Avoid the Cliche

I am a unique individual. It is not that I go out trying to be different than everyone else. It may be that often I am oblivious to social cues, but it also may be that I really strongly dislike cliches. I don't think the problem with cliches is that they offer poor advice. I think the problem is that they don't hold the emphasis or the power that something a little less used would hold. I know so many times I check out when something "cliche" comes up. I think I already know what they are going to say or mean. I have already heard that. I know that already. Then, my ADHD mind and body begins to wiggle in my seat and I begin to find something "sparkly" to look at. If I am standing I begin to swing my arms around and constantly move so as to change my view. So I always try to avoid cliches and formalized things because I find them boring and redundant. 

So, I say all of that to say this. I think that to many people outside the church and non-Christians, those that are a part of the church are cliche, boring and redundant. Another aspect to the meaning of cliche is the superficiality. As Christians we do not need to be superficial. One thing that I love and hate at the same time is the "Hey, how are you?" greeting that is often offered in the South. Many times a response is not even given and if it is, then the answer is "fine." What I love about this is that people will greet nearly everyone that they see with a smile, wave, and a greeting. However, what grates on my nerves is that this phrase is often slurred together with no articulation, emphasis or meaning behind it. The person asking usually doesn't want the actual answer or care to  hear the person expound upon the blessings in their life. To me this is being superficial. I think that we should have a deep love and compassion for the other people in the world  per our calling to do just that by God. 

³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’^[31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:30-31 TNIV

So I think that if we demonstrated "A Joyful Heart" and a loving spirit, this world could truly be changed.