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Post by hollygail on Sept 9, 2016 4:17:42 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 Sept 9, 2016 4:19:17 GMT
This week, the selection from the Prophets is from Isaiah 51:12–52:12. Through Isaiah, God extends a note of condolence (you’ll remember that for seven weeks following Tisha b’Av we read selections about condolence from the Prophets, right? This is #4). Here is a summary of this week’s selection.
Isaiah lived in the time of the Babylonian Exile and consoled Israel with comforting prophecies of the return to Zion. This week’s selection begins, characteristically enough: "I, I am The One who comforts you!" (51:12)
It continues using Isaiah’s colorfully metaphorical language to describe people in turmoil who are saved by God — "the crouching one who is freed" (51:14) and "an antelope caught in a net" (51:20). All these people will come to praise God, Isaiah promises.
He also describes Jerusalem as God’s chosen one, with the special status of "you who drink from My hand." (51:17) There has been much destruction and turmoil that has plagued Jerusalem, but God says the tormentors of Jerusalem will get what they deserve.
The selection climaxes with a classic and oft-quoted proclamation of triumph: "Awake, awake, O Zion! Clothe yourself in splendor, put on your robes of majesty." (52:1) The verses that follow recall the weight of the exile, and express hope for the greatness of the promised future redemption.
The selection concludes with a plea to God for the people’s departure out of exile — which, still, has not been assured at the time of Isaiah’s prophecy. "Turn, turn away, touch nothing unfit as you depart from there … for the Lord is marching before you, the God of Israel is your rear guard" (52:11–12).
The theme of the week’s Torah reading is based around the fact that, though Israel has many judges, there is only one true Judge: God. Similarly, as the beginning of the selection from the Prophets rhetorically asks: "What ails you that you fear Man who must die?" — there is only one true guardian, and only one comfort … God.
q/q:
(1) Do you have any “tools” for spiritually comforting yourself when you’re not feeling good about something?
(2) Do you want the people who make your life miserable to come to a bad end? I think we all have thoughts like this one from time to time; if you agree with me that the sentiment does nothing to improve the world, how do you respond to your own such thoughts?
(3) When you “leave” a bad situation, do you find yourself “bringing” with you some of the negative ideas or thoughts you had during the difficult time? How do you deal with such negativity?
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Post by glrogers67 on Sept 9, 2016 16:37:23 GMT
(1) Do you have any “tools” for spiritually comforting yourself when you’re not feeling good about something?
Of course: prayer, scripture study, and I also read or listen to LDS conference talks and articles from the Ensign magazine. They are available on LDS.org for many years. There is always something there to comfort me. Usually I don't even have to search. Whatever we are studying in Sunday School and priesthood classes is usually sufficient to bring me out of a slump.
(2) Do you want the people who make your life miserable to come to a bad end? I think we all have thoughts like this one from time to time; if you agree with me that the sentiment does nothing to improve the world, how do you respond to your own such thoughts?
No, but I wish I didn't have to deal with them. I am having just such an issue with 2 of the people I work with. I talked to my manager about them last night. Don't know if anything will change, so I have to change. One change I made, at the suggestion of one of the dept. managers, is to take the stool from the fitting room to sit on while I fold clothes on the display tables. It helped a lot, and it was better than fighting for my position in the fitting room.
(3) When you “leave” a bad situation, do you find yourself “bringing” with you some of the negative ideas or thoughts you had during the difficult time? How do you deal with such negativity?
Yes, I brought a lot of baggage from my marriage which has affected my relationship with my gf. I've made a lot of changes since then which has helped lessen the negativity, but every once in a while it rears its ugly head and I have to take steps to get past it. That was what the month + in which my gf didn't talk to me was all about. She said if she felt negativity / anger from me in my e-mails or texts she would retreat until I worked my way through it. BTW we are now talking again almost every day.
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Post by hollygail on Sept 9, 2016 16:56:59 GMT
Glad to hear you and GF are talking almost daily. What a relief!
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