I am boiling and my heart is pumping really fast.

On Oprah, there were parents who hired a stripper for their son’s 16th birthday party.  Not only did the stripper go topless, she went totally buck nude.  And the mother didn’t even regret hiring the stripper.  Her argument was that she wasn’t showing them anything that they didn’t already see.

There is a fine line between trying to be friends with your child and being a good parent to your child.  I definitely want to be friends with my children, but I am not going to compromise things just to be cool to them.

Not only is it wrong for a bunch of young boys [or girls] watching a stripper, I think hiring a stripper or going to a strip club or watching porn is completely unacceptable for all ages.  There are going to be people who disagree with me which is really sad – our world and society is so distorted.  I know people think it is harmless if it is for a bachelor|bachelorette party and it’s just for fun.  The fact of the matter is that watching a stripper or porn is looking at someone in a sexual way and getting turned on with no intimacy nor respect.

I know there is a HUGE problem right now with porn, more than a lot of people know or want to admit.  If anybody is struggling with this, please get help.  Don’t let the devil win over our minds and souls.

Bottom line – watching strippers or looking at porn is cheating on your significant other and it is not good for anyone’s soul – no ifs and or buts.

 

Talking to many people from different walks of life, I hear so many stories of anger and resentment - therefore I’m convicted to write this post.

When we hold grudges, we are actually hurting ourselves more than anyone else.  Sometimes when we have ill feelings towards someone, it affects us tremendously.  But when we let those grudges go, we are setting ourselves FREE!

These next two quotes say it best:

“If you hold on to that anger on a chronic basis, then it has power over you, eating away at your peace of mind and perhaps even your immune system.”

“Forgiving ultimately benefits the forgiver more than the person who has done wrong.”

But how do we forgive someone who has horrendously backstabbed us?  Someone who has caused a massive heartache?  Someone who has used us?  Someone who has been deceitful?  Someone who has tortured us?  It’s extremely hard, but it is possible because everyone is capable of forgiveness . . . everyone.

For some tips, read an awesome article – http://www.lifetimetv.com/reallife/health/features/forgiveness.html

Some personal tips to add – keep in mind that you yourself are not perfect and pray for the person who wronged you.

———-

Doctors at the University of Washington found that holding a grudge raises the heart rate, blood pressure, and sweat production in more than nine out of ten people.  Each of these symptoms indicates an activated nervous system and increased stress hormones.

 

Happy New Year xangatrons!

Per Ali’s request, I’ve chosen my favorites from 2005 [Photographer: Grace Kim] . . .

[above] My dear friend Annie is absolutely beautiful!

When I look at this image, I see simplicity and innocence.  From seeing her face-to-face and seeing her in my images, she looks different to me.

Awe

He looks like an Abercrombie & Fitch model with clothes on – he’s also the younger brother of one of my closest friends Rachel.

I love keys – my mother was right when she told me that I’d regret it if I stopped playing the piano and violin.

David’s pedal case – I shot this after the Future Island Benefit Concert last year.  Be on the lookout - David is coming out with an EP soon!

My twin – we share the same name Jinyoung Chung [my Korean name], we have the same exact jacket, we have similar styles of clothing, we were cheerleaders, we have our cartilage pierced in the same ear, we’re Pastor’s kids, the list goes on.

Pastor Joey – he is a TRUE man of God.  The cool thing about this shot is that the light is in the shape of an angel – we noticed this after-the-fact.

Pastor Joey’s guitar that has helped lead countless numbers of people into freedom and worship.  King’s Fools [which my hubby is a part of also] will be coming out with their first full-length album in the very near future.

So peaceful – she’s enjoying God’s presence.

My favorite wedding of all time!  No huge production – just a simple, intimate, and charming wedding.

Two of my favorite women – Jane is in Korea and Sunny is in New York – both working towards the great careers ahead of them.  Aside from my hubby, Jane is the most loyal person I know.  And Sunny is one of the most solid people I know.

Revelling in God’s magnificent creation

Another one of my favorite women - I didn’t really have any older sisters that I could look up to while growing up because I was always the oldest one, but even though it was a little later in life that I met her, Jean has been that older sister for me.  She is so loving, thoughtful, devoted, consistent, beautiful and is going to be famous in Hollywood one day.

I did this for one of my projects – I call it ‘Freedom’.

Model-esque

Sisterly love – I love these ladies as if they were my own sisters [pictured Haana & Haayoung].

Intricate details and texture

A bride just chilling before walking down the aisle

Stunning

Copyright 2005 GH Kim Photography