10/23/06 #1 Relationship
Christine Griffith

“So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:7

Okay, so lately it seems like all of my friends thoughts have been centered around relationships, whether they are romantic relationships or just friendships to be explored.  People do not want to be by themselves.  We need relationships in our lives.  We need them to have somebody to lean on.  We need them to have someone challenging us to grow and change for the better.  We need them to love and be loved.

While this need for other people is all well and good, I think lots of times we forget that we need to center ourselves in order to truly have successful relationships.  I have found that the only way I can center myself is through God.  When my focus is on God everything falls into place around it.  Granted, there are definitely plenty of times when my focus strays, I have found that I am always more at peace when He is my number one priority.  I think this is because when my focus is set on Him, I know that I am not in control of the world (regardless of how much I would like to be).  I have to let go of the things that I cannot control, and I have to have faith in God and hope that God is going to exceed my expectations in life.

I guess what I am trying to say in all this is that the best and most important relationship that we can have is the one that we have with God.  If my relationship with God is strong and growing then everything else is going to be okay because He is with me.  He is there to lean on.  He is there to challenge me and force me to grow.  He will always love me.  He is going to take me through my struggles and my joys as long as I allow Him too.    

So if you are struggling about something right now, whether it is a relationship or some other part of life, try focusing on God.  For me, the best ways for me to focus are through reading the Bible or prayer.  If you do not quite know where to start try Romans or James or Corinthians, basically everything is pretty good in the Bible, but right now those are my favorites.  If you are reading this, whether you need to focus a little more on God or not, I’ll leave you with these verses. 

“Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.  And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
- Ephesians 3: 16-19

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
- Romans 15:13

10/16/06 Don't Worry, Be Happy
Whitney McLean

“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of it’s own.”
- Matthew 6:34

So as most of you know, this week is midterm week and if you hang around my apartment you would be very aware of that.  From 100 question tests to take in 45 minutes, or 25 multiple choice, plus short answer, and an essay again to take in 45 minutes.  I have concluded that the professors are NUTS!!  Studying for these test are stressing everyone out that I know and we haven’t even taken them yet!!

I needed some peace from all the stress around me… I decided to retreat to my room and as I was lying there just thinking, my favorite verse popped into my head.  Do not worry… I know that sometimes we don’t even think that God pertains in any way to our school work, but he does and can help you out with your tests and studying.  I read that verse and said a little prayer and then went back to studying.  I will have to say that God really helped to ease my mind with all the studying I have to do.

So maybe this will help you out this week,  if you are getting very stressed just stop for a minute and have some quiet time…  Pray to God before you start studying and ask Him to give you some peace. 

No matter how we do on our tests… God is always there and always will be. He can also help protect us from the NUTTY professors that we might have!!  Good Luck Everyone!

10/9/06 Where Everybody Knows Your Name
Chris Duensing

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend cand help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

College is a scary place. Fending for yourself is impossible. One of the best decision I have made in college was one of my first: joining the Wesley Foundation. By joining the Wesley, I threw myself into a non-critical structure of support that was essential to my success in college. How essential? bring on freshman year number 2.

As many of you already know I am currently exchanging to the University of Nevada in Reno, NV this year. The fact that I am a junior doesn't exempt me from feeling like a freshmen: I didn't have any friends and I didn't know my way around. I won't even touch upon the fact on how Nevada football differs from LSU football :-). I was about as close to rock bottom as a person in college could be.

Then last week the girls that live accross the hall invited me to one of the campus ministries here. I can now tell you that the decision to go was the turning point of my time here in Nevada. It would be foolish for me to tell you that I went and made 500 friends all in one night. As a matter of fact I didn't make any friends that would justify an addition to my Facebook friends. But now I feel like I belong to a community.

If you are an LSU student that feels lost in the chaos of college, may I suggest that you go to the Wesley Foundation this Wednesday. It may just be the defining decision of your college career.

