It's the Little Things

Warm water in the shower, a good parking spot, a smile... it's the little things that are often forgotten that help me appreciate life. Culturally we are told to be efficient, busy, and successful. So much is happening, so much to do, so many wants, so many worries, so many uncertainties, so much doubt, so many blessings. While we live with this long list of "so many's and so much's", try to just take a deep breath and reflect on the beauty of this world.

I remember I had such a huge appreciation for color after I watched Pleasantville. Especially in Southern California, the perfect sunny weather truly brings out the radiant colors of the trees, buildings, and everything else. Even something as beautiful and common as color, we so take it for granted. I know it's cliche to say we take everything for granted, but sometimes we need a little bit of it in our lives to help us remember the beauty around us that we forget so easily.

(Dedicated to those struggling out there a.k.a everyone)

-Simon

Fun Nightmare

The people I can recall from my dream are Pastor Harold, James Yang, Richard Chung, Yoejin, Bruce, MJ, and Christian Bale. So we were all in Korea in the summertime, chillin' in this very eerie looking white building (kind of looked like a hospital), and suddenly zombies started to chase after us! At this point, it was a pretty scary dream. That one FAT zombie from "Zombieland" was in it (the fat zombie from the supermarket). There was also this cute little zombie that was super vicious that closely resembled Sarah Chong. While they are chasing us, for some reason, the hospital turned into a big classroom. So as we were running away, we'd run and dodge desks and try to throw desks at them and such. There were a lot of doors too, but we couldn't close them. Since this was in Korea, I felt super sticky because of the humidity. And I distinctly remember MJ handing me this secret lotion that when you put it on, you smell really good AND you aren't sticky anymore.

For some odd reason, my dream jumps to me going into some lotion shop with her and buying that same lotion. It turned out to be $200, and I only had Korean money so I couldn't purchase it.

Then my dream came back to the zombie dream, and it was weird cause I realized that all of this WAS a dream. Has that ever happened to you? You realize IN your dream that it's a dream? Anyway, I decided to fight these zombies. Turns out, I was REALLY good at fighting. I think it's because right before I slept, I saw the movie "Equilibrium". That's probably why Christian Bale was in my dream. But man, I fought so well. But suddenly the cute little zombie creeped up behind me and jumped on my back and took a bite out of my left ear, and I woke up.

-Simon

Behind the Scenes

I think one of the most beautiful things a person can do is to serve "behind the scenes" without complaining or without seeking praise for it. The humility in their service is so fruitful and sweet. Humble service can sometimes feel bitter and sour, but its fruit is sweet.

It's these individuals who challenge me the most about humility.

The best way to show that you REALLY care for someone is to pray for them without them asking you to pray for them. I can't believe how much some people love me.

-Simon

Non-Christian

A thought-provoking statement from a nonchristian:

"I’m not a Christian. I don’t think Christ can save me, in part because I don’t think I need to be saved. But I appreciate that a lot of people—people like Coey, Patty, Garry and JT—do. They believe that I’m destined to burn in hell for all of eternity if I don’t change my beliefs. So I don’t fault them for trying to change my beliefs, even if they use guilt or fear in their attempts. I’m much more offended by those who believe I’m headed for eternal damnation but don’t do anything about it."

Taken From Dinko.

-Simon

Never Judge a Book By Its Cover

Every time I walk to class either down Charles E. Young or Bruin Walk, I occasionally see this one dude riding a segway scooter thing. He's always riding that thing down the hill, and ALWAYS talking on a cellphone. I've seen him Fall and Winter quarter, and I still see him this quarter. Every time I saw that guy, I'd always judge him thinking "Wow, what a rich prick. He's so lazy. Why doesn't he just walk down like everyone else on campus!" etc. I know I know ya'll probably think I'm messed up, but you haven't heard anything yet.

So I'm walking on campus again, and I see this guy again before my class (this was like last week). "There he goes again.. thinking he's so cool on his segway." Suddenly, the guy gets off the segway, and he starts walking really strangely--sort've in like a swervy kind of motion. And then it occurred to me... he was handicapped.

Yeah. I felt pretty guilty. (and stupid.)

-Simon

Love

Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it up carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket--safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. The alternative to tragedy, or at least to the risk of tragedy, is damnation.

-CS Lewis

After reading this quote, Tim Keller goes on to talk about how when you're in love, it's selfless and sacrificial and the like. You must mutually adjust to your partner and give up your own pride for the other. It has to be a reciprocation, a two-way love. So how can you have a loving relationship with God? You might think, it is just one way, God's way since He is a divine being with all the power and authority. "I must adjust to God--there is no way that God could adjust to and serve me." Don't forget what Christ has done! He completely adjusted to us by being fully human (while being fully God), and He sacrificed everything for us. If love is a two-way reciprocation of love, are we doing our part in the relationship?

-Simon

March Birthdays

My brother turns 26 years old tomorrow. That blows my mind (can't imagine what's going on in his head). It's kind of interesting because since my brother has been in Korea for such a long time, (3 and 1/2 years now... right hyung?) my mental image of him is still the same as when he was in college. He graduated in '06 which is about four years ago, yet my whole concept of him is still the Phil Chung in senior in college. It's as if I grew up, yet time stood still for him (in my mind). It's weird how he's never seen me as a college student yet, or me with my glasses, etc. Because when I reflect back when I was a senior in high school (that's the last time I saw him), I feel like I changed SO much. So if I see him again this coming summer when I go to Korea, it'll be as if two strangers are meeting each other for the first time. We're both very different now.

Besides the point, he will always be the same. He still eats freaking well (even when the food tastes like crap), he still makes fun of me, he still sucks at chess :), and he will always continue to amaze me as I learn so much from him whether it be worldly or spiritually. God has blessed both me and my brother of our 21 and 26 years of our lives.. may we continue to look forward to what God has in store for us.

-Simon