That Much Different

So I was on Facebook today, and I ran into this post that felt suspiciously like a brick wall. I'm going to be very vague on the details, but essentially it said: "Men are like this, and women are like this." (It also included a picture to demonstrate the supposed difference.) For a moment I felt a little irritated, and then I realized something: why am I allowing a post on Facebook tell me who I am? Also, how can you make such a generalization like that? Hehe, my existence is a testament of not every man being alike. I know he didn't mean it literally, and that *most men* was implied, but it still felt wrong. Another thing is often times it is easy to see something as normal in media, that is fundamentally different in real life. This post was referring to most men in a *fictional* world, and how men are perceived through social media, movies, books, music, etc. But is that how men really act? No! Absolutely not. The author was obviously intoxicated by the fictional perception of men and women that has sulkily risen from 21st Century media.
Please! Children, people, everyone. Don't become like him. :) I'm not saying that all media in our day is guilty of not representing reality properly, but most of it is. Wars are not that exciting, revenge is not so sweet, premarital relationships ruin lives... and the list goes on. Sometimes it's fun to pretend you are in another world. There is nothing more fun, or even wrong with it. But always make sure you come back to the one world that actually exists. 

Romans 5:3-5

3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: 

knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love 

of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost 

which is given unto us.

This scripture is pretty special to me, because it helps me to understand how I should act when I get pretty fed up with people, events, and everything else. Personally, this scripture embodies the meaning of "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Yes, I know it's a terrible saying - but tribulations test patience, and having patience is quiet strength. So I believe it's somewhat applicable in this situation.
It also goes on to say patience begets experience, and experience begets hope. By definition from Websters 1828 dictionary: Hope is "confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on God's gracious promises; a scriptural sense." So the best way to nurture and raise hope, is to begin with patience. Now take a moment and look at Noah Webster's definition of patience: "The act or quality of waiting long for justice or expected good without discontent." Really, hope and patience are intertwined. When you posses of the quality of "waiting long for expected good", you then have safe grounds to build the "highest degree of well founded expectation of good."
The last verse explains how hope "maketh not ashamed." Hope allows us to be happy, because God is the Father of hope and love, and hope is spread by the Holy Spirit through the heart. A gift given all of his children. 

Taylor Swift's 1989

Hey guys,

So I just thought it would be cool to write briefly about Taylor's new album. I had a period where I wouldn't listen to it at all, but I got over that and here I am. :) I think I'll just make a list of all the songs included in the album, along with a quick description corresponding to each explaining what I thought.

Welcome To New York 

This song is a refreshing change from what Taylor usually does in an album. I really wish she would have made more songs like this, but I can't really complain. Just the fact that it's not about a relationship feels good. But that aside, I love how upbeat it is. It reminds me of how amazing it feels to get home after a long time away from those you love. :)

Blank Space 

Please no. >_< The video for this song was pretty creepy on so many different levels. But I won't be judging this song by the music video, because that wouldn't be fair. By those rules, Radioactive would be pretty terrible, and it's definitely not. 

Although, my first reaction to this was "Oh wow. Another song about how painful breakups are. Shoot me now", the lyrics surprised me. They weren't particularly spectacular, but surprising. Go ahead and check it out if you dare. (: 

Style 

While listening to this song I couldn't help but hear Drake's "Hold On We're Going Home" playing in the background of my mind... besides that it just another song about falling in love, and never going out of Style. Not my cup of tea. Next! 

Out Of The Woods

Oh. My. Wow. This song is incredible. ^_^ Yes, another song about being in a relationship, but it's so much more than that. It feels incredibly hopeful and upbeat, instead of being all sadface. It's something I could listen to while missing someone, without it making me even more sad.  

All You Had To Stay

Another another song about being in a relationship. (I feel like I'm going to be saying that a lot while reviewing this album). Anyway, I love this song for the same reasons I love Out Of The Woods. "It's like, hey I miss you. All you had to do is stay. But it's okay, you can come back." That sort of hopeful. 

Shake It Off 

Welcome to the extremely addicting and wonderfully annoying Tay Tay pop song of my day. I always have a different opinion of this song, but it always boils down to something positive. :D Just don't let the weight of the world stop you. Friend, keep calm and "Shake it off.". :D

I Wish You Would 

Another another another song about being in a relationship. But there seems to be this repeated vibe surrounding many of the songs in this album where it always seems like the person you're missing can come back, and this track is no different. "I wish you were here right here, right now. I wish you would". <3 

Bad Blood 

Another another another another... okay I'll quit it. ;) Anyway, this song is kinda not so hopeful like the others. Personally, I don't like songs with messages such as this. People are always welcome back into my life. So I'm just going to skim over this one. I'd rather not talk about it. 

Wildest Dreams 

I actually like this song a lot. It feels hopeful, and captures the thoughtful feel surprisingly well. It's something I would listen to on a rainy day on the hill above my house. Just that sort of song. (: 

How You Get The Girl 

I feel like this song describes me in many ways. I know I've messed things up a lot in my life, and I'm still trying to put it all back together. It helps me to see there is still hope in trying, and that someday everything will be all good and happy again. <3 

This Love

This song is beautiful. So misty, wonderful, and warm feeling. It's hard to explain. But the hope is real with this track. It's in a league of it's own. (: 

I Know Places 

Gosh no. >_< It's so dark and hard for me to listen to. I'm going to skip this one as well, if you dont' mind. 

Clean 

This song defines the entire album, in my opinion. It's one of the most perfect Tay Tay songs. Like ever. I cannot begin to express how much this song means to me. ^_^ You'd think that after so many songs about relationships Taylor would have lost you, but no. This one is definitely as attractive as the first. 

Wonderland 

I'm absolutely in love with how this song sounds! ...and my enthusiasm kinda stops there. It begins all happy and good at first, but then it goes to the "you don't know what you've got until it's gone" type of message. That was a little disappointing. But I suppose it works. 

You Are In Love

"You can hear it in the silence; you can feel it on the way home; you can see it with the lights out; you're in love; true love." If I could pick one song to describe what falling for someone feels like, it would be this. It's simply that perfect. <3 

New Romantics 

This song is pretty sad, and I'd just rather skip over it. 

And those are my thoughts on this surprisingly amazing album. I think rating  it 7/10 is fair. I was tempted to deduct some points for the whole album nearly being completely about relationships and how difficult they are, but I decided against it. I should kinda expect that sort of thing from Taylor by now. 

Anyway, those are my thoughts. Have a good day, friends. (: