Are Faith and Religion Important to Gen Y?

Gen Y bloggers write on a wide variety of subjects, but one that I haven't really seen too much about is religion. I realize this is a touchy subject, and it can spark long, heated debates, but it's a topic that really interests me and means a lot to me personally. Many of us are recent college grads, still in school, back in school, or starting out in our first job. We are constantly on the go, so much to do, and not enough hours in the day. So, how do we make time for faith and religion in our lives? Is it still important to us, or is it something we've put on the back burner until we're a little older?

Here's my story:

I am, and always have been, very proud to be Jewish. My dad is a rabbi, so I pretty much grew up at the temple. Many of our congregants literally knew me since I was born. I loved the sense of community, and the welcome feeling I got whenever I went there. I had great friends at temple too. We had some pretty fun times together. I excelled at Hebrew, and later went on to tutor kids preparing for their Bar/Bat Mitzvah. At a pretty young age, I decided that I would not eat pork or shellfish, and that is something I plan to continue for the rest of my life. For seven years, I attended a Jewish overnight camp, and worked there for three more. Camp was where I really found my Jewish identity and truly connected to the prayers. I was involved in youth group, and traveled to Europe and Israel with my Jewish peers. Visiting places with so much Jewish history was incredibly moving. I can recite most of the prayer book (including English) by heart. I wear a ring with my Hebrew name.

Credit must be given to my parents. Despite the fact that I'm a rabbi's kid (and another rabbi's niece) Judaism was never forced on me. I went to temple because I wanted to. I made the decision to keep kosher. I decided to tutor Hebrew because I knew I could help. Throughout my life, I have made my own choices when it comes to faith and religion, and that is a large part of why I feel so positively about it. Instead of resenting the fact that I was often the most Jewish among my classmates or friends, I have always enjoyed teaching people about my holidays and traditions. From kindergarten through college, I have taught many a non-Jew to play dreidl and love latkes. I know that hatred often grows out of ignorance, so I take every opportunity to educate people.

A number of my friends had religion forced on them as kids and now have no interest in making it a part of their lives. Parents are supposed to pass the teachings of their faith onto their children, so their children can pass it on to their children, and so on. But, by not giving them any choice in how they learn and become involved in their faith, the result is children who are disenchanted and bitter. What many people don't realize is that there are many ways to live your faith. It's not just about going to temple or church, but about learning and teaching, tradition and culture, giving back to the community, exploring different communities, and so much more.

In writing this, I realized that this issue is so complex, and I haven't even scratched the surface. I guess what I'm trying to say is don't give up on your faith. Even if you have bad memories from when you were a kid, you're a grown up now, so take the opportunity for a fresh start. Give it another chance. If you think you don't have time for religion, you're wrong. You can make time. Remember that there is more to religion than the Bible. Culture, community, and traditions can be so meaningful. With everything that's going on in the world, we all need something to keep us grounded.

So, what do you think? Are faith and religion important to you? Are they important to Gen Y? (I welcome your comments, but please no negative or hateful words. They will be deleted)

The People Who Inspire Me

Inspiration can be found in many places, but for me, it’s not about what inspires me, but who inspires me. Certain kinds of people inspire me, those who embody particular values, ideals, or characteristics. I often find that those who inspire me are those I admire and aspire to be like, and it’s no coincidence that those words all share the same root.

To read more about who inspires me, check out my guest post on the wonderful blog of Grace Boyle: Small Hands, Big Ideas.

Moving Away and Moving On

When I was 16, my family and I moved from Hingham, MA to Stony Brook, NY. I left everything I'd ever known and started over. We moved for my dad's job. He wasn't happy where he was, and wanted to find somewhere new. He's a rabbi, and that's one of the few jobs where you don't really have many other options if you're looking for a change. Fortunately, my dad and I have always been close, and I know he's great at what he does, so I supported him. However, this just means that I didn't go kicking and screaming, I didn't say I would hate him forever, and I didn't rebel to get back at him. It doesn't mean that I was happy about moving. I'm sure there are a lot of people who have moved countless times, but this one time was major for me. It taught me a lot about myself, about friendship, and about making the most of new opportunities.