For those of you already active at the Wesley, think about how confusing things were at the beginning of your freshman year and how much of a difference joining a community like the WF made in defining your college years. Take time this week to pray for those at LSU and other places who are still lost in the maddness of college

4/3/06 Children of God
Carly Coulon

“Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 

The little girl I tutor at University Terrace Elementary asked me one day, “Ms. Carly are you a cheerleader?” I answered, “No Terrisha I am not a cheerleader.” She said, “Well, what are you then?” I was a little taken aback by her disappointment that I was not a cheerleader, because I would have been so much cooler if I was, ah well that’s life. After I left her that day I got to thinking about how other people view me and how if I were a cheerleader Terrisha would view me differently. The only thing I told her at the moment was that I am a student. I began to think of all the things that I am and how they shape me. I am a student, a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, a friend, and a roommate. The list could go on forever.

I live with four beautiful girls and often feel inferior because they seem to have everything figured out in life. Don’t get me wrong I love them. They are fabulous friends and have taken hold of great opportunities.  It makes me feel like I should be doing more and should make greater plans. Maybe I should and maybe I shouldn’t, but would having this great plan to travel the world, get a job that pays tons of money, or be in all of the organizations I can really make God look at me any different. The answer is no. God is interested in who we are in our souls, not what we look like on the outside, not if we are cheerleaders, or people with our lives all figured out. After all God has great plans in the making for us and if we let him He is going to reveal them to us along the way. So, take comfort in knowing that God does not judge you by whether or not you are a cheerleader or an athlete, an academic or a slacker. He is interested in what you are doing in your life to live for Him and to bring others to Him. I believe that we cannot make a difference for ourselves if we have not first made a difference to someone else.

All I know is that my Kid’s Hope child challenged me to think about who I really am without her even realizing it. I had to reflect on it and know that I am a Child of God. There is comfort in knowing this. We have been and always will be a Children of God and that should be what defines us. I challenge you to reflect on who you are and how you are living as Children of God. Terrisha loves me and I love her, and I knew that day after leaving University Terrace she really does not care whether or not I am a cheerleader. She just cares that I show up on Wednesdays from 2-3 to be her friend.

3/27/06 Straight Paths
Emma Frost

Last summer, my life took a turn that was very dramatic for me.  I decided to change my career goals.  Now, to some, it may sound pretty ridiculous that I found this so traumatic.  I know people who have changed their majors two, three, even four times, but to someone like me who has always known what she wanted to do in life, it was very stressful and not a little frightening.  I had wanted to be a writer for as long as I could remember, and I had decided in high school to be a reporter.  I was the editor of my paper in high school and then became the youngest staff writer at The Daily Reveille.  I was so excited; I was on my way.  Then, this past summer, my trip to Europe put a lot of things in perspective for me.  I saw how much was out there in the world and I had decided I wanted to experience it all: I didn't want to waste any of the precious time I had on this earth.  So I thought about my job for a long time and realized the bad times had outweighed the good, and that the stress of the job was something I did not want to deal with for the rest of my professional life.  So I decided I would no longer pursue a career as a journalist.  I thought this decision would bring me some peace, but it had the opposite effect.  I completely freaked out.  What was I going to do with my life?  This was the first time I had no answer to that question. 

The verses from Proverbs are some of many Bible verses that have helped me through difficult times in my life, but I always found that it was this one that calmed the turmoil inside of me while I struggled to figure out what I want to do in my life. I had moments when the uncertainty threatened to overwhelm me, this verse kept me calm.  I had to believe that when I made a decision, it would be the right one.  I believe that I make my own choices, but I also believe that God is there to guide me to what will be best for me and for the people I touch with my life.  The verse does not promise a smooth, easy path, but a straight one that leads to peace and happiness.

I have new career goals now.  I hope to go to law school and perhaps become a social worker.  But I am no longer afraid to remain open to different paths in my life.  This verse is a mantra that I repeat whenever I become overwhelmed with life's choices, and it promises me that I don't have to be afraid to open myself up to what life has to offer.

3/20/06 Good Things
Claire Kendig

“Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle down on you, when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” - Philippians 4: 6-7 

When Jesus removes the worry from the center of my life, it is so much easier to handle the things that come up in my life. All things, which are good when in the right place, have a tendency of sneaking into the place in my heart that I strive for most.

There are things all around us urging us to define ourselves with them.  Ads depicting slender models drive women and men to obsessions over appearances.  Shiny store displays lure us into thinking that life would be complete if we just had one more thing. Love songs and romance novels convince us that a significant other could bring us all the happiness we need.  Rewarding jobs compel us to work long hours at work and study to get ahead.

