Sense of Purpose: Holiday Lights

          The purpose of the holiday season is to unify human race with the common goal of a new beginning. Christ’s birth on earth brought light of a new age. But why do we put Christmas lights? The representation of light is significant to our celebration of Christmas. The late Aristotle Onassis once said, “During our Darkest moments, we must focus on the light.” Especially in a world filled with darkness where children are dying from starvation and innocent lives being killed due to injustice, the light still allows us to have hope for a brighter future. We may only see the Christmas Lights as simple ornaments with various unique light bulbs. However, notice how the majority of the light bulbs have different colors. Although they all shine bright, each light represents its own purpose.
               
          The Red represents the precious blood of Christ who died for us. The Blue represents the beauty of the holiday snow at night given to us by Mother Nature. The green represents growth. Just like a plant, we experience various stages of growth throughout the year. Some seasons will allow us to flourish and blossom just to “spring” into a new beginning. While other seasons will make us wither and experience coldness to the point where we want to “fall” to the ground. But just like the photosynthesis of green plants, it still remains a growing process. The Gold represents the gold the Wise Men gave to Jesus, just like the gifts that we love to give and receive during the Holidays. The white/yellow light represents the cleansing power of Blood of the Lamb.
 
           When these lights bulbs unify, they can create beautiful decorations due to their positive energy; both literally and figuratively. Due to each colored light bulb having a purpose, they all contribute something more to the Holiday season. These lights bring something back to life. Every Holiday seasons, these lights still have another chance to contribute; another chance to give to life. Another chance to start a new beginning. Be a Holiday light my friend.

Jensen Denoyes

Patience

Patience is hard for many people because we live in a society where we’re used to receiving instant gratification. From smart phones to the internet, we are able to receive information by instantaneous access. However, patience can lead to amazing accomplishments by giving yourself time to plan which can lead to incredible results. Even history has shown patience can lead one to success. For instance, it took Thomas Edison 1,000 times before inventing the light bulb in 1879. He was successful just for the fact of him being patient. However, in order to be patient at what you are doing, it requires commitment. It’s very important to understand that it takes time to see the end results. While being committed to what you want, you can see the bigger picture. When you are committed, you know what you need to do to get the end of the story. Sometimes, people think patience means sitting back and being complacent. Patience means staying focused in what you’re committed to, but persistently work towards achieving it.

Another great example of Patience can be found in the episode of Daredevil titled “Stick”. Matt Murdock lost his eye sight at very young age in his life. He realized all odds were against him. Under the guidance of his mentor name Stick, young Matt had to develop a talent and skill so he can be courageous in life. Stick trained him in Martial Arts. He also taught Matt to use his other senses carefully; Stick referred to as Matt’s “Gifts”. Matt didn’t wake up one day and quickly became a crime fighter and saved lives. He kept working at it by being patient and staying committed. When you are committed to something you don’t even see the work. You see the commitment as a gift; make it work for you.

In conclusion, Daredevil episode has shown that patience can help you make wiser decisions in your life. It’s very important to know that patience can help you trust that things will turn out fine. You can still envision the end results and persevere to reach your dream. Patience is a commitment to tomorrow.

By

Jensen Denoyes

Staying Focus

Being able to stay focus is essential to get results that you want in life. Staying focus also helps bring joy in one’s life and less stress. We humans are not naturally built to multitask to find results at its optimum. How do you stay focus in life? When you are clear in your objective, you can get your focus in check. However, it is very easy for one to wander around with distractions. For instance, looking for the next best thing, saying yes to opportunity that’s not aligned with your values, and concentrating other peoples criticism will eventually make you lose your identity and dreams. Staying focus is accomplishing something that is meaningful to you. When your work isn’t focused, many things don’t get accomplished. Staying focus not only means being busy. It simply means to experience the wondrous things of life. Examples of staying focus can be found in the episode of The Flash titled "Trickster."

In this episode of “The Flash”, The Flash tries to save his city, Central City, from the terrorist name James Jesse aka The Trickster. Despite Flash having Super speed which allows him the ability to run faster than light, he still experienced numerous distractions in the process of capturing the Trickster. For instance, Trickster kidnaps Flash’s father from prison. Flash discovering that his closest ally, Dr. Well, may have murdered his own mother in the past. Plus, Flash’s friend, Iris, asked Flash to help her find her boss who has been messing for days. Despite all these distractions, Flash realized the more decision he had to make, the more his mind became fatigue. Therefore, Flash had to minimize the various decisions. This allowed Flash to focus on saving his city first before concentrating on his personal distraction. Therefore, he focused on his plan and defined a mission.

