When I first moved to NY I had a hard time meeting people who were similar to me...so many times I thought that it was the end of the world b/c I was constantly surrounded by people who were sooo different.
I asked God many times to "throw me a bone" and introduce me to some one like me...It took awhile before I realized that God was trying to show me the world from a different perspective. Believe it or not it wasn't about me and that this was a chance for me to meet other people who thought, believed and behaved differently from me.
It is not until recently that I have come to realize that it is such a blessing that I am able to meet and interact with people who were not raised in the same way. I would not say that I have seen the world or that I now understand everyone, but God has allowed me to catch a glimpse of the world that I have never seen before.
When I came to NYU many people warned me about "changing"...well guess what...I have changed.
I'm not talking about my faith, beliefs, morals or political views...I'm talking about my perspective. I think people get caught up in their own ways of thinking almost to the point of refusing to even allow themselves to be exposed to different ways of thinking. I'm not saying you should adopt a different way of thinking, but its important to allow yourself to be exposed to it.
Some have said its so important to find people who are similar to you and to be surrounded by those who who share your way of thinking...they say that if you allow yourself to be "exposed" to something you might "change"...
Well I agree that finding ppl similar to you is important...I also think that a person never grows or evolves until they allow themselves to be exposed to different perspectives.
I may go even as far as to say that you may never know how strong your faith is until you are challenged in some way and experience something different...
Change is not always a negative word, but it is a necessary thing...I also believe that change makes a person stronger especially when it comes to a person's perspective.
This is a strong statement, but I truly believe that God did not mean for us to stay put and shut ourselves out from the rest of the world...he wants us to go out into the world and see it for what it really is.
He wants us to converse with Christians and nonChristians alike...he wants us to experience different perspectives and learn about the world around us.
In short...I have changed...I believe it is the challenges that have come from being exposed to a small piece of the world that have defined my faith and have required me to rely on God fully.
Just thoughts...(and maybe a response to those who have doubts about change),
Rosalynn <3
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Hey Rosalyn! I really like what you've said here about change and experiencing other people's points of view. very very important and true. I'm so glad to know that NYU has provided you with learning experiences outside of normal school stuff and that you've found a way to keep your faith and even become stronger since you've been here. :)
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P.S.
I wasn't always a fan of Jimmy Fallon, but when I worked at NBC last semester, I would watch them rehearse and then tape the show on the building's studio feed and I grew to appreciate him more. And Late is one of my favorite things now haha. Along with the Halloween thing where no one sees Jimmy except one guy and the Neil Young Fresh Prince of Bel Air song. =D
My very special Granddaughter, How wise our God has made you. God puts us in places to make a difference, & teach us compassion for people,& yes to let us know it isn't all about us. I Love, & admire you !
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