this blog is worth $40

as i sit in my room watching a documentary on blood diamonds in africa, i relfect on yesterday, the most unproductive day of my life. however, the night was just the opposite. four of my housemates and i were chillaxin late into the night on our front porch trying to name all 50 states when our boredom and ADD (which everyone has if theyre normal so i dont really believe in the 'disorder') set in hard! the majority decision was to go ding-dong ditchin which quickly turned into a house-name-sign stealing/frame-the-other-dude-young-life-house-with-a-prank extravaganza. soon tho our easily distracted minds were drawn to a trampoline in our neighbors' yard. *side note: i just found $40 in my pocket!* our plans were then changed to include carrying the trampoline down the street about 5 blocks and placing it in our friends' front yard. "what a genius idea!" the 5 of us agreed as we sweated and struggled to transport an awkward trampoline across town, until we got to their front yard and they were all hanging out on their front porch. we had a good laugh for about 3 minutes and then carried it back to our front yard instead. not such an overall genius idea. still sweet tho.

i told you that story to tell you this one...

as i drove from harrisonburg to fredricksburg with my parents to watch my studd younger brother play soccer at the university of mary washington we were drawn into a discussion of tradition. my parents are both amazing individuals that i love and respect so much. however there are times when we just plan disagree. i believe tradition is a great thing, but something to be careful with because it can easily turn into religion. and then outside of 'christian' traditions it can keep you from experiencing new things and can dull life into a repititious, mundane, routine. i strongly believe that most life growth is gained thru struggles outside of one's comfort zone. so if someone is always doing whatever's comfortable, growth is inhibited, passions are repressed, and the full life that God offers His children is flattened. something to remember also is that there are no formulas for this life. but the positive side of certain traditions is that they can unite individuals and encourage fellowship. i guess there's always multiple ways of looking and experiencing things. my theories and beliefs are not close to perfect, but i do know that there is so much to learn from other people. we all think and process differently. so take what you can from me and then teach me something new. let's challenge eachother. let's challenge the 'accepted' views of society. let's learn and share. let's love. let's grow.