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Post by hollygail on Aug 31, 2016 4:48:45 GMT
Welcome!! You have entered a space where all people are invited to gather to discuss matters of Spirituality, in mutual respect and friendliness: "Considering...Spirituality." Here, the focus is on personal spirituality and not dogma. We welcome with open arms people from any, all, and no religious/faith backgrounds, and those who practice spirituality on their own, to join us for a discussion centered on a higher consciousness. Each day there will be a quote, question, or discussion prompt presented for all to ponder and respond to.
**In maintaining an atmosphere of comfort and trust, we do not allow proselytizing (the effort of trying to convert others) or the denigrating of the religions and viewpoints of others. We also avoid bringing up topics such as politics, hot button social issues, or anything that can be considered divisive**
As this was a WW board, we also discuss our personal wellness, including our weight management program. We share our struggles and our triumphs regarding such as well as discuss things like family, friends, jobs, hobbies, outside interests, etc... We strive to build each other up with loving support in a positive manner. Let us not ever tear one another down in any way, shape or form.
Regular thread starters for the time being are:
Sunday, Monday, Tuesday: Gary / Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: Holly
Yet if anyone is so inclined, please feel free to start a new thread by beginning with the title: "Considering ... (topic)," post this introduction (by way of copy & paste) then follow that with a post putting forth a question and/or quote (with or without some explanation) for us to ponder today. The topic can be inspired by your personal faith, but please do remember that anyone from other spiritual paths should be able to answer it.
Shalom, Love & Light, Blessed Be, Namaste...
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Post by hollygail on Aug 31, 2016 4:55:16 GMT
I read an article about making successful spiritual changes in life. I will quote parts of the article below. Today's q/q will be the quotation; please comment.
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… three keys to making successful spiritual change in life.
1. Desire
True desire to accomplish makes all the difference. We don’t allow ourselves lame excuses; we don’t permit the negativity of others to stand in our way. We just want “it” so badly, whatever “it” may be.
When my children were growing up I would be amazed to see how easily they would jump out of bed the day we would be going on a family trip. It could be the crack of dawn, pitch black and freezing outside, but there they would be at the front door all ready to go. And yet on other days, it could be so difficult for these same children to make the school bus on time. The difference is genuine desire. Your inner drive makes it happen.
The first step toward making serious change is wanting with all your being for this transformation to occur. Channel the longing into action. If you really want this change to happen, your desire will propel you higher and higher as you climb your spiritual mountain.
How do you find the desire? Here are two paths.
Imagine the times you wished to get into good physical shape. You know that you need to stop eating all that sugar and junk food; you know that you need to work out each week; you know in your heart that if you would only make some changes you would feel so much better. But you don’t. You may talk about a diet, you sign up at the gym or buy a treadmill, but you never really make it happen. What would get you going?
One possibility is that one day you take a look at yourself and realize that you are on a destructive path. You catch a glimpse of yourself; you are disgusted and can’t stand it anymore. “I need to change!” you say to yourself.
The other possibility is that an awful wakeup call forces you to make a change. It can be your doctor telling you that you are on the road to diabetes; it can be sudden chest pains, or the fact that you have been wearing the same two pants because nothing else really fits.
It is the same with our spiritual quests. You can take a few moments of quiet time and honestly look at yourself in a magnified spiritual mirror. What do you see? You realize that too much time has been spent hurting others and you’ve had enough. You are tired of the gossip mongering, the silly rumors, and the malicious words. The desire to be better is burning inside.
Or something happens that makes you feel terrible. You have hit rock bottom and wish you could just go back in time. Your gossip has destroyed a friendship, your words have diminished the ones you love, and you realize that you have become a source of extreme pain in this world. Your heart tells you: Enough!
2. Make a Realistic Plan
After harnessing our desire, we need to set a goal. Ask yourself: what is my target and how will I get there?
We can easily become overwhelmed by the choice of so many mitzvahs, and so many roads to take. Sometimes we choose a goal but set our sights too high.
“I will NEVER speak another word of gossip, again!”
“That’s it, no more screaming and losing my temper. I will ALWAYS use gentle, calm tones.”
“Never” and “always” are words that do not allow us to forge a doable path and accomplish our goal. It is important to begin with small steps because it is the small steps that mold and encourage us.
Instead of saying “I will never gossip again,” create a plan. For example, identify the time of the day that you find yourself most immersed in gossip. Perhaps it is 9 to 10 each morning as you enter your office or catch up with friends. So this month, the plan is that from 9 to 10 you will limit your conversations, maneuver the talk away from malicious gossip, or put a sticky note out for yourself to keep you on track — any idea that works to better help you achieve your aim.
Even one less conversation a day of rumors and hurtful talk will strengthen us and make a difference. But it must all begin with a doable plan.
3. Don’t Get Discouraged
We are only human. Angels never fall; people do. There will be times that, despite our greatest desire and real life plan, we will stumble. And that’s okay. It’s the only way to really grow.
King Solomon taught us that a righteous person will fall seven times but gets up. Standing on our feet again is the process through which we become greater. It is not a sign of failure. If there are times that we realize that we have not been loyal to our goals, we must not give up. Instead, we gather our strength and try again.
Discouragement and thinking negatively about ourselves hinders us from our spiritual climb…
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Comments?
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Post by fabulessme on Aug 31, 2016 14:07:41 GMT
The plan described above is a plan that would be effective with anything that we would want to change.
My spiritual changes came about from a deep desire to know G0d for myself. Not what a particular religion taught or interpreted for me. The religion piece for me, is the vehicle through which we choose to express our faith.
Once I established the intent in my heart to know G0d better, then I set out to explore different possibilities. I kept an open mind and I prayed prayed prayed. I discovered wonderful things (and some not so wonderful) I'm still learning and searching. But what I did find out is that G0d is love, that is the perfection that I believe is part of the quote that Gary provided yesterday. We should become perfect love as G0d is perfect love.
I did become discouraged at times as people and circumstances will disappoint your. And then I learned that spiritual development is an inside job. The outside stuff are tools and sign posts. So my discouragement is much less now a days.
Its an ongoing quest for me. Finding the answers within and always looking to draw closer to G0d.
I guess the 3 main points itemized are a good framework to follow.
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Post by glrogers67 on Aug 31, 2016 14:56:52 GMT
Love the article and it is so timely with what I am going through with my gf at this time. However, in keeping with the spirit of the article, I am going to defer my comments until AFTER I get my housecleaning done today!!
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Post by glrogers67 on Aug 31, 2016 23:36:36 GMT
As I said, I loved the article. A couple or reactions to specific statements:
We don’t allow ourselves lame excuses; we don’t permit the negativity of others to stand in our way.
This was the crux of the rift between me and my gf. I tend to make many excuses why I don't get more done. The dilemma for me is whether my "excuse" is legitimate; for example when I am on my feet for very long my feet hurt so bad (because of the plantar fasciitis / neuropathy) I feel I need to take frequent breaks.
Channel the longing into action.
I have the desire. I think through things I need to do all the time, but when it comes to the action, actually doing... well, I don't always follow up.
“Never” and “always” are words that do not allow us to forge a doable path and accomplish our goal.
I sometimes fall into the "never" and "always" traps. We do need to set realistic goals.
It is important to begin with small steps because it is the small steps that mold and encourage us.
How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! One step at a time in the right direction will help us reach our goals.
Angels never fall; people do.
Actually, I disagree that angels never fall. Lucifer was a "son of the morning", an angel of God in the beginning, and fell and became Satan.
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