This past week I've taken on a new challenge: studying. For those who are close to me, you know that for me, studying is reading the material the night before the test. Up to this point in my collegiate career i have found this method of learning suitable to my interests which, sadly and unfortunately, have been little. The best example of my study habits resulted last semester when two things happened, one good one bad. I discovered the beautiful sport of snowboarding. It altered my views regarding God, Nature, and my own physical being. However it also resulted in about 60% class attendance and more all nighters than any college student should attempt. The result: All A's and a B+.
Some of you may say, "wow you're a smart girl." My rebuttle: No, I'm an innately "lazyish" girl who up until this point in her life has taken the paved road equipped with a free motorized bicycle. Did i mention this road is pretty short.
One short note: i say lazyish because if i really want to work for something i will make it happen. I have it in me, as i believe all people do, to be an incredibly hard worker.
Not all bad things came out of this short aside, i did improve my writing skills and i had the opportunity to receive tips for studying effectively. Not that i used them till now, but nonetheless they are there.
So now that you know all this about me, you will understand my utter frustration caused by the events on the campus this week.
Obviously it's the beginning of the semester and there is going to be activities going on. I can study semi-well in environments with background noise, but this week as i tried to study an evangelist preachers shouts overpowered the process of aerobic respiration resulting in 36 ATP.
I'm all for sharing beliefs with others. In fact i totally encourage it. The free flow of ideas and concepts is what makes America, well, America. But I do not know how any one can concentrate on the good and happiness in the world while someone screams of eternal hellfire and damnation. it is distracting and irritating. Of all things I know about God (which is little) I know that He is love. Pure and lasting love. I'm pretty sure that no matter what we do, he will give us as many opportunities as possible to find happiness and truth.
So you may think i'm a damn hippie and ya know thats okay, but at the same time i believe in a more existentialist approach. While i do believe our creator is our guide and the reason for our existence, i think that it is up to us to be happy. Call it karma, call it agency, call it whatever you like, but this is true: Good people tend to be happy. Good people who do good things are happy. Bad things happen to good people, but i think it is the ability to continue in goodness or righteousness or selflessness that truly connects us with Diety.
I guess the taking the road paved complete with the electric bicycle is easier. Sometimes its hard to share beliefs with people when you are on the same level as them. but when there is no chance for reciprocation or even legitimate rebuttal, i suppose its quite easy. I guess i'm not the only person who likes to hear them self talk. it's easy to live your life just getting by...but i s'pose the road less traveled by is where i have found meaning and understanding. So please, don't hate. Appreciate. All you need is love. And i am a scientist.