The Pickwick Portfolio

Feature Poet

2011-09-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

I decided this month to dedicate a post to one of my best friends, who is an amazing poet. She finally started up a blog. Her writings can be found at http://wovenhumanity.blogspot.com/
I hope you all enjoy this poem!

Davi
by Mackenzie Evans

You were a breath of fresh air
Bursting through
The stagnant oxygen
My lungs were used to breathing in
As our eyes met
For the first time
In a long time
And my eyes
Filled with light
For the second time
In a long time
As your eyes
Kissed my soul
For the first time
Ever

And it made me feel so alive

Alive as in
Crazy
Stupid
Heart racing
Brain-blanking
Passion
Coursing through my veins
Feeling insane
This feeling of life

And you hugged me
Tightly
Squeezing every attempt
To pretend
From my lungs and
Breathing life
Right back into me
Right where it used to be
Unsteady
Unpredictable yet
Unchanging
Faithfully erasing
My every attempt at creating
A sense of contentment
Amidst the mediocrity
That I called life
Then you called bullshit
Exposing my hypocrisy
And as your lips spoke
Words that meant nothing
Began to mean something
And it wasn't to long
Before
Those somethings
Became everything
And everything
Was an addicting
Exchange of desire

And honestly
The best synonym
For desire is fire
Because
Of its all-consuming
Powerfully engulfing
Intoxicating nature
Along with the
All to real risk
Of getting burned
But
It comes with the promise
That you'll never
Feel the cold

So I inhaled the smoke
Billowing around me
Tasting ashes laced with
Wishful thinking
Knowing I had only dreamt
To feel the way I felt
When our fingertips touched
Dancing
Twisting around each other
Lightly
As if feeling for a foundation
To fall in love from

But as I exhaled the smoke
From with in me
I tasted decay laced with
Guilty feelings
Reminding me
I cant talk your hand
Because someone else
Is holding mine
And I cant give you my love
Because someone else
Has a claim on mine

And that I've lived
Every day
Holding my breath
Waiting
Simply for a moment
To take it away
And that you took it

And I cant take it back
Even if I really wanted to
And I really wanted you
And still want you
Want you to hear
What I've written here

But they're just words
Words to some
Meaning absolutely nothing
Words to others
Holding an intriguing something and
Words to me
That mean everything
They are just words
Words that hold the power
To leave me with
Nothing.

The end

2011-08-27T21:40:00.001-07:00

Currency
By Brianna Anderson

Three stories, one family, unable to escape that ever-living demon we call “debt.”
The kind of black hole that sucks away the life of every soul.
The overwhelming load of bills piled too high to ignore or forget.

43 years old, father and head of the household.
He’s awake again in the middle of the night.
The tenants above him are fighting again, their drunken insults piercing through the thin walls of low income apartments.
He changes the TV channels a dozen times, too tired to care if he’ll find something worth watching.
The neighbors are enough entertainment for one night; he just wants to get some sleep.
Sleep needed for a 10 hour shift that starts at 6 AM, earning a paycheck that only brings him closer to bankruptcy.

45 years old, mother and educator of her children.
She can’t fall asleep because the pain in her back is so unbearable,
so she just lies there, praying the pain will go away soon.
Soon enough for her to start her day cleaning other people’s houses while putting away a few dollars she’ll never spend on herself because her children’s needs are more important.

20 years old, sister, student and oldest child.
The neon colored postcard in her hand practically screams “not good enough,” reminding her that tuition payments are late again.
Taking the semester off is not an option; she’ll have to work two jobs.
She refreshes the webpage of her online bank account, making a wish after every click,
waiting for a miracle to happen at the stroke of midnight.
But its 12 AM Thursday morning and payday is still another 24 hours away.

Three stories, one family, all part of a greater plan,
one that started long ago, starting with the fall of man.
Their souls were bought at the highest price; the blood of God’s son used as currency,
paying off their debts in full.

Father, mother and daughter alike have atonement for life.
The transaction of transferred holiness already made;
a kind of bond never to be repaid.

2011-07-07T22:34:00.000-07:00

Happy is just an emotion
by Brianna Anderson

Joy. There’s nothing else like it.
It’s something we fight for
and never completely loose.
When your feelings are in an uproar,
joy sometimes gets caught on the emotional rollercoaster
and rides alongside depression and anger.
But when it gets off at its destination,
you find it again, in a higher sphere far above.

Happy is just an emotion,
that changes color quicker than a moodring’s touch can sensor.
Joy is an attitude pursued;
coming from something outside of this inward feud.
I am filled with joy when I am nearest to Him,
just as I feel the heat of the sun the closer I stand next to its rays.

Although troubles surround them, birds sing best in their cages.
giving praises to the glory of our brightest days;
the comfort of our nights.
We too can do the same.
Our souls will rise to see the light.

*I was inspired to write this after reading Charles Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening" devotions
http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/morningandevening/morning-and-evening-7-or-2-am-551320.html

2011-06-13T16:21:00.000-07:00

Learning to Forget

by Brianna Anderson

Your presence still lingers, a lost limb,
the scar scratches.
You killed what meant most to me.
Didn't know you'd change your mind,
that's now how it’s supposed to be.
You’re my missing puzzle piece.
Now you’ve left me here alone
picking up the pieces, scattered on the floor.
We don’t fit together anymore.

I’m learning to forget, everything you said.
Something greater than you or I
has to put the pieces back together.

He must be your all
before you give a piece of yourself away,
for those you love.
But don’t lose sight of what is true.

Eyes fixed on heaven, all I desire.
Fills my heart with joy
Lord make me whole!

This poem was inspired by various conversations I’ve had with friends about breakups and my friend with the crying heart tattoo ;)

Whitworth's tuition increase

2011-05-12T10:13:00.000-07:00

After nearly 7 hours of video editing, our final project for our Interactive Journalism class is done!!

Video story final group project:
Brianna Anderson
Melissa Ross
Cherise Marron

Smoking at Whitworth-Podcast

2011-04-21T11:09:00.000-07:00

Podcast project 1:
Brianna Anderson
Melissa Ross
Cherise Marron

Thank you Andy Schwartzmeyer for helping us convert the audio files!

2011-03-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

Words Unspoken
by Brianna Anderson

He doesn’t say a word as he takes a seat in the pew in front of hers,
That pretty woman that goes to his same church each week.
He’s looking out into the whole world looking for “the one,”
When all this time she’s sitting right there!
My, that is some technique.

