Walk with me.

Though some (who shall be unnamed :)) may argue that walking be a waste of time and valuable muscle, I argue that walking is a worthwhile pastime when one takes the time to fully enjoy the journey.
Let me explain.
While driving down a scenic route with my good friend Viet this afternoon, I noticed the number of people in their workout clothes jogging alongside the street. As I envied their endurance, strength and willpower to myself silently, I became aware of the number of not-so-fast (some would call, lazy) people. Some of these people were, true, not as fit as the joggers, but one thing was clear: they all seemed strikingly content and happy. You may argue that the joggers were running so fast I didn't have time to catch their smiling facial expressions, but pay attention to what I'm saying; I'm not arguing that walkers are happier than joggers, but just that walking brings walkers pleasure. Now, all of these walkers were strolling at a healthy pace, pushing strollers, carrying conversations with walking buddies, and in some cases, holding hands. They were looking around, pointing at the magnificent views of Back Bay, and having a good time. They were enjoying their surroundings, beautiful God-given gifts in real time. Walkers don't walk just because we are too fat to run; we walk because we can experience things better along the way. And if we can have a nice afternoon experiencing fresh air, good sights, pleasant company, and get some physical exercise in, why wouldn't we?
We are so obsessed with speed these days--with finishing first, by beating others to the top, that we often forget to just chill out and look around. True, your body "may be meant to run." True, you may not get the best workout from running. True, you may not be the first up the hill-- but you enjoyed the journey, didn't you?

White Flag

I don't know how to start this, but then again, I guess it doesn't really matter because no one reads this but Tristan (thanks Tristan). I have spent much of my life trying to achieve things-- good grades in school, pride from my asian parents ( I don't know why I had to include the word "asian." Maybe because it compliments the word "pride"--it's the A-Z-N, nig-...), cool points with the cool kids...but I'm tired, really tired. Recently I've been thinking about this more and more, and contradicting-ly (whatever) both relieving and discouragingly, I've come up with the 'duh' conclusion that I will never be able to conquer it all. There will always be another person to impress, another A to score, another internship/scholarship/boy/standard/fashion/hobby...when will I ever just be content?
For those of you who know, I've been combating a somewhat typical, but oh-so-painful struggle with trying to...God, who knows what I'm trying to do? And as a result, being the self-sufficient Emily I have always striven to be, I've been daily attempting to remedy myself from my sickness and pain with google searches, books, and thinking for hours on end. But since day one, I knew the answer. So what's the problem? I guess I'm just having trouble relinquishing my hold and power over myself to Him who knows best.
I will never be "perfect." I will never be as smart, as pretty, as thin, as funny, as charming, as tall, or as courageous as I would like to be. I could work my whole life trying to self-perfect, improve, and beat myself up to strive to be these things. But the Word shoots all of these things down--
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30

I pray that I will one day see my own worth and that I am just fine the way God made me--
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalm 139:14a

If God loves me the way that I am--
"The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17


I should learn to love me, too.