Of Cars and...Freedom?

I hate riding in other peoples' cars for long periods of time. Not because I love driving, but because I feel trapped and deprived of freedom. Unable to get away...completely at the mercy of my host and his/her musical preference. It is an incredibly frustrating feeling.

There are certain places in this world and certain people that when present I can't help but feel robbed of freedom and individuality. This is sad because I often find that it's my own fault that I lack that freedom; failing to address what feel like intrusions, determine what truly are vialations of space and freedom, and to then speak up against the true intrusions.

Do you have people in your life that leave you feeling robbed of power; of freedom? Are there things that seem miniscule to most but really get under your skin? In what ways do you take action against such feelings?

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

People Watching

I rarely engage in the task of "people watching". In some way I think that I have missed out on life, and even disrespected humanity, in refraining from yielding my attention to them. There is so much to see and learn; there is terrible beauty and appealing deformity among our fellow humans that we can miss if we aren't looking close enough.

Those who watch me might see that my refrain is based in the fear of what a person might think if I happen to be looking in their direction at the time they look at me. This is a foolish reason to not enjoy and learn from others or to observe them. At this very moment I'm sitting in a coffee shop surround by students studying for tests and classes, additionally there is a couple out on a date getting to know each other better by indulging in topics of music, family, background, etc. It is fascinating to hear and to see the diversity that can be found in the middle of a little coffee shop on the edge of downtown Knox.

I have found yet another reason to put aside my fears and my insecurities; that is to see God's creation and enjoy it as a fellow human being, engaging in community and life. This is a desire of God.

People are hideous; people are beautiful. They are "Shattered Light".

Grace and Peace,

Stephen