But wait, he’s afraid of affection,
He finally notices her, but is too proud to face objection.
Come on now, don’t be shy, modesty accounts for nothing
If it’s only pretense while the mind runs wild,
Just ask her out and be beguiled.

Women are not mind readers,
A wink or flirtatious glance is not enough.
Speak your mind and be a leader.
Take up your arms men, shoot and fire!
Arm yourselves with words of intent,
Filled with purpose and understandable content.

Words unspoken, hearts never broken.
But where’s the care in that?
How many women must you look at?
Before you decide that she’s “the one”
She’s sitting right there
Behind you in that chair!
Waiting for you to talk to her,
So please…just ask her out!

Valentine's Day

2011-02-12T16:57:00.000-08:00

Valentine’s Day; it’s the holiday every single dreads. It’s bad enough that couples celebrate anniversaries every other day of the week, but on top of everything else they had to make it a national holiday.

What Are You Doing Tonight?
Valentine's Day at MOVIECLIPS.com

“It’s a corporate holiday that encourages me to empty my bank account for my significant other. I'm not celebrating it per se, but will be taking my significant other out for dinner the weekend before for funsies,” said Whitworth senior John Hawkins.

“It’s the holiday you don’t want to be alone on…and there’s always the expectation of having to get something,” says transfer Student Brie Geffre.

Geffre’s Valentine’s was saved however, when she received a care package from her friend filled with cupcake making goodies. Forget having a “ring by spring”, what could possibly be better than chocolate?

For those of you who are unfamiliar with traditions at Whitworth, the term “ring by spring” holds a certain importance on campus. Like any private school Whitworth has its traditions. The “Little Three” are specific tasks students need to complete before graduation:

1) Drop a tray in “Saga” a.k.a. the dining hall

2) Catch a virgin pinecone (before it hits the ground)

3) “Ring by Spring”-get engaged

These are of course unwritten rules and not taken very seriously.

“Ring by spring is actually not a very popular tradition at Whitworth, as most people don't allow themselves to get pressured into marriage, although we think others will. It's for those who've been in a long term relationship at Whitworth,” said Hawkins.

Thankfully Whitworth is providing a fun alternative event for those of us who would rather not put too much emphasis on celebrating the holiday. The dormitories Mac and Ballard are putting together an “Awkward Middle School Dance” in McMillan Hall.

According to the Facebook invite students will dress up in flavorful middle-school attire and “dine on root-beer floats and dance the night away to your favorite heart-throbbing boy-bands…When else will you get to sport that Abercrombie polo, or sparkle smuckers again?”

“Overall, Valentine’s Day is what you make it,” said junior Chris Frick.

For more info please visit:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=185867381447428
http://www.whitworthian.com/special-features/women/ring-by-spring-culture-limits-identity-1.1737720

Why the Fries Taste Good

2011-01-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

This JanTerm at Whitworth I took “Biology of NW Agriculture”. The class covered the biological concepts that underline current topics in agriculture of the Northwest. And popular views of the biological factors thought to play a role in agriculturally related issues.

We went through a book called Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. “Schlosser's incisive history of the development of American fast food indicts the industry for some shocking crimes against humanity, including systematically destroying the American diet and landscape, and undermining our values and our economy,” says Publisher’s Weekly.

For our final presentation my friend Heather Moir and I talked about French Fries and all of the following aspects: production, agriculture, controversies, and health related issues. We even researched the biology of it too!
Hope you like it!

Why the fries taste good

View more presentations from Breelenee.

So this is the New Year

2011-01-01T09:22:00.001-08:00

This year didn't go according to plan; we said things we can't take back. But time heals all, and this New Year will bring on better days. So let's start at the beginning. And remember that the ones who know you the best, are the ones you can count on in hard times. And will be there with you through it all.

Tis the Season

2010-12-13T20:35:00.000-08:00

Check out Pomplamoose this holiday season for a unique twist on music!

Pomplamoose is an Indie jazz rock band. The band members consist of Jack Conte and Nataly Dawn; together they create a distinctive combination of vocals and multiple instruments. Since joining YouTube in 2009, Pomplamoose has over 212,00 subscribers on their channel as of this December. Their video posts are fun and silly; with weird camera angles and added affects. The duo definitely personify the random.

A poem about this thing we call gravity...

2010-11-24T21:25:00.000-08:00

I wrote this for my mom and dad. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Gravity

by Brianna Anderson

What if things don’t get better?
It would be easier to just give up hope
and write my suicide letter.

No, this isn’t how things should be!
I know the truth, but I can’t live my life in theory;
Reality’s gravity is too strong a pull.
It’s bringing me down and I’m weary.
I can’t do this on my own.
I’m falling again, into the fear of the unknown.

The truth is only He can defy this gravity.
He is the one who will pull me up
And save me from my depravity.

Teach me again Lord, help me believe
that your grace is unending;
Even if I fail again in all that I try to achieve.
I don’t know how much more of this I can take.
I have tried to do your will
And I keep making the same mistakes.

The way life is now, isn’t something I would have chosen.
My heart feels like it’s broken.
But gravity can’t keep me down when your love overflows;
And takes me high off the ground from all my worldly cares.
They are gone now, thrown into the air.

Great Quote

2010-10-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

In a secret place she kept hidden “the shadow of Some one who had gone by long before... Some one who had gone on far away quite out of reach, never, never to come back. It was bright to look at…she was proud of it with all her heart, as a great, great treasure…no one so good and kind had ever passed that way...or ever has since.” ~Little Dorrit

2010-10-01T10:37:00.000-07:00

Waiting
by Brianna Anderson

Until he comes I will stay true.
Until he comes Lord I wait with you.
Until he comes to take me as his own,
I’ll stay here at your throne

My heart is secure in your hands.
My kiss is hidden till we make plans
And I can be pursued.
For now I can only dream, until this story can conclude
With a love worth waiting for.

I don’t know who he is and where he will be.
My patience is wearing thin as I slowly give away the pieces of me.
All these feelings are hard to ignore,
And these constant distractions are tempting to explore.

My heart aches with longing; I could give in
With hopes I’ll find something more,
But a romance has no purpose
without a promise worth holding out for.

