Stay Consistent

Most of us are spending the majority, if not all of our time at home. I've been thinking.. what could I do to make better use of this time? We could either waste our days away being a potato.. Or we could use this time to invest in ourselves, support others, learn new things, strengthen ourselves and grow in our faith.

Just because covid is still spreading and we're trapped in our homes doesn't mean we should stop living. This is a time to deeply reflect on our goals, hobbies, relationships and purposes. This is the time to truly look within ourselves and reflect on the life that we want to live and who we want to be.

Here's my condensed list of resolves I've been focusing on for the past months. They are not just goals for 2021. It's what I want to stay consistent with for life. I made a dumb acronym to help me remember. GREATNESS

1) G od First                                      
2) R ead more books                              
3) E xercise                                    
4) A ctive                                             
5) T hink Positive Affirmations        
6) N utrition                               
7) E njoy the Moment                           
8) S ave Money
9) S pend time with Fam/ Friends          

Christianity & Politics

This video is so good! Wayne Grudem is a well respected professor and definitely one of our greatest theologians of our time. He is a key contributor and editor of the ESV translation too! This guy is a spiritual giant when it comes to Biblical teaching and understanding of God's Word. His theology and doctrine is legit, accurate and sound.

Wayne Grudem wrote a book called, "Systematic Theology." It is so detailed on the core doctrines of Christianity. He covers subjects like the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Nature of the triune God, justification & sanctification, scripture and the body of the church. That book had such a profound impact on me that it was one of the leading factors that lead me to pursue seminary. If I had to recommend one book that holistically encompasses Christian doctrine, this would be it.

To hear Grudem speak about politics in this video has deeply encouraged my beliefs. I'm so grateful to hear him speak on this topic. He makes some very strong points. He addresses Trump's character and policies. He stands up against any opposition to affirm that as Bible believing Christians we must do all things for the glory of God, this includes our political views.

Dear Future Chris,

I saw that a friend had written a letter to her future self exactly one year ago. It intrigued and inspired me. I was curious what I might say to the future version of myself. It's a way of forecasting and visualizing who you want to be in the future. Our thoughts speak to us everyday.. What do you say to yourself? Who knew introspection and writing to yourself could be so therapeutic?

Attachment Theory

Two are better than one, 

Because they have a good return for their labor.

If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity if anyone falls
and has no one to help them up.

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

-Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

>> If you''d like to learn more about the psychology of relationships here's my recommended playlist  

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlWGe3qgcF7yMja1eGWd-wweaZ9q-luWc

Youtube has been my teacher lately. I found so much useful information. It's kinda been mind-blowing..seriously hours of pure relational education I wish I knew before. I'm like "Whoa! This makes so much sense!" I really recommend learning about all the different dynamics that make a healthy relationship. 

Dating and relationships are fun, but it also requires a lot of work. It reveals areas of insecurity and places within ourselves where we need to confront ourselves and grow in self-improvement.  We can get caught up looking for the right person, rather than becoming the right person. Would you date you?  << woah..

But yeah these youtube videos are so educational! I learned a lot about myself in relational dimensions I never really thought about much. They really motivated me to become better all around.

The better we can understand and know ourselves + others, the more we grow in emotional/ relational intelligence, the better we'll be equipped for family, friendships, marriage and communication with all forms of relationships..

I realize there ain't a soul out there that will watch all these videos but whatever, the option to is there. 

Stoic Philosophy

God has been teaching me lessons on managing and controlling my thoughts + emotions. This is something I will need to continue to practice and work on for the rest of my life.

It’s an idea of stoicism, non-dualism, detachment, surrender, non-judgement, non-resistance, indifference, tolerance, perseverance, self-control, neutrality, having inner stability, peace, and self-confidence.

Letting go is something I have never been good at. I over-analyze excessively from every angle. Yes it makes for a good tactician or strategist that can critically think. But it is not healthy to dwell, ruminate or get fixated on someone or something. We have tens of thousands of thoughts every day. Many can be negative thoughts. We are not to suppress, repress, project, avoid, or look for escape when these thoughts arise. We must practice letting them go.

As much as you wish life played out differently, you must detach from expected outcomes, accept truth and reality and let go of any pain you harbor. Grief is holding on desperately to something lost. Kicking and screaming won't make a difference. Letting go is acknowledging what we can't control, and knowing that God is.

If you can embody and apply it’s principles and concepts it’s actually quite life-changing. What draws me to becoming more stoic is seeing how applicable and relevant it is every day. 

God is Sovereign Over All Things

Things are gonna be ok. 

We’ll be ok.

This applies to all the things we’ve been worrying about. 

God is good all the time.

and all the time God is good. 

Personality Test

https://www.16personalities.com/ 

https://www.16personalities.com/infj-personality  INFJ-T  or actually maybe INTP?

oh gosh i think im a perceiver and not judging.. definitely in the middle of T/F and and J/P
My professor said it's good to be in the middle because you can operate in both traits

Interesting how this site differentiates between Assertive and Turbulent

https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test  #2 Helper/Giver or #9 Peacemaker

https://www.careerexplorer.com/assessments/  extensive but informative


                        

                        
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No Regerts

  

This tattoo makes me laugh. But it's also applicable. When you're inexperienced and don't know what you're really doing, you're likely gonna make dumb mistakes. You're gonna say and do things you shouldn't of, you'll lack patience and wisdom and you'll spill the milk. But it happens. That's life.

Stronger

i think i just discovered something profound that will help me. I think it's the answer i've been searching for. it actually applies to a lot of areas of life and not just finding healing, and moving forward. not chur if i know how to word it, but i'll try. 

basically, it's this idea that I will be ok no matter what. If i'm alone, i'll be ok. I can be self-sufficient. I need to cultivate happiness on my own without being co-dependent or relying on others to validate my self-worth. We often think love is what will validate us to feel secure and like we're enough. 

Thank you for Friendships

Friends are people who u can really share anything with. They understand and get you. They forgive and accept you for yourself. They're honest. They're fun to talk with and makes going through life better.

Quotes

What is Love?

Warning this blog is long. if you know me, my blogs tend to be long wordy paragraphs. I think there's something appealing about just being clear cut, simple and straight to the point to only say what ya need to say, to make it easy for readers to understand. But then I think no.. I am much more of a Mojojojo, the monkey that needs to repeat himself in several different and lengthy ways to be more thorough. To be a little extra descriptive in completing his thoughts. to keep using run on sentences. And now with new and improved colored Titles!