As a teenager, I was never really part of a set group. I had a good number of friends, and I just kind of floated between groups and tried to spend time with everyone. Over the years, I had a few really close friends, and we had some pretty amazing times together. Right before I moved, I had a going away party. All of my friends were there and everyone took part in making me a scrapbook to bring with me to my new home. We all promised to stay in touch and I intended to follow through on this promise. The thing that I didn't realize then is that teenagers are unreliable. Try as they might, there's just too much going on in those formative years.

For the first few months, I was pretty miserable. I had gone from a four grade high school with 800 kids, to a three grade high school with 1600 kids. Everyone at my new school had known each other forever, and I was the token new kid. I'd love to say that it was the stress of adjusting to this new place that caused me to break my promise, but really, I sucked at keeping in touch. I tried for a while, and got frustrated when my efforts weren't reciprocated. My best friend was the only one who really made the effort. Despite a couple of bumps in the road during college, due to stupid miscommunication and an overreaction on my part, she and I are still great friends, and I am so grateful to have her in my life. As for pretty much everyone else, Facebook friendship is as far as it goes at this point.

At the beginning, I was pretty hurt. Why didn't my friends want to make the effort to keep in touch with me? Out of sight, out of mind? I was all alone in a new place with very few friends, and all I wanted was to know that the people I had grown up with still cared about me. In retrospect, just because we fell out of touch doesn't mean they didn't care. We were juniors in high school, with crushes, college applications, extracurriculars and countless other things to worry about, and keeping in touch takes a lot of time and energy.

Looking back now, I know the experience taught me a lot. I am stronger than I give myself credit for. A new situation is a perfect opportunity to become a better version of yourself. It's not worth dwelling on things you have no control over. When you're thrown into a new situation, take the opportunity to meet new people, be more outgoing, try new things. Be grateful for the friends you have, the ones who truly care about you. It really is quality over quantity.

Sometimes, I look through Facebook photos of people I used to know and wish that things had turned out differently. Part of me wishes that we had never moved, but then I would never have met some of the people who are important to me now. I have amazing friends, most of whom I've met since moving. Some of them even live far away and still keep in touch. You never know, somewhere down the road I could reconnect with my old friends. I still miss them sometimes and I proabably always will. I guess what I'm trying to say in this post is that new situations don't have to be all scary and negative. Like most things, it's what you make of it, and chances are that you'll look back and find that you're a stronger person as a result.

The Intersection of Work, Love, and Life

Jamie Varon is one of the coolest bloggers around. Not only is she a great writer who's not afraid to speak her mind, but she's also a go-getter. (See this site which promotes her efforts to get a job at Twitter). So, when I saw that Jamie is hosting her very first contest on her blog, I was intrigued. I've decided to enter, not for the prize or the competition, but because the topic really speaks to the state of my life right now. So, here it goes:

“That place where work, love, and life all meet and you wonder, “where the hell do I go from here?”

I am currently standing at the intersection of work, love, and life, and traffic doesn't look like it's slowing down anytime soon. If you've been reading my blog, you know that I've had a lot going on over the past year. (If you haven't been reading, now you know!) I've been approaching this intersection for a while, and now I'm definitely there.

Soon I will complete my third month of working at my first real job. Though I was a journalism major in school, I am working as a Marketing Assistant at an online ad network. With no advertising or marketing background, it's been a bit of a challenge, but it's a great place and I've been learning a lot (WORK). Until now, I've been commuting from home (LIFE), but in a couple of weeks, I'm moving to Brooklyn with my boyfriend (LOVE). We're moving because we want to live together after almost 4 years of mostly long distance (LOVE), and because my company is opening an office in Manhattan (WORK). Both of our mothers are freaking out about us moving out, and trying to get everything done before we officially move into our new place has been super stressful (LIFE).

Despite all of this, I am happy to say that I know exactly "where the hell I go from here." As crazy as things have been at this intersection, I know that this is the beginning of my adult life, and I couldn't be more excited. The "a lot going on" I referred to earlier has included some pretty tough stuff, so the opportunity for a fresh start is worth any amount of stress.

My advice to anyone who is stuck at this intersection and doesn't know where to go: take a minute to evaluate your life. Are you happy? Do you have great people around you? Have you accomplished your goals? If you answered no to any of these questions, then you've just figured out where to go from here. And if you answered yes to all three, then stop worrying about where to go next, and just sit back and enjoy the ride!

Does Your Blog Portray the True You?

