Monday, December 19, 2016

An Analysis of Car Radio by TOP


Tyler Joseph's lyrics are pure poetry put to music, often in rap.

In Car Radio, he thinks aloud in a monologue.

I ponder of something great
My lungs will fill and then deflate
They fill with fire, exhale desire
I know it's dire my time today
I have these thoughts, so often I ought
To replace that slot with what I once bought
'Cause somebody stole my car radio
And now I just sit in silence

The first part of this stanza is ambiguous--it can be applied to different situations in meaning. From my perspective, the speaker longs to be completely and perfectly known and understood, but he knows he can't be. No one understands him, nor will they ever--and he feels the gravity of the despair from this realization. He longs for purpose and meaning, but feels hopeless. This is an allusion to the void in our souls that God has given to every person--only God truly knows and understands us. We innately desire communion with Him, and the speaker is describing his turmoil wrestling with these thoughts without God's help. He drags himself along, knowing his time is demanded of him. He must carry out his daily responsibilities. The problem he is facing is more than what we see on the surface--he didn't merely lose his car radio, he lost his distraction, symbolizing the very thing that gave him a break from the thoughts and questions he's afraid to answer. Now, he just sits in silence, afraid of what may come to mind next.

Sometimes quiet is violent
I find it hard to hide it
My pride is no longer inside
It's on my sleeve
My skin will scream reminding me of
Who I killed inside my dream
I hate this car that I'm driving
There's no hiding for me
I'm forced to deal with what I feel
There is no distraction to mask what is real
I could pull the steering wheel

The silence soon becomes almost deafening with his rapid-fire thoughts. He remembers his past, his dreams, his thoughts, and all the anxiety that comes along with it. He feels exposed, paranoid thinking everyone around him can see something is wrong with him. He just wants to get to his destination in his usual routine, but he can't. The pattern is broken--his car radio is stolen, and now he has to improvise, trying to suppress his anxiety. He finds it nearly impossible to quiet the chaos in his mind, so pulling the steering wheel (or committing suicide) is an appealing alternative.
To many new listeners, this line may be shocking; however, to many with anxiety and depression, it is very relatable. It’s comforting to know they aren’t the only ones fighting to find a solution to their anxiety and chaotic thoughts.

I ponder of something terrifying
'Cause this time there's no sound to hide behind
I find over the course of our human existence
One thing consists of consistence
And it's that we're all battling fear
Oh dear, I don't know if we know why we're here
Oh my, too deep, please stop thinking
I liked it better when my car had sound

The speaker can no longer suppress his thoughts--they are all out in the open. He realizes that throughout the history of mankind, the consistency is that we're all dealing with fear, and no one knows why we exist. Once that thought occurs, he soon tries to stop it, although it's in vain.

There are things we can do
But from the things that work there are only two
And from the two that we choose to do
Peace will win and fear will lose
It is faith and there's sleep
We need to pick one please because
Faith is to be awake
And to be awake is for us to think
And for us to think is to be alive
And I will try with every rhyme
To come across like I am dying
To let you know you need to try to think

Tyler Joseph nearly breaks character in this stanza--He is now giving advice to his audience. There are ways to cope with anxiety, and from what he's observed, only two methods work. From the two options that we choose to do, Tyler says peace wins and fear loses. One is faith, and the other is sleep--we must pick one or the other. Tyler implores his audience to pick faith because, to have faith, you are awake, and to be awake is to think. Thinking means that we are alive--we must stay alive and fight through our anxiety and depression. Throughout the song, the speaker is fighting his thoughts, but Tyler says to not be afraid of them. These thoughts are normal and must be answered--he encourages his listeners to think for themselves. In one line, Tyler says, "And I will try with every rhyme/To come across like I am dying/To let you know you need to try to think" meaning that he's trying to become like his mission field. Just as Jesus came as a man to save mankind from Hell, Tyler is becoming like the hopeless to spread the hope and light of Christ. Tyler is not shoving the gospel down anyone's throats, instead he is giving options to his audience, telling them to think and answer these questions for themselves.

