Love, Peace & Jerry Garcia

Last night was Rachel’s 70s party. Before we left work a co-worker of ours said “have fun, be safe and remember, love peace and Jerry Garcia.” I laughed, a lot. But here it is, about 18 hours later and I still have that quote in my head. Why in the world would that have stuck with me? I don’t know. But it did bring me to a thought that I’d like to share today. And something I’d really like to clear up for those that know me but might not really know me. 

People seem to think I’m a green, earth-friendly, bordering on carefree modern hippie (all the love and peace but without the hairy legs and stringy hair…ok some days my hair is stringy). So I need to clear something up to at least a handful of you. I do believe in recycling and taking care of the world, I do believe in fighting for what you believe in but doing it in love, I do believe in loving everyone and trying to be positive about everything, I am a pretty laid back easy going person but I would never classify myself the way some people do. Some say modern hippie, some say conservative religious person, some say mono-toned girl who has no opinion or emotions towards anything. Well whatever you think I am, that’s fine. But it’s time for the truth. Something that is always there but maybe not said out loud enough.

I’m not a hippie. I’m not a believer of free acceptance of all people and the whole “anything goes” style of living that has become so commonplace. I’m not really that “green.” I’m not a tree-hugging save the earth and animals type of person. I’m not very charitable. I’m not religious. I don’t even believe in religion. I’m not mono-toned. I’m not lacking in opinions and I’m definitely not always cool, calm, collected and emotion-less.

I am a God loving, God fearing woman and that is the only thing that defines my life. I believe that God created this earth and it’s disrespecting him to not try and take care of it. I do not believe that God wants anyone to be religious. Sure the bible sets rules of how He wants us to live, but I 110% believe that God sent his son, Jesus, to cancel out those rules that are so impossible to never break. I live in the freedom that Jesus gave his life for. I’m not opinion-less, I just respect other people’s opinions and do not always feel the need to say mine if it won’t matter in the grand scheme of things. I believe that God doesn’t want anyone stressed, angry, mad and heavy-hearted so I do my best to not be that way. I only give money and my time to the things God puts on my heart. I do believe that God has created us and this world in love and it’s our responsibility to love everyone, no matter who they are and what they’ve done. Forgiveness and a bitter-less heart and lifestyle is crucial. I believe that the bible is truth and is the manual to life. I do believe that living for Jesus is the only way to live but will never not love someone because they don’t agree. I go to church a lot but contrary to what many people think, it’s not my life. Jesus is my life and I would love everyone I know to live the same way. So yes, love and peace, but not Jerry Garcia.

Oh, and that whole mono-toned thing…if you know me at all, you’ll know that I do have emotions and a personality…you just might not get me.