All of these desires are inherently good, when looked at in the right light. It is right for us to keep our bodies as healthy temples for God to use.  God has supplied the world with riches for us to enjoy.  He knew that man should not be alone and he created us to be his companion.  He wants us to use the talents He has blessed us with, but here is the difference. He wants us to pursue all of these things to glorify Him.

One exercise I find useful with this passage is to replace the “you” with “I”.  Reassure yourself that God’s plan is guiding your life, and allow yourself to be blessed with seeing the events in your life working together for good. I have to remind myself daily that Christ belongs in the center of my life, and nothing else. 

“Before I know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle down on me, when Christ displaces worry at the center of my life.” - Philippians 4: 6-7 (reworded)

3/6/06 God is Laughing, Why Aren't You?
Casey Gray

Ok, I won’t lie, I went on bible.com to try and find some help on my topic, but to no avail. Apparently the bible does not, “return any results” when it comes to humor. But I am a persistent person so I also tried biblesearch.com, and biblequotes.com that led to me to the link: “Are you normal?” At this, I figured that I was on my own.

I remember the first time I had communion at the Wesley, Shawn made a comment about drinking out of Candleholders and the room broke out in laughter. At first I was caught way off guard. This was supposed to be very serious and traditional time. This didn’t seem like the appropriate time to laugh. Afterwards, I found myself thinking, “Why don’t people don’t laugh more often in church?” Does God really want church to be a time, when the display of happiness is forbidden?

I really couldn’t believe that God didn’t appreciate happiness and laughter. I have always thought that smiling and laughing can give you a glimpse at a person’s soul. You share a moment with a person where everything else slips away and you just feel joy. It’s really an amazing thing if you think about it. We can connect with a person with a simple smile without even saying a word (something I think the bible-thumpers in Free-speech alley should definitely consider). I believe that God not only gave us humor and joy as a means to connect people, but possess this Himself. For instance take a look at the giraffe and of course the baboon. How could he not have a sense of humor?

To live a Christian life is to live a joy-filled life, so as you go through this next week, try to find the humor in the simple things, and keep life in perspective.  Laugh at yourself when you trip on that crack in the sidewalk, or when the squirrel jumps out of the trash can at you. Smile at the lady who’s making your smoothie….you never know, she might put a little extra banana in there for you. A smile is contagious, and what better way to show your appreciation for God’s love than by passing it on.

2/27/06 Lent
Jennie Hammatt

Lent is upon us. In the Eastern Church, Lent is called "The Great Fast." The word actually comes from the Germanic word for "Spring". Lent therefore not only connects us to a tradition, but also orients us to time, as do the planets, the moon, the sun. My husband is an Orthodox Christian (there is a rainbow of Christians out there). Yep. He is going to Fast the Great Fast. And I'm going to do it with him-in my own way of course-(Orthodox Easter is a week after our Easter, and Lent begins on a Monday, not a Wednesday). Each day-it is somewhat complicated-there is a different type of fast. On some days, you can eat nuts, honey, and drink juices. These are the most stringent days. On other days, you are not supposed to eat certain animal products (milk, eggs, cheeses, milk chocolate). During weekends, the Orthodox take breaks and do not fast. Now, I have gone through many thoughts when it comes to receiving recipes of spirituality-I do not want my spirit to be on a schedule. How can fasting bring me closer to what I need to be close to?

In a way, fasting can help us become more in touch with what we need to be in touch with. Disciplines can be quite helpful. Fasting does not have to be a fasting of food-and should definitely not be a denial of the body and its needs. Fasting can be like spring cleaning for the body, but also for the mind and soul. Fasting can be not watching television (this is a big cleaner), not listening to the radio when we are in the car, not driving a car (there are actually other ways to get around - especially if you live near LSU), not talking on the cell-phone when you walk around campus, or shopping only for food. These acts would clean our minds and soul. This world is absolutely FILLED with so much to take in. Without clearing our minds, our souls, and even our social and natural environments, it is more difficult to listen. By taking some things out of our lives which we are used to having, we can see with new eyes and perhaps even make permanent changes.