Until he comes I will stay strong.
Until he comes I will search for a sweeter song.
Until he comes to take me as his own,
I’ll stay here at your throne.

recent musings…

2010-06-13T20:45:00.000-07:00

Momentary Afflictions
by Brianna Anderson

My cares today are but a whisper in the days to come,
Hard times come to an end, this is true for some.
I know I’ll get through this somehow.
But how have I fallen from your grace?
I no longer see your face.

I know not what tomorrow brings.
Joyful praises are harder to sing.
What is the key? The release from this trial?
Free me now so that I can learn to laugh again and smile.

I have no more strength, nothing left to give.
Make me new again so that I may live.
Bring me through these momentary afflictions,
Supplied with sufficient means of grace;
Closer to the end when I shall see your face
When trials will pass,
Into nothingness at last.

They Say Home Is Where the Heart Is, But What If Your Heart's Not In One Place?

2010-04-04T08:00:00.000-07:00

It’s been four years today since my family and I moved to Brazil. I didn’t think we would end up moving back to the States so soon; let alone Spokane, WA…but here we are and God is still faithful. Ergo I was inspired to write this dreadfully long post on the subject.
................................................................................

“Home” is such a comforting word. For some, the word refers to a location. For others, it refers to a place where they believe their heart dwells. But the general image “home” presents us with is the picture of a place where we belong. However, I have come to understand the concept of “feeling at home” as something very different.

In the past eighteen years I’ve moved fourteen times. In the past sixteen months I have moved four times. Growing up, my family lived in various rentals, staying in some for two years, and others only months at a time. After living in California for nearly eight years, my parents were finally able to buy a home. It was an exciting experience for me. I began to allow myself the certain attachments I hadn’t given the other houses, after all, this house was ours. But after two short years God had another plan.

My parents decided to move to Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil to follow a life time dream of theirs to work on the mission field. My father lived in Brazil as a teenager and always dreamed of returning to continue working in the missionary field. I, however, was devastated at the thought of having to move again. I was frustrated with God.

Moving to Brazil was unlike any move I had ever experienced; this was not just a short trip with cardboard boxes and a moving van. This was a trip to the bottom of the world, with the painstaking process of labeling boxes in accordance to numbers and having to load our belongings into a large metal container that would be placed on a large ship. The next few weeks we prayed that nothing was lost or damaged in the process. I cannot begin to express how painful it was for me to say goodbye to my family and friends. I remember at the time I tried to put a good face on, but deep down I was heartbroken. Just as I was beginning to feel at home in California, I was moving again, and this time to a foreign place.

This foreign place, my new home, took me on a journey I never expected to have. A journey, of discovering who Christ really was in my life and who I was in Him. I started to realize my tendency to depend on myself rather than Him. One night I was reading through a passage in Exodus when the Lord speaks to Moses in the burning bush: “The LORD said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” I realized that I was questioning God because I felt that His plan for my life was ineloquent. I wasn’t trusting him for help to face my uncertainties. I repented of my unbelief and the Lord gave me a sense of peace. It soon felt very right to be in Brazil. I came to realize the value of our time in Brazil. God had us in Brazil for the purpose of helping those in need-a reason beyond my need for a “home” of my own. Soon my life was being shaped by God’s grace as He gave me a new perspective on life and the mission field.

After two years of living in Brazil my father suffered a great financial crisis because of the crashing housing markets in California and was unable to support our family any longer on the mission field. Although Rio Grande never truly felt like home it was odd returning to the States. I always dreamed about returning home but I was finally content to stay in Brazil. And yet we had to move all over again.

Our destination was uncertain as we faced the new challenge of coming back to the United States to a failing economy. I was afraid of wanting to unpack all of my boxes because I knew that if I had to move one more time, I wouldn’t be able to pack them up again. But a friend of mine told me that I should live today for that day; the day when our Savior returns. This got me to thinking and made me take a deeper look at how I was living my life and where I was placing my value.

My gaze is continually drawn to the uncertainties tomorrow brings. Doubt sinks in and makes it harder to trust God. But the Bible clearly states that I needn’t worry about tomorrow “for tomorrow will worry about itself.” I have no idea where I will be ten years from now, or even tomorrow. This world is a constant pattern of changing events and uncertainties. But I know that my Savior is never changing and that no matter where I am He will always be there for me. My mind has been so fixated on the future that I forgot about the now. So instead of worrying about where I am going to move next, or how many more times I will have to change addresses; I want to be grateful for each house God provides. I want to be grateful most of all for my family. I want to make the best of my relationships with my new friends.

The concept of feeling at home has come to mean something very different for me. It means being at peace with where God has me. I have heard it said that “home is where your heart is”, but what if your heart’s not in one place? For so long the idea of moving has shaken my faith because I struggle with the idea of letting go. I grow so attached to this world that I forget that this is not my true home. After so many years of struggling I finally realized that it is He who I need to seek; not friends, a time, or a place to be. Whatever paths God leads me on in the future, I am continually learning that if my heart is in Him, the next move may not be so difficult. And that my true home, in is Him.

“For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11

Walking in Love

2010-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

"The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”(i)

Hollywood stresses the importance of falling in love, but it fails to provide a proper example of what love is. The secular world view of love is insecure in that it has no foundation to build upon. In the world's eyes love can mean any number of things; it can be found in a committed relationship or sometimes just for the night. When love is based solely on romance and whimsical feelings, it fades with the change of emotions.

One of my favorite descriptions of love says: “Love never gives up. Love cares for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have…love puts up with anything, trusts God always, always kooks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.”(ii). That kind of love just described can only be experienced by modeling Christ’s example.

Hollywood tells us that we need to fall in love, but God tells us that we need walk in love. Walking in love means putting your needs aside for the other person. Do unto others as you would have them do to you.(iii) “It’s simple and yet it encompasses every facet of a relationship.”(iv) Showing someone you love them means walking out your life in love. Love is not just something we feel; it is so much more; it is imitating Christ’s perfect example.

John Keats said “I am certain of nothing but the holiness of the heart's affections...” I am just as certain of nothing but the steadfast love of the Lord; a love that never looks back and keeps going to the end.

(i) Moulin Rouge
(ii) Paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
(iii) Luke 6:31
(iv) Boy Meets Girl-Joshua Harris

This is my favorite photo shoot from Teen Vogue...its from an old issue I got last year...