Overall, the Flash episode shows that staying focus helps you give a clear mission. If you are going to focus on something, make sure it is something that will give you good results. Make sure that it aligns with your passion. We have to value time and our criteria in life if ever we want to stay focus. Imagine if Flash said yes to too many things. He would have too much to focus on and he wouldn’t move forward. Focus on simplicity and things that you value about the most. Move towards to the things that energize you.

Jensen Denoyes

Dream Big

 We live in a society where having limited ideas is a norm.  Many people’s dreams are overshadowed by various areas of limitation in their lives financially, family, emotionally and geographically. These limitations not only defines them, but also train them to be logical and practical.  However, there is nothing logical about Mahatma Gandhi in his journey to be radical for a change that none of us ever imagined.  There’s nothing realistic of about Gandhi getting thrown in jail numerous times but still leading the greatest nonviolent forgiveness movement in history.  Gandhi once said “Always believe in your dreams, because if you don’t, you’ll not have hope.” He witnessed his own people in India get oppressed by the British Government.  Gandhi made a stand to make a difference in his community. It didn’t come from his culture, educational background from Law School, nor politics; it came internally.  However, Gandhi did not have instructions, manuals, or a road map that helped India to win its independence from Great Britain.  All he had was the internal intuition to dream big.  He knew in order to form an astonishing future for his people, it had to start deep within himself to dream.  By dreaming big, Gandhi not only inspired future advocates such as Dr. Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela; his teachings were also shown by a fictional character like Professor Charles Xavier of the X-MEN.

Although a fictional character, Professor Charles Xavier’s belief still correlated with Gandhi’s practice of having goals to promote the peaceful affirmation of civil rights and to mediate the co-existence of all people of all race or background. Like Ghandi, Charles Xavier also witnessed his group of people with genetic gifted abilities like him, known as mutants,  still get persecuted by those who feared and hated them in society.  Despite the cruelty, Xavier still believed oppression is no excuse for vengeance. He also believed that mutant/human community can live in harmony.  There is nothing logical and realistic about Xavier building a school for young students to not only get a good education but to learn the importance of living in peace and harmony. How is it possible? Like Gandhi, Xavier dreamed big. In the comics, Xavier has a quote that says “Any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for.” Xavier set goals for himself and he didn’t allow anyone to convince him that his dreams were impossible.

Just like Gandhi and even Xavier, acknowledge the fact that life can come with obstacles. However, it is up to you to persevere and overcome these challenges.  That is why God put us on this earth to find out what we are capable of. In order for us to make this a world a better place and change  the lives of others, you have to dream big. If there is a WILL, there is a way.

Jensen Denoyes
 

I have a DREAM...To Stay Fit

Martin Luther King Jr had made a huge contribution to the Civil Right Movement. He initiated numerous marches that brought awareness to put an end on discrimination. From there, the voting rights of 1965 was passed. But what if Martin Luther King weighed 350lbs? Would he have been able to initiate the marches and successfully have the voting rights passed?
It very important to stay fit especially when you are fighting for a cause. You have to be in good health. Just imagine... if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. experienced fatigue only less than two minutes of his march. When you stay fit and exercise, you have a clearer mind. Therefore, you can come up with better plans and better objectives. You have the energy to go out and get it done. Staying fit gives you strength to fight and do what’s right. To work hard for what you believe in.

Keeping yourself in good shape will help you keep longevity to follow your dream. It reduce your stress and anxiety while you are facing obstacles in your journey. Doing cardio vascular activity is good for your heart so you can march for your rights. It will increase your energy level to attract to others to help you reach your goals. Weight lifting will help you build muscles just so you can give fellow brother or sister a helping hand when he or she is on the ground. People who exercise tend to sleep better at night so you can Dream. When they wake up, you are full with energy to start the next morning to fight for a cause. The more fit you are, the more you increase your lifespan. That is our goal in life is it to live as long as we want to manifest our dreams. Just like a superhero, Martin Luther King knew that staying fit is a fountain of youth. Not only did he know it would help his appearance but also internally and emotionally.
Today take the stand to stay active, stay fit. Just like Martin Luther King, strive for confidence, happiness and lots of love. These are the reason to stay fit because not only do you improve but people around you will improve for themselves to help you fight for a cause.
Jensen Denoyes

Noah's Arc Reactor

              Long, boring, and tedious.  These are the words the may come to from our heads when we’re in the middle building something; houses, relationships, careers, businesses, family, finance, trust, friendships, education and etc.  No one said building or creating something would be simple.  However, it also becomes critical when people say this common term…”I GIVE UP.”  It is hard when people quit in middle of something potentially great. There are many inventions in history that haven’t seen the day of light due to inventors giving up during of trials. If there’s one person that taught me the importance perseverance while building something  is…Noah.  

