Sunday, October 3, 2010

It's been a while!!

Well, the title has a little dual purpose: (1) It has been a while since I last posted, and (2) the topic is about proposition 8 and that was an political issue a while back. You might ask, why would I want to talk about something that happened so long ago? It's because it recently came up again in the news, in my firend's blogs, or just been on my mind.

I don't live in California. So, I was not and am not in the middle of it. What I don't understand is why members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints were treated so badly (almost hated - hate is a strong word in my family) by people that profess equal rights!! For example, my cousin lives in the Bay Area, and she had put a couple of "Vote NO on Proposition 8" signs on her front lawn. A car drove quickly by, pulling off the signs from her lawn. And as they drove away, screaming and yelling obscene phases and demeaning words. I have nothing against homosexual people. They are quite friendly and most of the time fun people (I lived in the Bay area for 2 years). I understand that they were discriminated and still is (recent news can prove that - those crimes break my heart - that could be another blog post - I don't understand how anyone could hate someone they do not know anything about).

Anyways, back to the main topic here, all I am saying is that everyone has the freedom of choice. You and I can choose the kind of lives we want to lead and what to believe in. Some can choose to be pro-proposition 8, others have the same right to choose to go against it. Therefore, I think that there should be no hate crimes against ones group or the other.

Further, the issue was voted and the results came in. So, let's leave it at that until the majority's views have shown changes. I don't think it is fair or is useful to try to vote on the issue again and again until certain people get the result they wanted. Even in tennis, you only get 2 serves before losing the point.

I don't mind voting on it again in a few years. But right now? again? seem to be a waste of state government's money (by they way (1) California is running out of, and (2) are tax payers hard earned money - I don't think either the federal or the state governments understand point (2) clearly yet). So, to close - in this country, we all have the freedom to choose. Let's not put our emotions into hating one group or the other. That energy can do so much good (and really, our country can use some good right now), why waste it on hate other people.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Simple Human Needs


Lately, I haven't really been feeling completely satisfied, or, may be in other words, feeling content. So, I have been doing some thinking. What is it that I need? And an even bigger or more general question - what are the basic human needs?

Yes, I understand the basic needs such as clothing, food, money, and love. And I don't think I am lacking any of those. While having a little more money would be nice, I am not needing (focus on the word "need" here) more than I have or what my job pays right now. I think everyone would agree that a little extra would be nice, right?

So, what is it that I need to feel complete satisfied? What are some other basic human needs that I haven't thought about?

My lovely wife suggests that there is a simple need for human to create something. It doesn't matter if it is great or small. It could be a poem, a novel, a piece of music, a photograph, or a painting. My wife prefers to blog and to quilt. I have to admit that she is quite talented at both. On the other hand, I couldn't even put the thread through the eye of the needle. HAHA. Anyways, this need for creation also was the basis for a speech given by one of our church leaders.

Another thing I thought about was the need to feel special, to feel wanted, or needed. Is that the same as being loved? I personally think that it goes beyond that. I mean I do feel loved by my family members and close friends. I just can't pin point this one.

Those are just a couple of things I thought deeper about. There are many other things also, such as the need for change (avoidance of boredom), the need for achievements and recognition, the need for learning, and the need for excitement. Those are just a few more human needs.

So, here's what you can help me with. Think about what makes you happy, and then tell me what takes you to that level of feeling satisfied with life and just simply content. Or is that because we are human, we will never be completely satisfied (this want, and this constant need is the driving factor for all of us to achieve things that are truly great)? Therefore, should I just live with this restless feeling?