Faith in all things; Including science

I wrote this for an elective course in college. It is a philosophy course, disguised as a history course. Hahaha. However, the first few weeks of the class we talked about evolution incessantly. Our professor asked us what stuck out about the course, so I let him know.

This was the result of that assignment.

Small disclaimer: This is merely my own speculation and should be reflected upon as such. 

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There was a time that I felt extremely conflicted when presented with the idea of evolution. It seemed from a young age, that I feared facing this internal conflict for my entire life. It was logical to me that evolution could be the explanation of how the earth came to be. However, the conflict came from my own heart and my faith, which told me that God created the earth in His plan for us. Science and history classes taught me that the globe itself formed from some miraculous coincidence. Jared Diamond (1997) is one of the many that propose that we, as humans, emerged from apes and chimps. How could God and those around me expect me to hold true to the feelings of my heart while still listening to the logic in my head? It seemed that the two ideas were incessantly at war with one another.

I once had a discussion with an individual about my confusion on the topic. He suggested that perhaps evolution was simply the explanation of how the earth was created, but that God was why it happened. Perhaps the 7 days that are portrayed in our scriptures were only creative periods, as the measurement of time was not invented by God, but by humans. Perhaps, what was written in many religious texts were tailor made for the people of that time. Could it be that the writers of these creation myths were inspired in this way, for the purpose of the people who would hear it first, so that they could receive it in their hearts and understand it in their minds?

The suggestion was shocking and was an idea that I found to be perplexing. I had never thought that maybe, faith and science could peacefully coexist. I then read in a religious text, “[God] will tell you in your mind and in your heart.” (Doctrine & Covenants 8:2) This passage brought peace to the war that I found myself in on a regular basis.

With this thought of congruity in mind, it would be absolutely illogical to me that God created human beings in the blink of an eye. It would also be illogical to me to think that the world generated itself and all of its inhabitants by opportune happenstance.

Something that I have struggled with since adopting this perspective is how other people of faith do not share this idea of balance between reason and faith. It is confounding to me that individuals can rely solely on faith or solely on reason. While I see the appeal to a strictly science diet, there are still things that have yet to be explained. There are still miracles today, because they are inexplicable to us, even after our vast scientific discoveries that have transpired over the past thousand years.

Nonetheless, I see the appeal in a strictly faith diet, but some of the once inexplicable happenstances have been explained through experimentation and scientific evidence. This evidence does not make your faith or beliefs in a deity any less real. Faith’s purpose is to bridge the gap between these occurrences that we cannot explain and that our limited, human minds cannot comprehend. Faith can be used to help us come to appreciate the sophistication of the evolution theory. The evolution theory can help us appreciate the complexity of the workings of God.

I have realized through my participation in this class, that while I do identify as a devout Christian, I have begun to consider that the theory of evolution may be a possible explanation as to how the earth came to fruition.



What are your thoughts?

How to be a great customer...

I have worked in customer service for approximately 5 years. I must say, many people have no clue what they are doing when addressing their customer service concerns. I wholly understand that you may feel that the company that you have invested your time and/or money into have wronged you in some way. I have been there many times. However, it's not acceptable to show up to the establishment in question and throw a grown up temper tantrum to the point that the employees have no other options but to call the police. (This happened to one of my customers.) You can keep your cool and get some resolution. It's not hard! I have put together some tips for everyone, so you don't have to resort to being "that customer".

1. Self-reflection
This is probably the customer service desk's #1 pet peeve. People who blow their top because there was one miniscule mistake or inconvenience was experienced. These folks are not the ones who are getting the red carpet rolled out for them. Look at your problem that you're experiencing. Rate this on a scale of 1 to 10. A 1 being one piece of burnt kernel in your ENTIRE large bag of popcorn. A good example of a 10 would be finding a dead body in the back of your car after getting it back from your dealership. Don't scream, throw punches or call people names because the likelihood of you being at a level 10 is slim to none. Just state your case to the person assisting you and see what they can do to fix it.

2. State only facts
My issue is ________. That is all you can really say. When you go into the reason that this is an issue, it can be ruled out as a subjective complaint. What bothers you may not bother the rest of our clients, so we are going to dismiss this situation.

That customer would say things like: My issue is with my salesman because I feel that he is the devil's spawn.

Once you use the "I feel" statement, the complaint becomes subjective in nature and the company will gladly dismiss it.

Before going to make your complaint, identify the issue specifically and what exactly you would like the company to do for you. They're going to listen and let you know if that is possible.  If you want to provide supporting arguments as to why you feel your salesman is the scum of the earth, then you can do so in the following way.

You should say things like: I have looked into the price for a _______ and with this information I've concluded that I am being charged too much for _______.

3. Take off your sassy pants
It is not appropriate to wear your sassy pants to the customer service desk. We can tell when you're walking up to the desk that you have an issue. Our job is to fix the problem to the best of our abilities. You are not doing yourself any favors being sassy with your associate. They stop wanting to help you when they see the sassy pants. No sassy pants.

Also. Do not tap on things. Counters. Tills. Windows. It will not fly.

4. If you must ask for a manager, do so nicely.
There is nothing worse than when someone says "Well I'm going to have to speak with your manager!" The second worst thing is when someone will not even give us the opportunity to help and immediately ask for a manager. Sometimes the solution is easy, but you as a customer make it a longer process by dodging the front line of defence. Believe it or not, the pawns in a corporation are of use. Give them the chance go give you their best solution and if you feel that there is more that they can do, then politely ask for a manager. "I realize that you've done all that you can to help me, so I would like to speak with someone with higher authority. Thank you." See how nice that is? It's not impossible to get what you want while still treating people like human beings.

5. When you can't get what you want
It will happen. Unfortunately. I never said no to customers who legitimately had a problem. If they are saying no, I implore you to go back to step 1. Assess what the issue is and if you're reacting appropriately.

As a customer service rep, when people followed the steps outlined above, I usually knew exactly what I could and would be willing to do for them after my first encounter with them. If it was nothing at all or a reimbursement. On the occasion that I had to deliver a "no", I would give all the supporting arguments that brought me to that decision and try to explain why we are making no offer at this time. People usually freak out when they get a "no". 

That customer would say things like:
I will never buy _______ again. This is the worst thing since Hiroshima and Nagasaki. You, as a customer service representative, are Jeffrey Dahmer reincarnated. You are actually killing me.

You should say things like:
Are there some services and/or merchandise that you could offer me to alleviate my frustrations with this product/service/etc?

Give the representative the opportunity to do SOMETHING for you. If they are saying no to what you have suggested, then give them the opportunity to give you their best offer. I've given oil changes to hundreds of people just to thank them for taking the time to make a complaint.

In the end, what I'm trying to say is be nice. Ask for what you want and be flexible.

76. Make a list of my favourite 25 qualities

Completed: March 8, 2011

As a woman, I feel as though I will never live up to the expectation of the society in which I live. To be thin, sexy, toned, successful, smart, tall, funny, talented, tanned... Just to name a few. It's a daunting list and quite frankly, unattainable for most women. No one rolls out of bed in the morning, with morning breath and bed head, being sexy. Does not happen.

I am tired of hearing the women around me complain about their appearances, then only a moment later turn to me and tell someone else how beautiful they are. Can you stop criticizing yourself for a moment? Look at yourself the way that you see any of the other women that you idolize instead of criticize. Being polite and respectful. Looking for the best. Overlook the fine details; the small things that bother you. See the big picture. Find things that you love about yourself, the same way you do with others. Do this repeatedly until you can look at yourself in the mirror and see someone beautiful. It has taken me a long time and a lot of self-discipline to be able to look at myself and generally have no complaints.

I have bad days like anyone else. When everything in my closet makes me look like I am just waiting to blurt out "MOO!" When my hair just won't cooperate. My nails are chipping. When I think it's probably best to crawl into a hole and put a bag over my head. Then there are the days that I want to put two bags, just in case the first one rips.

I have great news for anyone who has bad days too. You are still gorgeous.

I know that it's hard to believe.

You are your biggest critic. You would never look at another woman and think: her hairline is so weird. Her nail beds are so short. Her natural hair color is so dull. You simply accept her. You see eyes that light up when a great joke is told. You see her soft hands. You see her radiant smile. I don't understand why we can't look at ourselves with such a loving and tender eye. 

I encourage every woman to force herself to write a list of 25 qualities, inside or out, that you love about yourself. It really does help.