The audience Twenty One Pilots acquired for themselves are those who are considered to be outsiders in society--the ones no one understands, the ones who suffer in silence, much like the speaker in this song. These people often don't go to church or associate with Christians because they're afraid they will get condemned again, and shunned. Tyler Joseph, a Christian himself, is applying Jesus' teachings and example in his music. He is gently leading the hopeless to the Hope he has found, and befriending them. It's true that Tyler hasn't mentioned Christ at all, but he is encouraging them to think for themselves. He can't force anyone to believe in Christ. Tyler knows that everyone has heard the gospel in some way, so with this knowledge, he is able to lead them along the right path--or, at least, hope they choose to follow along his train of thought towards Christ. 

And now I just sit in silence
And now I just sit
And now I just sit in silence
And now I just sit in silence
And now I just sit in silence
And now I just sit

Tyler Joseph screams out this last bit with pure emotion, alternating between screaming and melodically singing (or crying) out. The speaker is desperately crying out for a solution to his pain, he is searching for peace, which is only found in Christ. Twenty One Pilots is trying to get their nonChristian audience to search for an answer, relating to these lyrics of turmoil and anxiety. If the listeners follow along with their lyrics and message of each song, it will become clear that Christ is the answer. Jesus may or may not heal us of our depression, anxiety, or mental illnesses, but he will give us salvation and hope.

Hope is what helps us cope.

Sunday, December 18, 2016

Why Do You Like Twenty One Pilots?

Have you ever heard music that really spoke to you? Like, one time, you heard a particular band or artist for the first time, and you had to immediately research their every song and interview? Have you ever discovered songs of theirs that truly whispered comfort and understanding to your soul, letting you know that you are not alone? And in doing so, you discover a community of people, online or in person, who love the band as much as you do, and are perhaps there for you to comfort you during hard times?

I have. For me, the community I have found is called the Clique, the fanbase of Twenty One Pilots.

I have recently, like within the past year, discovered Twenty One Pilots. The first song I ever heard of theirs was Car Radio on a camping trip. I was in a bus with my team, and we were listening to someone’s playlist on their phone. The song played, and it sounded so absurd to me it was hilarious. Like, obviously you’re going to sit in silence if your car radio is stolen! The rap sounded very dramatic, and I was curious as to what this band was. I had never heard such a unique sound before. I turned to my friend and asked, “Who is this?” “Oh. It’s Twenty One Pilots…They’re too depressing to me, I don’t really like them.” She responded, which is totally fine—but this sparked my interest even more.

Once I got home, I looked them up, and never turned back. I fell in love with their mission, their purpose, their art, everything. I am now passionate about this band, even though not everyone understands why.

That is what this blog entry, and perhaps future ones in greater detail, is for.

Twenty One Pilots’s music is absolutely unique. Tyler Joseph knows how to convey emotion through his vocals, and he’s not afraid to dig deep into the depths of his soul for his lyrics. This is refreshing—not many artists these days are brave enough to be transparent and vulnerable with their fans. However, this is exactly what their fans are attracted to—deep, truthful authenticity. And hope.

Many are shocked when they find out that Twenty One Pilots are a Christian band, another reason why I love TP. Well, it is not technically. Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun are Christians, however, the band is not—or is it? It depends on what you consider to be a “Christian band”. If Tyler and Josh are both devoted, practicing Christians, then chances are that their faith will indeed influence their lyrics, resulting in their music reflecting their values. This is not a good or bad thing—it is just a thing that happens for all artists everywhere, not just Christians. 

—> Random tangent: Are Tyler and Josh using this for their religious advantage?
Wait—let me rephrase that. Maybe Tyler and Josh, as born again Christians, are trying to reach out to their audience and give them hope. Hope is good, right? Hope is what many artists try to give their audiences. They are not using this platform for their selfish gain. No, not at all. Their mission is to get their audience, Christian and nonChristian alike, to think for themselves. Think. Then fill in the blank themselves, finding in whom or what they will place their hope. TP assures us that we are not alone in the struggle of anxiety, depression, or the wars we wage in our minds. I love this.

