the long way of saying we got rid of our domino's boxes and sold curriculum books

we are slowly freeing ourselves from the shackles of oppression. with each passing day we regain more of our own personalities and ideas.

we are survivors. many did not survive, but fell to the wayside with minds full of distant unreality. pride. they were and are like the christians who claim, "i am saved." they are deluded and lead their lives as if the work were done, as if they were already safe in heaven with nothing left to do but to contemplate our God. yet they forget that our God created us with a rational and eternal soul, but also with an earthly body.

HE said, "faith AND works."

many remember their earthly bodies just long enough to give into drunkness and sloth, then drift back into their comfortable slumber of delusion. they are "philosophers" and the "chosen ones." it is OK not to have life goals, to get one philosophy degree upon another, and to bounce from one small, low-paying teaching position to another. just keep philosophizing and you're like unto God.

but we are survivors. narrowly escaping brainwashing is a harrowing experience.  we have goals again, and each day we come closer to achieving them. as we achieve each goal, we discern our next. we desire to change the world by action and example, by blood, sweat, and tears. works are the expression of faith. so we pray to and plead with our God, that we never lose our faith. as long as we have faith, our works are a prayer. we shun drunkness and sloth, and strive for humility. and clear-headedness.

i don't really believe that peter sits in a fluffy bathrobe next to pearly gates, but when we meet the realistic equivalent i intend to have a better answer than, "i spent my life thinking."