What I've learned in 2 decades...

I know that I have technically been an adult for 2 years now, but I actually feel like a grown up now. I mean not very many people take 18 or 19 year olds very seriously... Heck, I didn't take myself very seriously. I've never really felt like life was passing me by until today. Did I blink? Is this what all the old people keep talking about?

And this is last year's guide... AH!

I feel that I've learned a lot in the last 10 years. I've done a lot of personal growth and I find it seriously amazing that I have come to the point in my life where people come to me for advice... Yeah. I know. What are these people thinking? Anyways, for my birthday, I thought I would share some of my 20 year old wisdom with you all. 

Let it all go. If there is anything I know for sure, it's that very, very few things are in your control. What offends people, who you remain close with, the opportunities you are denied or given... The only things you can control is your attitude and how you choose to act. The rest you have to let go. The bitterness is self-inflicted and you are the only one stopping you from being the happiest you've ever been. Stop holding grudges, being offended, saying mean things about people... Just live your life! (Thanks Rihanna.)

Be kind. This is something that has been more recently, can we all just stop hating each other? Is that so difficult? Stop talking about people behind their backs. Don't say mean things about people! If you wouldn't want someone saying that about you, then maybe you shouldn't be saying it... 

Not only have I learned the importance of being kind to others, I have learned to be kind to myself. We are our biggest critics and you need to learn to LET GO of all the small things you don't like about yourself. A small thing that I don't like about myself, that I will share, are my eyebrows. They are monstrous when I do not weed whack them. I hate them. A lot. They're a pain in the butt. I've accepted that I have huge eyebrows and have found a miraculous woman to tame them for me. (If you want her contact info, message me. She is amazing.) Sure, a lot of things that we don't like about ourselves are not so easily resolved as finding a great aesthetician but you can learn to deal with them. When it comes to character flaws, you need to learn to forgive yourself for your short comings. No one is perfect. I know women struggle with their appearances, but God makes no mistakes. You are beautiful.

While I could go on for days about all the things I have learned, I will stop here. I hope you're all having a fabulous day! Also, happy birthday America... Your party is always so much cooler than mine...

Funny Fridays: The Grammar Nazi

I should be doing many things aside from posting on my blog...

Cleaning my room.
Doing laundry.
Sorting my mail.
Doing laundry.
Laundry.
Laundry.
Laundry.

Being the queen of procrastination that I am; I decided that it was a Good Friday for a Funny Friday.

Today, I would like to post about grammar. I must say that I am shocked at how many people my age and older still do not understand the difference between they're, their and there. I swear we went through this in grade school. Early on, not grade seven or eight.

THEY'RE - They are.
THERE - To indicate a place or location. Note: Similar spelling to where.
THEIR - Used to indicate possession. Example: Their poo smelled very bad.

Why am I such a grammar nazi? Probably because I'm french. I've had so many lessons on grammar in French, that I'm amazed at how many people mess up their homonyms in English. (It is seriously the easiest language ever.) Also, most of these people don't even speak another language! I can understand if English is not your first language... If you can only read and write in English, at least try to be good at it.

Commas, proper use of homonyms, saying declarative sentences with declarative tones can make you sound and look exponentially more intelligent than you actually are! I love the spoken and written word, but some people just ruin it for all of us. They ruin it alot. Now I love Hyperbole and a Half. It's a great blog that I love to follow. Why? Because she is SO FUNNY and her drawings are always bang on.

Here is her post on her grammar nazi tendencies.

The last thing I would like to share for today is The Dramatic Reading of a Break Up Letter. Some of you may be familiar with this as it has been up for quite some time, but I just laugh every single time. I can't even stop myself. And I reference it quite a bit... So if you ever see me, feel free to make a reference and watch me explode with joy/laughter.

I hope you're all having a lovely Easter weekend with your families!

Thanks to The Help

I identify as a minority in many ways. I am a woman. I am a French Canadian. I am a Mormon. But there is one prejudice that being myself, I will never truly or fully understand; being a woman of colour.

I just finished reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I must express how deeply moving this novel was. I know from reading the acknowledgements that this book, the characters and the stories it holds are wholly fictitious. However, the lives that are depicted in this novel was at one time reality. There were many women whose lives were very similar to those portrayed in this novel and I cannot stop myself from marvelling at their tolerance, strength and patience.