Joseph and Dun have videos of themselves on YouTube and Vine, accessible to anyone, that reveals their silliness and personalities. They are regular people—they are talented, but they are just like their fans. Normal, average people. This is so beautiful to me—they are super famous, yet they’re not afraid to show their ridiculous sides. In doing this, their fans feel closer to them and feel like they know them as their friends. 

Tyler and Josh, if you guys are reading this, I just want to thank you. Thank you so much for your beautiful art, what you stand for, and for simply being wonderful guys. Keep doing what you are doing. You are a great inspiration to me and many others, and your music truly saves lives. Thank you so much.

In future blogs, I am hoping to delve deeper into their song lyrics, revealing the Biblical parallels and allusions, and meanings behind each symbol and metaphor.

This should be fun!


Do you want to join me? Stay tuned!

Friday, December 16, 2016

Identity Crisis

Lately, I have been going through a very difficult time in my life.

I don't mean to ask for pity--I'm just reaching out to see if anyone has ever felt like this too. Have you? This is something that needs to be talked about more often. The more this is discussed, the more comfort and healing we can bring to others.

I have never felt quite as depressed, confused, or anxious as I have been in the past two years. The anxiety I feel gives me anxiety about the anxiety itself—Why am I so scared? What am I upset about? Through some deep introspection, over time I discovered the root cause of my turmoil: I am missing the fundamental priority in my life. I have seriously been slipping and backsliding in my walk with Christ, both unknowingly and knowingly. I didn’t quite know I was backsliding until I knew it. And even when I knew it, I was too scared to do anything about it.

Cue the depression. Anxiety, stage right. Existential and Identity crises, take the center stage.

When I became aware of my spiritual condition, I still didn’t improve at all. Instead of taking care of my own walk with Christ, I would look to my bothers and sisters in Christ—not for help, but to try to be like them. I was jealous of their walk with Christ. I envied their artistic abilities, their talent, their style, their passion, and their ability to be so close to Christ. Hearing stories about certain people’s walks would discourage me because I may never be able to reach the standard they have set.

Time and time again I stumble into this trap of feeling inadequate. This time is not my first, nor will it probably be my last. Hopefully with God’s help and my own experience of trial and error, I may gain the wisdom necessary to navigate through the wilderness of this identity crisis. 

One thing I learned in my AP Psychology course last year is the eight psychosocial life stages theorized by Erik Erikson. In a nutshell, in every stage of life there is a crisis that one goes through, from birth to old age. In my current stage of life, I am going through what is called the Identity vs. Role Confusion, which sets in during the teenage years. Teens search for their purpose, who they are, what they believe in, and what they value and hope to achieve in life. I have personally felt this struggle my entire teenage life, though it fluctuated in severity. However, since I am about to graduate and enter the world of college and work, this crisis has truly hit me hard in the last two years.

So, how do we as teenagers and young adults cope? There are different ways of coping, both of the healthy and the unhealthy varieties. We must search and discover the best healthy ways we can cope through this time--we must take care of ourselves. I have found a few things that are quite helpful:
  1. Participate in a likeminded community of believers to glean from their wisdom and companionship. Those who are currently going through similar situations as you will be there to listen and empathize with you, while others who have already gone through it will give you wisdom and advice.
  2. Listen to music that speaks to your current situation and how you feel. There is no shame if you need to listen to deep, dark Twenty One Pilots songs. Believe me, I find it quite therapeutic—so it’s ok. Or, if that’s not your preference musically, that’s perfectly fine as well. Music therapy is real, so if you find songs that really help you express yourself, then continue listening to them. Don't let the opinions of others discourage you from liking what you like.
  3. Discover who God is, and He will let you know your identity. He has created you with a need for Him—He wouldn't put a need in you that He would not fulfill, especially if that need is Him Himself. Once you accept His offer of becoming your Teacher, He will lovingly reveal to you His mysteries, and His will for your life will become clear with time. Through getting to know Him, you will know yourself. In knowing yourself as a result, you will be able to glorify God through the gifts, talents, and tools He has provided for you during your study sessions with Him.
So, know this friends, if any of you can identify with what I'm going through: You do you, for God's glory. Don't let yourself envy other believers. You are not them. You can only be yourself, and that does not take away your value. You are just as valuable to God's kingdom as they are. Just because you are different, just because you like different things, just because you are an artist or mechanic or scientist or plumber, doesn't mean that you are of any less importance, value, or worth. The attention they get, the reputation they uphold, the style and talents they weave together, or the poetry they're able to write has nothing to do with your worth. The quality of their art does not diminish the quality of yours. Embrace the person God has created you to be, and focus on glorifying Him in all you do.

