Thoughts of a Penguin

1. When did it become common to use the word like multiple times in a sentence? Why is it done? Is it because we do not want to say exactly what we mean in case we are wrong, and, therefore, would rather use “like” instead of sounding correct, or is it simply a filler word? If it is the latter, we should know what we will say before we speak instead of filling time with useless chatter.
2. While recognizing our wretchedness is good because it means acknowledging our nature, dwelling on it too much is not beneficial because it could lead to feeling miserable, and no one needs to feel miserable on top of our present state. Our present world has enough misery.
3. Seeing that humanity is fallen is not hard. For instance, there are the poor drivers or people who get involved in argument after argument. When I consider all that I see in one day, it is tempting to say “I am so done with humanity,” because truth be told, it is draining trying to live right and follow the rules when everywhere people are breaking them or doing terrible acts. I think persevering when one is feeling that feeling is greater than the people who go through life happy and without a care because it shows a will to continue more so than the latter group because they are facing challenges they wish would disappear.
4. Humans have become very attached to their phones and other devices. In church, I see people texting or completing other tasks which pull attention away from the lesson. That action should not be more important than God, but when we feel the need to put our attention elsewhere, that is the message conveyed.
5. While the many blank pages at the end of books may seem like a waste, there can be a use for them. They would make an excellent space for writing down long (deep) thoughts pertaining to the book or making illustrations based off the text.
6. Having the right teacher who explains the subject well can make a huge difference when learning.
7. Sometimes a change in setting can shed light on a problem and make it so one understands. Sleeping is also a good time for coming up with ideas or puzzling through issues because more attention can be given to it and the body is more relaxed.
8. We keep mementoes of our loved ones that have died. There will come a time when our descendants will do the same with our belongings.
9. Dating a classmate the last year of high school is not the best idea because in a year who knows where the two people will be in life. Additionally, most are not mature (especially males), and people are potentially figuring out who they are (and hopefully their relationship with God). Casual dating is not the best option either, because what one intended to be a sort of fling will involve emotions, and where emotions are attachment follows. The casualness is then no longer there. When a break-up follows, there will be hurt feelings because a connection has been severed.
10. The question “how are you,” while polite, for some people is annoying because it is idle chat and simply a formality for some people asking it. I will tell you about my feelings if I want, but not in passing. For some of us, it also takes energy we do not feel like expending to answer the question twenty times a day.
11. Approach life wholeheartedly. It will make life more rewarding and less exhausting in the end.
12. With big projects, looking at it piece by piece instead of as a whole is more beneficial. The project will not seem so overwhelming. Time spent worrying over the project takes time away from completing parts of it, so time should be spent doing and not worrying.
13. One can be super smart, but if they cannot manage their time well, come prepared, or use common sense, the smarts do not help with life skills.
14. Just because we grow up doesn’t mean we have to reject what is typically associated with childhood. It is okay to enjoy objects and experiences that were intended for the younger and doesn’t make one less of an adult.
15. Dreams can become reality, but only if one puts in the effort to see them come to fruition.
16. After experiencing a situation that produces one of the intensest forms of stress,  perhaps areas that stress others do not seem overwhelming. After going through post-traumatic stress disorder, a paper or project anything in comparison pales in comparison.
17. Life is a matter of perception. If I take a more optimistic approach, I will see the good in places, whereas if I take a pessimistic approach life will be more doom and gloom. This philosophy applies to possessions as well. We look at some people and think they do not have enough, but they may actually think they do, and those we think have more than enough might think that they actually do not.
18. A cleaner room leads to a cleaner and more organized mind. For example, my room (specifically my desk) had piles of papers and objects everywhere. I took a look at it when I went home and decided it needed to get cleaned up, otherwise I would not be able to think. After I did, I felt more relaxed because my life had more organization in it.
19. Socrates was told he was the smartest man alive because he realized he did not know anything. One can realize that they are in the same place, but upon thinking that makes him better than others, he is back to thinking he is a know-it-all. In order to reach the same state as Socrates, humility might be the key. He did not rub the fact that he was the smartest in others’ faces, but continued to try and find true knowledge. Similarly, if we want to become smarter, we have to act as he did.
20. We will never know what being born is like because no one remembers that moment.
21. What seems a disappointment in the moment can actually be a blessing. After all, God works in mysterious ways.