When reading the novel, I couldn't help but feel ashamed of the colour of my skin. Knowing that people can associate me to this shallow, unintelligent group left me grieving. Knowing that people could take one look at me and assume that I would treat them harshly. I realized at that moment that I would only ever understand a fraction of what it was like to be a coloured woman in the 1960s. I would only understand a smaller fraction of what it is like to be a coloured woman today. I know that there are still people out there who truly believe that white people are above all others. This is not the case. We are all created equal.

I know that this all seems extremely insincere coming from someone who has never been sneered at or had a slur thrown in my direction... But I will never be the one to smirk or give the disapproving look.

While we cannot change what people think of us, we can change what people see in us. We can be better, kinder, compassionate and loving. One of my favourite parts of the book, Aibileen is trying to teach the little white girl she looks after a lesson on being a good person. She wraps two candies. One in a white wrapper, one in a brown wrapper. She explains to the little girl that regardless of what is on the outside, the inside can still be good.

How simple life is when seen through the eyes of a child.

While I cannot change the past, there is so much I want to change about our future. Please read this book and when you go to speak ill or judge another person, stop it. Just stop.

Finding our humanity

I have been taking the bus for the past week and a half after getting into a bit of an accident with my mom's car. (I'm posting more details on this later this week or next week... Even though I hate talking about it...) I get really anxious when my stop comes up and get in a bit of a rush every time it's approaching. Missing my stop would mean not catching my transfer and subsequently, not making it to work on time. Which according to my boss can lead to termination. UH OH! Don't want any of that.

So in my rush yesterday to get to work on time and not to miss my transfer, I left my gloves on the bus in the chair next to me. I had placed them under my backpack when I sat down originally and hadn't noticed them there when I stood up to get off. 

Now for the past couple of days, it has been FREEZING. The thought of going without my gloves makes me cringe. But luckily for me, there was a very kind heart on my bus yesterday. She was getting off at my stop and came up behind me and handed me my gloves. She just said, "You left these on the bus." And walked away. I was completely awestruck. "Oh my gosh! Thank you!" I had nothing else I could say before she ran off to catch her bus.

To the woman who returned my gloves and made my day, thank you! For restoring my faith in humanity. That there are still good people out there and that I'm not alone in my efforts to be a good person. 

To everyone else, I saw a video yesterday that has been resonating within me since I saw it. Anyone who has any kind of social networking account knows the name Kony. That everyone is trying to make him famous. But why? To find out, please watch the video I'm posting below. Whether you feel that these efforts are a day late and a dollar short or that they are exactly what this world needs. It is never too late to educate yourself.

I've seen many people concerned that the issue is no longer prevalent... Well, guess what? This is history repeating itself. We took too long to act in Poland, too long to act in Rwanda, too long in Russia, too long to act too many times. Too often citizens of this planet were too late to offer their resources to aid another. There is even the Black War which has been considered by many to be the most effectively executed genocide. Because it happened and to this day, few people know about it. 

This time there are people active and willing to help those affected by this group. There are people who will listen. There are ways to get the news out there. While we can't all devote our lives to this cause, we can make change by supporting those who are working to make the difference. 

The thing that I loved most about this video was that through the eyes of Gavin, the young boy, there is absolutely no reason that we shouldn't stop this man. I could not agree with him more. We need to be anxiously engaged in a good cause. And if you didn't have one before, why not take on this one?

I've bought my action kit and I'm waiting for it in the mail. I hope that you'll all do the same. Buy it here.

Funny Fridays: Being Offended

I am so fed up with people being offended over the stupidest little things. I've heard about so much stupid drama lately and honestly, we could all live our lives without it.

If you're offended by something that someone said, suck it up. The only person who is effected by you being offended is you. And guess what? No matter how much you talk to other people about it, and rant about it. At the end of the day, you're the only person who has to live with it. Not the person who said/did it, not your friends, family, significant other or your pet goldfish (Because really, if you get offended that easily, it's probably best that you have a goldfish and not a dog that'll pee in your house or bark when you're napping.)

Click to enlarge.

So do yourself a favour and try not to get offended next time someone doesn't say something politically correct because GUESS WHAT? You're only hurting yourself.

