Definition.
In light of recent events that my good friends will understand all too well, I have decided to write something in this blog about how I define myself.
I am free. Born in a country where I choose what to believe, how I view myself. At no time can any person take this from me. The ability to choose what I think and feel and am cannot be assigned to another person or group of people.
I am a person of rich heritage. I am a Celt, an American Indian, a German and Welsch. I thank my ancestors for their existence and gifts to me. The spiritual heritage I possess is as wonderful as any other I have encountered or into which I have been previously immersed. There is no need for me to despise my heritage or prevent it's transmittal to my children. I have a right to object to religious ideas or practices that would demean or cause aspersion to be cast upon their heritage.
I am an agnostic. I believe in the Divine -- I see it expressed through multiple experiences, beliefs and practices. I see it defamed and degraded in others. It is part of my spiritual heritage to be a panentheist, seeing that all things possess sparks of the Divine -- are composed of the energy that binds all things together. It is an idea the opens many possibilities and is expressed in many faiths. But, ultimately, I recognize that I don't understand all of the implications of this. All I do know is that this seems true to me, and I can only follow what I believe is true.
I believe that my opinion counts. Though there might be others who set themselves upon pedestals and declare they are the holders of secret knowledge superior to my own, and that my questioning is inappropriate or irrelevent, I say they are wrong. It is my questioning that makes me learn, and learning that makes me stronger and smarter. It takes courage to question and more than that to change. It takes faith. It takes faith in the belief that the force of the Divine -- whatever you call it -- loves me. It isn't seeking my destruction or perfection. It just loves me. It gave me a mind, a soul, a heart and a body. Gifts -- no strings attached. It is this faith that allows me to question and grow wiser. At the same time, I have grown old enough to recognize that my opinions change -- frequently. This is a natural outcome of growth.
I believe in doing the right thing. I don't think one needs to follow a specific religious teaching to understand there is right and wrong. My heart learned this because we are also given compassion, and the ability to see the consequences of our actions -- because doing wrong brings natural consequences. This is how we understand right from wrong. I think that religious beliefs can either be very helpful, guiding people to define this, or can cloud issues and cause people to do what is wrong. This is one reason I am an agnostic.
I believe that I can handle almost anything. I am given strength beyond my own means (which, BTW, is formidable in and of itself). I like to think of this strength as Grace. For whatever reason, this strength has been with me throughout everything I have dealt with and will be with me for another 100 years, if I have a say-so. There is literally no human force that can bring me to my knees. Though, I do accept that for at least another 10 years, there will be people who try to do just that. To them, I say, use your energy to accomplish something within your reach, instead of what you could never accomplish!
I love my children. I respect them. I believe their souls are THEIR OWN! They will have to make choices for themselves, and no one, no matter how imposing, can make those decisions for them. As a parent, I offer guidance, in the form of rules or advice, aged insight or experience. They are intelligent, honest, sincere and right-thinking people. They are free, all the time. I believe they will make good choices and I hope they can embrace who they are, fully and completely.
Whew, that felt good.
I am free. Born in a country where I choose what to believe, how I view myself. At no time can any person take this from me. The ability to choose what I think and feel and am cannot be assigned to another person or group of people.
I am a person of rich heritage. I am a Celt, an American Indian, a German and Welsch. I thank my ancestors for their existence and gifts to me. The spiritual heritage I possess is as wonderful as any other I have encountered or into which I have been previously immersed. There is no need for me to despise my heritage or prevent it's transmittal to my children. I have a right to object to religious ideas or practices that would demean or cause aspersion to be cast upon their heritage.
I am an agnostic. I believe in the Divine -- I see it expressed through multiple experiences, beliefs and practices. I see it defamed and degraded in others. It is part of my spiritual heritage to be a panentheist, seeing that all things possess sparks of the Divine -- are composed of the energy that binds all things together. It is an idea the opens many possibilities and is expressed in many faiths. But, ultimately, I recognize that I don't understand all of the implications of this. All I do know is that this seems true to me, and I can only follow what I believe is true.
I believe that my opinion counts. Though there might be others who set themselves upon pedestals and declare they are the holders of secret knowledge superior to my own, and that my questioning is inappropriate or irrelevent, I say they are wrong. It is my questioning that makes me learn, and learning that makes me stronger and smarter. It takes courage to question and more than that to change. It takes faith. It takes faith in the belief that the force of the Divine -- whatever you call it -- loves me. It isn't seeking my destruction or perfection. It just loves me. It gave me a mind, a soul, a heart and a body. Gifts -- no strings attached. It is this faith that allows me to question and grow wiser. At the same time, I have grown old enough to recognize that my opinions change -- frequently. This is a natural outcome of growth.
I believe in doing the right thing. I don't think one needs to follow a specific religious teaching to understand there is right and wrong. My heart learned this because we are also given compassion, and the ability to see the consequences of our actions -- because doing wrong brings natural consequences. This is how we understand right from wrong. I think that religious beliefs can either be very helpful, guiding people to define this, or can cloud issues and cause people to do what is wrong. This is one reason I am an agnostic.
I believe that I can handle almost anything. I am given strength beyond my own means (which, BTW, is formidable in and of itself). I like to think of this strength as Grace. For whatever reason, this strength has been with me throughout everything I have dealt with and will be with me for another 100 years, if I have a say-so. There is literally no human force that can bring me to my knees. Though, I do accept that for at least another 10 years, there will be people who try to do just that. To them, I say, use your energy to accomplish something within your reach, instead of what you could never accomplish!
I love my children. I respect them. I believe their souls are THEIR OWN! They will have to make choices for themselves, and no one, no matter how imposing, can make those decisions for them. As a parent, I offer guidance, in the form of rules or advice, aged insight or experience. They are intelligent, honest, sincere and right-thinking people. They are free, all the time. I believe they will make good choices and I hope they can embrace who they are, fully and completely.
Whew, that felt good.