From Majority to Targeted Group: Its Always Different On the Other Side

   We take little things for granted, its a fact of life. When was the last time you realized how thankful you were for something small like shoes, or your fingers? Ever wonder what it feels like to not have little things you have but others don’t? Ever wonder whats it like to be on the other side of the story? I remember at the conference back in January we were asked to take a side depending on the question. If you were heterosexual you went to the majority group side, homosexuals went to the targeted side of the room. Christians and Roman Catholics on one side, other denominations or non-believers on the other etc. Back then I realized how there were certain benefits I had for being part of the majority in some group categories. But I didn’t really see the change or the effect it would have moving to the other side of a group.

I recently came out to publicly say that I am agnostic. Previous to that I would classify myself as a Christian. After all that’s how I was raised, that’s what I knew, that’s what my family is a part of. Many times people would come to me, make conversation etc. and somehow the topic of my religious affiliation would come up and I would answer with: Christian. I got the “Oh that’s great! You were raised with values etc.” because I was seen as a Christian. People seemed to like that. Ever since I began to reply with: Agnostic, everyone seems to look down on me. Now I get “Oh” or “I’ll pray for your soul” or “You’re wrong, you’re unhappy… etc.”. I’ve had people unfriend me because of that, others to argue that my beliefs are wrong and whatnot.

I didn’t think that living in today’s society being part of the non-believers would be so different. It really is different on the other side. I may be agnostic, but that doesn’t mean I lost my values, my ethics and morality. I know right from wrong, I’ve read the bible too, I’ve followed the traditions, I know them. Now to people I seem like a bad influence, a bad person, just because I believe in something different. I haven’t changed, I’m still the same person, with different ideas. I took for granted my “benefits” of being a Christian but now that I am part of the targeted group I don’t mind not having them anymore. Why? Because I’m standing up for what I believe in too. I would rather have no “benefits” than to keep pretending someone I’m not just to please others. So think of me as the bad influence, the black sheep, the outcast, but I’ll smile because I know who I am, and I know I’m not pretending to be someone I am not.

Smile, different doesn’t always mean bad. 

Writer’s Block

I’ve been asked a couple of times before if I ever come across writer’s block. I surely do! Many times! Now with this August goal to write a post a day I’ve had writer’s block more than ever. So what do I do to overcome this and continue with my challenge? Here are some of the things I do (in no specific order).

1. Ask a friend! Sometimes I ask my friend what they think would be a good topic to write about.
2. Listen to music. Sometimes music can inspire great words in our minds.
3. Read a book or a blog. Great authors can lead us in the right path.
4. Watch a movie. Ever been inspired by a cinematic scenery?
5. Get up and forget about writing. Sometimes we need of thoughts and having that rest might give us new and refreshed ideas later on.

I had a teacher who told us to always carry a small book and something to write with, a pen, a pencil, a crayon or whatever it was that we wanted to write with. Many of us looked at our teacher wondering why he would say such thing. It was only later that I discovered that ideas come and go sometimes when you least expect it and if you don’t capture them in the moment they can go away and never be expressed. So hold on to your ideas, express them to the world!

Smile, capture an idea.

Snail Mail

When was the last time you received a letter in the mail that was not a bill, or an invitation to a party that you’re not really looking forward to? Better yet, when was the last time you sent a letter to someone that means a lot to you? Not too long ago I took the initiative to send some friends of mine letters via Snail Mail. I thought that sending a letter was way more meaningful than sending an E-mail saying “What’s up?”, right? Right.

Turns out that the letters were a great success, and my friends loved them. I actually surprised them “But I just saw you!” I know, I just wanted to do something out of the norm! I mean how nice is it to get an old fashioned kind of letter in the mail, these things don’t happen anymore.

Taken from: 5 Awesome Snail Mail-Powered Art Projects by Josh Catone

Technology has showed us that social networking online is way easier, and faster than social networking in real life. With social websites such as Twitter and Facebook the world knows what you are up to, with you just saying so. It’s like your mini microphone where everyone is your audience (even if they don’t really want to be) as long as they are connected to you. Sometimes I feel that even E-Mail is being left out and being slowly replaced by shorter and faster ways of communication like chatting and texting (and yes once again the 140 character Twitter communication).

Don’t get me wrong, I use thee websites and tools all the time, I like them. But when someone really means a lot to you its best to say things in person, its nice to surprise them. In my circle, I’m the techie person, my main way of communication is technology and by sending a letter well you could expect a great shocker there. You should try it too, send a letter to someone, even a hand drawing on a piece of paper, be creative! Trust me, a hand written letter goes a long way, and its a great way to let people know that you care about them.

Smile, send a letter!