The Whole Truth
February 19th, 2010
To kick it off, I said in the last post that I was upset because he spoke his opinion. After I thought about it, I realized that it wasn’t true. I certainly was taken aback by it, and would have, in this case, been happy for him to keep his opinion to himself, but that wasn’t the thing that upset me. What really got under my skin was his assumption that vegetarian + skinny = ED. Other people’s opinions don’t bother me (a lack of tact might), but I know that I can entertain opinions without having it effect my own beliefs. You might call it narrow-minded, I call it wise. I can’t be changed by every opinion I hear! I’d get whip-lash! Ok, glad that’s out.
Back up to Wednesday and I saw this tweet in my feed:
I’m not here to blog about anyone’s thoughts concerning universal/absolute truth, BUT I did minor in Philosophy and I just can’t believe some “philosopher” would say or tweet this! Can anyone else see the fallacy in this age-old argument? The contradiction in this statement screams at me, so I screamed back:
If anyone else would like to give me an argument for objective truth that doesn’t contradict itself IN ONE SENTENCE, then please comment below. But I don’t think it’s possible. It’s not just the sentence, it’s the concept that is self contradictory. You can’t even THINK that are no universal truths without thinking a universal truth. Anyhow, this concludes Abbynormally’s Philosophy 101 TIRADE.
Now onto the less controversial portion of my blog!
Some evil person slipped me some Veritaserum today, because I’m about to spill a lot of beans.
I didn’t ride the bike like I said I would Wednesday night. I figured that studying for the Greek test was more important. I did get a B on the last test, and the truth of it is that I don’t really get B’s. I was one of those I-studied-dead-languages-and-people-and-got-really-good-grades-and-didn’t-party-and-the-only-time-I-left-my-apartment-was-to-go-run-and-on-those-runs-I-listened-to-books-and-sermons people. Or person, because I have yet to find someone else who fits that description. Yup, that’s the truth.
Also I did get up Thursday morning for a 6 mile run. Yup, outta bed by 4:40 and walking out the door at 5 am. But I only ran 4 because I spent almost 15 minutes scraping ice of the Jeep. I did a total of 4 miles in 40 minutes. I think it’s good if you take into consideration the 2 minutes of walking I did while untangling my headphones.
I had a pretty good day expecially compared to my dear friend/co-worker who found out she brought some “visitors” back with her from her Cruise–BED BUGS. Gross! But I was so thrilled by the way I began my day that I treated myself to a soy latte because I exercised before the sun was up!
It was after the latte that we realized my friend lent David that same suitcase for his trip last month. So last night was Operation Bed Bug Prevention. We did some serious looking (thanks to tips my friend received from the exterminator that she’s paying almost $1000 to get rid of her visitors) and we really don’t think we have them. But they can be killed with a steamer (which we have, thankfully), so we steamed and washed EVERYTHING.
And that was the impetus behind cleaning our apartment, too!
Big difference from Wednesday, huh?
This is next Truth is a tough one. (Really wishing there were really no universal truths at this point) I didn’t want to share it, but I have come to love you readers, and this is a blog about my life, so I have take the good with the bad.
I didn’t get into the graduate program that I wanted. I got the letter yesterday. It was rough.
At first I felt like a failure, because in one weekend I got crappy GRE scores and a broken foot. But I know that was my own fault for doing too much and not taking care of myself. I have learned a lot from that experience, so I’m not going to convince myself I failed in any way. Because I didn’t. And as I sat on the couch crying with my husband at my side and my puppy laying on my feet, I knew that my life is full of things that scream “success”–at least the kind of success that truly matters. Like the love of my Savior, relationships, and a sense of humor, and the will to carry on.
I know that this is not what God wants for me at this time. I’m thankful He made it so clear, not many people get a letter saying “GOD DOESN’T THINK THIS IS BEST FOR YOU RIGHT NOW”, but I did. What more can I ask for?!
So am I disappointed? Of course. Clearly it’s something that I wanted or I wouldn’t have applied. But I didn’t make any plans around it, and I wasn’t sold out on it, and from the beginning I had a gut feeling that it wouldn’t happen. Just the size and caliber of the program let me know that I probably wouldn’t be accepted. The odds weren’t in my favor, and I’m not one to ignore reality. I know people who have lost loved ones, suffered broken relationships, been injured and sick…if this is my disappointment, then I’m thankful.
But are my dreams shattered? Not at all. This may open in the future, but in the meantime, I have other desires and interests and plans. And if it never opens in the future, I am ok with that. Whatever it is, I know God has something great in my future, and that is my dream and that is exciting!
This weekend is a weekend of celebrations–2 birthdays and a baby shower! So I’m going to enjoy my “successes” and not sweat the small stuff.
Happy weekending!
Have you ever suffered a disappointment only to discover it’s a blessing in disguise?
Categories: Uncategorized
I’m sorry you didn’t get into the program you wanted, but oh my goodness….the list of things I’ve wanted but didn’t get because there was something better for me out there, something just right for me? Too long to list. You have a great attitude, it’ll be interesting to see what does come up for you now! (And actually, I think it’s really great that you went ahead and went for something that you thought you might not be accepted to-it means you have confidence in yourself and TRUST.)