Project University

2010-01-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

Supplies:
* Application Fee
* Application Form
* Academic Reference Letter
* Admission essay
* High School Transcripts
* S.A.T. Scores

Object: to stress out students trying to get into the right college.

Procedure: Fill out the applications, file for financial aid, make your deadlines and hope for the best!

Result: This Fall Brianna Anderson will be attending:
INSERT NAME OF UNIVERSITY HERE

This New Year has brought on new decisions. Applying to college is overwhelming sometimes but thankfully I narrowed down my options to two. Both have excellent academic programs and will encourage me to glorify God through my vocation. My dilemma: one of the universities is in Virginia…one is in Washington…and if I get accepted to both, I don't know which one to choose; I also don't know how I can afford either or what to do if I don't get accepted at all. I try to push these thoughts away but every time I pray, I grow more anxious. I am excited for this new season of my life but at the same time I stress too much about the future. The result of Project University will end in the Lord’s perfect timing. I can only lift my desires to Him and wait and see what happens!

2009-12-27T23:20:00.000-08:00

“They go from strength to strength.” –Psalm 84:7

There are various renderings of these words, but all of them contain the idea of progress. “They go from strength to strength.” That is, they grow stronger and stronger. Usually, if we are walking we go from strength to weakness; we start fresh and in good order for our journey, but by and by the road is rough, and the sun is hot; so we sit down by the wayside and then resume our weary way. But the Christian pilgrim, having obtained fresh supplies of grace is as vigorous after years of weary travel and struggle as when he first set out….But sadly, it must be confessed it is often otherwise…Fearful spirits sit down and trouble themselves about the future. “Unfortunately,” they say, “we go from affliction to affliction.” Very true, O you of little faith; but you go from strength to strength also. You will never find a bundle of affliction that does not have in it somewhere sufficient grace.

Unlike the Christian pilgrim described in Spurgeon’s text, I am weary of the trials my family experienced this past year. I have begun to focus on my afflictions rather then point out God’s graces in my life. How easy it is to forget, even in the happiest season of our Savior’s birth, the wondrous gift we’ve been given. My gaze is continually drawn to the uncertainties tomorrow brings. Doubt sinks in and makes it harder to trust God. But my troubles today will be but a whisper in the days to come. The Lord keeps reminding me that He is good even in hard times. God has blessed me in so many ways. I have a wonderful job and I love my co-workers. I have a loving family, a peaceful home, and dear friends. Rather than trouble myself about the future I pray that this coming New Year I will go from strength to strength. I will only grow weaker if I continue to rely on myself alone. Strength can only be found in supplies of grace provided by our merciful Savior. His grace is sufficient and He is all I’ll ever need. I hope to be refreshed and in good order for this coming New Year.

Quote of the Month

2009-12-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on Earth, good will to men

And thought how as the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men
I can hear them

And in despair I bowed my head
“There is no peace on Earth” I said
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on Earth, good will to men

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead nor does He sleep
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on Earth, good will to men."
~I Heard The Bells

What I’ve been listening to lately

2009-11-21T13:38:00.001-08:00

"Music Tuesdays" are my favorite days to go on Youtube. I’m always discovering new music artists with incredible and diverse talents. One of my favorites is Zee Avi.

“Zee Avi is just 23 but she’s an old soul. A huge talent in a petite frame bringing a universal message from the unlikely birthplace of Borneo, an ancient island east of Malaysia which remains an untouched, natural paradise, an apt description of her songs.”

Kantoi (a song Avi sings in “Manglish”) conveys her unique use of self-expression linguistically. Her music is a combination of classic sounds like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee and Doris Day. Instruments such as the ukelele, the trumpet and the guitar add a vintage flair to her songs style. She is great to listen to on a rainy day.

Zee Avi is unique in her pursuit of fame. Most of her original videos recorded on Youtube were angled so that her face remained hidden. “It’s because I would like viewers to focus more on the songs…” she says.

You can read more about her on her website:
http://www.zeeavi.com/

Check out her music on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/kokokaina?blend=1&ob=4

The Dream in the Drawer

2009-11-06T10:09:00.000-08:00

The Dream in the Drawer
by Brianna Anderson

"They were allowed to dream once,
For a time reality was bliss.
But hardship came
And everything had gone amiss.

They traveled so far to get there;
Sacrificed much for the dream.
But God had another plan it seemed.

So father put away the dream;
Kept it safe in a drawer.
He opened it at times,
But everyday it grew harder to ignore.

If they never knew what it was like
For their dreams to come true,
Would they never miss them?
Now that they are through?

Even if this pain and regret lasts,
Till they are sorely shaken,
And hard times do not pass.
Perhaps it was worth it after all,
To experience the dream for a short time;
Than not at all.

The drawer is closed,
And now a new dream must begin.
God is still good; He is our hope and has always been.

Although we cannot see it anymore,
He has a better dream in mind,
Then the one we’ve put away in the drawer."

"Your father...has made many sacrifices for his family and put away many dreams...He put them in a drawer. And sometimes, late at night, he takes them out and admires them. But it gets harder and harder to close the drawer..." ~Peter Pan

Quote of the Month

2009-11-01T00:53:00.001-07:00

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.
~Emily Dickinson

Are people born wicked?

2009-10-22T10:07:00.000-07:00

Are people born wicked? Or do they have wickedness thrust upon them? Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein goes on to pursue this philosophical question regarding the nature of man. The story recounts the gruesome events in the life of Dr. Victor Frankenstein. After much studying, Dr. Frankenstein attempts to recreate life by combining the severed parts of corpses. He successfully manages to bring his creation to life but flees because of its hideousness.

Throughout the story the creature attempts to prove to himself and his creator, that he is not evil. He chops firewood for a family and saves a young woman from drowning. But despite his heroic attempts, he is rejected because of his ugly face. “No mortal could support the horror of that countenance. A mummy again endued with animation could not be so hideous as that wretch.” The creature is continually persecuted by men. This causes him to hate all of mankind. Frankenstein’s creation started out as a “good” thing, innocent of evil, but because of society’s rejection of his appearance; he became a monster.

Years later after the publication of Frankenstein another novel was published striving to answer the same question of the nature of man. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson is the story about a scientist who is able to create a potion that brings out the evil side of his nature. “Hence although I had now two characters as well as two appearances, one was wholly evil and the other was still the old Henry Jekyll.” The story shows the struggle between Dr. Jekyll and his evil self Mr. Hyde. The doctor ends up being unable to escape Hyde and eventually commits suicide.

