Growth

This is going to be a slightly different post than my previous two, but it is really just an experience that I'd like to share, and it is relevant.

I was sitting in the Annex at my college(a study room for students) this afternoon and there were several students that were just being obnoxious. Now, I am not exactly what you'd call a party-pooper, but these people were just completely oblivious of their context. We were in a place where people are trying to concentrate on something that is directly related to their future, and this group was running around playing tag! I was about to go and tell them something when I realized that, six months ago, that group was me. In fact, I would have probably been the one initiating the game of tag! Initially, that realization made me feel guilty about my hypocritical approach to the situation, but then I realized that this whole situation was an indicator of the fact that I myself have changed. The fact that I even noticed the group being unruly was evidence of that change, and it really astounded me. To some people this may not seem like a big deal, but it has given me yet another tool to chart my growth. I really encourage you to begin to measure your thoughts and responses for evidence of growth/change. Recognition of the maturity in my thoughtfulness was very encouraging for me.

ps. Become more thoughtful of other people, one can always improve on this subject.

What's in a name?

I am currently writing a novel in which the main character is undergoing a very drastic change in identity. It is a very common change that many of us see from a montage of different viewpoints in our life-the struggle of transcending adolescence to adulthood. The character is of short stature, but harbors incredible strength. Due to his small size, many of his peers do not properly recognize the authority he holds within him. The crucial point of his transformation into a man comes when he takes hold of his most basic identity- his name. Despite his real name being Antero (meaning warrior, or man of battle), everyone insists on calling him "Ant". Although the name is not always meant to be a slight to his size, and at times is even used as an endearing term that recognizes his ability to carry a lot of responsibility, Antero comes to a boiling point and demands to be recognized by his true name- Antero! His peers are shocked by his apparent anger and boldness, but immediately begin to view him in a different way.

In what ways can you relate to this post? The point is not so much his name but the recognition of his identity, so what are some things that you've had correct in the way people view you? Are there things that you wish to correct in the way people see you, but don’t know how to? If Antero had just accepted his fate as "Ant", a person of small significance, do you think it would be possible for him to ever live a whole and complete life? Not that everyone who will read this reads the Bible regularly, but if you read Daniel 1 I think you'd find some very interesting templates for this situation.

Thinking Forward

Considering the name of my blog, I decided that it'd only be prudent to write about why I chose it in the first place. I am of the opinion that everything and everyone is always changing- whether conscious of it or not. "Thinking Forward" is how I describe being aware of that change that is taking place in me, and thoughtfully governing that change to an outcome that I believe to be the correct identity for my life. So, this blog is to be a tool for me to track and assess my development over a long period of time. I believe that when people express their thoughts, that they express the level of maturity at which they are currently operating. My hope, is to see a constant, if gradual, rise in the maturity of my writing and thoughtfulness. Mainly, I just want to have the ability to get some of my thoughts out of my head and into a place where they can be both expressed and (hopefully) discussed. That said, I encourage anyone reading this to pause today, and "think forward" about the person you'd like to become. What are you doing to achieve that growth? Is your mental picture just a physical one (vocation, family, location), or do you see a spiritual aspect (faith, maturity, relationship) of the growth that you'll have to strategically cultivate? How does the current you match up to the ultimate you that you would like to see yourself become? What resources do you have to aid you in this task?

Just a couple questions to fuel conversation. Not all postings will be like this, but I think it is good for the introduction to this blog.