Come ALIVE!

With a renewed sense of purpose, I have completely redesigned my blog!

Through some reflection that resulted from solitude and sickness, I have realized that being encouraging and being encouraged do not just help us become more positive, they literally help us come ALIVE.

Hence, the rebirth of this blog.

So step out of yourself -- out of misery, despair, distraction, sorrow, apathy, narcissism, mediocrity -- and discover your true self. Experience the freedom in truly coming alive.


Follow me on Twitter (@EPSmits), follow my blog, email my posts, friend me on Facebook -- whatever you want to help you constantly remember the freedom in being alive.

F&M III: Social Media

Everyone reading this is actively using social media. Most of you have clicked on this from your own social media platform (i.e. Facebook, Blogger, etc.), but have we really thought about this idea of social media? Have we accurately and effectively gaged the impact and proper use of it?

In my last post, I discussed the idea of being easily distracted from God's will by morally neutral things in life like Facebook. But it goes deeper. This isn't about not overusing media -- it's about how we use it. It's not enough to say that you don't put up questionable pictures on your Facebook. What do you put in your statuses? What videos and links do you post on people's walls? What types of comments do you leave on pictures? Which pages do you "like" and applications do you use?

I have recently come to understand a little better how truly radical the Gospel is. I guess I never noticed it as much because I grew up Catholic. The Bible and its stories constantly surrounded me, and Jesus' teachings were always told to me. Being Catholic, we are catechized and taught the Bible almost without knowing it -- the liturgy of the Mass, memorized prayers, repetitious responses, etc. It's always been part of my way of life, but when the Gospel is truly and fully lived, people notice. People change. It's different. It's radical.

This summer I realized that I'm tired of pretending like I'm not really living a radically Christian life. I'm exhausted every time I go home and try so hard to hang out with my friends without rubbing anyone the wrong way, without letting them forget that I was a public school kid my whole life like them, without doing anything that convinces them I've changed into a "prude," without doing too many obviously Christian/Catholic things when they're around so as to avoid any potential tension. The fact is, I am different. I don't care about the same things anymore. I don't find the same things funny. I only buy Christian music. I do think about Christ constantly. I do read almost only spiritual books. I am deciding my life based on faith. I am living radically.

So back to social media. Pope Benedict XVI worded its benefits beautifully in his Message for the 43rd World Communications Day. I strongly suggest reading all of it, but the section that pertains particularly to my points here is this:

In this light, reflecting on the significance of the new technologies, it is important to focus not just on their undoubted capacity to foster contact between people, but on the quality of the content that is put into circulation using these means. I would encourage all people of good will who are active in the emerging environment of digital communication to commit themselves to promoting a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship.

Now, we can take this alone and implement it quite decently in our lives, in our use of media. That is fine.
Or we can take this and make it completely inseparable from the radical call of the Gospel. We can understand that everything we think, say and do is an integral part our salvation, of our universal call to holiness.

That random photo comment we post on Facebook suddenly becomes that much more important...

F&M II: Attentiveness in the Light of Faith

NOTE: Unfortunately my internet access is extremely sporadic right now so my posts will continue to be sparse for a couple weeks, but I will do my best...


Attentiveness.

I will be the first admit that I am somewhat of a distracted person, and let's be honest - if our spiritual life is not exactly "up to par" for the time being, prayer time is the first place where distractions hit.

However, in recent Gospel readings (the exact day/reading is TBA...I forget right now haha), we are called as Christians to a higher discipline in which we are constantly living in the Light of Christ, in his Truth. Always striving for the "narrow gate," it is imperative that we practice the renewal of our minds (Romans) in order that we can truly live in that Light through faith. This calls for a sort of spiritual attentiveness in which we are aware of God's presence and will in our lives.

This is critical because we live in a media-saturated society that makes it almost impossible to escape the influence of media messages. Regardless of their form, media become most dangerous in their "distracting" effect on our minds - our self-awareness and our God-awareness. It takes great discipline to go on the internet and do ONLY what you have to do, what you intended to, yet we must practice the disciplines of prudence and moderation.

Though it may be challenging, we should not find it wrong or offensive or "not a big deal." Food is intrinsically necessary for our survival, yet even in that we are called to moderation. If it is something we Christians must practice even with food, then how much more so are we called to it in our other activities like media?

