![]() This week, the Supreme Court is discussing the "issue" of same-sex marriage. I've never understood what the big drama was with same-sex marriage; to me, a marriage is a marriage. It doesn't make a difference if the couple exchanging vows is heterosexual or homosexual. The decision to bond with someone in such an intimate manner is a sacred thing. I know many people argue against same-sex marriage for religious reasons, but personally, I believe using religion to promote hate contradicts religion altogether. If a person claims to love God and follow God's law, shouldn't they be walking around spreading love? God is love. In America, it's perfectly legal in many states to marry minors, in some cases as young as 14. It's also legal to marry your first cousin. If I went outside right now and married the first man I ran into, sure, people might judge my hasty decision, but there would be no real uproar. However, if I went out and married a woman I was madly and deeply in love with, countless people would be up in arms. In what way does any of that seem logical? Oh, that's right, it doesn't! The arguments against same-sex marriage are anything but logical. Those in opposition of allowing people in love to marry whomever they want are the biggest hypocrites. In many situations, those in opposition are constantly ranting about the government trying to take away their freedoms; then, in the same breath, they rant about limiting the freedoms of their fellow Americans. The United States Constitution grants Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness to all. If marrying the person you love makes you happy, how should anyone be allowed to take that right away or judge you for doing so? That's the thing, they shouldn't. America parades around, claiming to be so open minded and progressive, yet so many of it's citizens are as backwards as can be. With over fifty percent of marriages today ending in divorce, how could anyone claim that same-sex marriage would tarnish the sanctity of this institution? Clearly, half the people (the heterosexual people, remember) don't take their own right to marry very seriously. Same-sex couples are fighting fervently for the ability to solidify their love, while many heterosexual couples are fighting just as fervently to end their marriages. I am not gay; but I am a supporter of equality and love. It saddens and sickens me that in 2013 there is still an argument about same-sex marriage. Fifty years ago, a similar battle was going on about interracial marriage. Even though discrimination still takes place, overall there is no issue. All people are equal, no matter their race, religion, social status, or sexuality. I hope and pray that one day everyone will believe in equality and promote love as opposed to spreading hate. My challenge for you is to: Open your mind and your heart; be the change in this world. Promote Love and Equality.
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![]() Love. It's the one thing we all seek out in life. Whether it's romantic, familial, or spiritual, we all crave it. It's like a drug. Society treats love like the most fantastic thing ever, but in reality, it's one of the most terrifying things we'll ever come in contact with. Before you call me crazy, think about it. Love, of every kind, makes us our most vulnerable. When we're in love, real love, all of our guards are down. We've let someone or something into the most private part of our being: our heart. Once someone is allowed in, they're never really able to leave. A piece of them always remains within us, and becomes a part of us. In order for love to be meaningful, it has to be risky. There's the always impending doom of loss that accompanies love. It doesn't matter how we end up losing the thing that we love, regardless, it's the most painful experience we'll ever have to endure. We can distract ourselves from the loss on occasion, but we'll always end up being reminded of it somehow. The reminder can hurt more than the initial loss. Because the shock has worn off, reality has set in, the person or thing that you loved is gone; and in most cases, it's gone forever. Even though there is so much at stake when it comes to love, we all do it. At one point or another, every single one of us will love. That love may be brief or everlasting. No matter it's duration, eventually it will leave us. Are we all just insane? We open our hearts up even though we know that eventually a piece of us will be ripped away. I guess that ever-present loss gives our love value. Gives that love a purpose. Life wouldn't be worth living without risk. Life would be meaningless with out love. If we were allowed to keep the things we loved forever, we would lose sight of their value. It's human nature to become greedy. We all are greedy with those we love. When it comes time for our love to leave us, we fight it with all of our being. We reject it and pretend it's not real. Eventually we come to terms with it, but on occasion we're reminded of our loss. That reminder tears us up inside, but at the same time, that pain is comforting. That pain means that our love was real. That pain means that we're still here, and we have time to share what remains of our heart with others. I think that's the real purpose of life, to open our hearts as much as possible. The more open and generous we are with our hearts, the more pain we'll have to endure. But that pain is always preceded with love. And love makes everything worth while. ![]() If your love crashed and burned on it's maiden voyage, are you doomed to go down with the ship a second time around? Or, can you salvage your shipwreck and sail into the sunset? Is love a one shot thing, or can you love, lose, and then love again? Is time capable of healing old wounds? Or will they eventually resurface, most likely with the worst timing? If you loved someone once, it makes sense that you could love them again. Right? Maybe that's just wishful thinking. Do we ever really change enough to make old problems in a relationship obsolete? They say if you love something you should let it go and if it comes back, then you'll know. But what if you don't know at all? What if some people are better left in our pasts, no matter how much we loved them at one point. The trick is in determining who to leave behind and who to throw a life preserver to. Sometimes it feels like we're all sinking on the ship named LOVE. Is it best to go down on your own, or flailing into the arms of another? Why does love have to be the most complex thing in existence? And why do we all crave it like cocaine? If I'm going down with this ship, I want to make sure I drown quickly alone; or tread water with someone else, at least long enough to catch glimpse what makes love worth all the pain. Does Ex mark the spot on our maps, or is it best to seek out a new treasure? ![]() I believe I'm quickly becoming one of the most cynical people ever. That fact scares me to death. I used to be the most optimistic person ever. Nothing could break my undying optimism. Currently, I'm killing every ounce of optimism left inside my body. I wish I could hit the reset button on my life. Go back a couple of months, when things seemed so different. My life wasn't being held together my cheap duct tape and a prayer. Currently, my life is a perfect example of Murphy's Law. It feels like I can not win for losing. As soon as I think I'm conquering some of the obstacles standing in my way, fifty more fall in my path. It's like this screwed up game of Tetris. I'm trying to find time and a place for everything that's crashing down on me, but I feel like I'm about to reach the edge of the screen. Game Over. When I find myself in these frustrating situations, I fall apart. I put up a good fight for a while, but eventually it all catches up to me. My anxiety and depression become almost too much to endure. I can't sleep well. I start criticizing myself and my issues with food resurface. I lose all faith in myself and my abilities. When it rains, it pours. It's like I'm drowning in a puddle, hoping someone will throw me a life preserver; but no one can see me. I bottle things up inside; so no one can hear my cries for help. It's a scary thing to be consumed by your own demons. I just wish I had a solution for all of my issues. Or I at least wish I could take a moment to pause and collect myself. But life keeps moving in fast forward and I'm standing still. Sinking. Is there any hope; a light at the end of this overwhelming tunnel? |
AuthorLindsey. Twenty-Five. Currently pursuing a degree in Professional Writing & Film Studies.
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