in my mouth and then swallowing.  I do not find it attractive to see pants pulled so low that I can almost see the downstairs region.  If you are a previous or current offender of this status update, please note you are not a Calvin Klein underwear model. David Beckham is not your doppelganger.
2. Give justice to water drinkers in 2014.

In the course of a dinner I
got up to fill my tiny cup 7 times. 

I first noticed this injustice when I was 10 at a local Italian eatery. I quickly learned to ask for a 'big girl cup' when ordering water. In an era of a clean living lifestyle, why am I penalized for drinking water? Water drinkers are just as thirsty as non-water drinkers. If we are making movements to quit smoking, eat clean, and live a healthy life-style, then we shouldn't be penalized for drinking water. I want a stinking normal sized glass when I order my water darn-it!
3. Stop the Internet hate.
I'll admit I am a tad bit snarky at times. I often want to post snide comments on people's over-the-top obnoxious status updates or pictures of their semi-nude selfies, but I refrain because I know at the end of the day the people on the other side of those annoying status updates are humans with feelings too. While 99% of the time they are unconsciously seeking my approval via Social Media likes, I can't hate on them, we all need a little love every now and then. Sure the Sound of Music Live might not have been the best quality, but that doesn't mean we have to hate on sweet Carrie. She was, after all, our American Idol, and millions men and women across America welcome her soulful football jingle every Sunday night.
4. By 2014 no should still mean NO!
For 19th time, I am not interested in selling Rodan + Fields. I don't care if those brilliant Proactiv derms invented a new skin care line and I have the chance to build a brand from the ground up. I'm not interested in changing skin or lives! While this might not be a global injustice, I don't want to feel guilty for not helping you make more money by becoming a Rodan + Fields rep. I'll be honest Proactiv didn't even work for me. And I fully believe that the bad skin was photo-shopped onto celebrities faces.