Idealism.

I'm an idealist.

This hit me midway through college, and now that I'm working in a job tailormade for us idealists, its always on my mind. I make nearly all my decisions based on what I think is right. I'm not trying to sound like some self-righteous young guy.  I'm more interested in trying to figure out why I am the way I am.

Granted, I was raised with two pastors in the house and as you might imagine, I had a certain moral code drilled into me as a kid, but now that I'm older and out on my own, I still feel that pull to 'do what is right'. 

One of my coworkers mentioned to me today that I seem to be focused entirely on my work and that I need to chill.  For those of you who know me, have I ever come across as a crusader or sorts?  Anyway, it hit me as odd and I'm just curious what you all think.

Be Real.

I've had some free time in the office in the past few days just to think about how our online interactions affect both ourselves and others.  If you're familiar with this blog, then you know that I wrote a paper regarding online societies.  If you haven't read that, I certainly encourage you to check it out.

Anyway,  I have come to the idea that no matter who we are are what we think of ourselves, we are all schizophrenic. When we are at home, we act differently than at work or at church. When we're online, we have the freedom to be as nasty and rude as we want, hiding behind a screen name or an avatar image.

Is it any wonder that 50% of marriages fail and that people seem less close when we are all living behind a web of false truths?  We create a character and take on that persona every day depending on the situation.  In essence, are we showing people who we really are, or are we merely pretending that we're one way when in reality we are not?