mustering faith

Have you ever noticed that when you're in a spot and you're looking for answers, people love to throw around the phrase, "have a little faith". They speak of this "thing" as if everyone knows what it is or how to have it. As if we all learned the secret to Faith and can call on it whenever we need to.

The trouble with Faith is that the more you need it, the less available it seems to be. Perhaps it is my aversion to all things religious. Or maybe it's because the only time I question this thing is, well, when I need it most. More often than not, when I hear someone utter those words, I roll my eyes and use every ounce of willpower I have to not punch them in the face.

{YIKES!}

So what is it, exactly? This thing called Faith?

I once heard Maya Angelou's son tell Oprah that his mother had "faith like a rock"; he added that he wanted to have that kind of faith but hadn't the first clue about how to get it.

I nodded my head in agreement.

I have friends who are deeply religious. Although I don't share their beliefs, it has never kept us from being and staying friends. We don't hold it against each other that our belief systems are different. There is no judgment or ill-will. It's the old, "to each his own" kind of attitude. A rare and lovely kind of bond.

I also have friends who claim atheism. I stand on that edge...ever mindful of my own meanderings when things get tough. How is it that I don't believe in the "God of Abraham", or any god for that matter, but when the shit hits the fan, my first thought is, "sweet mother of Jesus, HELP ME!"? I find this both odd and disturbing. Because when I scan my soul for those "core" beliefs, god is not among them. I find the whole idea a bit ridiculous. And a whole lot of other not-so-nice things too. Mostly, though, I feel like there's just too much horrible history about how "people of faith" and/or "God-fearing Christians" use(d) their interpretations to terrorize and kill anyone who didn't buy what they were selling. From the Crusades to the Ku Klux Klan, and all the rest in between, these people have used "the word of god" to enslave and decimate entire populations.

{See what I mean about "aversion"?}

So what is it about Faith that eludes those of us without religion? Is Faith exclusive to religious belief? Do you have to believe in some kind of god in order to have it? And what about the other gods? Like Odin and Zeus and Brahma and Pan {my personal favorite} and Gaia (did you know she was Thor's mother?), and Kokopelli (same dude as Pan but of Native American origins)? If I believe in those gods, does Faith still carry weight?

At this point, I think it would be a good time to quote one of my favorite Humans {in the whole Universe!}. Because...he kinda says it all with this Vanity Card (May 2013). His name is Chuck Lorre. He is my Genius. When I first read this one, I laughed a rip-snortin' laugh, got up to write it down, and made a note to write him a letter asking him to marry me. {Which I did. The very next day. And several times since. He has yet to respond despite dozens of proposals.}

"I've been thinking about becoming a polytheist. No, this has nothing to do with missing Battlestar Galactica. And yes, I realize my blasphemous notion flies in the face of a few thousand years of "Ye shall have no other gods before me." (To be honest, even when I was a kid that commandment troubled me. It sounded like a jealous girlfriend saying, If I catch you looking at other girls, you're in big trouble, Mister?" And don't get me started on how "no other gods before me" kinda implies that there might actually be some other gods loitering about.) But my main reason for considering becoming a Pagan (Pagish? Jewgan?), is that it neatly answers the age-old question, "Why does god allow so much suffering in the world?" When tragedy strikes, the monotheistic approach can only offer the tired old, "It is not for us to question god's will." Really? Why not us? Who else is in the questioning business? But look what happens when we ask the same question from a pantheistic perspective. Why do gods allow so much suffering in the world? Because outside of their particular area of expertise: farming, war, fertility, what-have-you, they are not even remotely in control. The buck stops nowhere. (In this scenario both the Old Testament and New Testament deities are off the hook as far as your general suffering is concerned.) But here's the really good news: with a polytheistic approach to prayer we can micro-target our beseeching. Trouble with love? Take it to Aphrodite. Not catching enough fish? Poseidon. Are you regularly waking up from alcohol-induced blackouts in the sleeping compartment of long-haul trucks that carry circus equipment and little people? That sounds like a job for Dionysus. Need your sitcom pilot to get picked up for the Fall season? Les Moonves. In other words, whatever the crisis might be, there's a god ready to take your call. What are you waiting for? Call now and receive a free goat-sacrificing kit! (Goat sold separately)"

And THAT, my friend, pretty much says what I think about the whole god thang. 

