This Is Home

We live in a culture that is always seeking more--more happiness, more income, more cures, more friends, more education. . .blah, blah, blah. This type of lifestyle results in an overwhelming sense of emptiness. It's a sick cycle--the more you have, the more you want. You never have enough; you're never completely satisfied. I'm no expert, but I do know that seeking to fill the void in your life with things that are seen will only temporarily satisfy your desire for more. Though I know this and recognize it as Truth, it is sometimes hard for me to live my life according to it. Over the past few months I have been struggling with the whole idea of having a "go-to person"--someone who I can always depend on. Someone that can offer encouragement when I'm feeling discouraged, as well as a smack in the face when I'm acting stupid. Right now I can't say that I have that person, and I find myself wallowing and wishing that I had that kind of a best friend. Do...

Yesterday I was part of an event created to bring awareness for World Aids Day. Everyone who participated was assigned a "time of death," after which we had to remain silent for the rest of the day. Honestly, I didn't think it would be that hard for me to refrain from talking, but boy was I wrong! It wasn't required, but I also made a commitment to fast from Facebook and texting after my "time of death." Left with no voice for 13 hours, I found myself overwhelmed with a sense of loneliness. You know that saying, "you never know what you have until it's gone?" Yeah...that pretty much sums up my experience yesterday. The silver lining: Though not being able to speak was sometimes frustrating, it gave me the opportunity to listen. Unfortunately, I think we sometimes forget how to practice the art of listening. Yesterday several friends of mine, knowing that I wasn't able to speak, sat on the couch in my room and talked about their days/how the...