Laura L. Smith
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COWABUNGA, DUDE!

3/7/2013

6 Comments

 
Picture
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
I recently had a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle marathon with a six-year old. Granted I knew who the turtles were, some kind of super heroes who ate pizza and shouted, “Cowabunga!” But, I’d never actually watched an episode.

The thing about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is—they mutate.

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TGRI, the chemical OOZE that causes the mutations.
Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo began as four ordinary turtles in the sewer system of New York City, but after coming in contact with OOZE they mutated into these cool ninja-like heroes and were named after Italian painters. But the problem with OOZE is it doesn’t always have positive effects.

There is an episode (trust me, I watched eight in a row) where the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles mutate into creepish, monster-like versions of themselves. Instead of bringing peace they bring destruction. Instead of working together (“turtle power”) they attack one another.

I find myself mutating sometimes too. I don’t have to come in contact with TGRI (the chemical nickname for the OOZE) to turn into a monstrous version of myself. All it takes is something small and quirky. It might be the train gates clanging shut just as I approach, followed by the longest cargo train ever crossing the tracks to mutate me from my smiley self to an impatient grouch. Or if I spill my dark roast with mocha down the front of my white shirt, I mutate from feeling stylin’ to feeling like an ugly beast and growling a bit for good measure. If I hear a friend has been talking behind my back, I mutate into someone with a hole in my gut, who snaps and says unkind things in return.

Picture
Leonardo when he mutates into the worst version of himself.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles needed fragments of Vortex Crystal to stabilize their mutations. I need The Word. 

Snub evil and cultivate good; run after peace for all you’re worth 1 Peter 3: 11

I read that, and I’m a bit less monstrous. I feel more comfortable in my own shell and don’t’ feel the need to bad-talk those who have bad-talked me.

OR Our God gives you everything you need, makes you everything you’re to be 

2 Thessalonians 1:2

And then I’m less grouchy, less negative and less worried if I’m late for a meeting or have dark brown spots down my blouse.

God’s Word reminds me I am not alone, I am loved, I am capable, God will give me strength and stand by my side. I can breathe deeply, shake it off, cross the tracks, take a sip and walk proud, knowing I am stabilized.

Only the Vortex Crystal can save the turtles? What stabilizes you?

6 Comments
April
3/8/2013 10:10:03 am

I haven't watched the show of the turtles. But, I watched them growing up and have the first 2 "live-action" movies on dvd. Also got called April O'Niel plenty at school growing up. lol

It is great how God can use basically anything as an illustration for us to learn something. It is so easy to get caught up in things and let it "mutate" you into something you don't want to be and know you shouldn't be. I was guilty of that for a bit at work. But I get to listen to music and it helps me focus. Of course now that I have a different position annd schedule it is a bit different but music is a wonderful thing to feel focused. I like basically making my own soundtrack to life. :)

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Laura L. Smith link
3/8/2013 10:21:05 am

LOL - I can't believe you got called April O'Neil!! God can use any and everything to teach us how to love Him. He's always there and fills us with so many reminders. Music is a great tool. Would love to hear what kind of music you groove to.

Reply
April
3/8/2013 10:33:26 am

Oh yeah, everyone got a kick out of calling me that. lol :) It really depends on my mood. A lot of the time I end up on TobyMac or something like him. I loved him in the group DC Talk. He can keep me at a good pace while working. Recently I actually went through this thing of listening to boy bands from my teen years. I also like listening to Taylor Swift. Other times I'll just put pandora on and listen to random things.

Reply
Laura L. Smith link
3/8/2013 08:38:56 pm

April - I love Toby Mac! And Pandora is the best - I have mine set on Jack Johnson, Brandon Heath and Lifehouse right now. I kind of filter through those back and forth while I'm editing. I also change the music I listen to depending upon what character I'm working on. I try to match their music to them.

Reply
Rajdeep Paulus link
3/15/2013 04:19:07 am

I'm a Toby Fanatic! Love love love the boy from the capital city! I think I've seen/heard him perform like ten times by now! Just a few months ago I saw him in Philli and I still need to write about it.

My go to these days is this song "Stand" by Britt Nicole. When I feel wobbly for all kinds of reasons, the words remind me that I can't stand on my own, but His promise holds me up. Sometimes all of me, on those especially clumsy days!

On the Ninja note, have never seen an episode. Growing up with four princesses so we've been through Dora, the Disney movies, and all things Pink. I can say that they do watch Avatar though!

Happy Friday, Laura!
-Raj

Reply
Laura L. Smith link
3/18/2013 01:25:54 am

Raj, Tobyfans unite! I've never seen him play, would love to read your blog about it. Music is so inspiring and so are you!




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Photo used under Creative Commons from Narisa
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