But it still doesn't answer my question: 

If you don't have Faith, where do you get it?

#joyzachoice #chucklorre #livinglivee #faith

just in case there is...

If you happen to believe in a place called "heaven", it is likely you also have a fairly clear picture of what that place looks like. It could be some sunny, flowery field where the waterfalls are chocolate and the flowers smell like your mother's homemade cookies. Or maybe you imagine it to be palatial, where you get to live in the mansion of your dreams and you can eat lobster and caviar to your hearts' content without ever gaining an ounce. Perhaps it's simply an endless beach with crystal clear waters and bottomless margaritas. I've asked hundreds of people what heaven means to them, and not a single one of them repeated anyone else's version.

Such is the mystery of heaven. That is, if there is such a place.

Most of you are aware by now that I am not a follower of religious tenet. I don't believe in god as defined by religious cultures, regardless of sect. When people ask me if I believe in god, I always respond with, "first you'll have to define what god means to you". I do this because as varied as peoples' versions of heaven are, so are their definitions of what god is. It used to be a slippery slope, especially back when I was of a mind that I felt the need to defend myself. Major arguments would always ensue. Many "friends" were never to be seen again. Part of that was my doing because I was as vehement about my beliefs as they were about theirs. Nobody would budge. Feelings got hurt. Friendship over.

Many years  have passed since I was that confrontational Being. I no longer feel desire nor need to defend my beliefs, or judge anyone else for theirs. To each his own, I say. If believing in a god that will meet you at some pearly gates to welcome you home is what makes life more bearable for you, I see no reason whatsoever to hold it against you. As long as your beliefs don't infringe on my liberties we won't have a problem. End of story.

There are more reasons than fleas on a stray dog why I believe what I believe. Those reasons are neither relevant to this "conversation" nor anybody's business. I prefer to keep such things to myself or, in very special circumstances, between trusted friends. Mostly because I don't feel the need to talk about it. Also because it's a tired topic and I'd much prefer to talk of art and critters and music and mountains. It makes for a much more joyful Life, and these days that's pretty much all I care about.

Which leads us to the purpose of this missive:

I saw a photograph the other day on a post that was about who you'll meet in heaven. It was a lighthearted piece; it made me smile. Apparently, the woman who penned the piece was on the fence about "heaven". She was trying to figure it out by writing it out. I do it too. Probably a big reason why I write on this here blog. It's about reaching for clarity. Sometimes it works.

Anywhooooo....the moment I saw the photo, without reading a single word, the first thought that popped into my head was: "if there is such a place as heaven, this is what mine will look like." Just the thought of it made me giggle. My mind immediately snatched onto the thought and ran with it. All manner of lovely images flew though my head, making the scene so clear as to transport me to this heaven. That was a week ago. I haven't stopped thinking about it. It still makes me giggle. And I thought it might be a lovely way to begin my week. Just a little seed, tossed out to the winds, to see where it might plant itself.

There is no other purpose for this meandering, other than to toss it out to you, and, maybe, if I did my job well enough, inspire you to share your own thoughts.

Heaven or no?
What's it going to "look" like when you get there?
Who will be there to greet you at the gates?

{Go on. Click that comment button and share your thoughts. Please?!}

All Else Is Clutter

I saw something today that got me to thinking about the term "reality". Thought now might be a terrific time to muse on the matter, in case someone needs a nudge.

It has become annoyingly apparent that there are people on this planet who would rather stare down at their phones than be part of the world around them. Just recently I did a little experiment (and you know how I love my experiments!). Whilst I was running errands, I started counting the number of people walking on the various streets I traveled. Of those, I counted how many were actually watching where they walked compared to those who were staring at their phones as they walked. I did this several times over the course of two weeks.

{As to why I would do such an experiment, the simple answer is: because I'm curious like that.}

The numbers were startling. More than EIGHTY PERCENT of the people I saw were completely unaware of their surroundings. They were so engrossed in their gadgets they were walking into signs and falling of curbs. It was shocking to me that none of them were hit by cars. I kid you NOT.

