The End. The Beginning.

edit: I'm pissed that blogspot decided to freak out and delete the anticipatory entry I wrote this afternoon, but in the big scheme of things, it doesn't matter at all. So here you go:

Okay, so for those who have never read anything by me before, you should probably know that I am very deliberate in my writing. If I write it down, I mean it and there's probably a reason for the way I phrased it. So when you're sitting there thinking, "What a tool. He's just using big words to make himself sound smart," you're probably right, but that doesn't make anything I say any less valid. And even if it does, you're the one reading this trash so the joke's on you. Anyway, that was just a disclaimer.

(Insert antiquated yet somehow still applicable transition here.)
Duck you fools! (Okay maybe not antiquated, but it sounds like something a genetic splicing of Gandalf with Prof. Farnsworth would say so I'm going with it.)

I originally used the parenthesis as a placeholder while I was writing because I was going to think of an actual transition, but I thought the end result was a more accurate representation of the way I think. The name of this page is The Armistice Resonance. It was the product of quite a bit of thought on words in general that I identify with and other concepts I deem worth thinking about. I started out on the concept of silence and its role in our relationship with God. Subsequently, I related it to sound in general and started to think of a theme for the blog. I'm not going to tell you the theme that I decided on, but I thought I'd let you know I'm not just dithering about aimlessly. In any case, the title has three prominent meanings:

1. The literal conjunction of the two concepts of peace and a clamor (note the omission of a 'u' in clamor...see. Intentionality.) as it applies to our lives as Christians and as humans.
2. The play on words relative to "Armed Resistance."
3. The fact that each member of Mute Math has more talent musically than I could ever hope to have.

Here's the last (most likely) cue I am giving you regarding my writing style: I changed the previous sentence from, "...is more talented...," to what it is currently. Why? To subconsciously brainwash you into believing that all our abilities are given by God instead of inherent in our existence? Maybe to hinge the members' definitions less on their music and more on their humanity? Or maybe I just wanted to freak you out into reading way too far into everything I write. Maybe this whole blog is going to be like a big, pointless "choose your own adventure" novel. Regardless, I just wanted to draw your attention to subtleties you are no doubt being deprived of in your everyday life.

Now that all formalities are dispensed with, I dive into what I actually wanted to write about tonight. As I read Stephen Christian's The Orphaned Anything's over the summer, I found myself meditating on our generation, more specifically, our generation's attitude. The short novel is, for lack of a better word, profound as it can be on that matter, or so my experiences thus far have dictated; I would recommend you all read it. Sifting through the childlike ardor that stole my thoughts as I caught all the lyrics referenced in the book, I arrived at a pretty simple conclusion based on the main character's disposition (I also have to give a big www.shoutout.com (Don't go to this site. It's probably porn (Can I parenthesize inside parentheses [Do I need to alternate types of symbols like a math equation?]?).) to Sam for the conversation we had regarding this topic and leading to my enhanced awareness). Bet you forgot what I was talking about. I really think that we as a generation need to focus on keeping a positive outlook on each day. Negativity has covered our minds and demeanors like a pestilence. This semester, I've kept note of all the times during the day that I feel predisposed to a negative reaction. Granted, my mood and often the circumstances of the day dictate my responses and thoughts, but are those really excuses? Are those days any less awesome (in the "God has made this day" sense of the word)? The fingerprints of love saturate every single day without exception. So my question is why do we have such a hard time acknowledging it? I for one am rebelliously opposed to perpetuating a chain of bitterness. I am inclined to go back to the wave model of interpersonal communication where one interaction affects a person and they, in turn, act differently in the rest of their interactions for a period of time. If I send a ripple of bitterness into two peoples' lives and they do the same, those feelings spread and grow exponentially inevitably leading someone to say, "Bro, you need to chill with this natty." But seriously, even without considering the scourge upon our lives that is the Bro movement (which I have just decided to forthwith and hereafter refer to as "the Brodeo"), I think we need to reexamine our relational tendencies.

The big question rightfully becomes, "How?" and I don't think the answer comes easily. When we ask that question, we are actually asking, "How can I always be happy?" because to just appear happy to others would be dishonest, or at the very least, misleading. So, in loving Socratic fashion I counter, "How do you experience joy and love?" I don't mean this in a romantic sense at all. Everyone needs to have some way to find joy and feel loved in his or her life every day. I emphasize "needs" and don't diminish the true meaning of the word. It took me a very, very long time to realize all the different ways that I am really loved here at Taylor; the means are far more subtle than would seem necessary to host such an idolized word. When all else fails, I remember that God doesn't speak through earthquakes or roaring fires, but in the faintest of whispers. This leads me to a commonly devalued concept: True receptivity of love (meaning the propensity for the reception of love) stems from the ability to communicate honestly, willingly, and shamelessly. My definition of communicate revolves around both the way one expresses his or herself and the way one listens. So there it is; I think we need to control ourselves and make genuine efforts in all our relationships. Novel idea, I know, but hopefully pertinent to someone.

I think I've rambled on long enough, so I'm done for the night. I'm going to try and do something on here once a week. We'll see how that goes. Really fast though, let me step on my music recommendation soap box and tell everyone to listen to the new Anberlin album. Stephen is an amazing lyricist and vocalist. They really outdid themselves. As they are somewhat applicable to what I wrote about, I'll leave you with part of the song Depraved:

Are you depraved, or are you deceived?
Excuses aside, stop saying please.
You're not a slave, so get off your knees.

-Erik