This is not a quick fix to depression/anxiety--trust me, if it was, I would say so. However, when we express ourselves for God's glory, we do eventually feel better because this is therapeutic. We must learn to lean on God when our mental illnesses or struggles wage war on us. You are not alone. I am here to listen if anyone needs a friend to talk to. =)

Kitchen Sink by Twenty One Pilots has become the anthem of this season of my life. One excerpt from the first stanza in particular truly conveys what I mean in this blog entry:

“Are you searching for purpose?
Then write something, yeah it might be worthless
Then paint something then, it might be wordless
Pointless curses, nonsense verses
You'll see purpose start to surface
No one else is dealing with your demons
Meaning maybe defeating them
Could be the beginning of your meaning, friend.”

|-/

Who Am I? Spoken Word piece by David Bowden, equally as echoing of this message:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw62CpjP0v8

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

The Divide - A Soliloquy

What’s next? Is there life beyond high school?
Day by day, year by year, I get closer
To the deadlines, to the graduation.
Will I survive, or will I not; that is the question.
Those who have gone before us
Passed the divide between high school
And the school finale—graduation.
Pursuing their passions and living
Beyond the grades of high school life.
A cliff approaches me, or is it the converse?
The more deadlines I meet, the closer I get,
Unknowingly being pushed to the edge.
Is there a bridge between the divide?
To college, or not to college; that is the question
I must answer, wherefore I shall go,
When everything I know is gone anon.
Ne’er would I have thought I come this far!
The time is nigh, the time is now—
I must go forth and decide my route.
Like Gideon, I present my fleece, needing a sign.
O God, I prithee, lead me--I shall follow thee. 
To major, or not to major; that is the question.
Choosing a path--O how confusing!
How uncertain am I of my passions!
Careful thought and research must be done—
I must discover my calling. 
To the moans of melancholy maladies,
Methinks I am meant to listen and mend.
Counseling countless clients 
And considering their concerns,
I shall teach them to tell and talk
Relieving their terrible troubles,
Engaging them as they express their agonies.
The end is nigh, the end is now
I have finally discovered my route.
O future clients, I shall arrive anon!
I prithee, wait for me, I shall pass the divide
Between high school and the afterlife—
That is, the long awaited graduation.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Dust -- Part 2 of the Cathedral Story

-- Part 2 of the Cathedral Story --

The creak of the big, heavy doors echoes throughout the entire building, ringing in my ears, and thunders down below my feet. A big cloud of dust stirs around me with each step I take, in each wave of my hand. Dust. Occupying each crevice, each note, each line. Specks that represent every soul that once roamed the halls in years past.

Who are you? Each begins to seemingly inquire me, simultaneously unaware of their own existence. Are we aware of our own existence? Swarming around ceaselessly, lives are lived unconsciously. With each breath, in each step, we are too in tune to others rather than taking time to care for ourselves, unknowingly drinking a falsely advertised sedative.


Who are you?

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

The Magnetic Pull

- A fictional short story type poem -

The thing about curiosity is that it can kill the cat and the mouse it ate too. A great risk of sacrifice is at hand when one notices something peculiar, debating investigation. Not everyone will yield to His magnetic pull.

We are born with a natural desire to know, to learn, to seek, to be. We all want to know and be known. To have our every sense captivated and enhanced by something bigger than ourselves. This requires the demolishing of our established reputations, the continuous uprooting of our false foundations in order to see the truth.

Will you find Him?

Your destined quest is at hand.

Is it worth it?

A Message In A Bottle

- A fictional short story type poem -


"So, tell me about yourself."
And so she did.
..............................................