Thanks! I think the disappointments and let-downs make us who we are more than just getting everything we want. I think I’m ok with it (at least right now I am)!
I’m sorry to hear about the grad program. I’ve had things happen to me that I hated at the time, but in retrospect, the alternative that they led to ended up being so much better. It was really their loss.
And on universal truths. Oh dear. Takes me back to Epistemology, and reminds me why I stuck to continental philosophy and not analytical (;
Hahaha I was actually taught that argument by a lawyer–but he had a degree in Philosophy, too!
Oh that really blows about the graduate program! I just had an interview for a potential program last week, and I’m really freaked out about whether or not I get in. I’m so proud of your attitude regarding the news, with so much poise and faith. I only hope that, if I don’t end up getting in to this program, that I will be reassured, knowing that it is obviously God’s plan for me and my first year of marriage.
Although it seems a bit trivial now, I had been dating a guy in the fall of my senior year of high school, and when he dumped me just a few weeks before the Christmas formal, I was devastated. BUT: I was told by my then best guy friend that he would take me to the formal instead. Four years later, here we are engaged! [& I signed the lease for our first apartment today! -- I'll move in in May, and he after the wedding in August!] DEFINITELY a blessing in disguise!
Aww! That’s a really sweet love story! It’s amazing how things turn around when we least expect it! Good luck with the program, I hope you get it!
I know this is way lame to say but seriously, everything happens for a reason. It’s TRUE. You just have to really look for the reason sometimes.
Yea, it’s tough because a lot of the times you don’t know the reasons until much later. But that’s ok, I’m just going to roll with it for now!
First off, FABULOUS job at getting up and exercising before the sun!
Second, I’m so sorry to hear about grad school. But, like you said, everything happens for a reason. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t still hurt and stink.
I was rejected by my first choice law school. I have no idea what it would have been like to go there, but, I would have been in NYC, at least $50K more in debt (which, at 21, didn’t seem like all that much of a big deal), and wouldn’t have met the best friend of my life. So, I do think, looking back on it, it was not the life shattering event I thought it was 5 years ago…
Thanks!! Getting out of bed was so hard, but once I was up it was easy! I know I almost felt a relief not having to make the decision to go even further into debt than I already am. For that, I am thankful! Glad you found your perfect program and best friend
im so sorry love
you know that God has a plan for you and even though it is painful right now and you have no idea what else is in store, He will reveal it to you SOON, you just have to have faith. i know its still hard though! you are an awesome girl and you will look back on this as a little bump in your journey that was meant to be!
Thanks, Kate! You’re such a sweetie! God is in control and I trust Him to lead me where He wants me to be!
So sorry to hear that, dear! This fall, I didn’t get a job offer for what I thought would be my ‘dream job.’ It was disappointing, but I think a blessing in disguise. It gave me a chance to explore and figure out what would really make me happy (looking at it now, I don’t think that job would have in the long run), and Dan and I wouldn’t be moving to a new city across the country together!
Yay DAN! I’m so excited for you two!!!! Marriage is such a wonderful adventure!
The absolute truth argument really gets me!! I had a TA in college argue with me about that, but it really is simple. I ended up getting an A- in that course because he didn’t like me. And one paper he refused to grade!
By saying that there is “no absolute truth,” you are in fact saying that no truth is an absolute truth. Contradictory, huh? Jesus is an absolute truth.
I’m really sorry to hear about the grad school program. I went through a similar situation, but what ended up happening to me was actually better than the first situation. It sill bummed me out, though.
I can’t believe he wouldn’t grade a paper! That’s unbelievable! One TA I had in college for an Ethics course referred to me as the “staunchest of Objectivists”. I was ok with the name, because at least I wasn’t spitting out the “there are no absolute truths” fallacy! Jesus is absolute truth! AMEN!
A) this is a great post
B) love the truth behind your debate about absolute truth
C)I am proud of you for relying on God and knowing there is more available for you- more than you even know or could imagine. Many are the plans in a mans heart, but the Lord determines his steps. (Prov 16:9) remember that He knows what’s best
Thanks, Heather! I actually thought of that verse as soon as I opened the letter. God is God and I am not. I am glad too, because I am so limited, but my God is able!
Sorry to hear about not getting into the grad program you wanted. I agree with others who posted – there is something better for you out there. I was rejected from the Peace Corps for health reasons a few years ago and was DISTRAUGHT but it turned out to be a good thing after all (they were right about the health issue – I wouldn’t have made it through the program). Have faith that the right thing will come along!
Aww, I’m sorry that didn’t work out for you! But glad that it all turned around in the end!
So love your blog and twitter. Yes, it’s always good to remember God is in charge. So what are your plans now? Love from your NY state friend XO
Thanks for stopping by!!! I don’t really have any plans now. Just taking it one day at a time and waiting for God to show me where He wants me. I did get an offer to teach Latin to a home school co-op. I will look into it, but I don’t know if it’s going to work with my work schedule.