The interesting thing about the blogosphere is that most of us only know each other through the Web. Though we may eventually meet some of our "digital friends" at one point or another, most of what we know about them is from profiles, tweets and blog entries.

One of my favorite bloggers recently wrote a post about the relationship between personal branding and authenticity, and how we define ourselves on the Web. She says that we see other bloggers how they want us to see them, from how they portray themselves through their blog posts. We're not necessarily seeing the real deal. The question is, does your blog portray the true you?

Some of us are probably content with the amount of information we share with our readers, and how much we know about the authors of the blogs we read. But, do you ever wonder, who is this person whose blog I read everyday? I wonder what else we have in common besides blogging.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted 25 Things About Me, and got some great comments. So, if you want your readers to know that there's more to you than the topics you post about, share a little bit. If you can't think of 25 things about yourself like I did, I've done the work for you. Delete my answers from the questions below and post your own answers on your blog:

Are you on Twitter, Facebook, 20 Something Bloggers, Brazen Careerist, or other networking sites?
Yes, all of the above!

What do you do? Are you a student, do you work, or both?
I am the Marketing Assistant at CPX Interactive, an online ad network. My job is to find new and innovative ways to get our company's name out there using the Internet.

How many different states have you lived in, and which ones?
Including school, four: Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Virginia.

iPhone, Crackberry, or good old cell phone?
Crackberry!

What do you do in your spare time besides blogging and social networking?
I don't have too much spare time right now since I'm in the process of moving, but I like to read, watch sports (especially football), shop, be outdoors, and spend time with friends and family.

What is your favorite post that you have written?
That's a tough one. Probably the post about my grandma, and why I support the Alzheimer's Association. It was really tough to write, but I'm so glad that I did.

What is your favorite guilty pleasure TV show?
The Hills on MTV. I don't want to like it, but I just can't help it.

Explain the title of your blog and why you gave it that name.
Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates: a tribute to the wisdom of Forest Gump, and something that I really feel is true. You never know what life will send your way, so the best you can do is enjoy the good stuff and learn from the bad stuff.

Feel free to re-post this content, and add more questions if you like, just please link back here. You'll be surprised how much you can learn about others when you share a little bit of yourself.

A Fresh Start For Spring

Today is the first day of spring, and Mother Nature has a terrible sense of humor. As I was driving to work this morning, I watched in amazement as little white snowflakes began to fall from the sky. I could just picture Mother N. laughing manically. But, despite the ridiculously ironic start to this new season, I'm still really looking forward to it.

I think that spring is my favorite season. It's warm, not freezing cold, or sweltering hot. Nature comes back to life and everything is green and beautiful again. Toes are free in open-toed shoes. It's time for sundresses and skirts, without stockings. It's easier and more pleasant to spend time outdoors. Heavy jackets, hats, and gloves go back into storage.

This year, spring means more to me than just these simple pleasures. It means starting my own grown up life, finally living with my wonderful boyfriend after almost four years of long distance, being more independent, remembering how to have a social life (and having one), spending time with friends, new experiences and adventures...and so much more.

The past year has not been the best, much like a runaway roller coaster at times. But, I knew that things would get better eventually, and now that they have, I plan to make the most of this new season. The term "spring cleaning" can apply to more than floors and windows. Take the opportunity to reevaluate and re-prioritize. Doesn't everyone deserve a fresh start?

Happy Spring!

On My Bookshelf: The Books I Couldn't Put Down

I love to read. Some recent college grads still associate books with academia, and refuse to read for pleasure, but not me. Reading is an escape. A good book is one you can get lost in, totally absorbed, invested in the story. The best books are the ones you can't put down, but you never want to finish because you don't want the story to end. My favorite kinds of books are the ones that make you think. I'm not a fan of pure fluff, I just get bored, but a little bit of a love story never hurts. I'm always looking for something new to read, but it's sometimes difficult to find books that are worthwhile. So, I thought I'd share some of my favorites with the blogosphere, and maybe get some recommendations in return.

Keeping the House
by Ellen Baker

At more than 500 pages in hardcover, this book looked a little daunting. It took me a while, but it was totally worth it. Baker tells the compelling story of a small town housewife longing to be anyone else, anywhere else. Smartly written, the reader experiences the roller coaster of the main character's life along with her, and even after more than 500 pages, doesn't want the story to end.