Then, today, I saw this comment from a darling woman who wondered aloud why it is that it's "socially acceptable" for people to wear a Virtual Reality headset or chase Pokeman all over town, yet unacceptable for someone to wave a magic wand and talk to faeries. She seemed a bit disturbed by this inequity; I felt her angst the moment I read the words.

It got me to thinking about all this "technology vs. spirituality" stuff. My immediate response to the woman was to offer some gentle words to remind her that "reality" is a personal thing.

Kinda like religion.

Ask anyone who believes in a god, and they'll give you a thousand reasons why theirs is the only god. They may even be able to quote their holy book, chapter and verse. But ask them why they believe it, and most couldn't tell you.

Flip side: ask anyone who swears by their technology and most will tell you, "it makes life easier or better or more efficient". As with religious zealots, they can give you reasons that may seem logical, but they couldn't tell you how or why it's improved their lives.

{Keep in mind, these are general observations. They do not apply to ALL people. There is a point to be made, hence the "general observations".}

And the point is this:

Comparisons will kill ya. Comparisons will cause great distress when one is unhappy with one's current circumstance. Comparisons fuel bitterness. Bitterness will keep you from flying.

That is, if you happen to believe in flying.

In the end, the only "reality" that matters is the one you create, the one you believe, the one you choose to live.

All else is just unnecessary clutter.

It also keeps you from your Joy.

{Please remember: you DO have a choice.}

Moments of Silence

Today was a Powerful day. In so many ways. Powerful energy. Powerful inspirations. Powerful emotions.

Today was a Powerful day.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that much of that Power was my own. This, in itself, is worth sharing. But I shan't. Not right now. Not because I'm being coy or attempting a cliff-hanger. Nothing like that. It is more about the silence that must be honored after such a Powerful day.

{Do you think I've said "powerful" enough yet? Just checking your sense of humor. Still intact, I hope.}

Instead I'm going to offer this and leave you to your own silence.

It seems crystalline clear to me, at this moment, that days such as these are always, always a result of great silence (on my part). Silence is not always easy for me. I'm a talker. I talk to my dog all day long. She seems quite interested. I talk to my Self. Sometimes She seems interested. I talk to the Great Creator. It is always interested. I talk to friends too. Jury is out on them. And, of course, writing is a form of talking. At least in my world it is. So...silence is not always easy.

But I have come to appreciate silence. I have come to love the moments when I am able to be disciplined enough to be silent. And, as I said, those days of Power are always a result of my own silence. So, here is my offering:

If you are not accustomed to silence, is it because it makes you uncomfortable?
If you find it difficult to be silent, is it because it frightens you?
Does it make you feel too alone?
Or lonely?
Do you think that silence is over-rated?

I ask these questions so that you might take some moments of your own to investigate. Because in silence there is Power. And that Power is the Voice of Spirit. Spirit's Voice is quite unlike the voices we use as Humans. The Voice of Spirit IS Silence. This is when we hear the most Powerful messages of all.

So perhaps, if you feel as if  you have no Power, or that it evades you when you most need it, you might like to consider a day of silence. Or even just an hour. You might be delighted at the Voice you will hear.

Silence first.
Then Power.... in the form of a whisper (maybe)
And then
Silence to honor the Power that was there all along.

Just sayin'.

conversations with WHO???

A long, long time ago, someone suggested I read "Conversations With God". I remember bristling the moment she said it; I was not in a place where I could even remotely think about reading anything good from a book with such a title. Had my issues; which were a LOT. About the whole God thing. About how anyone could have a conversation, let alone write about it. About all the malarkey surrounding anything to do with god, religion, tenets, etc. I was, for lack of better wording, completely NOT open.

That was then. This is now. And as it turns out, someone else I respect and admire suggested this book to me (again!). This time, I was ready. This time I felt no angst about any of the above "topics". No resistance, no cynicism, no ruffling of feathers. Just wide open to possibilities...and something to read in the comfort of my hammock.

Got the book from the library and commenced to reading on what can only be called a perfect day. Just the right temperature, wind, vibe and, of course, the company of the Mighty Bruzer.....

Now, before I go any further, let me just say that I am not attempting to get you to read this book. I am simply offering the feelings that have risen up since I began the read. I know how testy some of us can get when anything "god" comes up. Folks are usually none too happy to have their beliefs challenged. So...this is not a suggestion. Got it? Good.