2/20/06 Lest We Die
Britney Winn (Centenary College)

I’m reading My Utmost for His Highest, and I want to share parts of Oswald Chamber’s devotion called “Are You Listening to God?” with you.

He begins by saying, “We don’t consciously and deliberately disobey God—we simply don’t listen to Him. God has given His commandments to us, but we pay no attention to them—not because of willful disobedience, but because we do not truly love and respect Him. ‘If you love Me, keep My commandments’ (John14:15)…We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we don’t want God Himself to speak to us. Why are we so terrified for God to speak to us? It is because we know that when God speaks we must either do what He asks or tell Him we will not obey. But if it is simply one of God’s servants speaking to us, we feel obedience is optional, not imperative. We respond by saying, ‘Well, that’s only your own idea, even though I don’t deny that what you said is probably God’s truth.’”

If we are not searching for God’s voice in the Word, if we will not be still long enough to be blown to bare broken pieces by His truth, and all we do is rely on “someone else’s opinion”…then we will receive just that, and nothing more. Because, contrary to what we may think we get out of asking godly people God-relatied questions…we will not now and not ever receive His heart on the matter until we get real with God and are ready to hear His voice speak.

We say, “Where do you stand on this?” Then as soon as we are given an answer that contradicts our feelings, lifestyle, habits, investments, and foundations…we look for something from someone else who makes us more comfortable.

“Well…that’s your opinion.”

And yes. That’s all it is. That’s all it may ever be. But what does God say?

I don’t know. And I don’t know because I haven’t thrown myself on the floor of His throneroom and asked to hear His truth. Granted…He might commend my thinking…but the risk is that He may not. And if I step into holiness asking for the pure, powerful, right, and only voice of God to speak…I might just have to say, “Yes, Lord, I will” or “No, Lord, I won’t.”

It’s a lot easier to reject an opinion than to realize that I am disrespecting Calvary’s blood-stain…..thank God I wasn’t called to the life that was promised to be easy…or comfortable…but Holy.

“They said to Moses, ‘You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.’” [Exodus 20:19]

2/13/06 The LSAT and Faith
Josh Miller

Two Saturdays ago, I took the LSAT. From what I was told it was the biggest test of my life up until this point. It would be the leading factor in law schools’ decisions on whether to accept me or not. Scored with heavier weight than GPA or involvement or work experience which meant that I was basically cramming what will come to be four years work in college into three hours and one standardized test.

I took classes at the Princeton Review for about month before the test. It was very helpful for setting up the problems on one of the sections. But beside that, it was just helpful in exposing me to the test. However, the more I was exposed, the more I realized that I could not ever be truly ready. I could only learn how to pace myself and look at different types of questions so I could know some of what could be coming.

This was very troubling for me because I am very used to being able to study enough so that I feel prepared enough to do well on a test. I knew that I had prepared a lot but it still was very hard to feel prepared.

The week of the test I didn’t sleep very well on Tuesday and Thursday night. I told myself that I was ridiculous for not being able to sleep on Tuesday because the test was very far off. This allowed me to sleep Wednesday but then I was at it again on Thursday. Therefore, on Friday I had to do something to pass the time! . I went in the quad and sat quietly for about an hour. I breathed deeply and prayed and sorted out some of the mess in my mind. I was able to convince myself that I was as prepared as could be, and then I went and played some tennis with one of my friends. I got to swing some frustration out and it allowed me to keep my mind off the test.

I was still a little nervous that night before bed, but I was able to get some sleep. The next morning I woke up and took the test. I felt that it went well but still do not yet know my score. What I do know is that I feel good about how I executed the test. That was all that matters. Three years of college couldn’t prepare me for what was on the test. Neither could some classes at the Princeton Review. It wasn’t that type of test. I had to have faith in my own abilities and my own preparedness to know that I could take the test. I could not have done this without m! y quiet time in the quad or my tennis. God helped me to sort through my mind when it mattered most. I had been waiting so long for the test that I allowed the pressure to get to me. But when I needed to sit down and focus most, God allowed me to clear my head so that I could have a restful day before the test. With this day of rest, I was able to go into my testing room and just “simply” take my test.