F&M I: Unprecedented Possibilities

"Modern technology places at our disposal unprecedented possibilities for good, for spreading the truth of our salvation in Jesus Christ and for fostering harmony and reconciliation. Yet its misuse can do untold harm, giving rise to misunderstanding, prejudice and even conflict" (39th World Communications Day, Pope John Paul II).

I believe that it's become strikingly obvious that the misuse of media can have a negative impact on society and the world, as noted in the second half of this quote. We've seen a rapid increase in immorality, the acceptance of it, and even the promotion of it in the name of "freedom." Security and privacy have become issues as more and more information is provided and asked for online. Sex is not treated as sacred, is equated with love, and is constantly the subject of all forms of media, desensitizing the human mind and eye to what should be left private and a mystery.

The "unprecedented possibilities for good" seem to be harder to actualize. However, we have a tendency to see only the bad, the taboo, the emotional. In the same World Communications Day message, JPII says:

"The media can teach billions of people about other parts of the world and other cultures. With good reason they have been called 'the first Aeropagus of the modern age...for many the chief means of information and education, of guidance and inspiration in their behavior as individuals, families, and within society at large' (Redemptoris Missio, 37). Accurate knowledge promotes understanding, dispels prejudice, and awakens the desire to learn more. Images especially have the power to convey lasting impressions and to shape attitudes. They teach people how to regard members of other groups and nations, subtly influencing whether they are considered as friends or enemies, allies or potential adversaries" (2).

This gives us a huge task, a giant and honorable responsibility. Is it sometimes easy to shy away from the particularly repulsive media? Yes. What about the not-so-repulsive-but-probably-still-not-good? Ehh, a little harder. But our responsibility as Christians goes beyond not doing things. Just as Christ did not banish the old law but fulfilled it, explaining that we are still to keep the commandments but also LOVE God and one another, so also does our responsibility lie not just in avoiding bad media but in actively using it for the glory of God.

It is absolutely imperative that we are aware of what we listen to. This is probably one of the most important points to make because it is easier to recognize pornographic sex scenes in a movie than it is to really listen to what the rappers are rapping. The overused line "I don't listen to they lyrics, only the music" is getting a little old, and frankly, it isn't true. What goes into our minds affects our hearts, and what's in our hearts comes out of our mouths. It's a cycle, and as we positively change our media intake we will find our hearts softened to living a life full of God's grace. Likewise, if we consistently compromise our consciences our hearts will harden and we will lose our ability to see and follow the light of Christ.

The living Word of God is the single most important object of our desire. Christ alone feeds us with the bread from heaven, and our intake of his Word, his body, and his Spirit will transform our hearts and lead us to "go and make disciples of all nations" with the unprecedented possibilities of mass communications at our fingertips.

Faith & Media

Over the course of the next 4 months, I will write a series on "Faith & Media." So far, I have used this as a personal blog/journal to talk about spiritual matters, but I believe we need to acknowledge the significant impact of our media culture and face its implications head-on.

As Christians, we are called to read the "signs of the times" and "go and preach to all nations." Now more than ever we have a vast number of means by which we can do this, but (as in every culture of every age) we must be effective communicators and see through the eyes of God. This means being both media literate and entirely detached, knowledgeable of the faith and nonjudgmental of others, defenders of Truth and keepers of the peace.

My purpose is not to condemn media or to command that Jesus' name be preached in every Facebook status or Twitter update. I do, however, intend to hopefully foster a more well-rounded, universal understanding of the media -- its purpose, drawbacks, opportunities, triumphs, and failures -- illuminated by the Light and Truth of our world, the Savior Jesus Christ.

We have the advantage of growing up in this culture in that our generation is the most able to answer this call. However, that requires us to take action -- to know, to use, and to change the media.

In addition to these entries, I will add more pages to include references, news updates, and other information.

On The Subject Of God...

"God" is not a subject.

I heard a nun once say, "When I was with my family one time, we were talking about God, and my godfather said, 'Is God the only subject we can talk about here?' So I looked at him and said, 'God is not a subject, He's a person!'"

I think the nun has a point. But I would like to take that point further.