The Book Thief

By Markus Zusak

This story is narrated by Death. Seriously. And, Death is a remarkably good story teller. It's World War II in Germany, and Death is very busy. Somehow though, Death still finds the time to tell about the life of a young girl and the very different, but equally important, roles that books play in her life.

The Glass Castle

By Jeannette Walls

This best-selling memoir is a chilling account of growing up in poverty, constantly on the move. With every page, you will find yourself shaking your head in disbelief, wondering if these things really happened. The unique life outlook of Walls' parents is truly captivating. You will remember this book for a long time after you finish reading.

The Kommandant's Girl and The Diplomat's Wife

By Pam Jenoff

These books provide a different perspective on the Holocaust with harrowing tales of survival. Jenoff takes the reader on an endless adventure, with such vivid detail that you feel like you're watching the story unfold. Though the Diplomat's Wife is not exactly a sequel, I recommend reading The Kommandant's Girl first. The stories are fittingly sad, but well worth reading.

The Queen's Fool

By Philippa Gregory

I've recently become a fan of historical fiction, and though I have read several of Gregory's books, this one was by far my favorite. The well-known author of The Other Boleyn Girl, Gregory details the tumultuous times of the Inquisition through the eyes of an unlikely member of the Royal Court. This story provides a look into the drama and controversy of the Tudor Court, and shows just how powerful religion can be.

If you want more info on these books, just let me know. And, please feel free to share your favorites.

Oh Hot Damn, These Are My Jams

If you couldn't tell from the snappy title, courtesy of Flo Rida, this post is about music. As I was driving home yesterday, (in the worst Long Island traffic I've been stuck in since I started commuting), I was thinking about my eclectic music collection. My tastes are pretty varied, but most of the things I listen to are symbolic of something. Some songs remind me of certain people, keep me awake or put me to sleep, calm me down or hype me up, or summarize how I feel better than I can at any given moment. So, I thought I'd go a little deeper into why I listen to certain music. Don't worry, it's not my whole iTunes library, just some examples:

Genres:

Hip-Hop/Dance:
This is what I listen to in the car on my way to and from work. I like the beats and it keeps me awake and alert. This is also what I listen to when I'm getting ready to go out...pump, pump, pump it up etc.

Oldies:
I'm a fan of many older groups, although as a baby of the 80s, that's my favorite decade. My parents listen to Oldies and I like to share this with them.

Acoustic:
By far, my favorite genre. I am endlessly impressed with crazy guitar and piano skills, and I'll listen to acoustic stuff anytime. It's calming and it's easy to sing to.

Artist Shout Outs:

Josh Kelley:
My favorite artist! Props to my good friend Andrea for introducing me to JK's music. He has an amazing voice and is very musically talented. You might know him from the popular "Amazing" from a couple years back, but I prefer songs like "Almost Honest," "Tidal Wave," and "Just To Be Me." P.S. He's also married to Katherine Heigl from Grey's Anatomy.

Pat McGee:
I went to a JK concert in Fall 07 in Virginia and Pat McGee Band was the other headliner. I was instantly hooked and I've been a big fan ever since. They can really rock out. The thing I like most about PMG is that he captures emotions so well. A number of the bands' recent songs reflect their feelings after the death of their drummer, Chris Williams. "Come Back Home" and "End of October" were extremely meaningful to me last summer.

Journey:
Who doesn't love Journey? Come on, you'd be lying if you said you've never belted out "Don't Stop Believin'" and loved it! (Shout out to Lindsey and McFadden's for this one :))

A few songs worth mentioning:

• "More Than a Feeling" by Boston (Go Red Sox!)
• "That's What Friends Are For" by Dion Warwick (Bar/Bat Mitzvah party fave)
• "Slide" by the Goo Goo Dolls (Middle School memories)
• "Cupid Shuffle" by Cupid (Cousin bonding)

As you can see, pretty much everything I listen to has a meaning for me. Most things either make me feel a certain way or are tied to a memory. Music can be so powerful, so meaningful, so moving.

Look through your playlist, and think about why you love those songs. I guarantee it will bring a smile to your face.

Oh hot damn, what are your jams? I would love to hear about them!