Unlike the monster describe by Mary Shelley, Mr. Hyde is the alternate side of Dr. Jekyll. The doctor is a highly respected man and Hyde is feared by society. Although these characters are two different men in appearances, they are one in the same; one being altogether good and the other altogether evil. “Man is not truly one, but truly two.”

Is the creature of Frankenstein and Mr. Hyde so very different? They are both ugly in countenance and feared by society. They are murderers and creatures created by scientists. These two characters are both described in physical appearances that correspond with their morality. But the morality defined through these characters goes on to portray two very different concepts about man’s inner nature.

The philosophy presented in Frankenstein allows man to blame others for his evil behavior. But Robert Louis Stevenson defined man’s morality by attributing it to his own nature. Frankenstein’s monster is evil by circumstance, while Dr. Jekyll’s monster is evil by nature. Mary Shelley and Robert Louis Stevenson attempted to describe evil both in physical descriptions and metaphorical examples. But Mary Shelley looked only on the surface of man and failed to see the monster within.

Writers as well as scientists and philosophers have striven to explain the nature of man. But it always comes down to two conclusions. Evil is either an impact from the world or an issue from within. Man is either a monster like that of Frankenstein or Mr. Hyde.

The bewitching topic of Vampires

2009-10-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

The phenomenon of Twilight has left fans everywhere “vampire crazed”. The morbid yet romantic tale of a vampire restraining his monster-like instincts in attempts to become more human, has captured the hearts of many young girls around the world. But before Stephenie Meyer’s novels became popular, another New York Times Best-Seller called The Vampire Diaries had topped the boards nearly 14 years before. Today it’s the CW’s newest drama based on the series written by L.J Smith.

Paul Wesley (who plays Stefan the vampire) comments that although the show is being criticized as a Twilight spin-off, the two are not as similar as you would think. "They have vampires and high school romance in common, but that's about it."

That being said, the books do have similar plots but the characters are slightly different. In Twilight Bella is just an average girl. In The Vampire Diaries Elena is one of the most popular girls in school. Both girls have crushes on a vampire. Stefan and Edward (the vampire dudes) do not drink human blood.

Stephenie Meyers admitted that she never read The Vampire Diaries while writing Twilight. So it is obvious that neither of the authors intended to copy one another. I think it is safe to say that the similarities are just a coincidence.

And as if we didn’t have enough vampire stories in the world already, another series has come to the screen in the new movie The Vampire’s Assistant in theaters October 23.

“The Vampire's Assistant tells the frightening tale of a boy who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares.”
--© Universal

Which one is better? Read the books, watch the movies, watch the TV show, and vote for your favorites…

On the day of the SAT

2009-10-11T21:21:00.000-07:00

It was nineteen degrees outside as she got into the defrosting car. The air was so cold she could see her breath coming out in little white puffs of air. She coughed into her cold hands and sighed sadly. A severe chest cold took hold of her the week before and she was still recovering. But she felt confident enough to still go through with the test. She entered the school doors; arms overflowing with the necessary equipment:
Two No. 2 pencils…check!
Scientific calculator…check!
Admission ticket…check!

The classroom was filled with nearly fifty other students from various schools around the county. They spoke loudly with one another. The girls hugged each other and laughed together; their cares seemingly far away. Finally the time had come. The students were ushered into a small library. When they took their seats they glanced down at the daunting test booklets laid out before them. The once happy faces were now stricken with fear.

The proctor (who was in her late sixties) made it apparent almost as soon as the students entered the room that she did NOT like teenagers. Her voice, shrill and witch-like, pierced through the noisy chatter: “No talking!” A hush fell over the room almost instantly. She explained the test rules as if speaking to juvenile delinquents. A few of the cockier students chuckled at her demeanor but the rest folded their hands on their desks like good little children.

The timer was set and the testing began! Three hours had been laid aside to quiz the students with confusing multiple questions and impossible math equations.

The Reading Comprehension was helpful with its overly vague questions like this one:

In Lines 17-39 (depicting…humbling), did the author mean:
a) obnoxious
b) he wanted to eat ice cream
c) his mother and father didn’t approve of his relationship with her
d) the title of this section should be…

Other sections were just as puzzling. They had five minute breaks every two sections. Their proctor shouted at them during the breaks reminding them of ridiculous rules: “Don’t talk with each other! No water bottles in the testing room! Your scores will be canceled if you have any answers written inside any food wrappers or bottle labels!” Bathroom breaks were extremely short and "taking a breather" was nearly unacceptable. But soon they all returned to their seats and began testing once more.

“You have five minutes!” shouted the proctor. She startled some of the students out of their chairs. Three hours seemed more like days but now there was just five more minutes. The old crone paraded around their tables watching their every move. Suddenly her stopwatch beeped softly. It could barely be heard at first. The students raised their heads and looked at their jailer through bloodshot eyes. She gave them a curt nod of the head, announcing wordlessly that it was all over. The students gathered up their pencils and calculators and nearly ran outside the classroom; they were so relieved. No more studying, no more practice tests, no more filling in the circles on the answer sheets; the test was over and they were free!

The girl from the beginning of our story finished her test on time. She coughed only once during the test. Her nose had stopped running and she was actually feeling better. Her head however, was swimming with evaluations and although she couldn’t see straight, a sudden calm overtook her. Whether or not her scores were good or bad she had done her best. And knowing that made her feel just fine.

Quote Of the Month

2009-10-01T14:44:00.000-07:00

It being one of the principles of the Circumlocution Office never, on any account whatever, to give a straightforward answer, Mr Barnacle said, 'Possibly.'

Little Dorrit ~Charles Dickens

Everything You Need to Know About Moving

2009-09-22T17:58:00.001-07:00

I think this could become the new highly anticipated title on The New York Times Best-Seller List. My family has moved so many times that we could write a “how-to book” on moving.

The Back Cover would say: “We never planned to move so many times. But whether it’s flooding problems, crazy neighbors, or stubborn landlords; no matter how much we grow attach to each house; the Lord seems to have a different location in mind.”

The Table of Contents would look something like this:

How to Move & Keep Your Friends
Two Weeks Notice: moving in record time
Organize Your Life
The Better Boxes
Save on Bubble Wrap: use your clothes instead
Helpful Taping Tips
Household Nightmares
Home Is Where You Hang Your Hat

This “How-to” book not only provides you with helpful hints about moving, but it is also an encouragement to families everywhere who have moved countless times.