God is indeed a person, but He is more than that because He is God. He is the Creator of the universe, the Alpha and the Omega, the all-powerful, all-knowing, all-merciful, loving God whose very presence permeates our entire world.

The nun's godfather didn't just miss the point about God being a person, but he missed the point that we cannot compartmentalize God into a "subject" because our entire existence is dependent on Him, our entire experience is affected by Him, and everything in this universe points towards Him.

God is, in fact, the only "subject" that really matters.

God Of All Encouragement

From January 1 to July 1, as my 2010 New Year's Resolution, I kept another blog called "Betraying Bitter Betty." I was testing a hypothesis of mine that if we began doing something as simple as encouraging each other, the world would be a little more likable. My goal was to "betray the Bitter Betty inside all of us" and truthfully encourage at least one person per day for 6 months.

This turned out to be a hard but exciting challenge that literally changed the way I live. I do not feel as though this challenge has "finished" or "resolved," but rather it has led me to a greater realization of just how important and significant that challenge is.

Now, according to the NAB version, 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 says:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and God of all encouragement, who encourages us in our every affliction, so that we may be able to encourage those who are in any affliction with the encouragement with which we ourselves are encouraged by God. For as Christ's sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement flow. If we are afflicted, it is for your encouragement and salvation; if we are encouraged, it is for your encouragement, which enables you to endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is firm, for we know that as you share in the sufferings, you also share in the encouragement.

For Lent, our household gave up sarcasm and complaining, resulting in probably one of the hardest yet fruitful Lents in my lifetime. Fortunately for me, this coincided within my New Year's Resolution time frame, thus giving me extra encouragement (and accountability) to encourage...and not be negative.

Coming home for the summer has been really difficult. If there's one big difference that has come from my resolution, it's that I feel almost hypersensitive to negativity. I find myself being dragged against my will back into old behaviors and habits of slicing sarcasm and frustrated arguments with the family. Of course, though it's against my will, I do have the choice not to give in...I just feel the negative environment seems to weaken my will.

To be honest, I don't really know what to do. Trying to stay positive is an obvious effort, but what about practical ways to do that? Still working on it...

If I come up with something, I'll let you know.

Meanwhile, I encourage you to be encouraging. It really does more than we might think on the surface...After all, if God is the God of all encouragement, it necessarily follows that we would strive to imitate that and be God's people of encouragement -- not of judgment, hatred, condescension, or despair.

Love Is Real, Love Is Here

My good friend Alissa inspires me.

In fact, she has inspired me since I met her exactly 2 years and 10 months ago.

You see, 2 years and 10 months ago, I was fine. I loved my life and I was excited to be at college in Ohio, away from where I would have been in California.

But 2 years and 8 months ago, I was not fine. Within 2 months I reached a very sad and dark place in my life, much to the disappointment of myself. I didn't understand, well, anything really. While my insides seemed to be consumed by hurt, pain, suffering, confusion, anger, resentment, unforgiveness, self-hatred, shame, guilt (the list goes on), there was this shining beacon of light whom I knew as Alissa.

There were many such beacons of light, but this one was different. Alissa was different. Her light radiated outward like many of the others, except that hers also radiated to me. She wasn't just a light, she was light to me. I was gradually becoming acutely aware of the stark contrast between the abyss of what my life had become and the radiant joy that was right next to me. I lived with these beacons of light, with these people who lived a different life, yet I was unable to leave mine no matter how hard I tried or how badly I wanted it.

Then, 2 years and 5 months ago, after the longest 3 months of my entire life, I painfully and desperately tried to grab some light of my own.

Alissa was there, radiating her light still. Sometimes I would see her so exhausted and tired, but never too tired to stop radiating that light. I was so intrigued by this but so thankful because I didn't have time to wonder or care if she was tired or exhausted -- I needed that light so that I didn't slip back into darkness.

It wasn't until 1 year and 8 months ago that I began to see the darkness that I was in. How, you ask? Because I was so immersed in it that I could only vaguely sense it. However, I could vividly perceive where I was not, which is where Alissa was. Well, she had graduated months before and I didn't see her for several more. But suddenly, I realized I was no longer suffocating in darkness (without ever knowing I was, confusing I know) because then I was so far removed that I had a much clearer vision.