Texts are messages in a bottle, sent but never truly reciprocated--misunderstood feelings, confused intentions all made into a concoction of false community. Once sent away from shore she never knows if the paper will stay dry. If the bottle will stay confidential. If the cork will keep muted. If she will receive one in return. Will the chord get pulled, exposing her letter?

What is he trying to say?

"We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and private: and therefore starved for meditation and true friendship." - C.S. Lewis

The Cathedral and the Alarm Clocks

- A fictional short story type poem -

As the sunset reflects its beautiful last-minute goodbyes on my wallpaper, I am reminded of the old, abandoned cathedral out west that my grandfather always took us to explore. It's dark, dusty appearance sticks out in my mind when I close my eyes, as the clouds cover the last wave of sunbeam.

One glance out my window reveals my suppressed desire to discover it's every room, every crevice, uncovering each hidden memory of the time it was once loved. Every book, every hymnal that stands tall upon the bookshelf and behind every pew is frozen in time, no longer remembering it's very existence.

My balcony is a resting place where I find my solitude, but I must confess--even this can become a cacophony of loud clamor when one is used to it. This hamlet in which I reside is full of alarm clocks demanding the attention of its occupants. With each time comes new woes, and loss of brief companions. Where must we go when all is lost or missing?

Will we answer the alarm clocks?

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Hopeful Ramblings

Brainstorming for another blog takes a long time, especially if one is tired. Admittedly, my fatigue is a direct result of my resistance to fall asleep at a reasonable time last night. You see, before I go to sleep I enjoy binge watching YouTube videos by my favorite YouTubers for about an hour. If I go to bed at 9:30pm, then I enable myself to have an hour and a half of YouTube. In doing this, I am making myself believe that I am going to sleep early, when in actuality I am not. I tend to stay up until 11:00pm, which is not the best for me, I know, but I just don’t seem to learn from this. If I turn everything off by 11:00pm and put my head on the pillow, I usually can’t fall asleep until another thirty minutes to an hour. This is a predicament. I need to turn everything off at a reasonable time (perhaps 9:00) so I can fall asleep earlier and not be so sleepy the next day.

What’s funny is that I am quite an ambitious person. Once school let out, I made it a practice to wake up at 6:00am just like a school morning and go to sleep at 9:00pm, just like a school night. This would enable me to keep my circadian rhythms (or my internal clock) the way they are during the school year so I wouldn’t have to readjust when my senior year starts. I had planned that during the day I would study the things I wanted to, then apply for jobs so hopefully I can put my paychecks into my college fund. After I took the SAT on June 4th, this elaborate plan crashed. Actually, it crashed the week after that when I realized the businesses I applied for work were not calling me back to hire me. Was this due to depression, or laziness? Hmm… Interesting question. I believe it was due to disappointment, rather, and then it turned into depression and anxiety. Thankfully, though, I have obtained a new outlook on life—or, at least, the season that I am in. Once school starts back up, my mind will be focused on my student career, college applications, and young adult responsibilities, since this is my senior year.

"The season that I am in."

This phrase echoes in my mind a realization I had earlier this month. It is that we tend to only see the circumstances at hand rather than the bigger picture. We are focused on the difficult terrain we are walking instead of looking over the horizon that brings hope. Life can bring some agonizing trials—believe me, I have walked that road plenty of times. In fact, I am there right now. We are all looking for hope, comfort, peace, and a shoulder to cry on. We are all frantically searching for ways to cope. When we pray, sometimes--or most of the time--it feels like we are not heard. We are walking in a dry place, and we are so thirsty for God, but listen. Listen for God's voice in the sermons, in the hymns, in the wind in the trees and the grass. We feel so alone that our fear is crippling and all we can do is cry out to God--just listen, and be still. He is there. He loves you. Find nourishment in His word, and earnestly pray.

One Sunday my pastor’s sermon was over Daniel 10, which records Daniel's encounter with an angel. The very first thing the angel says to him is, "Daniel, man greatly loved..." He told him that God values his life, values him personally, and loves him so deeply and perfectly, just in that one phrase. He assured Daniel that his prayer was heard--our prayers reach heaven no matter how we feel. God truly hears us, and loves us.

