Why Can't We Leave Russia Alone?

It seems like the majority of verbal attacks I've seen on social media have been because of their stance in the gay rights issue. The name calling and hatred of Russia was rampant throughout the Olympic Winter Games and it was really annoying. The Games are supposed to be a way for countries put their political and social beliefs aside and just have fun in a competitive atmosphere. This past games seemed to be the direct opposite of that. It shouldn't matter what another country believes or whether or not their standards align with ours. Don't shove it in their faces or theirs in ours, just have fun!

Russia and every other country should have the right to their own opinions. Does every country need to agree with Europe or the USA? NO! Each country should rule their people in the way they see fit. If we aren't allowed to have our own opinions, there's no point in living. If we cut off everyone who has a different opinion than us, then we will never learn to see the world differently nor will we  make friends who may open our eyes to new ideas. Sorry, but I feel like that's really idiotic when people stop talking to someone with a different viewpoint or make choices we don't agree with.

I have been on the fence for quite some time on the issue of whether or not the USA should come to every country's aid when a war breaks out. We have a lot of resources that can help others, yes. At the same time, they might be able to handle it themselves if we let them. It seems the USA is the parent and the Middle Eastern countries as well as others are the children that need help walking. If we never let them walk on their own, they never will learn how to.

So, does the USA have to cut ties with countries who don't allow gay marriages and the like? So what they have a different opinion. If another country forbade ice cream, does that mean we should stop selling milk to them? I have friends who have different religions or different ideas how to do things. Doesn't make it ok for me to say, "You're not my friend because you're a Muslim or you wash your whites with your darks!" Crazy right? Personally, I love meeting people with different unique backgrounds. One of my previous boyfriends is from another country and I learned a lot from him that I wouldn't have otherwise. I had never even heard of that country before. The relationship was neat and fun.

Everyone will have a different opinion than you. Some people are still living during or before the Emancipation Proclamation period of time. If that's how they want to live, fine. It's sad no doubt, but I don't hate them. Different opinions are ok and should be embraced. Don't hate them for not agreeing with you.

Settling

We've all been told "never settle" whether it's a boyfriend, a job or especially a spouse. I've come to the realization that I have no idea what settling would be in many instances. With a boyfriend, I definitely think settling would be letting someone walk all over me, call me names or treat me with disrespect. But I'm wondering if there is more to it than that.

In the case of a job, in my mind settling would be writing for a newspaper/magazine who has themes that I don't agree with or continually asks me to write stories I have either zero interest in writing or to go even further write about a topic I'm uncomfortable with. I already have a "list" of kinds of companies I won't work for or jobs I won't apply for simply because I don't have the passion for the topic like a vegan magazine for example. Some job listings that I find aren't my style because it involves technical writing which I already know I don't like. In my mind, why relocate for a job that I have no passion for? This would be settling.

The other side of this is the fact that I know I won't get my dream job the first time around and maybe not even the second, but my first shouldn't be something I hate, right? It should be fun, interesting, a position I can build upon, learn from, be a stepping stone in a direction I'm thinking of going in. Not stoic or of little interest to be before I even write the cover letter. When writing those, employers want to see passion right? If you have no passion for the company or the position, why apply?

Spouse is a whole nother topic and I'm sure we each have a list of "must haves" and "must not haves"! Maturity is a big one since I keep winding up with immature boyfriends. Granted, girls mature faster than boys so even at 22, they can be.....irritating. So maybe immature is a harsh word for them, but in some areas I believe we all need to grow up.

I believe that settling is never a good thing and that we all should make lists of what we shouldn't setting for.

Passion

The question most people ask themselves when trying to find a major or find out who they are is "what is my passion?" I've known the answer to this question beginning in third grade when I wrote my first story. I only vaguely remember the assignment. My teacher wanted us to create a story that was 2 - 3 pages long about anything we wanted. From my knowledge, I've never written a story before but I have had dreams and was encouraged to write them down because they were usually very creative and humorous.

The particular story I wrote in third grade was more pages than the teacher asked for. After reading and grading all of them, she asked me to read it in front of the whole class. Since then, I found that I enjoyed writing stories and always got excited when we received a creative project. It was and still is fun creating characters and plots that makes the reader keep turning the page.

Currently, I'm writing a novel, my first one! It's fun, yet tiring especially since I'm in the editing stage. Subtracting is the hardest part since I tend to get attached to a first draft. Someday, it will get done. It doesn't have to be a bestseller, but it would make my world brighter if it did.

What Does Love Mean? Really?

Everyone has their own version of what love is or what love means to them. It's alright to have different ways to want to be loved or for others to show love to you. That is what they call "love languages." One way I know for sure someone loves me and cares for me is when the person gives me a "just because" present. Honestly, it could be anything from my favorite candy to a magnet of a puppy. Both of which I've gotten before. Another way is when someone tells me the truth even when it's hard for them to admit or for me to hear. This doesn't happen very often.

What people don't realize is that real love includes sacrifice. I don't mean killing an animal like in Biblical times. What I mean is putting the person's feelings before your own. For instance, I love love love NCIS, Rookie Blue, Person of Interest, Motive and the like. Some people don't like those types of shows. If my boyfriend or best friend wants to watch NASCAR or some sappy teary chick flick, if I truly love them I will set aside my hatred for such things and watch it with them. Now this doesn't mean I have to watch these things all the time and neither should the other. Together, we have to agree to sacrifice every so often. Balance.

Another thing I feel is important before breathing the word "love" especially out loud is making sure the other feels comfortable to be vulnerable. This gets tricky. No one likes to be vulnerable. I know I don't. In fact, I hate it. Everytime I take a risk like this, I get burned. I realized why though. I was vulnerable to the wrong people, those who didn't really love me or know how to love truly. So now, I take my time in deciding if this person I think I love is worth the risk.

So I encourage you to think before declaring your love for someone, before telling someone you are their best friend. It hurts when you realize all this time that person never really loved you, only pretended. That's painful. Love is a beautiful thing so don't say it till you mean it.

On the Inside, but Still on the Outside Looking In

You know that feeling where you start to feel like you belong? Then something happens, could be the littlest thing like two friends talking/whispering and you're not included. They begin to laugh and you look up. They're not even looking your way or acknowledging you. How does that make you feel? For me, I feel like I'm on the outside looking in. I don't want to be needy. In fact, I hate it when people act that way. So I make it a point not to do the same.

My friends tell me they miss me all the time. Their words very often don't match their actions. Am I missing something? In my heart, I know that if I got into a car accident or if I needed a shoulder to cry on, they'd come running. But what about the day to day stuff? No, I'm not asking for a 20 minute conversation every single day, but when two people can go months without talking to one another and not feel something's missing...I'm not sure what to do with that.

I've been in long distance relationships where one doesn't have internet at all so I rarely got to communicate with them. That is understandable where two people go without talking for awhile and still be close. Don't get me wrong, I still hate that kind of relationship, but at least I know why.

We are blessed to live in the United States where everyone is just a tap away on our phones or computers. Even though we have all this technology, many people still feel lonely. Why? We have more of a relationship with words on a screen than the actual person. Distance, physical distance, can be a huge strain I know. Sometimes, Skype isn't even enough. So what should we lonely people do?

Idea! Get out of the house and find people. This isn't easy, trust me. I hate being the new girl. But I've found it to be quite rewarding to meet new people. Ones who don't know the terrible things you've done or seen the tears you've shed. A fresh start. I love that.