The cupcake gods are smiling

Around 8:30pm on Sunday, I spotted a bakery in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn. So, naturally, I walked over and opened the door. I saw a lady behind the counter, and our conversation began as follows:
Me: Oh, are you closed?
Her: Yes.
Me: Okay. It looks like a lovely place.
Her: Wait, do you want a free cupcake?
Me: Uh, yes please.
I walk in, and she ducks into the kitchen.
Me: I mean, I'm happy to pay for it.
Her: No, it's for free. But it's chocolate cake and chocolate icing, is that okay?
Me: Haha, yes that's fine. Thank you!
And I walk out with the cupcake. Score!!

If I had an extra day in the week....

When I feel like I have no spare time, the list grows of all the things I want to do. Watch those TED talks I downloaded yesterday; finish the fiction book I'm in the middle of (Portrait of Dorian Gray); text those three friends I left hanging this week; reach out to that contact about the new part-time opportunity he offered me; draft the speech I want to give in July; plan my upcoming vacation to London; continue cleaning my room; write some new thoughts here... the list is ever-growing. But when I have time, I make mediocre progress on those objectives. It's harder to manage time when there's more of it. As much as I would wish for an extra day in the week, it wouldn't be the solution. Time constraints are magic for productivity boosts.

What Do You Fear Most?

Your greatest fear is that the opposite of what you value most dearly. Whatever you hold deepest within is that which you are most afraid to lose. True or false?

Always Running Out of Time?

Maxim #1: Work expands to the time allotted to it.
Implications: If you set time estimates for tasks and strive to complete the task within the limit, you will maximize your time. We've all experienced the truth of this statement. When you had a college paper due the next day, you wrote more pages in fewer hours than you ever thought possible. Alternatively, when you have a whole day to pack for next week's trip, you watch hours pass and not put anything in your suitcase. When we set reasonable limits for our tasks, we can accomplish much more in a shorter period.

Maxim #2: We always do whatever we want.
Implications: Even though you say you want to exercise, it appears that you'd rather watch a movie or hang out with your friends. Our actions reveal what we desire. If you aren't reaching your goals, you may want to consider whether your actions are reflecting your priorities (in work, relationships, family, etc), and make corrections as necessary. If you think it will all be better if you had more time, don't forget that God holds us responsible for wise stewardship of our time. Be careful what you wish for. You already have 24 hours a day to be faithful with. Are you sure you want more?

Maxim #3: God gives you exactly all the time you need to do His will.
Implications: If you think you don't have enough time to do all that you have to do, then you may be right. First, you must cut out of your to-do list all tasks that are not God's will. Then, you must draw upon the grace and power that God so graciously provides to complete the tasks that are His will. Don't forget to ask God to mercifully remove a task from your plate or to postpone a deadline or to consider who to ask to help you.

Maxim #4: Don't forget to sharpen your tools before you begin.
Implications: You are more efficient during a day sitting at a desk if you take breaks often, eat healthy food, and move/exercise regularly. Keep yourself sharp!  Also, for example, when cooking, take a moment to clear the counter of unnecessary junk first. How many times have we spilled or broken things that didn't belong on the counter at all?  If you prepare your workplace and sharpen your tools, then you'll make your job easier and save yourself time and frustration. No use crying over spilled milk, but even better to put the milk back in the fridge so it won't be knocked over.

Maxim #5: Why are you doing all this work in the first place?
Implications: First things must come first. If you're running in the rat race and never stopping to reflect, then you'll find yourself in the same place you started, despite having expended incredible energy... going nowhere. At the beginning of your day, dedicate yourself and the tasks of the day to your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and ask for His input and wisdom on the tasks. If you don't ask for His guidance, then how do you expect to be following in His footsteps?

Morality of Mankind: Extramarital Affairs

91% of Republicans think extramarital affairs are immoral, while only 78% of Democrats would agree. Independents are in the middle at 86%, according to the Pew Research Center's Spring 2013 Global Attitudes survey. Divorce appears to be far more permissible, as only 37% of Republicans and merely 17% of Democrats think divorce is morally unacceptable.

So then, where do people get their sense of morality from?

Libertarians laud their policy of "don't harm others" as paramount for society to exist, which is not far from Google's motto, "Don't be evil." Yet extramarital affairs cause great amounts of pain and hurt to the spouse who has been cheated. According to this framework, affairs would be immoral. 