2/6/06 With A Little Love ...
Whitney McLean

Lately, love has been on my mind. I don’t know why, but all I can think about is how much love affects our everyday lives. I tutor a first grader named Frank, and the first day that I was able to see him after Christmas break he really showed me how children can teach us all something. I went into Frank’s classroom to pick him up, and when he saw me he immediately ran up to me and gave me a hug and told me how much he missed me. I was not expecting this because he had never hugged me before. After we left the classroom I asked him how his Christmas went and he said that he was happy that I was back. I was so excited that he missed me and that he loved me like I loved him. I then realized that children in our world can be such role models sometimes. They are so pure and innocent, and I think that God has blessed us with these beautiful children to help us to remember how we should treat others. As Valentine’s day approaches and you are reminded of how much you love that special someone, also think about how much love you can give everyone else in your life. I know that lately we all have been faced with political and racial issues and depending on what side you might be on, you may feel uncomfortable around certain people; I urge you to just show them love like Jesus did. So, throughout this month show people how much you love them, and meet someone new and fall in love with them. Love is a wonderful thing that we as Christians should show to anyone and everyone.

Remember: "Love is Patient, Love is Kind. It does not envy, It does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth."
I Corinthians 13

1/23/06
Alex Weller

It started out as a rough day.  It was Saturday morning, and I was at University Terrace Elementary School taking part in a big work day.  But I had gone to a friend’s birthday party the night before and hadn’t gotten in until really late.  And then I woke up late and had to hurry just to make it to the school twenty minutes late.  Everyone seemed to already have a work assignment, but soon I was washing windows with two other girls in the fourth grade classrooms.  It was not the most fun job I have ever had.  Climbing through piles of classroom stuff, standing on a rather unwieldy chair to reach the window, struggling with broken old blinds, and breathing in so much dust!  As my frustration at the situation increased, so did my stressful thoughts about everything I had to get done before next week.  It’s funny how the rush of life so easily overwhelms us; it can be so refreshing to have time to simply reflect and think.  So that’s what I did.  I took a break from all the busy thoughts running through my head and thought instead about how surprised and happy the University Terrace kids would be on Monday morning when they saw new desks, freshly painted classrooms, and a cleaner school!   And how maybe it would boost the spirits of stressed out teachers to come to teach there!  It was not a time to be stressed out about the everyday things; instead, it was a time to be happy to be serving God’s kingdom!  For Proverbs 11 tells us:  “One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.  A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”

We finished our windows, and I moved on to help organize textbooks and paint a classroom.  Working together with people I knew and people I had just met, we accomplished one small goal at a time.  And at the end of our day, it was amazing to realize how much we had all done together!  By serving the students and teachers of University Terrace, one of the neediest schools of our neighborhood, we had served our Lord.  Jesus explains the goodness of service in Matthew 25:  “‘For I was hungry, and you fed me.  I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.  I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing.  I was sick, and you cared for me.  I was in prison, and you visited me.’  Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?  Or thirsty and give you something to drink?  Or a stranger and show you hospitality?  Or naked and give you clothing?  When did we ever see you sick or in prison, and visit you?’  And the King will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

11/28/05
Claire Condrey

I used to work in the nursery at my home church. One Sunday morning I was working with my friend Aimee Duke – and we were having a rough morning. The kids were pooping like crazy! We were changing stinky diaper after stinky diaper. It was gross! Help arrived, as help often does, a few minutes after what we had hoped would be our last stinky diaper. The parent assistant turned her nose up and looked at us. She said, “It smells horrible in here. Can you spray something??” But we already had! We were spraying Lysol disinfectant like nobody’s business. The lady seemed pretty adamant, so I left in search for air freshener, all the while thinking she was being overly sensitive. I stepped out into the hall, took a few steps and then I found it --- fresh air!! I could not believe the extreme difference in hall air and nursery air! I had been in a poop-flavored room for so long I had adjusted to the smell, I had no idea what I was missing out on!!