Let it go.

P.S. Sorry that I've been slacking on blogging lately! I promise that I'm back for June!

The Power of Words

I saw this this morning and it actually made me so happy. Little videos like these remind me that there are still good people in this world. The next time I walk by a homeless person downtown, I think I'll buy them lunch or give them some money. I don't know... I just feel so bad and I know that everyone can turn things around no matter how far down the wrong path they've gone. This just illustrates what a difference 5 minutes of your time can make.

Have you had any interesting experiences while doing a kind deed for someone?

if you don't have anything nice to say...

I realize that I am breaking my trend of my 101 things in 1001 days with this post, but I feel very strongly that this must be posted.
91. Go horseback riding - to be posted soon!

I have been hearing about a lot of people being mistreated lately. Others talking about them behind their backs, spreading rumours - whether true or false, unwanted and unnecessary confrontations over facebook and other electronic means. I must say, I have had enough. I will admit, at this point in time, I am not at the receiving end of tormentors that I have referenced above, but I feel that it is time that it is addressed, as I have been at the receiving end at other times in my life, and I know of the silent scars that it leaves.

I do not know why I expected these things to magically change after high school. I guess I simply expected people to do some growing up after they left the confined space of '9 to 3 monday to friday, same mind numbing people every single day'. I have been confronted with the harsh reality that that high school attitude never goes away completely, whether you are fresh out of high school or in your 40s. People continuously feel the need to give themselves a false sense of self-worth and to pry themselves into other people's affairs that have nothing to do with them. You do not become superhuman by making another feel like they are not human at all.

I have also noticed that people are using a new brand of what used to be called "Liquid Courage". People are now using "Electronic Courage". I cannot say that I am not guilty of electronic courage, but this is not something I am proud of. Regardless, people use it all the time, whether it is telling that person that you would really like to go out on a date with them or telling another person that they were extremely rude at work the other day. Despite the reason, what has happened to our ability of saying what we mean and meaning what we say? Excuse me for returning to the primeval ways of Dr. Seuss, but honestly, I have noticed that the most caring and loving people I know are the young children who still believe that the words of Dr. Seuss are ones to be respected and cherished. I understand that it is easier to communicate with someone via text message, facebook or email but I implore you, make an effort to have crucial conversations in person, face-to-face. If Jane Doe offended you in ANY way, talk to Jane Doe. With your mouth, not your fingertips. It is not appropriate for you to send her a mile long facebook message about all the problems you have with her.

The definition of cyberbullying is: the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group, that is intended to harm others. That harm whether it be psychological or emotional is hurtful and remembered. The person who is harmed will most likely carry that hurt for years to come, regardless if you apologize or not. You said it, typed it, messaged it and most importantly, you meant it. You wrote it with the intention to make them feel like a jerk, a slut, an idiot, a douche bag, an ugly person.

Now for a moment, I would like to write about this problem while including my own personal religious beliefs. If there is anything I know for a surety, it is that God loves his children and that we are all his children. What gives you the right to make someone feel like they are worth less than that? If you understood for even a moment how much God loves that individual you would not be able to find something bad to say about that person. You would love them as unconditionally as their Father in Heaven does. How often have people decided to leave the church because of someone who offended them? Or said something rude or hurtful about them? If that person loses their desire to attend church because of your actions, then it is my belief, that you are partly responsible. Of course, that person must have had their own problems to have left. But who are you to decide who is good enough to be attending church? Christ's true gospel is perfect, it's members however are not. Saints gather together to become perfect through Christ's atoning sacrifice. You cannot expect people to be perfect in this life. We can only hope to be more like Christ, perfection cannot be attained by anyone. Who am I to judge another, when I walk imperfectly? Take this into consideration the next time you go to pass judgement on someone for texting in church or having a shorter skirt or for not getting up to bare their testimony on fast Sunday.

He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. - John 8:6

Words wound the soul. Do not be the person who makes someone feel that they are not worthy of the eternal blessings of Christ's gospel.

Next time you go to send a hateful, hurtful or spiteful message, I ask you to think twice. Is this something that I should be talking to them about in person? If the answer is yes, then do so. If you feel you would feel too uncomfortable talking to them about it in person, perhaps you should not say anything at all. As my mother has always told me...

If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.