People who have a relationship with God or follow religious tenets are among the highest who disapprove of affairs. For example, Christians believe that God created the universe and established principles of behavior that are for the good of society, such as not stealing, coveting, lying, or being unfaithful in marriage. 

Maybe these 9%, 22% and 14% of people see no moral problems with affairs because they themselves are in affairs or have been involved in affairs previously. Would they still think there's no moral problem with it if their spouses were the ones in the affairs? 

Who's the Best?

"How did you do on the test?" one student says to his neighbor. "What was the class average?" They all want to know. In all areas of life, we helplessly compare ourselves with others. Most people think: it's time to upgrade the car as the others' are nicer than mine. And: is she skinnier than I? Does he bench-press as much as I do? In cars, weight, homes, and everything else, we seek to be better than those around us. But we rarely even imagine being the best in the world. By comparing ourselves only with those around us, in effect, we limit ourselves by whom we hang around.

In Malcolm Gladwell's new book David and Goliath, he writes that we compare ourselves to people in the same boat as ourselves. We don't tend to form impressions globally. Thus, people who surround themselves with hardworking peers are often more motivated to work diligently than those whose friends are happy just to pass their classes. This may be why teachers encourage children to have heroes and role models.

While there are success stories of individuals who have leaped from poverty to prosperity, they are not common. Much more likely, we will not rise much beyond the achievement of our peers without substantial dedication and initiative. It is better to spend time with those who challenge you to excellence and encourage to reach for greatness, than those who are satisfied with mediocrity.

"They, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." II Corinthians 10:12

Home Is Where the Heart Is

If home is where the heart is, then mine spans the Atlantic. After four months in London - even though I couldn't master the accent - I was at home on that side of the pond. Being back in New York, I now have two places to call home.

Over the Fall semester, I recall many fantastic adventures in London, delightful travels across Europe, and fantastic British friends who welcomed me. With each goodbye hug, I wondered when I would see these wonderful people again, if ever. When tempted to be sad, I realized I ought to be grateful for the relationships that I had made, which is far preferable to never having the chance to know them. 

While in London and even more so on each trip abroad, I often meditated on this verse: "Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73). When the trials came, when I felt that my flesh and heart were failing, I rested on this promise. It also became my prayer, to desire none besides Him, which is far easier said than done. In every way, God abundantly provided for me and answered my prayers. As just one example, I had asked God to provide a community of believers for me, for mutual encouragement, ministry-buddies, and to challenge me in my faith. Within just a couple weeks, He provided the most amazing group of students who became my close friends. And I have countless examples of His provision in very big and very little ways.

As I prepared to leave London, I realized that life in New York won't be quite as fun or enjoyable. Even though I firmly believe that circumstances matter far less than attitude, I know that the pleasures of London are over. I can no longer take the train to Paris in two hours or pop over to Portugal for the weekend. I can't wander through Covent Garden in the afternoon and stroll along the Thames at sunset. I can't stay out past the last tube and take the night bus home. I must move on from the "fun" stage of life. Yet I rejoice because God is good, and His will is perfect. I would rather be in the center of His will than anywhere else in the world. When life is too comfortable, growth is sparse. In tribulations, temptations and trials, we become fully dependent on God. God stretches us in places where we need stretching. He challenges us and gives us the grace and strength to rise to the challenge. We don't grow nearly as much as when times are hard. He doesn't promise happiness; He desires our holiness. Thus, I choose to embrace His plans and seek to ace these tests. Lord, not my will but Yours be done.

Lastly, I learned these lyrics at Christ Church London, and they became recurrent themes/prayers during my past few months:

"Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders; 

Let me walk upon the waters, wherever you will call me. 

Take me deeper than my feet would ever wander; 

And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior." - Hillsong

"To You our hearts are open; nothing here is hidden. You are our one desire." - Matt Redman

God has been so faithful to lead me and strengthen me, and I have full confidence that my guardian angels worked overtime to guard and protect me. Anywhere outside His will is dangerous and absent of joy. Therefore, I choose to rejoice in His perfect wisdom, rest in His faithfulness, and praise Him for being the all-sufficient Lord. Not my will, but Yours.