On Friendship: Part IV

To Zend: A poem about our relationship

I had a friend

His name was Zend.

I told him to fend

for himself and thend

our friendship was rend

to a complete end.

To go back and mend

a letter I could send

but I'd have to bend

over backwards. That, I don't intend.

Oh Zend

Why didn't you contend

and dis-recommend

our end?

If only my penned

letter could extend

you my hend.

I depend

on you, Zend.

No more pretend.

Can I come over next weekend?

No? I am offend-

dend.

On Friendship: Part III

Greg and I met in the fall, around September of 2016.

Greg.

Our first encounter, we laughed about two completely different things - I can't remember what it was, but both our laughs were hearty and boisterous, and that was more than enough to spark our odd kinship.

I talk a lot about influence, and wonder how much someone or something has an impact on our lives. And I can honestly say Greg has made a lasting difference in my life. When I arrived in Ann Arbor, Greg was one of the first people who reached out to me and who I shared life with. His listening ear, honest advice, and practical perspective, I found touching.

I remember distinctly, Greg telling me, "I admire how consistent you are with your blog."

"I admire how consistent you are with your blog."

His compliment revitalized my blog-tired spirit; almost no one had told me I was tenacious (because most of my life I have not been) and it motivated me to continue the blog, weekly, no matter what. I promised myself that I would make at least one post come Sunday each week. (I'm crossing my fingers right now)

So really, the only reason I continue to write this blog is because of Greg. Thanks Greg, for cursing (blessing?) the public with my weekly tirades/writing/discourse.

I have long enjoyed your friendship, candor, and humor, brother.

Greg Monroe watching elections.

I'll miss you, and I wish you the best of luck in Korea,

Love,

- Jinwoo

On Friendship: Part II

A picture is worth a 1000 words... so I guess I have about 6000 words here. :)

On Friendship: Part I

My good friend and I were talking about how the nature of relationships were changing hand in hand with the advent of advanced technology. 

Our mobile phones, the internet, and some other third thing gives us access to most, if not all, our perceived desires. Everything we need is at our fingertips.

Search: Dank Memes.

And we began our talk about how consumable everything was becoming in our culture. From humor, (memes) to sex (tinder).

I began to wonder afterwards at the current mindset of our generation. At the risk of sounding apocalyptic, I saw this kind of consumables-mindset carry over into our broader understanding of friendships in general too.

When a person is angry or has opposing views with a friend, they "*unfriend" them - it's no longer necessary to talk out the issue with them respectfully and cordially. Why bother? Friends can be made with a click of a button. 

Zuckerberg?

This kind of view of friendships and relationships in a broader aspect can, not only cause a lot of harm, but leads people astray from the true meaning of deep, lasting relationships. 

And I understand maybe that's not what some people are or should be looking for all the time. I'm not looking for deep, personal conversations or an intimate relationship with the guy who delivers my pizza. Nothing against pizza guys, but my point is that for those few people you want to share more of yourself with, to treat them in a dismissive way would be counterproductive to developing kinship.

Pizza is love, pizza is life.

But alas, more questions arise:

Who can you trust? Who can you share with? How much? What exactly do you share?

Stay warm!

See you guys next week.

- Jinwoo

*The quotations are a reference to Facebook, which has effectively destroyed the meaning of the very word, 'friend'. (I am not a fan of facebook, as you guys could probably tell)

New Year

Looking forward to writing about different topics this upcoming year for y'all. Planning on starting these blogs a little before the day of from now on. (Surprise lol)

I have to go to sleep now.

How did I get here?

xoxo,

- J Slice

Holiday Thoughts

For winter break, my brother and I took a 12 hour drive down to Georgia, where my parents are. So I'll be spending the week and a half here, in Newnan, a pretty rural town. Finally, some peace and quiet, away from the hustle bustle of the campus city life.

Take meee homeeee

It's been 3 days. THREE days with my family, and I got really angry/fed up with them/myself. I felt like they treated me like I was a baby and gave me little voice in discussion. Like I wasn't taken very seriously, and notions of deficiency in character and unhealthy self-criticism crept up on me. Didn't feel too good.

I'm with you, Calvin. :')

I am exhausted.

How can I claim to love the Lord with all my heart when I have such a hard time showing patience and understanding and listening to my own family? I know for a fact that I fell short so many times this week. Of my own expectations, of others.

Why is it so hard to love? To love fully and deeply? The challenge lies in that it requires all of us. I think I fall under the illusion that it's a natural thing to love. I mean it can be, but for active life-changing love, love to those who we take for granted, it really takes a tremendous effort.

He looks just like me

But maybe my focus has been all wrong. Maybe it's not about how much I love others. Maybe it's about knowing how much God loves me and coming to a full realization of that truth. It certainly makes it easier to love others knowing that.

Happy Holidays.

Love,

- Jinwoo

A Psalm of Thanksgiving

Your love is like the rising sun to me,
Breaking the darkness with its light.
Let the brightness of your countenance shine forever.

You give and give in full view of my selfish ways -
my ways, O LORD, my ways.
And yet, still, you insist on blessing me.

Why, LORD?

You are higher than all I know,
all I could ever imagine.
God, God, why have you blessed me so?

You surround me with your love;
I will sing LORD, of your Glory and fame forever and ever.
Let your praise be on my lips continually.

Only you have the keys to my heart and mind
Only you know me through and through.
You give life, you give hope.
You give abundantly, without relent,
without holding back.
Where would I be, without you?

Let the light of your countenance burn brightly on your servant forever, O LORD.
Let it be as you have said,
as you have said from ages past,
as you have said in the deeps.

Let your words stand true, Father.
May it be as you have said.

So give me a song to sing,
and I will sing it to you, God.
I will sing it to you.

Inspired by Give me a Song by Will Reagan & United Pursuit