I know it has been awhile since I have actually gotten on here and written on here, and many of my followers have probably given up on me at this point in time, but academia is life. Sometimes I just have to say good-bye to my Internet and hello to the books. -Claire
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I have to say that there is a lot that I can handle when it comes to religions. I am open to what others believe, and I don't tell them that they believe the wrong thing. When it comes to my religion, Lutheran, I hear a lot about it and I take it as a grain of salt when I know people don't understand. I am very proud of my religion and now that it is the season of Lent, I hear more about my beliefs than before. What really bothers me is when someone I know says stuff about my religion and what I am doing. When I call someone my friend I don't expect them to judge me for what I am doing. I have one friend who decided to say somethings on Ash Wednesday about the cross I had on my forehead. (I went to church and got ashes put on my forehead and they said "for you are dust, and to dust you shall return"). As he was speaking, I don't think he knew that he was offending me so I let it go. Later when we were all studying for our Chemistry exam that was the next day he said something about my ashes again. This time I told him that he is offending me. He said that he didn't understand the point of Lent or of the ashes that I had gotten. I explained both to him and he in return told me that Lent would not bring me more salvation and there wasn't a reason to really do it. I explained that again and told him it isn't about the salvation, it is all about becoming closer to God through giving up something for 40 days. When this discussion was over, no one brought the topic up again for the night and I tried to let it go. (My friend has apologized twice, or more, now and we are good. He explained himself and there is no bad blood). I gave up Facebook instead of the traditional food/drink option but it is something that I believe that causes a distraction. I know not every person is going to understand my religion and many won't agree with me. I am not a huge person of faith but I don't go to church on a weekly basis. I am a believer and I stand by my religion when someone tries to tell me I am wrong. I have been Lutheran my whole life and I have confessed my faith in front of my congregation. I am living the life that I feel is best with God in it. I am starting to lose my understanding of other people who decide it is cool or funny to bash what other believe. Everyone has a different opinion and that shows through actions, words, writings, and even what we don't do. There is nothing more that I can wish for than people will try to have an open mind about what others are doing and trust that they are doing things for the right reasons. There are some people out there who will do things, such as Lent, because everyone else is doing it. Most people just need to get out of others business and let them do what they want.Since my religious topic ran into my next subject I am going to just make this short. Chemistry studying does NOT need to be done only on the night before the test. I am pretty sure I did a good job on the test and did better than I did last time but things just can't be done in one night. There are points that I wish I had more of a life and could go out and do what I want when I am at work or in class but there is always something else that has to be done. After studying for close to 4 hours for that one test, I took the next night off and relaxed. Chemistry has taken over my life and there is nothing I can do about it. I am in the first of four chemistry classes I will have to take to get my Biology degree. I thank my parents everyday for raising me right and teaching me that school becomes for everything else but sometimes you need to relax and take a break from it. While I type this out right now, I am getting ready to go to Philosophy class and finish off my Friday afternoon of classes.
So long and farewell my followers and readers. I will be back when I can.
