10.27.2008

Trickling Tangles

All of us have friends. But what kind of friends do we have? People, especially parents, remind us all the time to choose our friends carefully. They tell us we become who our friends are or that our friends show our true colors.

But if that’s true, then who am I? Because I have my best friends who are deeply religious. People who would try to do anything for God. Friends who would stand up for God against anyone in just about any situation. The friends who see God in everything.

And then I have the friends who don’t care – who you either like or don’t - people who don’t really think twice about language. I have the friends who drink & smoke. The friends who like to party. So who does that make me?

Yet it’s more about what I believe. I mean, in every human I see a unique person. But I also see more than that. I see my parents argue with people who don’t believe in religion, and shun people who strongly disagree with them. I see how my friends who believe in God avoid the people who party. I see people who use foul language & drink hate religious people for telling them that they’re wrong – dislike them because they don’t try to understand. I see that they think religious people don’t care about them – just about what they do. I see that – all of it.

The problem is, how can we be religious and then avoid the people who aren’t? Or can we be the "bad guys" and block out the others? How can we condemn people without knowing them – without knowing why? How can we change anyone's views if we act like that?

It’s like in the movies, where someone’s in a tough spot, and their friend says, “It’s not that bad.” And the other person replies, “What are you talking about?? You don’t know what my life is like – you’ve never been in my shoes!” We can’t know exactly what it’s like to wear someone’s shoes, but we can’t shun people without trying first. I guess the problem with me is that I wanted to see the other side, and so I did, and I didn't just see the bad.

So if I’m really judged by my friends, who am I? Because I see the good & the bad, the black & the white. But I also see that I can't be ashamed of the people I love.

(comment if you'd like!)
&thanks to my followers :)

18 comments:

--Emilyyy-- said...

Great post. I love the last paragraph.

Jaerixon said...

Well I recommend you find out where you stand with these people and who you are. I remember I was watching a movie called "The Brave One" with Jodie Foster, you may have heard of it. If you haven't look it up because this will make a lot more sense. Anyhow her boyfriend gets killed by these thug guys and she gets severely injured, put in a hospital. When she gets out, she buys a gun, and she walks into this convenient store and shes at the back, when some guys walks in and shoots the clerk. She pulls out her gun and shoots the guy. Afterwords, she realizes that her hand isn't shaking, and that she isn't afraid at all. She realizes that she knew she did the right thing, and because of that, she has no fear of consequence. If you understand who you are, and what you believe, and why you believe it, you will not fear acting on those beliefs. You will be 100% confident in who you are, and believe me, once you hit that point and all doubt leaves your mind, you feel peace.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Flüssiger Spiegel said...

....people are people....
People have the ability to choose what they want to believe
…in other words: people have free will
Just because people exercise their free will, does that make them bad? Does that make them evil?
No, simply different
People should take the time…to try to understand one another…try to find reasons for each others choices, instead of just condemning
For your blood is just as red as the other person’s
Understanding your actions is wonderful, understanding another’s is beautiful
Simply condemning is laziness…laziness is disgusting

Interesting, I like your thoughts on this.

Unknown said...

Each of us are unique, So..."Who I am is enough. Take it or leave it."

Kristen Jensen said...

I have thought a lot about this topic in the past. It comes down to that classic question of where do you draw the line between getting dragged down or lifting another up? There is good and bad in us all. I think every individual and situation is unique so there isn't just a cut and dry answer. Anyways, thanks for commenting on my blog.

Michael Kent said...

Thank you for your comment on my blog, you actually write better than me 100x

I just tie words together. You splash them on like art.

jEeRo said...

hMm i think the most important is dun judge a person cz looks can be decieving..for example does it mean that a person has bad character jz cuz he/she drinks smokes has tattoos?..in your life journey u'll getta meet alot of many different people..some r jz passers-by..some r jz 'hi-bye' friends..while some stay with u..i like to think whoever i meet/make friends with..each of them teaches me a lesson in life..what do u think about that?...

Ms.Music.Lover said...

wow, that was deep. i know what your talking about though... at least when your friends are all so different. Its kinda difficult to find a way to fit in. but thanks for commenting on my blog. i seriuosly was super busy, but i got through it all in one piece. lol
Ms.Music.Lover

Romans 12:2 said...

Who do Obama's friends make him?:)

PhilO♥ said...

Hi! Love Your PosT! It's Awesome !! Very Touching !! Keep It Up ! And Yep, We Are All Unique ! =)

Anonymous said...

Wonderful Post.

We all are unique, and who we hang out with doesn't make up who we are.
And I think that the fact that you choose to be friends with many different people, with different views on life just shows that you're more of an open and caring human being.

keep it up =]

PhilO♥ said...

Heya !! Where r u lost ??!!!

Anonymous said...

In the wise words of Jonathan Larson:

"Take me for what I am
Who I was meant to be
And if you give a damn
Take me baby or leave me"

Glass Mannequin said...

I'm back! Ah!!! Tomorrow I'll go back and comment on everything I missed, OK?

Katie Alender said...

I hate to resort to platitudes, but the first thing that pops into my head is "WWJD?"

Whether we believe we're on the moral high road or the moral low road (or off the moral road altogether), the truth is that we are all far short of being truly good. Whether you're a believer or not, you do a hundred things over the course of the day that could have been better things, kinder choices, softer words, gentler gestures.

Judge not, and so on.

I think it's great that you approach these issues head on and wrestle with them right out in the open.

Alayna Whisper said...

This is good, I feel the same way.

Twisting by said...

i dont think who your friends are reflect who you are. my friends are all different. i know so many druggies and smokers and drinkers and readers and witters and artists and mathematicians and science freaks and christians and buddists and so on....and most of these people are more than one thing. you can do 'bad' things and be a good person, you can also do 'good' thins and be a bad person...but who is to judge that? i am friends with all types of people, and can still be me, whether i choose to be religiouse smoke or get straight As or do all three.
i think judging someone because they do things or think differently than you is wrong. get to know people first. shunning people because theyre different, or imposing your thoughts on people is not a a very christian or buddist or whatever thing to do in my opinion. everybody has a right to have their own beliefs, and your beliefs can be different from that of your friends