ADF Questions
I'm thinking to myself again that I should do some more work on the ADF Dedicant Program. I've only managed one essay in half a year now, that is pretty pathetic (well, maybe two but I never did get an answer from anyone as to whether or not the festival I celebrated back in May would count toward the eight festival requirement). I've tried to sit down and really make myself do it before, but I've learned forcing it doesn't help.
As of late, on one of the ADF lists, there was a small discussion going about ancestors, which sparked a desire in my mind to write out the ancestor portion of the Three Kindreds essay I'm supposed to write. I do not have any working relationship with ancestors of any sort (blood or otherwise), and aside from the fact that its one of the ADF requirements I have no real desire for one. There are many reasons why the complete lack of connection and interest in the ancestors is there for me and why its very likely to remain. I was going to write about that in my essay, how I may give offerings if they're specifically called for, but close personal relationships are just not going to happen. Of course I don't know if I can get away with that or not. It seems unreasonable to me that an organization would demand a person to develop close personal relationships with at least one being from each category of gods, ancestors and nature spirits, not all people are actually going to be able to do that for various reasons, but just because its unreasonable doesn't mean they won't do it. I looked over the evaluation criteria on their website and it was kind of unclear. I'm hoping Mike Dangler will read this and offer me his wisdom on the matter.
I do wish that I had more done on the program, since I did mostly join the group so I could take advantage of the educational courses. But really, I'm about where I thought I would be now, considering what my experiences with formal education have been. I'm more than capable of learning on my own (I'd barely be able to write my own name if that weren't true), but actually having to write up essays to prove that I've learned what I learned is a whole other matter. Not to mention that as a writer I'm completely obsessive about my work, I won't stop until I'm totally satisfied, even if everyone around me thinks its just perfect the way it is (I have my fertility essay part way done, but I'm not happy with it so I stopped work until I figure out what's wrong). I always knew this was going to be hard for me (not to mention any of the other educational programs I may choose to do after) but that's one of the reasons I signed up.
I've decided I need to start writing something every day, and if writer's block doesn't allow for it I need to at least try. Work on what, I don't really care, as long as its something. DP work will go into the cycle along with my fictional work, ritual rewrites and hymns and prayers, whatever else pops into my head. With any luck I'll eventually discover a balance in here so nothing gets neglected for too long, but I haven't been able to do that yet.
Tonight is my Hermes ritual, if the computer cooperates I'll post about it, if anything interesting happens. With any luck I'll also be able to take a walk down to the store and pick up a few things for offerings. I know I talked about that a while ago now, but every time I've been up and free during the day when I could've gone, its been raining. It won't stop raining! The weatherman's a little more optimistic today so hopefully I'll finally be able to get it done.
As of late, on one of the ADF lists, there was a small discussion going about ancestors, which sparked a desire in my mind to write out the ancestor portion of the Three Kindreds essay I'm supposed to write. I do not have any working relationship with ancestors of any sort (blood or otherwise), and aside from the fact that its one of the ADF requirements I have no real desire for one. There are many reasons why the complete lack of connection and interest in the ancestors is there for me and why its very likely to remain. I was going to write about that in my essay, how I may give offerings if they're specifically called for, but close personal relationships are just not going to happen. Of course I don't know if I can get away with that or not. It seems unreasonable to me that an organization would demand a person to develop close personal relationships with at least one being from each category of gods, ancestors and nature spirits, not all people are actually going to be able to do that for various reasons, but just because its unreasonable doesn't mean they won't do it. I looked over the evaluation criteria on their website and it was kind of unclear. I'm hoping Mike Dangler will read this and offer me his wisdom on the matter.
I do wish that I had more done on the program, since I did mostly join the group so I could take advantage of the educational courses. But really, I'm about where I thought I would be now, considering what my experiences with formal education have been. I'm more than capable of learning on my own (I'd barely be able to write my own name if that weren't true), but actually having to write up essays to prove that I've learned what I learned is a whole other matter. Not to mention that as a writer I'm completely obsessive about my work, I won't stop until I'm totally satisfied, even if everyone around me thinks its just perfect the way it is (I have my fertility essay part way done, but I'm not happy with it so I stopped work until I figure out what's wrong). I always knew this was going to be hard for me (not to mention any of the other educational programs I may choose to do after) but that's one of the reasons I signed up.
I've decided I need to start writing something every day, and if writer's block doesn't allow for it I need to at least try. Work on what, I don't really care, as long as its something. DP work will go into the cycle along with my fictional work, ritual rewrites and hymns and prayers, whatever else pops into my head. With any luck I'll eventually discover a balance in here so nothing gets neglected for too long, but I haven't been able to do that yet.
Tonight is my Hermes ritual, if the computer cooperates I'll post about it, if anything interesting happens. With any luck I'll also be able to take a walk down to the store and pick up a few things for offerings. I know I talked about that a while ago now, but every time I've been up and free during the day when I could've gone, its been raining. It won't stop raining! The weatherman's a little more optimistic today so hopefully I'll finally be able to get it done.