Don't give up.
God.
Loves.
You.

No one likes to hear this—believe me, I don’t always like it either, but it rings true once you finally reach an easier part of your life’s journey: All the terrible things that happen in life happen for a reason. God has promised that He will use it for good. We are all in this together. We are all family--the body of Christ. We are all hurting together. We are all praying and worshipping the Father together.

Don't give up.
Don't...give...up...
Hang in there.
Jesus loves you.

He's got you, holding you tightly and securely, no matter what.


Sincerely,
Glenna Duncan

What is a Wunderkind?

The word “wunderkind” is a German word that literally means “wonder child”, or prodigy. 

I have always been fascinated by the phenomenons of prodigies, young children who have an amazing talent. In fact, their talents can be better than the skills of professional adults’.

I admit, I have been so intrigued that I lose sight of who I am. I form an unhealthy jealousy towards them because I crave that attention. I am not a prodigy. I am simply a girl who does have her strengths, passions, and interests like every healthy human being, but I fall short of the line of perfection that I strive to measure up to.

Akiane Kramerik is a prodigy whose talent I coveted for a few years. She comes from a Lithuanian family who moved to the United States when she was a young girl. The beginning of her story is very interesting: Her family was atheist, but somehow Akiane received visions from God. She claims that Jesus taught her how to paint, so when she came home from heaven, she would paint these extraordinary pieces—her most famous being called Prince of Peace, completed at age 8. These paintings of heaven as well as her poetry and testimony eventually softened her parents’ hearts and they received Christ as their Savior. Kramerik’s story interestingly ties in with Colton Burpo’s, the boy who went to heaven during his operation due to appendicitis. He confirms that when he saw Jesus Christ, He looked exactly like the portrait Prince of Peace.

The topic of child geniuses raises a question in my mind: Are wunderkinds truly a rarity, a curiosity, someone to revere as extraordinary?

Albert Einstein once stated, “The one who follows the crowd will usually get no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone, is likely to find himself in places no one has ever been.” This means that one who stays with the “in” crowd and tries to fit in usually misses out on something they otherwise would discover. One who patiently builds his strengths, pursues his passions, and exercises his skills always reaps the benefits. He will find out what he has been working toward all his life. It may be having a family, becoming a journalist who travels the world, learning new languages, or even finding cures for diseases. If little things that one does to brighten another’s day is considered a miracle, are little accomplishments, or even a big accomplishment later in life, considered the act of a wunderkind?

I believe that those who value their lives, take childlike wonder in the world, and find miraculous discoveries, big or small, are wunderkinds. They enjoy life’s journey, enduring the hard times in order to come out strong.

C.S. Lewis, another beloved author of mine, wrote the amazing saga The Chronicles of Narnia. In the series, his protagonist for most of the books is a young girl, Lucy Pevensie. She has childlike innocence and wonder, and makes Narnia her home along with her three siblings. They reign over their newfound kingdom, granted by Aslan. Lucy Pevensie is a character I strongly connect with on an emotional level. She is brave and strong to stand up for her belief in Narnia to her unbelieving siblings at the beginning of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. She is gentle and kind, and her love for Aslan is unwavering. This is what makes her a wunderkind.

If this is true for Lucy, is it a stretch to say that those who try to explore God’s creation with a holy curiosity are wunderkinds? Perhaps there are other ways to apply this word to different concepts of use. The most common application referring to children with remarkable talents, and the least common application referring to childlike wonder. I believe this is not a stretch at all. Those with childlike (not childish) wonder are, indeed, wunderkinds.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” -Albert Einstein

We all have our purposes in this life. Let us enjoy this journey, embracing our talents and sharpening our abilities in order to embark on this quest of discovering how to complete our mission. Beware of losing sight of who you are when admiring the talents of others. If you don’t catch yourself, you will make wrong turns on the path that you started on.

Sincerely,
Glenna Duncan

Sacred Identity

Who am I?

