tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514668970710693849.post5231636281242790373..comments2023-06-26T05:37:28.652-04:00Comments on A Day in Mary's Life: Soul Searching SaturdayMary Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00893528438983997104noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514668970710693849.post-81063888516028731492009-08-02T22:38:47.554-04:002009-08-02T22:38:47.554-04:00Mary,
I think that the ‘god’ idea can get us into...Mary,<br /><br />I think that the ‘god’ idea can get us into trouble because we may tend to think of him as some kind of being, sort of like us but not like us. Hard to explain but I imagine a transference of one’s self, another person. That can lead to thinking that God is judging us, condemning us without the possibility of forgiveness.<br /><br />When I first went to al-anon in 1985 as my marriage was failing, I first encountered the term ‘a higher power’. The whole ‘god thing’ was part of what scared me in my first days at al-anon. As when I went to church (I’m returned to the catholic church because its what I know culturally) in those early months, I felt so claustrophobic I run out of Mass before it was over on more than one occasion. I didn’t want to surrender, I didn’t want to let go of my control. Over the 20 plus years since I first joined the program I’ve found that, for me, whether or not I was willing to accept a different way of being, it was going to happen any way and I am powerless to stop it. So now, every day I meditate on ‘let go and let God’. I guess I have learned to surrender.<br /><br />Today, for me, God isn’t a person or even a thing. It certainly isn’t the man-made rules of any church (like who is ‘worthy’ of receiving communion). God is a spiritual place; a place where I can put my faith and trust. This spiritual place is full of forgiveness, acceptance and understanding. No SHOULDs. The interesting thing is that as time as gone on, I’m finding that, as they say in AA, when you have faith, you won’t have fear.ann mcnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13533153675735572266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514668970710693849.post-73012652830965008682009-08-02T22:38:42.224-04:002009-08-02T22:38:42.224-04:00Mary,
Your words are so eloquently written! I bel...Mary, <br />Your words are so eloquently written! I believe your range of emotions, fears, and contemplations about the thereafter are well within the range of normal. What isn't "normal" is your uncanny ability to look straight into your soul and your disease and deal with it head on. I admire that about you! As far as my idea of finding comfort, well, that is by living completely in the moment with friends/loved ones that accept me for exactly who I am. Sounds easy, huh? (I wish!)But it does sounds like you have a number of amazing relationships to help you on your journey! It's not much when you're not going through what you are, it just is how I have comforted myself or comforted others when they have been in a lot of pain. Walked with them as if they were a part of you...<br /><br />Love, KarenKaren Kronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00238728339209666821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514668970710693849.post-60413178591392257482009-08-02T22:38:09.682-04:002009-08-02T22:38:09.682-04:00Barbara,
Interesting that you attend Swedenborgia...Barbara,<br /><br />Interesting that you attend Swedenborgian Church. We have a very active group right here in West Chester, I know the former pastor.ann mcnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13533153675735572266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3514668970710693849.post-52754832595274110372009-08-01T23:22:05.065-04:002009-08-01T23:22:05.065-04:00Mary, you are truly amazing..Thierry, great photo!...Mary, you are truly amazing..Thierry, great photo! Love to both of you, Barbara<br />We will say a special prayer tomorrow at the Sweedenborgian Church in SF.Barbara Gruenwaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04923274153555711452noreply@blogger.com