the Earth thanks you

What do beer, cigarettes, soft drinks, the lottery, coffee shops, and fast food restaurants have in common? Answer: They all produce 90% of the trash that is thrown to the roadside. This approximate statistic is based on the experience I had this morning. I filled two trash bags over a period of two hours, alongside 1.2 miles of road.

The first bag was a cheap drawstring kitchen bag; I carried it until it ripped. My dad brought me a 55-gallon construction-grade bag, which I carried until it became too bulky and heavy to continue. I didn’t have much of a plan; next time I will take some friends, each with a designated bag for aluminum, glass, cardboard, etc. for recycling purposes.

On that note, I recently found this blog called Stuff White People Like. It’s a satirical, comedic, exposé of high-class white values; NOT a racist venture. The author has written about 134 things (and counting) that white people like—everything from organic food to awareness. (Number 64 on the list: recycling.) It all comes down to pointing out the narcissistic self-service and aims for political correctness among many high-class Americans. Needless to say, the comment sections are filled with backlash and controversial discussions.

I see the “white” attitudes and ideals reflected in my own, which is surprising. Here I thought I was different; internationally and perhaps more culturally aware, yet I seem to subconsciously adopt different interests and ideas than those of my immediate community—rural high schoolers and missionary kids. And I like it. I like being different. But the irony! if this website truly depicts the current state of white American culture, than I am being molded into the stereotype.  For evidence look no further than this blog: my tags read ‘organic, vegetarian, farmer’s market, buy local, travel, bike, recycling…’ Or how about that post on “the moral minefield” of shopping (#82)?  My goodness. The latest post mentions “things made by someone named Tom,” like the Tom’s of Maine deodorant and toothpaste in my bathroom and the plain canvas TOMS on my feet. (So, TOMS aren’t made by Tom; they actually have something to do with “tomorrow,” but hey. Point made.)

I won’t deny my love of sea salt that I like all these things I mentioned, and I don’t believe it’s just to impress people. I’ve truly been convinced that recycling, supporting farmer’s markets, and eating less meat are sustainable, good ways of life. At one time I followed this lifestyle no matter the cost, but now I am unable to. And I like being outside, camping, and biking. Grammar (#99) satisfies my perfectionist tendencies, and I would never abandon community service!

However, I will never do this to my car:

 

 

PS: The Earth doesn’t have much to do with this. Rather, one woman who slowed down for a second to say thank you and God bless you—that made it worth it.

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Fitness Club

Today I did a legitimate work-out for the first time in a while. (Have you heard of bleacher miles? Running around a track, you jog up and down the steps of the bleachers three times every lap. We only did 2 miles, or 8 laps.)

I am out of running shape; it was hard! After running, we went to the strength-training room, and I haven’t been there in about a year. Let me tell you, I will likely be sore for the next week!

All of this was part of “Fitness Club” – an invention by my school’s soccer coach as a way for the soccer players (mens and womens) to stay fit in between seasons. (In fact, I was the only non-soccer player!)

I came on this day because I really wanted to get moving but that morning’s swim practice was cancelled. The pool was closed and somehow our team didn’t get the memo. We spent more than an hour driving around in the dark—this was before I got on the school bus for 50 minutes. Talk about greenhouse gases.

Anyway, some of the girls commiserated with each other about skipping workouts over Christmas break. I intentionally took those two weeks to rest, and I haven’t regretted it. One girl in particular (my friend) called herself “fat” because she gained 3 pounds since Christmas Eve, and sometimes she doesn’t enjoy holidays because it gives the chance to eat from boredom or skip exercise—the lack of structure. That struck me because I had never heard anyone say that before – except myself. I used to be afraid of holidays and even long weekends because of that same reason. You know: no one to make me eat lunch at 12:30 or run at 3:30. But I haven’t felt like that this school year!

How ironic is this: to constantly doubt your value yet be wholly obsessed with yourself? It’s a vicious cycle that I have personally experienced.What changed? I like to look at it as a result of relationships with people (and God) becoming a priority over my own self-centeredness.

These torturous cycles, like the one described in the book TrueFaced:  this is what I have slowly been breaking free from. By God’s grace, I am in a really good place. One year ago, I would be looking at my body at this point and vowing to stay away from sugar and run 6 days/week. But it’s just not all-important anymore. People do not notice when I lose or gain weight. My friends do not lose respect for me when I can’t make qualifying times or if I get sick sometimes. God does not love me any less when I fail to be passionate about Him. And that brings so much freedom.

I can do better things with my time than improving myself—for all my talk and ideas about helping others, I sure spend a lot of time focused on me!

Skip the vocabulary words “bad” and “failure” when talking about skipping workouts or gaining some weight. You aren’t sinning! You are not unacceptable!

I understand that many people can’t relate to a struggle with self-worth or problems with eating habits, but everyone has problems. These problems can dominate your life or you can seek help (through reading, praying, discussion), truth, and freedom. There is no sin that is too terrible to be forgiven. When Jesus gave himself up to die, he took our sin upon himself, enabling us to be redeemed, justified, forgiven. This is the Gospel:

Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God—something the Law of Moses could never do. Acts 13:38-39 (NLT)

This verse, a record of Paul’s instruction to Israelites (“children of Abraham”) and Gentiles—basically everyone—plainly states a behest towards Christians: to share the message of forgiveness. Following the “Law”—earning and striving for our own righteousness and salvation—will never work because we are imperfect humans. But if we humbly confess this to God and believe that “through this man Jesus there is forgiveness,” we can be saved.

Thanks for reading. To all a good night.