Without having seen Alissa for almost a year, it hit me one day -- I realized what a beacon of light she was. I could say that I knew that, that I noticed, but I didn't really. I was still too caught up in myself. Like I said, there wasn't really time to pay much attention.

Overwhelmed with thanksgiving and love, I can now tell you, 2 years and 10 months later, why she was and is a shining beacon of light that continues to inspire me, even to this day.

She was, and is, my friend.

I know that she knew I was stuck. Most people probably did. But she shined greater than anyone else because she didn't tell me I was stuck. She didn't act like I was different or living an unacceptable life with unacceptable people. She was my friend, and all she did was love me. The love she showed was so drastically opposed to the love I was NOT shown that I could not help but notice and desire to be free from everything else holding me down.

My faith is no secret, so I find it safe to say that Satan was after my soul. He wanted me so bad. And guess what? He lost. Epic failure. Alissa had screamed a resounding YES! to God before we met, though sometimes it was probably a weak, reluctant one. But little did she know that as she kept saying that yes, that disciplined, obedient yes every day, God was winning the victory over my heart and soul. If it weren't for her saying yes to HIM, then I would not be here. I don't where I would be, but it probably wouldn't be here.

So I have been thinking about how much I miss her. But no matter how much I do, she still inspires me anyway. We go months without talking, but when we do I am always overwhelmed with gratitude that she would see me through the eyes of God and do nothing more than be my friend.

This very long, quite personal entry is merely to culminate in this point:

Who's to say we are not this person for someone? We do not forget those who change our lives with small acts of kindness, so who's to say that we haven't done the same? And if we are having a hard time, well, that's life. But maybe there is someone who only knows hard times and doesn't need to be convinced. Maybe that person needs to know that even in those times, there is hope. We still have a choice. We still shape our character. Maybe they need to know that discipline is possible, that we are not ruled by emotions or instincts.

Perhaps they need to know that love is real. And if you show them that...well you just might change someone's life.

Real love is unconditional. Real love is a habit. And yes, that means it's a choice.

Make the choice.

Oh and P.S. -- Alissa is the same Alissa as the one mentioned on the right. She writes one of the most passionate and well-written blogs that I follow. Read it.

Extraordinary...

I believe that inside each of us is a strong desire to do something great with our lives, to follow ideals, to refuse the heavy weight of mediocrity, to courageously commit ourselves to humbly and patiently improve ourselves and society, making the world more human.

Never let that small flame burn out.

But remember that life is ordinary. It is in love and beauty that we find the extraordinary, which makes me think -- if we constantly love and constantly see the beauty that surrounds us, have we not then made the extraordinary in our lives the ordinary? What a thought, to think that that's possible...

Doing something great and following ideals doesn't necessarily include being widely known for it. However, it does mean that you have greatly persevered and succeeded in whatever state of life you are in. Make the extraordinary the ordinary.

Great LOVE.

I actually cleaned my room the other day. And by "cleaned" I don't mean that I just picked up my clothes and made my bed. I mean that I really cleaned it - even my desk.

It just so happens that I discovered a stapled, two-page packet on my desk. I have no idea where it came from...I vaguely remember someone giving it to me, but it has been buried for so long that I have totally forgotten who that was or why I have it. It was greatly uplifting and inspiring, however. There are two pages of short bits of wisdom, adages you might say (or at least they should be).

Here are some:

"In the past I was called upon to be sympathetic, which gave me a feeling of sorrow for the pain and disappointment of my neighbor.

Today I am expected to have empathy -- that disposition by which I put myself in another person's shoes, feel what he feels, understand his actions and judge with more compassion.

In the past I was expected to lend an ear to a neighbor's problems or opinions and it was enough to be attentive.

Today I am expected to listen with loving attention, be willing to learn, be humble enough to change if necessary, and be totally interested in all he has to say. I am asked to be objective.

My brother may offend me seventy times seven, but my faith in him should rise to the occasion, give him the benefit of the doubt and forgive him. His knowledge that his offenses have not lessened my faith in his inner goodness will help him gain confidence in himself."

I made certain parts of these bold for a reason. Do you ever feel like we are too caught up in ourselves? Or maybe we are so caught up in ourselves that no, we have never felt that way. But seriously think about it. All of these point to something greater -- the fact that our life in this world isn't just about us. Other people are living in it as well, and we are all constantly coming in contact with each other and living in relation with each other. That's how it is. That's how it was meant to be. So how can we possibly think it is OK to continually assume that others are somehow interrupting our lives, what we want to do, what we have deemed as a perfect day, how we imagined everything would turn out?

