F-A-I-T-H

Finding an insight to Heaven, or FAITH, has been a topic I would like to talk about lately. With the holidays kicking in, and Christmas time around the corner, it brings appreciation and thankfulness for having loved ones around and also brings out the good in people.

But there are times where faith has been lost, and people let the giving up part consume them.

First is faith in God, or believing in another high power we cannot see concretely. There is absolutely no proof he does exist, or whether we go to a good or bad place after we die, or what actions we decide to do in life will be counted against us. So why believe in something that scientists or realists would call fake?

-Is it because we want to believe that we get rewarded for good actions so we feel important and that there is a purpose for us in life?

-Is it because we think there is no other explanation of how we are living on the only planet that contains oxygen and human beings and to know that if we weren't being watched or "judged one day" that the point of life is truly pointless?

-Is it because there should be some type of moral law instated in people so that we can abstain from crime, murder, or just plain common indecency?

I can honestly say that I've been on the rocks about this about my whole life so far, even now. I would be catholic, considering I've been through First Communion and prayed to a golden box and dipped my hand in what's called "holy water" and made an invisible cross over my face and chest. And after I passed a class to be a true religious person, I received the holy light that allowed me to seek serenity in the answers I needed. I guess to all you non-religious people it would be considered graduating your senior year of high school receiving the diploma that says "you're not a screw up congrats," unless you dropped out beforehand.. then I guess its kinda hard to know what receiving the holy light should feel like...

Looking at it through a different perspective, the reason why faith exists is because people need to believe that it's possible to overcome seemingly impossible things. As the high line walker would say, "You gain nothing from looking down." Another definition that I think is interesting for faith is that if you believe in something so strongly, it actually is a reality for you. that means that you gain the benefits and the consequences of whatever religion you believe in, or having a passion to prove that aliens, ghosts, etc. are real. Faith helps setting up motivation and getting over failure or tough times. Not to defend religion, but what good is it to prove that God doesn't exist?

The only downside to believing in something so strong is for the insane who believe that a demon possesses them, or when you choose not to give someone a chance to be a friend. These are both stubborn and non-beneficial thoughts.

Recollecting everything that's been said, faith has pros and cons. Faith is the mother battling cancer but she's fighting so she can live for her kids. And it's those kids constantly making their mom smile because they know if they just stare at her with a long face, no good comes from it. Faith is the relationship of the boy and girl who have broken up time and time again. It is what makes them believe that they aren't cheating on each other.
But realizing that faith can sometimes be called "lying to yourself," we have to know when to be real with ourselves. We have to know when things aren't going to get better, or that we may be over our heads in a certain situation. But it is OUR faith. We may let others give us advice or lectures, but never let them influence our beliefs. WE make our own faith.

Oh, and this topic definitely isn't finished yet...