The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

We're all human, and as humans, we've all made mistakes. Given that, it's not so much about the mistakes we make; it's about learning from said mistakes and improving as individuals due to them. So why does it seem many spend more time judging others based upon their past mistakes than seeing the evolution which they've undertaken? I'm a firm believer that change is possible. Alcoholics and drug abusers have gone sober. Racists have seen the light and gone on to become spokespeople for organizations fighting against racial discrimination. There have even been times when once violent individuals got to the root of their anger with a counselor, underwent a lifestyle change, and became loving, peaceful people. Change can happen, especially if you believe it. Like with everything else, social media has its pros and cons. One con is the almost mafia-like mentality some in social media have when a story breaks about a celebrity. A recent example revolves around st...

While I'm by no means a fan of confrontation, especially in relationships (dating, friendships, or otherwise), it is essential at times to either check the status of a relationship or to move it forward in one manner or another. However, I've noticed two common problems with these confrontations: 1) Some people refuse to engage in such discussions, and 2) When confronted on an issue, many refuse to completely own up to their mistakes. While I understand the mindset of those in group 1, as I've come to learn, the longer people ignore problems in a relationship, the more likely it is that said problems will come back to bite them somewhere down the line. As the saying goes, the first step to solving a problem is admitting one exists. If one doesn't admit this problem, how will he or she know one is present, and how will they then tackle and defeat said problem? It would be strange to hear someone say they enjoy confrontation, but whether or not we enjoy it, it's nec...

Allow me to introduce to you Stephanie Banister - a woman who is part of the far-right One Nation party and is vying for a spot in the Parliament of Australia in an election being held on September 7th. She has been called "Australia's Sarah Palin" for the simple fact she's a woman, is running for Parliament, and is further to the right than a ruler is straight. After a recent interview, however, it appears as if Ms. Banister has more in common with Palin than was initially thought. Like in Sarah Palin's now infamous interview with Katie Couric, Stephanie Banister appeared lost (to be kind) when being interviewed by a local media outlet recently. Here are her best (or worst depending on how you look at it) quotes from the interview: - "[I don't] oppose Islam as a country," [but feel] "their laws should not be welcome here in Australia." - [Less than two percent of Australians follow] "haram." - "Jews aren't under ...

It kind of bothers me to constantly hear extremely religious-minded people condemn others based on their sexual orientation, deciding to have an abortion at some point in their lives, etc., yet they'll be finishing a pack of cigarettes at this time, on their 5th shot of tequila, getting ready to sleep with the 10th different guy/gal that month. Do as I say, not as I do, eh? It's alright to damage one's (and others') lungs, liver, spread sexually transmitted diseases through promiscuity, but if one engages in intercourse with a person of the same gender that they've been with for five years, then that's going too far! I'll never understand people like that. They worship a man who says to love all, yet while they make their own mistakes in life, they'll point to others' actions and deem them mistakes of truly great (eternal) significance. This is how they tend to come across to me - "Yes, I messed up, but I'm a believer in Christ. With your mi...

This poem can be found on pages 162-164 in "Seasons Come, People Grow: A Poetic Journey". Innate, In-born, Natural, Looked down upon, Faults Flaws, Insecurities, Fears, Perfection unexisting in the natural world, The natural world is flawed, Why must one feel guilty? For being who they are? Perfect resides in im perfect ion, As all that is seemingly perfect is not, The alluring and beautiful woman with skeletons hiding, The handsome wealthy man with a drug addiction, For a man to believe perfection exists, Is an im perfect ion of its own, Wanting to believe the lies, And hide from the truth, Perfect resides in im perfect ion, As it can only be, For we are all natural, We are all human, They set us apart from one another, Should be learned from and not denied, Im perfect ions are what make us who we are, What make us such a diverse, beautiful and fascinating creature.