Noah was man who God had warned about “The Flood”. God instructed him to build the Ark and save a remnant of life. The Lord felt Noah was “righteous in his generation” Who was Noah? Noah was definitely not a young powerful man who was professional in building ships like the Titanic.  He was just an old amateur.  Matter of fact, many historians claim Noah had drinking issues. While building the Ark, he could have easily given up.  Imagine him saying “yo my dude, why am I building this thing? I’m still gonna die anyway. Besides, I’m old and drunk.”  Instead, Noah was obedient to God while building the Ark.  Instead of listening to his critics, he just followed the directions God gave to him. The biggest tool that Noah had to build the Ark was his Faith. Sometimes, when I think of Noah, I usually think of…Iron Man?

Although he’s fictional character, but Iron Man’s story is almost similar to Noah’s Ark.  . Rich businessman Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) finds himself kidnapped by a terrorist group. After being tortured by them, Tony Stark was forced to build weapons for the terrorist to use on innocent lives.  However, instead listening to the terrorist group, he decided to build an armor suit while in severe pain. Unlike the original book, the movie showed Tony building himself device called Arc (ironically) Reactor just to keep himself from a heart injury.  At the end, he manage to escape the terrorist group and did positive things with his invention.  However, this guy could’ve easily made weapons for the terrorist or taken his own life. Instead, he took a different direction that led him to great adventures. How?

Faith.  Both the Noah story and Iron Man origin shows that Faith is something man can’t see.  Faith is something makes you move from your comfort zone. Faith is something gives you that clear picture of what you want to build and the destination you want to go. It's not a dream either.  God knew Noah and his people deserve the best in life.  Even the terrorists with guns weren’t able take away the faith Tony Stark had.

Then why do we as people give up when were in the middle of building something astonishing? Taking breaks and fresh air is needed to help us get back in the game. That is perfectly normal, but don’t quit.  Your faith is the tool that you’ll need to build your future.

The Heroic Age

 Attacked (9/11, 2001), Crashed, (Wall Street Crash , 2008), and even Massacred (Tuscon Shooting, 2011).  Throughout the years, America gone through some tough times. Now we're in new decade where we are facing many uncertainties.  However, we're also in a new era where heroes are born and reborn. I call this era, "The Heroic Age."

On January 12, 2011, a month before Abraham Lincoln's birthday, President Barack Obama gave a powerful speech at the Tuscon Memorial Service days after the shooting.  Many Americans were angry, mourned, afraid, and willing to blame others. Most importantly, many felt hopeless that there was no point of carrying on.  Obama, however, chose to move into a more optimistic approach towards the situation by saying "Hopes of a Nation are here Tonight." Therefore, President Obama took the opportunity to acknowledge those who've shown courage and bravery.

First, he showed admiration to Daniel Hernandez, the intern who helped save the life of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords. Obama says directly to Hernandez, "You may deny it but we've decided that you are a 'Hero' because you ran through the chaos to minister to your boss and tendered to her wounds and help keep her alive." In addition, Obama acknowledges the doctors, nurses, and the men who stopped the gunman. He later defines heroism as not only to be found in the battlefield were special training is required. Instead he says, "Heroism is here in the hearts of so many of our fellow citizens."

This speech reminds America that we are living in a new era.  An era where many Americans have been defeated by now learning to get back on our feet.  A time period where the darkest moments allowing us to shine.  And also an age where individuals now have sense of hope for a promising future by going back to school, volunteering, being an honorable business owner, and of course, being a great human being. Unlike last decade, people were hoping for things to get "back to normal." Now America is finally learning to overcome and still truimph. If we were able to beat The Great Depression, win World War II, Walking on the Moon, and ending the Cold War, imagine what we will say about the recession in twenty years from now.

We all have a hero in us that can be discovered despite our backgrounds, incomes, or appearance. In our society, we get confused that heroes have to wear a cape or build an armor in a cave.  A hero doesn't have to be a celebrity . A hero can also be one who has impacted your life in a positive way like a parent.  A parent loves his or her child more than they love themselves. They would literally protect their child.  These qualities define the true meaning of a hero.

In conclusion, despite the downfall we've faced throughout the years, America still has Heroes that haven't been discovered yet. This is the time for us to show our "fireworks" during this Heroic Age.


Jensen Denoyes