So then...back to the experience....

I'm not finished yet. Only about half way through. Yet, just thinking about it makes me want to grab my water bottle and head out to the hammock to read some more. That's how fun it is. Yes. I said FUN. It is one of the most wonderful, amusing, even funny, books I've read in a long while. God (for the sake of distinguishing who is who in the context of conversation) has a terrific sense of humor. (I always thought It would. After all, if you're God, and you know everything, you'd have to have a sense of humor, right?) Some of the passages are so funny they made me crack up. Had to put the book down so I could get my little snorts out. No kidding. And not just funny; also quite the wise guy. As in New York style sarcastic. Poor Neale (Donald Walsh). If he was, in fact, having this miraculous experience whereby God was moving his pen, I'm guessing he was probably having quite a time trying to keep going. I mean, it's bad enough you're writing this stuff and claiming it is God talking. Then to have such snappy comebacks coming out of "God's mouth"? I can only imagine what that poor man must have been going through. Bless his beautiful heart!

Anyway, the book has been a pure delight so far. I am only taking time out from reading so I can digest some of what I just read...and also to report in to my beautiful Peeps who may check in to my Blog. I really mostly just wanted to tell you that the book has made me feel a million times lighter. And I'm laughing a million times more than I have been lately. And...everything around me seems to be bursting with possibility. How can any of that be a "bad" thing?

Cheers!

growing humor

What is it about people that makes them think you need to be saved? What is it that makes them so adamant about convincing you that what you believe is utter nonsense, or blasphemous, or absolutely leading you to the devil's doorstep. (Who IS this devil anyway?) How is it that these very same people will go on and on (and on and on) about their god...but will not remotely consider yours?

I've often wondered about such fanatics. I've known many. Seems like they have some kinda radar that brings them round to my world where they shove all kinds of books, tapes, movies, etc., etc., ad nauseam, at me with nary a hint of an ear for "no thanks." In fact, in recent months there have been people who actually stopped and pulled off to the side of the road as I walked with my dog, to give me their 'new' bibles, claiming that the King James version is 'antiquated'. (but "sin" is not. HUH?)

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer in the credo, "to each his own". I feel that everyone has the right to their beliefs and if it floats their boat, makes them a better person, and helps them expand the love, then good for them. What I don't believe is that they have a right to tell me how to think, believe or otherwise practice whatever it is I'm into. If I want to jump around naked and beat on a drum, who the hell are they to tell me it's wrong? If I want to dance with trees or sing to the birds or paint weird shit on my face, who are they to tell me I shouldn't do such things? Furthermore, the whole idea of fearing this god they speak of makes me wanna puke. Ya mean I'm supposed to be scared of this 'dude'? Say again?

When I was a kid I used to ask the nuns about this whole fear thing. They, of course, thought I was under the influence of the 'devil' and would immediately call my mother to advise her of my imminent path to hell. My mother would then sit me down and ask lots of questions about why I would ask the nuns such things. Lucky for me, she actually listened. She did not fear for my soul or demand I believe in her beliefs. She simply kept the lines of communication open well enough for her to monitor where I was 'going'. Her only concern: whether or not I knew the difference between 'good and bad'. She let me fly my own way and, I'm quite certain, said loads of prayers on my behalf. She did a fantastic job that way.

For years after I left the church, I studied many different philosophies, both religious and otherwise. I was simply awed by how so many people could buy into such beliefs, particularly those that preached fear. I just didn't get it. Still don't. If this god is so omniscient, omnipotent, and all-loving, why in the world would it need for us to fear it? Fear has nothing to do with love. Right? Well anyway, there seem to be a slew of folks who are, apparently, fearing for my soul (again). They're comin' out of the woodwork and doing their best to bash me over the head with their god-fearing tenets. Add to that the whole "the world is coming to an end. You'd better seek salvation now before it's too late." thang...and it's enough to make a girl go running through the streets (naked, of course) screaming like a lunatic.

Or maybe...

It's the All That Is telling me to grow my sense of humor.

I'm choosing humor on this one. After all, Life is ALL ABOUT CHOICES (grin)