And yes, its true folks we are moving again this weekend…

Jane Austen Ruined My Life

2009-09-19T14:22:00.000-07:00

"Professor Emma Grant has always had faith in the happily-ever-after depicted by her favorite author, Jane Austen. But where's Emma's happy ending when she discovers that, instead of a Darcy, she's married a Wickham who both breaks her heart and destroys her career? Emma sets off for England on a quest to reestablish her academic credibility by tracking down the lost letters of Jane Austen and finds a romantic adventure of her own." --Library Journal

The title of this book is a bit silly, but it was actually very entertaining. I was a little disappointed with how corny it got…still; it made several good points about Jane Austen’s writings. Many of us devotees are absorbed with the romance depicted in these novels; the language, the culture, even the clothes. And like the character Emma Grant in Jane Austen Ruined My Life, Austen fans are disappointed when they don’t end up in a happily-ever-after relationship.

I can never watch a romantic movie without either of my parents commenting how “men don’t really talk that way!” It’s true that in order to get a man like Mr. Darcy or Knightly, you have to make him up. Girls my age fanaticize over these characters. After watching the movies and reading the books, I admit I dreamed about romantic proposals and fervent courtships. But setting the standards high in hopes of getting a man like Mr. Darcy, is perhaps a bit unrealistic. I can’t honestly expect a guy from the 21st century to speak, act, and think like an Austen man.

Jane Austen’s characters are timeless and there is wisdom in her writings. She believed in marrying for love. But if you expect romance to be exactly like something out of a novel, then you are sure to be disappointed. Whether or not a man behaves romantically is not the issue, Jane Austen urges her readers to look past charm and wit and focus on good character. But I won’t analyze her novels too much… after all “the person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.”~Jane Austen

Matchmaker, matchmaker

2009-09-09T17:29:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday I saw Topol in the "Fiddler on the Roof" goodbye tour. The music was amazing, oh and the story! It was a wonderful. Afterward I was inspired to write this poem...I hope you all like it.

“Matchmaker, Matchmaker,
Send me a man of good character,

A strong leader,
In good times and bad.
A man who loves the Lord (above all else),
Yes, that would make me glad.

If he were gentle and kind,
And passionate in faith.
I hope one day I’ll find,
He’ll love me always.

And by heavens design,
Be forever true.”

~Brianna Anderson

♪So bring me no ring, groom me no groom, find me no find, catch me no catch, unless he's a matchless match♫

Music in the Park

2009-09-07T20:58:00.000-07:00

Tonight the Spokane Symphony played in the park. Our family packed up a few blankets and treats and sat amongst a couple hundred people gathered to hear the orchestra. As the familiar notes rose in the air I closed my eyes as the music flowed around me. I love classical music because it tells a story even without words. Each note has something to say. Each instrument adds its own voice to the song. I love watching the musicians faces as they close their eyes, giving themselves up to the music. Others stare hard in concentration at the intricate sheet music in front of them. The conductor of course is the best because he is so passionate. The conductor seemed more and more out of breath as he introduced each song before it was played. All in all it was a most pleasant evening.

2009-09-01T16:28:00.000-07:00

The famous Empiricist David Hume once asked: “Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? When then is evil.”

Charles Spurgeon commented that: “It is contrary to every promise of God’s precious Word that you would ever be forgotten or left to perish.” (i) But many would argue that God’s promises account for nothing because of the evil that takes place in this world. Why do terrible things happen to innocent people? Why are they not protected by God? The best answer to this question is found in the book of Job.

Job was “blameless and upright”(ii) in God’s sight. He was unlike any man because of his unshakable faith. But God allowed Satan to test Job by causing him to suffer. Job experienced unimaginable pain but he did not accuse God of wrongdoing. God allowed Job’s torment to increase to the point where his children were killed.

The hardest thing to comprehend in this story is that there is no justifiable reason for Job’s suffering. When he cried out for an explanation and God replied: “Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand (iii)… Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place?(iv) …Everything under heaven belongs to me.(v)”

God is all knowing and he understands ultimate suffering. There was nothing that Job experienced that He did not know about. In the end Job declares: “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted…. Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (vi)

“Things too wonderful to know”…these are the words of a man who had suffered so much, physically, mentally and emotionally, and yet he was in wonder of God’s sovereignty. Job finally realized that nothing was outside of God’s control. And that no matter how much he suffered God was there throughout it all. Herein lies our hope! God is the only solution to afflictions. There is a day coming when God will wipe away all our tears and bring us to a better place. And that will be the day when ALL suffering will cease.
__________________________________________________

The unemployment rate in the United States is 9.7%. (vii) Nearly 87,000 Californians lost their jobs in July, 2009. (viii) The 11.9% unemployment rate in California is the highest ever recorded. Twenty-five United States banks have failed this year alone, including Washington Mutual. (ix) The United States’ failing economy is affecting everyone. Recently my dad lost his job. Suffering can visit us in many forms, even financially; but I know that God is Sovereign and therefore my hope is in Him.

“…you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
~1 Peter 1:6-9

(i)Morning & Evening June 16th
(ii)Job 1:8
(iii)Job 38:4
(iv)Job 41:11
(v)Job 42:2,3
(vii)Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
(viii)http://www.examiner.com/x-4577-Milwaukee-Unemployment-Examiner~y2009m8d26-Jobless-rate-climbs-over-10-in-15-states
(ix)http://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html

Fiction Fridays

2009-07-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

(a continuation from last week...)

I was cuddling peacefully in my chamber when a sudden burst of noise blasted me. I could not hear Her voice. Why couldn’t I hear Her voice? The noise grew louder as I heard a voice from the outside say: “suction”. What did that mean? I began to grow scared. Soon the sound was all I could hear, and it was closer. I could sense it. It was too loud! It began to hurt. I thrashed about and tried to move as much as I could within my chamber. Oh! If only I could speak. Then She would be able to hear me. She would listen I know She would! I thought one thing over and over again, hoping She would hear: Mommy!!!