GET OUT OF YOURSELF LONG ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT YOU'RE NOT THE ONLY ONE HERE.

What if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or Mother Teresa felt that annoying people only got in the way or thought that someone else's hurt/pain didn't really have any concern for them?

It's a good thing we all don't think that way. Nothing would ever change. What inclines one to desire change? Is it purely selfish motives? How much change does one enact, however, if it is only for himself? What does he do in times of adversity? Who supports him?

True change for the good of all comes from people who care about the good of all, people who believe in the good of all, people who fight for the good of all -- not just people who talk about it. It's inspiring but can be intimidating too.

Therefore, Mother Teresa concluded, "We cannot do great things, only small things with great LOVE."

Stop Tearing Flesh

The word "sarcasm" in its origins literally means "to tear flesh."

Now, I don't know about you, but I don't think I've ever wanted to tear someone's flesh - especially with my words. Upon hearing this, I began reflecting almost every day on what it means to be sarcastic. Oftentimes we joke about it. Is it really sarcasm if it's all in good fun, and the other person knows you don't mean it? It's become our excuse to continue being sarcastic. But even if no one takes offense to it (or so we think...how much do you think they just let it slide?), did it actually build that person up? Was it necessary? ...Probably not.

So basically, we unnecessarily tear each other's flesh with our words, laugh about it because it makes us feel good to do it, ignore the fact that it's really a pathetic belittling of others, and expect them to understand that we are really just too self-conscious to admit our faults, thus pointing out other's faults and hiding our own. Oh, and if they don'tunderstand...well, obviously that deserves an entirely separate condescending, sarcastic remark about how they can't take sarcasm (which really means they dislike their flesh being metaphorically torn from them by your insensitivity - who wouldn't like that?!).

That was definitely a reality check for me.

After getting smacked in the face with those realizations, I naturally wanted to find some way to stop the terrible cycle of sarcasm in my own life, hoping to affect others as well. But have you ever tried to just stop? Sadly, I can only describe it as quitting cold turkey, which reminds one of addictions...and probably rightly so. I don't know if anyone thinks of sarcasm as an addiction, but if you HAVE tried to quit cold turkey, you might know what I mean. It's hard. Like, really hard. It's almost as if you have to re-learn how to talk to people. Granted, there are probably various degrees of this problem, but even still...just the fact that so many people would have to go to such lengths to stop tearing other people down implies that something is critically wrong. And why is it so natural to us? Why is this awful "sense of humor" so integrated into American culture and so freely flowing from our mouths?

I think it's because we are looking for the truth about ourselves.

At the beginning of this year, I mentioned what a narcissistic people we have become. In the last couple months, I've come to believe that we are so narcissistic that it bothers us that everyone else is too. We yearn for that relationship with others that builds us up and helps us become more fully ourselves. It's inherent in our being to desire to be the most excellent version of ourselves that we can, and it is absolutely frustrating when we are looking in the wrong places or when it feels like no one else even cares.

The more I think about it, the more clear it becomes that the only way to truly stop being sarcastic is to have a complete change of attitude and mindset. This is actually the entire point of doing this blog - it's not just about notbeing discouraging, not being bitter, or not being sarcastic - it's really about being a different person.

So in the last month and a half that I haven't posted anything, I've been trying to change my entire person and surround myself with other people who are also trying to better their person.

Fragrance Prayer

"Dear Jesus, help me to spread your fragrance everywhere I go.

Flood my soul with Your Spirit and life. Penetrate and possess my whole being so utterly that all my life may only be a radiance of You.

Shine through me, and be so in me, that every soul I come in contact with may feel Your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me - but only You, O Lord!

Stay with me; then I shall begin to shin as You are, so to shine as to be a light to others. The light, O Jesus, will be all from You; none of it will be mine; it will be You shining on others through me.

Let me thus praise You in the way You love best, by shining on those around me.

Let me preach You without preaching - not by words but by my example, by the catching force, the sympathetic influence of what I do, the evident fullness of the love my heart bears to You. Amen."