25 Things About Me

I'm not too big on the Facebook Notes, so I passed on this one when it was "all the rage" a couple of weeks ago, but I thought I'd give it a shot here:

1. I'm an only child, but I'm lucky to have an amazing cousin who is like a brother to me.

2. I am the only girl among all the first cousins on either side of my family.

3. Mr. Rodgers' Neighborhood does actually exist, and I've been there.

4. I love ice cream.

5. I think growing up is overrated, and I'm still a fan of Elmo.

6. I drink Swiss Miss Fat Free Marshmallow Lovers Hot Chocolate every morning. Yum!

7. I've been a Patriots fan my whole life, and I remember vividly (and painfully) when they lost to Green Bay in the Super Bowl.

8. I hate bandwagon sports fans.

9. Until the past couple of years, we have never lived near our extended family.

10. I don't eat pork or shellfish, but I do eat cheeseburgers.

11. I love to send cards for birthdays and other occasions.

12. I am very easily amused.

13. Some of my best friends are very far away, and I miss them (Alaska, Egypt, Cali)

14. I moved to New York with my parents when I was 16, but I will never consider myself a New Yorker.

15. My idea of paradise is a beach in the Caribbean, and I'm lucky enough to have experienced it a number of times (though not recently)

16. I love to travel. I've been to Israel twice, and went to Prague, Krakow, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Marseilles, Madrid, Granada, Rome, and Venice (I think that's all of them) with NFTY Europe

17. I got a parasite in Spain and was confined to my hotel room in Paris while on that trip. It sucked.

18. One of the most powerful experiences of my life was visiting Auschwitz while in Poland, and I think it's something that everyone should do in their lifetime.

19. I love Eisner Camp. I spent 7 years there as a camper and 3 on staff. It's where I really formed my Jewish identity, and formed lifelong friendships.

20. I almost didn't go back after my first year at Eisner because some mean girl called me a "b with an itch."

21. My secret dream is to have a show where I could be the Fashion Police. I have a little voice in my head that provides constant fashion commentary.

22. I love shoes.

23. I made countless 5 hour long drives to and from Ithaca because I love my boyfriend.

24. Next month, he and I are moving to Brooklyn and I couldn't be more excited.

25. I love meeting new people and hearing their stories, share yours!

So, there you have it. I hope you learned something new. Feel free to leave some comments or share some things about you. Happy Thursday!

Booklist

I love to read. A good book draws you in, and takes you along for the ride. You don't want to put it down, but at the same time, you don't want the story to end. I wrote a post a little while ago about some of my favorite books, but I wanted to expand on it and share even more. Here are some favorites of mine, and I will be adding more as time goes on. Feel free to leave your own suggestions too!

Also, if you're a blogger who loves to read, you should check out, Blogging Bookworms, the awesome online book club created by me and my friend Grace.

Historical Fiction:

The Book Thief
by Markus Zusak

The Kommandant's Girl and The Diplomat's Wife
by Pam Jenoff

The Queen's Fool
by Phillipa Gregory

Fiction:

Keeping the House
by Ellen Baker

The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns
by Khaled Hosseini

Fluff:

The Devil Wears Prada and Everyone Worth Knowing
by Lauren Weisberger

The Ivy Chronicles
by Karen Quinn

Something Borrowed and Something Blue
by Emily Giffin

Non-Fiction/Memoir:

The Glass Castle
by Jeanette Walls

The Secret Man: The Story of Watergate's Deep Throat
by Bob Woodward

Fun Books:

My Life As a Furry Red Monster
by Kevin Clash (aka Elmo)

The World According to Mister Rodgers: Important Things to Remember
by Fred Rodgers

Contact Me

Want to get in touch?

E-mail: samanthaekarol [at] gmail [dot] com

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About Me

My name is Samantha, but my friends call me Sam. I'm a 20-something Marketing Assistant at a great company called CPX Interactive. I grew up in Massachusetts, moved to Long Island in high school, went to college in Connecticut (except the semester I spent in D.C.), and now I'm living in Brooklyn. I love to write, and this blog is my creative outlet. I also enjoy watching sports, traveling, ice cream, meeting new people, Web 2.0, reading, and much more.

I've been through a lot in my life, and every experience has taught me something valuable, even if I didn't realized it at the time. I certainly don't know everything, but I hope that by sharing a little bit of my life with you, you'll learn something, feel like you're not alone, or be inspired in some way. In the wise words of Forest Gump, "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."