The doctor had me lie down as she turned on the machine. She assured me that the procedure would be quick, fifteen minutes or less. I would be a little uncomfortable and then that would be it. I tried reassuring myself mentally, but something felt wrong. The machine echoed in my ears as the doctor came closer. Time stood still as she began to make the preparations. Sweat beaded down my forehead. My breathing became labored and my legs began to tremble. I clenched my teeth as I tried to remain calm. Breathe…just breathe… I looked over at the doctor as she came closer. She put her hands on my arms steadying me. I hadn’t realized I was shaking so badly. The machine’s noise caught my attention. I tried focusing on something else but I stared at it fearfully. My heart beat grew faster and faster until it was the only thing I could hear. I put my hands over my ears to muffle the noise. It was too much! I didn’t want to listen anymore. I wanted this to be over with. Suddenly everything around me went fuzzy. I put a hand to my head and closed my eyes.

When I opened them again I was alone. I looked around me not believing what I was seeing. A full length mirror hung on the wall next to me. I gasped when I saw my flat stomach. The only reasonable conclusion I could come up with was that I had fainted during the procedure. I looked in the mirror again. It was gone! I sighed heavily. But had I made the right choice? I waited for my mind to tell me everything would be alright now. But I heard nothing. My face was pale and my stomach seemed empty now. I had just gotten used to the idea of being pregnant, that was all. My stomach would feel normal after a little while.

And then I heard it, faintly at first; “Don’t do this!”

“I didn’t have a choice. Besides, you aren’t there anymore.”

“But I am here! Can’t you feel me?”

I looked down at my stomach, “No, because you aren’t there. You weren’t living yet anyway.”

“But I AM. I am growing inside of you. How could I grow if I’m not living?”

“Leave me be.”

I realized how ridiculous I must sound, talking to myself. There was no one there. It went quiet again as I headed towards the door.

But the voice grew louder this time: “But it hurts.”

“It is done!” I shouted.

“Please!”

Tears rolled down my face, as I closed my eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Hear me!”

My eyes snapped open. The doctor looked at me anxiously. I quickly glanced down at my stomach. It was big again, the baby was still there. I shook my head as I realized now that this was no dream. Something inside me screamed: “Stop!!!”

After recovering from my sudden outburst the doctor spoke softly, “Are you sure?”

Was I? It took me a moment to get back to reality. Suddenly I felt the baby move. This was the first time I had felt it. I realized now that something was living inside me. And I couldn’t kill it. Not now. Not ever! I quietly thanked the doctor and left the hospital without looking back.

The noise had stopped. She was upset, I could tell. But somehow I felt relieved. Something had changed. Her emotions surged through me. She knew that I existed. She had listened…I was safe.

I ran into my room and flopped onto my bed. Face down; I hit the bedspread with my fists. I had never been so scared. Without warning the baby moved. I sat up quickly and put my hand to my stomach. There it was again, a little bump underneath my fingers. As I felt around the area more carefully the cold hard truth hit me. Was it a hand, a foot maybe? I trembled as I realized what I had almost done. I knew now, that I had to tell someone.

The conversation with my parents was the longest conversation we had since “the talk”. When I told them that I was going to keep the baby they both went quite again. They told me to think it over. And so I did. I continued life normally as the baby grew inside me. I went to school just like every other day. Every one had heard the rumors. I was humiliated when I went back to school. It wasn’t that I was verbally abused, but the look in their eyes as I passed them, was enough to send me home. But I knew that I could not go back to that clinic. No fear would ever be as bad as that. I attended my classes as if nothing had changed. But the one person who I dreaded telling was him.

I called my boyfriend as soon as I got home from school. He had been told by his friends and was anxious to see me. My stomach was the first thing he looked at. I immediately burst into tears. I hadn’t wanted him to find out this way. I felt guilty. He held me while I explained everything that had happened. After I had a good cry he spoke. He was more supportive then I had imagined. We talked for hours about the future. He told me that the decision was up to me. When I told him I wanted to keep the baby, he promised to be involved regularly. And most of all he still loved me!

My chamber seems smaller. I have grown so much since I remember hearing Her voice for the first time. The atmosphere around me has changed, I can feel it. I heard a new voice today. His voice is much deeper then Hers. It is also soothing. And again I feel a connection with this voice. Sometimes I sense Him close to my chamber. He does something that I have heard Her call “singing”.

It had almost been nine months. I felt terrible and looked it too. But I felt an overwhelming peace about my pregnancy. I look back on my experience in the abortion clinic, and thank God every day that I kept my baby. My thoughts have turned to God a lot lately. After all that I’ve been through, it is hard to think that this world was made just by chance. My baby is living proof of that. His complex design points to a creator. I can’t help but wonder if the voice that I heard in the clinic was really God’s; urging me to look outside of myself and see His wonders. No matter how hard I tried, I could not escape the fact, regardless if he was breathing or not, my baby was living inside of me. This realization has brought me to deeper understanding of life. I know now, that there is a God and that He saved my life and my baby’s.

I do not know what happened to change Her mind. That day while She was about to have me aborted, I was so scared. I felt helpless. I still cannot speak. But I know now that She can hear me…that She loves me…I’m positive.

THE END

A Note to the Reader

Adolph Hitler once said: “It matters not whether these weapons of ours are humane: if they gain us our freedom, they are justified before our conscience and before our God.” (i) Hitler could not have been farther from the truth. The value of life is altogether precious to God. Abortion cannot be justified as humane, by the preservation of one life, while the other is destroyed. Fetus, embryo, call them whatever name you wish, but they are human and are therefore children of God. They must have a voice. We are their voice.

(i) http://quotations.about.com/od/morepeople/a/Hitler1.htm

Fiction Fridays...

2009-07-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

Last year I entered a short story contest for Patrick Henry College. At the time I didn’t have any short stories written (most of mine were at least 40 pages long); so I started one from scratch. Participants in my age group wrote stories with the theme “Joy in Pain.” Unfortunately I didn’t win the contest, but it was still exciting getting my material out there for others to read. I’m hoping to enter a few more contests this summer. Most likely I will re-enter this particular story because its one of my best…

Their Voice

by Brianna Anderson

Positive. I couldn’t believe the words right in front of me. I fumbled through the bathroom cupboard as I searched franticly for the box. I re-read the instructions, sure that I had missed something. Had I waited long enough? I decided to take another test. This time I waited longer. I took the test in both hands, cradling it as I looked down at the small window once more. Positive. There was no denying now that it was true. I buried my face in my hands and cried. What was I going to do? I squirmed at the thought of a “thing” living inside me. This was senior year; this was supposed to be the greatest year of my life! There was no way I could fit a baby in between prom and graduation. How was I going to tell anyone about this? My parents would have to support me. Wasn’t that what parents were for? Or would they be too embarrassed? What if they sent me away! Well, maybe they wouldn’t. But they could never look at me the same way. Not after having to bear the shame of my pregnancy. My soul would be forever marked with the black stain of my actions. If anyone at school found out, I would be gossiped about for eternity. I needed help. But what could I do? It would be better not to tell my parents, I concluded. This just needed to go away. I couldn’t possibly deal with it just right now. My whole body shook as I trembled and sobbed. I was trapped, and there was no way out.

