Sucess

In class we have been debating over the definition of success. What it means to be successful?  To me being successful doesn't only mean having tons of money and power, because not everyone can do that of course, but i do believe that everyone can have success. So what is it? Everyone has their own definition, and achievements. One of my successes was graduating High School. For some people that may not be a big deal, but for someone with dyslexia, short term memory loss, and ADD it's HUGE. I had a teacher tell me that I didn't have much of a chance getting through high school, and that I would probably never learn at a higher level, yet I graduated with a 3.96 unweighted GPA, and got accepted into a private university. I really enjoyed reading Horatio Alger’s story. So many people get caught up in their situations, and they listen to these lies that tell them that they won’t ever make anything of themselves. In Alger’s passage he tells a story about Dick. A man who wasn’t extremely smart, but he wanted to be something. It was more destiny then hard work, but it was still an inspirational text. I don’t know I’ve just been through a lot, overcame a lot, and I feel on top of the world sometimes. I strongly dislike the people who lie to the unfortunate. For example whoever said that success was being rich, famous, or in power. Heck I’m not either one of those but do I consider myself successful? I sure do.

The Model Family

For years many have agreed that if one doesn’t live with its nuclear family; that being a biological mother and father and the kids that they produce or adopt, than that family is defined as dysfunctional.  I say that this belief is crap, because for one who has the authority to define normality, and two every family has their problems, even the nuclear one. 
There is no such thing as a normal family, because there is no such thing as two families that are exactly alike. Every family has their problems and their triumphs, and for any one person to dictate which families are compatible and which ones are not, in my opinion are the one causing all the problems. It’s just like when the media proclaims that girls have to be a size zero to be accepted and appealing. All girls who do not meet that criterion are considered rejects and revolting which leads to bulimic and anorexic girls. It’s the same thing for families. Everyone that doesn’t fit norm has to tweak and bend their families and after so long they break, hence all the problems in today’s families 
Also it’s impossible to find a family that matches other family completely, because no two people are completely alike. All families are dysfunctional. Yes some are more messed up than others, but there has never been a time where families were perfect. Like Soto’s story his family didn’t match up to the white families that were portrayed on the TV shows. He’s dad was out of the picture, his mom was the one who had to provide, and they were of a Mexican descendant. Which is nothing like the made up family, but in the end Soto and his family where happy the way they were. This goes to show that all families can find there happiness no matter what the predicament is. 

Homosexual Marriages

 
Before actually reading the passages for this week’s assignment I knew that they were going to contain readings on another person’s views of gay marriages. I had every intention to slander this topic, because I am so closed minded when it comes to this matter, to the point that I get so frustrated over debates that I begin to cry.  But after reading Prop 8 Hurt Family – Ask Me How I was somewhat able to empathize with the people in this passage. Although I am strongly against homosexual relationship, I don’t think that one should be punished, or abused because of their life-choices. 
Prop 8 mentioned that houses were vandalized, profound words were yelled across the yard as children played on their front porches, and death was threatened while driving home from work. No matter how much one is against gay/lesbian marriage acts of violence should never be used to express those feelings. Yes I am 100% against homosexuality, but the value of that person remains, and they should have the respect of a human being no matter their love preference. I have several gay friends, and as much as they know that I will no support their relationships, they still know that they can count on me to be a loving friend towards them. To me it’s a hate the sin love the sinner kind of thing. I mean heck no one is perfect, therefore who has the right to pass judgments?  The quote “before you become critical, check your involvement,” came to my head/heart as I was reading and it made me change my mind about my writing. 

Intro About Myself

Introductory Essay

My name is Natasha Renae Bradley, and like most people there are a numerous amount of adjectives that can describe my character. I was able to take a strengths quiz today for my Freshman Success course and my results where very interesting. The test consisted of several different questions pertaining to depicting one’s strengths, and the one that stood out the most was “the includer.” I also like to think that I am musical inclined and compassionate. These are three of the many characteristics that make me the person that I am today.

The fact that one of my strengths was “including” was extremely neat. Not to say that not all of them were truthful, but this one was just dead on. All of my life I’ve worked hard to lead people into believing that I was accepting no matter race, gender, age, ex. I believe strongly that we were all created in God’s beautiful image, and through his eyes we are all fearfully and wonderfully made. Loving on others just happens to be a hobby of mine. Seeing people being excluded and or judged has always been my biggest pet peeve, and it was just really encouraging that that showed up in my test. To me that means that others are able to see that in my personality without having to bring it out in a conversation. All this goes to say that I appreciate those who are loving and accepting.

Another thing that I truly enjoy is anything that was to deal with the Fine Arts. I’ve played guitar and sung for the worship band at church for a little over a year now, done some acting in high school, and also took many art/clay classes throughout the duration of my high school education. Being apart of a worship team has to be my second passion. I am also in a Christian band, so music is a big part of my life. Drama has also been a big thing for me. I truly would love to be apart of OBU’s dramas department, and participate in their worship services. Having that privilege would be a great honor and life completing. To top that off I have also made many sculptures in clay art that were entered into contest, and received awards.

I am majoring in psychology/pre counseling because I am extremely compassionate. Sometimes I let this take the best of me, but I have always strived to help people. The fact that I am so eager to assist others is also one of my weaknesses, because many times I find myself putting others before my own needs, thus I tend to run out of time to get a lot of stuff done. I pray that one day I will gain better time management so that I will be able to aid in others lives without neglecting my own. Even though this mentality has gotten me into “knee deep water” , I fell that helping people and ministry is my calling, and I know that God will help me through this vocation.

In conclusion these three things are the areas of my life that stand out the most, as a result people generally classify me as loving, outgoing, and helpful. This is what makes me the person I am today and I thank God for blessing me with these gifts because it has helped me meet so many great people. People who inspirer, encourage, and strengthen me.