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

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.}

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)

how sound is sound?

Ever wonder how sound affects you? Ever wonder why people are so drawn to music in general? Like how we all have our own 'flavors' and we're dead set on it's THE BEST, regardless of anyone else's opinions? Yea. Me too. Sound is cool. Sound is deep. Sound is life-changing sometimes. Used to have a shirt that read:

Life without music isn't worth living.

Still believe that. I loved that movie "Mr. Holland's Opus" when the son who was profoundly deaf cranked up his dad's stereo and sat on the speakers so he could 'hear' the music. Makes me sob every time I see it. Music does that to me.

So...recently I got invited to go to a 'gathering' where there was to be chanting. Now, first off I gotta tell ya...I've never been big on religious kinda stuff. Actually that's understating a bit. I've always been quite against religious gatherings...for myself. I don't begrudge anyone who's into it. In fact, I think it's terrific if it makes your life better and YOU a better human being. It's just that I've had my share of nightmares in this particular arena...and so have spent most of my adult life avoiding such things. Just doesn't work for me. But then...that's me, right?

So I got invited to this gathering and a some very cool 'synchronicities' had occurred prior to the invite, so I decided to forgo my usual "anti" attitude and go for the fun of it. What was the worst that could happen? I'd not like it and have to get up and walk out until they were done. That was the worst that could have happened. Turns out, I was dead wrong. Turns out it was one of THE most amazing experiences I've ever experienced (is that a double entendre?). Turns out that by the time the chanting was over...I was hoping there would be more.

Imagine that???

And here's something else that's really cool:

Turns out that this whole chanting thing actually helps me to NOT feel pain in my body. Honest-To-Pete! Whenever I'm hurting real bad, if I just go sit and chant for a while, the pain seems to dissipate at rates previously unknown. Even more than the Qi Gong I've been doing. Now...if I do both...that is chant AND Qi Gong...wonder what would happen then?

Hmmmmmm. All these new mysteries.

How fun is life?!