Well, who might you be? We all have this question, and we all strive to answer it in some way, whether it be through hobbies, our heritage, or even our vocations, but does that fully explain who we are as individuals? No, not fully. We can merely provide information on aspects of ourselves and our origins, but not who we are exactly. No one can fully know who he or another is, which, as a result, provokes a lonely feeling in our hearts. Is it true that no one—not even our closest family members—can know us totally? I’m afraid so. Actually, I’m glad. I’m glad that no one can truly know who we are, because then we would be exposed—everyone can see the good, the bad, and the ugly about us. Then again, this can be isolating, especially when we don’t admit to our struggles, for others can only know the parts of us that we allow them to.

Why do we only want aspects of ourselves to be known, even if we do strive to be transparent with trusted friends? We deal with many trials in life, such as temptation, depression, shame, guilt, anxiety, and other imperfections that we are embarrassed to share with anyone else for fear of rejection. Perhaps we have confided in another for support, but those trusted allies still are not knowledgeable of our most secret thoughts. Have you ever had the slightest, brief wish that you could know someone out there who you could tell everything to, and know that you’re known by him? Then after that thought, did you feel a sinking feeling of loneliness? We all have. I know I have in the past. What would you think if I told you that I found the cure? Now, don’t exit this page thinking that I’m lying or don’t understand the weight of loneliness. Trust me, I do understand, and I truly have found the Cure. The “C” in “cure” is capital for a reason, and it is this: The Cure is a Person. The Person, Jesus Christ.

Now, bear with me. Hear me out before you make your decision. Who is Jesus Christ? He is the One you must know before you can understand who you are and what your role is in this world. Understand what His role is and Who He is first. Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God who was sent by His Father to earth to die for all of us. He did this because the fact that we all make mistakes (we sin) prevents us from going to Heaven (His home) when we die. Jesus took the debt of our sins and paid for them in full.  Heaven is where Jesus and his Father live—it is His Kingdom where He reigns, and it is a good place. A wonderful place where there is no suffering, no death, no sadness, no mental disorders, no physical disorders, no affliction, and no pain. There is joy and true happiness there—the kind we have never experienced on earth. True healing resides here—it is Jesus’ and His family’s home. If you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior of your life, you will become a part of His family. His Father will be your Father. You would be my sibling in Christ.

Does this fix the problem of loneliness, though? Yes, because if you accept Jesus as your Savior, He will put His Holy Spirit inside your heart—or your innermost being (not your blood pumping muscle). In doing this, He would know you inside and out. He would know the things about you that you keep others from knowing—but heres the good news: He forgives you of your sins once you accept Jesus as your Savior! Even though we all who are saved still sin, He is there to help us overcome temptation. He is gracious, kind, and He loves us like no one else is able to. If you work to build your relationship with Jesus, He will fill that lonely void in your heart. He is the friend we need. The One who will help us and teach us through His word—the Bible.

Now, I’m sure you are still wondering who I am, the author myself? I admit I provoked the question in your mind at the beginning of this blog entry, and I will answer this question promptly. First and foremost, my identity is found in Christ, as I do hope yours is as well. My name is Glenna Duncan, and I am a habitual writer. My love of writing started at a young age when my dad would tell me stories from his imagination, and as a result, my imagination has grown strong over the years and I enjoy expressing myself through various medias such as music by guitar or ukulele, writing, drawing or painting, and et cetera. I was homeschooled though my elementary school career, then I was placed in a private prep school in sixth grade up to my senior year. I am an aspiring Christian counselor who loves to listen to people’s stories and affliction in hopes of aiding them with my advice and insight. My favorite musical artists are numerous, but to list a few, they are Twenty One Pilots, Owl City, I Am They, and others. Maybe there’s a blog entry in there somewhere? Stay tuned to find out! You might also be wondering why my blog is called Cursive Rhythms. I chose this because I habitually write in cursive, and I love music with great rhythms. It’s not too clever, I admit, but I do like it and am thankful for it.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and giving it a read. I do hope you will visit again to see what I’ve been up to and what has been on my mind lately.


Sincerely,

Glenna Duncan