So why did you just read an entire paragraph about a bad diaper experience? I promise there’s a point. See, I think we all have our own nursery. I know I do. My nursery is my comfort zone. It’s nice in the nursery, you know exactly what’s going to happen – I am going to walk to class the same way always do, eat supper with the same people I always do, blah blah blah. And there are certain things my nursery does not allow me to do – like eat the sushi at Chinese/Japanese restaurants. My comfort zone did not want me to go to the mission trip Wesley took to Chicago last spring break. Fortunately I went anyway, and going showed me I had no Idea what I would have missed out on! It was one of the best experiences of my freshman year. So the point is don’t stay in your nursery, just don’t do it, cause you might be breathing in poopy air for the rest of your life, without even realizing it. God made this great big world for us so we could enjoy it. I think there’s a reason he didn’t make just one kind of dog and one kind of cat. So go, have fun! And yes, sometimes you might go to the Chinese restraunt, get the sushi, and end up spitting it out because it was too yuck, but at least you got to laugh at what horrible manners you have!

11/13/05
Josh Miller

I remember one day when I told a friend of mine that I was coming to LSU.  She looked at me and said, “I don’t really think you can find any God at that place.”  I think I was somewhat frustrated and therefore acted a little bluntly in saying, “God is everywhere, even at LSU” and then walked away. 

I have spent the past few years at LSU trying to locate as much of God as I can soak in.  I sometimes feel like I am too busy of a person and so I find my best chances to see the trueness of God when I am driving in my car.  I have finally discovered why this driving time opens up so much of the beauty of God to me.  This is because I sometimes feel so busy that I find some of my only rest when I am traveling to and from the places I must be.  However, during this time, I also forget every worry I have and listen to/sing (even though not on key) one of my many favorite songs depending on my mood.  Sometimes I find myself wasting a little more gas (not a good habit I know) just so I don’t have to leave my car and can listen to another song. 

I find that because of these times, I have been able to acquire an unusual perspective on where I have found God at LSU.  I see him in people lying on the parade grounds and playing Frisbee with their dogs.  I see him as I pass the towering oaks and wonder about the enormous strength that lies within each of their bodies.  I see Him when I sweat on my way to class and then a few weeks later freeze my butt off.  I see nature in a new light because I have been able to take in so much of it as I pass it in my times of peace in my car.  (a little recommended listening : Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds: One Sweet World)

I have found God in those short moments in between hurries and worries.  However, because of my little vacations, I think I have allowed His peace to overflow into the business of my life.  I am trying to become more environmentally friendly and stop my habit.  As I find a new way to locate all of God’s goodness, (I guess I could just walk around more and just open up my eyes a little wider) I challenge you to reexamine where and how you find Him.  He really is everywhere… it just depends on how and if we choose to see Him. 

10/12/05
Jennie Hammatt

You are the Light of the World. And where there is light, there is shadow. This is not bad. This is the way it is. There are bad things that happen in the world, and there are parts of us that we wish could be kept in shadow, hidden. If we really looked at these shadows, our shadows, the world's shadows- and reflected upon them (shadows also have reflections), a Deep beauty would be felt.

Rembrandt was able to marry the shadows with the light. He brought out the beauty of them and is now famous for his beautiful shadows which, partnered with light, made the light only more ethereal. In a darkened room with only a couple of candles, the room because mysterious, absolutely beautiful. The shadows enable us to reach a sacred place, a deeper, rooted place, which we otherwise would not see in the midst of a room without shadows. Not only is the beauty of light exaggerated in shadows, but the beauty of shadows is also enhanced. The unknown lies in the shadows-what we cannot know unless we use something other than our physical eyes. These shadows bring us closer to being whole. Filmmakers of black and white movies know that light and shadow are within each other, they work only together.

We cannot detach ourselves from our shadows, when we walk we are bound to them. There are certain natural moments in which we can liberate ourselves from them for a while. When the sun is directly over our heads (when the Light is the strongest and directly over us), we can escape these shadows and be without flaw. However our shadows have followed us since we entered into this home, the Earth. To make Peace with your shadows and hold hands with them is a task that can take a lifetime (the animals walk naturally on all four limbs; therefore, they hold hands with their shadows. Humans, however, are only connected with their shadows through their feet-that makes the feet very important and enables us to metaphorically hold hands with our shadows, or we could always crawl on our hands and knees). Those darker sides of us and of the world have the power to reveal the beautiful in us, the human in us, giving us a chance to humbly place our hands on the ground and hold hands with our shadows