The THOUGHT that COUNTS

Christmas shopping is so hard. It's not about the thoughts anymore, it's about how much for what. The thought just isn't there.

I even catch myself thinking, I don't know what to get them; should I just get them this? That is thoughtless. Reflecting on myself I think it's pretty rude. Do I not know my friends and family well enough to get them a present that they will enjoy? Or is it just too much of a burden to actually think about a person?

Even if someone celebrates Christmas because of the gifts, wouldn't they want to think about what they are giving? Isn't the point to give and not need to receive, and if that was really the point then wouldn't someone want to give the highest valued gift they could? Valued not priced. There is a difference.

Maybe it really has been this way all along...and I was just too blind to really see it. Maybe the price tag was what its really been about. But I find that hard to believe.

Every year when we put up our Christmas tree I find myself admiring the homemade ornaments more than the store bought. The store bought are just out dated and it's clearly visible in their fadedness...but that's not the point. The point is, there are homemade Christmas ornaments that are older than the store bought, and they never look out dated. They look aged but with the graceful kind of aging (the kind that people want to happen to them). They don't look ugly because they were made with more than just glass or yarn or paint, they were made by the hands of people we love. Those ornaments were made with thought, each and everyone of them, every stitch or stroke or cut. Every single piece of its being was purposefully made that way, for us.

And I love them and I hope to have them when I get a tree, I hope to get some just like them, gifts that required thought and are timeless to me. The price tag shouldn't be more thought provoking as the people we are buying the gifts for. To me, ideally, presents should be a reflection of a person. Presents should be more about the person than the price tag, and people should start to understand this as they receive and give presents.

It's the THOUGHT that COUNTS.

The Reasons of Believing?

Be·lieve (verb)
1. to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so
2. to have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence
to
3. to have confidence in the assertions of (a person).
4. to have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation 5. to suppose or assume; understand

Now if a person looks at the first definition of believe, like people usually do, then they will see the ending which I have kindly highlighted.

You are probably like why does this matter?!--it matter's because I've been seeing a lot of things about believing. I have even been asked (kinda in a way) why do you believe in that particular religion that you believe in? While the person that asked me backed up their beliefs with "I've read the Bible, the Quran, etc. And I believe in ____ because..."

I TOTALLY understand that diversity is an awesome thing and can better connect a person with others. I accept that. However, I don't need diversity to believe in something. Believing is something that is my preference. I don't need other people's opinions to make my own opinion.

I saw a pin on pinterest that said "It's all in your head put there by adults that had it put in their heads when they were young." And to be quite honest, it really irritated me. In my opinion believing doesn't have to have reasons and just because there aren't reasons doesn't mean that you can't believe in it.

Just because a person's parents showed them a religion, doesn't mean that they have to have their own reason's to believe in the religion. They could have no reasons or the same reasons, because as long as they believe they will eventually build onto those reasons and then find their own reasons.

Besides...to have to search for a reason to believe defeats the purpose of believing. It doesn't matter why. It doesn't matter what I've read, because I already found my reasons. And it shouldn't matter to anyone else (unless I'm stuffing it down your throat, but I do not want to do that) everyone should have their opinions and their beliefs and they shouldn't argue against another person for it.

I think that the reason that a "non-believer" has a problem with the "believer" isn't the fact that they believe but that the fact that the "believer" wants to make the "non-believer" believe. But a person can't be forced to believe in something. They can be forced to think of something, but never truly believe in it. Beliefs form by choice. They are personal. And they do not need reasons.

A person that needs a reason to believe isn't much of a believer at all.

ARC giveaway for DEFY!!!

I follow Sara B. Larson's blog and I'm really excited about her ARC giveaway! What is the prize of this giveaway? It is her book to be! DEFY! It comes out January 7, 2014!

About the book:

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

I think it sounds pretty awesome and I'm really excited to read it! I love to read about strong heroines that kick butt (and who doesn't love a good romance?).