A loud rumbling woke me up. I do not remember how long I had been awake, or alive for that matter. But something around me was shaking, and I could not help feeling sorry. Something around me was sad. But the space that surrounded me felt safe and comforting. A sound echoed off the walls of my chamber as I listened contently. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump.

I looked in the mirror for the millionth time that day. I had seen a doctor “quietly” and he confirmed my pregnancy. I was already two months pregnant. My stomach was still flat but it wouldn’t be for much longer. Out of precaution I wore layers to hide any shape underneath. I ran every morning hoping to loose as much weight as possible to hide my condition. But how much longer could I pull this off? I knew some women who were three to four months pregnant who didn’t even show. That was my goal, until I figured out what to do. So I got up every morning just the same. I went to school, without anyone suspecting a thing. I looked cute, I was young and having fun. My boyfriend, who was already out of high school, didn’t see me as often as last year. So there was less suspicion on his part and on everyone else at school. He still loved me, which was the most important thing to me at this point. So I held onto that thought and continued on.

Tears sprung to my eyes. I knew I had to make a decision soon. But no matter what I chose to do, sooner or later someone was going to find out. This haunted me as my time drew nearer. I thought of the shame I would have to bear for nine whole months. It seemed like an eternity. Nine months of gossip. Nine months of ridicule. Nine months of enduring pain. Nine months of a thing growing inside me. I remember in school learning about how babies looked at an early stage. They were alien looking. I grew angry just thinking about it. How could this be happening? I did not want this!

I can hear voices outside my chamber. One voice is louder then the rest. Her voice is the sweetest sound I have ever heard. But She is always sad. I feel what She feels. She calls me “Thing”. I do not like the sound of that. There is more to me then She knows. If She could hear me I would tell Her that I love Her. If only She would listen…

I am five months pregnant now and my stomach has become hard. The curve is undeniable. I started to panic. I began craving weird foods and felt hungry all the time. I had gained a lot of weight and on top of that was very sick. I took time off from school but I knew that this wouldn’t be enough. Everyone was starting to notice a change in me. I tried telling my parents, but whenever I took time to speak to them I choked up. It would be easier to not have this thing. I went to a clinic to have my condition evaluated. I was given a packet of information to take home. The procedure was normal enough. After all, people had these everyday. It seemed worth it. I wanted this all to go away and here was my answer. Even if people at school believed the rumors, what was the worst that could happen? I wouldn’t be getting any bigger. And on top of this, my parents would never have to know. I had decided. I went in, signed the paper work, and waited.

(to be continued...)

2009-06-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

After creating a blog entirely dedicated to the promotion of my writings, I realized that this required me to go through my many saved documents. I spent the remainder of the day going through my folders and regretted that I did not inherit my mother’s talent of organizing. ;-) Most likely my entries will be very sporadic until I can come up with a better system.

This first essay is called “The Search for Truth”; it is one of my more recent essays. I decided to write this after someone told me: “well that may be true for you, but I don’t agree...” This is the most common rejection of the Gospel I hear after sharing my testimony. Professors and classmates alike have confronted me on this issue of believe in absolute truth. They feel I am being intolerant by saying that something is “morally wrong”. If ever I got the chance to submit an essay to a Professor, regardless of the malicious grade he would give me, I would send him this….

The Search for Truth

Truth has become a versatile word. The definition of what is honestly true and right is no longer believed to be an absolute. Anything can be defined by one’s own cultural perspective. Truth has been altered to the point that the assumption of relativity has consumed the idea whole. What is right or wrong is left up to the individual and what they believe.

What is truth? It is a simple question in of itself; but most likely when asked to a broader group of individuals, a hundred answers could and would be shared. The first principles of knowledge all have a starting point. In order to find the knowability of truth we must examine the first principles of a how truth is defined. Truth is separated into two categories: Metaphysical and Subjective.

Metaphysical truth corresponds with reality. So what we see, what we know to be true, must coexist with reality. Reality being defined as: “what is” or “what exists”. The Greek philosopher Aristotle said: "“If there is a man, the statement whereby we say that there is a man is true.” Aristotle argued that truth relies on the actual existence of the thing which a thought or statement is about." (i)

Subjective truth is when truth and reality are determined by the individual. Reality is a broad term in this case since it is not necessarily what surrounds the individual, but what he/she in visions to be real. Thomas Aquinas asserts that “truth is defined by the conformity of intellect and thing; and hence to know this conformity is to know truth.” (ii) If truth does not correspond to reality then what is false or what is true makes no difference. The sky is blue. This is a fact. Although someone might define the sky differently by color such as aqua or sapphire, they are attempting to describe the same reality: the sky is blue. But if someone else claims the sky is red than that person is questioning the truthfulness and reality of the fact that: the sky is blue. The sky has to be either blue or red it cannot be both. Truth must be applied to reality or else all that we know is lost.

The theory of relativism states that truth cannot be defined by one standard. It may be determined by circumstance. A fact or something that can be shown to be true is dependent on how truth is defined. If it is reliant upon circumstance then anything could be true, for example: to believe in relative truth would be to agree that there is no difference between Nazis and Christians. Hitler and Jesus are both right in the eyes of relative truth.

Truth must be absolute or it will contradict itself. We cannot allow the idea of relativity to lead us into accepting any and every belief. Right and wrong must be classified as two very different things. It cannot be one or the other. Truth cannot survive in a world where right and wrong do not exist. “If you see through everything, than everything is transparent. But a wholly transparent world is an invisible world. To ‘see through’ all things is the same as not to see.” (iii)

(i)The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict (Aristotle, C, 12, 14b15-22)
(ii)The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict (Aquinas, St, 1.16.2)
(iii)C.S. Lewis, The Abolition of Man