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Post by hollygail on Oct 5, 2016 6:11:08 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 -q/q)", 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 Oct 5, 2016 6:12:56 GMT
This week (that is, after Rosh haShanah, which ended at sundown Tuesday evening), we’re reading Deuteronomy 31:1–30, in which Moses concludes his speech to the Israelites, blesses Joshua (“Be steadfast and strong, for you are to go with this people to the land that God swore to their fathers to give to them. You shall have them take possession of it, to inherit it. God will be with you. God will not let go of you, nor will God forsake you. Fear nothing and do not be frightened.”), and instructs the community to gather every seven years to read publicly from the Torah (“At the end of seven years, on the Festival of Huts [Booths], when all Israel comes to see itself directly before the Presence of God, you shall read this Teaching [one literal translation of the word “Torah”] in the presence of all Israel.” God predicts the eventual straying of the Israelites.
q/q:
(1) Moses tells Joshua, the new leader of the Jewish people, to fear nothing and not to be afraid. Are you afraid of anything? What? Why? How do you overcome fears?
(2) If you knew when you were going to die, maybe even the exact day (or maybe not the EXACT day, but you knew for sure that you didn’t have much longer to live), what would you want people to know about your life? about life in general? Are there lessons you’d want people to be aware of? What would they be? Have you ever written (or considered writing) what’s called an “ethical will”? (An ethical will, or legacy letter, which is not a legal document, is a way to share your values, blessings, life's lessons, hopes and dreams for the future, love, and forgiveness with your family, friends, and community…)
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Post by glrogers67 on Oct 5, 2016 18:05:26 GMT
Holly, I tried reposting our thread to the other ProBoards and got several views, but no responses, so I guess we are just as well off here although I don't see how we are going to attract any new people.
1) Reminds me of the scene in The Wizard of Oz in which the scarecrow was bragging that he wasn't afraid of anything (except a lighted match!). Being human, I think we are all afraid of some things. When my gf and I were having problems I was afraid of losing her. Being human I let other fears overtake me from time to time, things like losing my job before I am ready to retire in about 3 years. Being human I am afraid of a collapse of the economy. Being human I am afraid of the tribulation that is predicted by prophets before the second coming of Christ. Two things to overcome fears:
First, Doctrine & Covenants section 38:30 -
30 I tell you these things because of your prayers; wherefore, treasure up wisdom in your bosoms, lest the wickedness of men reveal these things unto you by their wickedness, in a manner which shall speak in your ears with a voice louder than that which shall shake the earth; but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.
That is the reason for the LDS church's advice to store, where possible, a year's supply of food and commodities. I have a closet full of dehydrated food plus other commodities (such as toilet paper, paper towels, soaps, cleaning products, and the like).
Second, 1 John 4:18 -
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
I would also say faith casteth out fear. Once I get past of the fears of man and turn to spirituality I find that love and faith casteth out fear.
2) I love the idea of an "ethical will". I hadn't thought of it before, although in the LDS church we are encouraged to keep a journal in which we record our accomplishments, joys, lessons, spiritual moments, and the like which could serve the purpose. I have a couple of blank journals but haven't written much. When a person dies, much of the negative information about their life is forgotten, and obituaries and funeral services tend to focus on the positive contributions the person made in life. I guess I haven't thought a whole lot about it in terms of my own life, but then I'm not planning on dying any time soon! However, I am 67 and ain't getting any younger, so it's something I should be thinking about.
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Post by hollygail on Oct 6, 2016 0:57:01 GMT
I visited the other two sites where you posted the Considering ... threads for the last few days. I don't remember seeing any responses to either day's q/q on either board. Maybe staying here is for the best. I suspect there's more "general" traffic on the one at us-gdt-ex-pats.freeforums.net/board/15/lifestyleI don't know how I dispelled the fears I've had in life. I can't think of anything I'm currently afraid of. Well, okay, outside of political/economic stuff... and the only things I can do about those is register to vote, vote, and manage my investments, which I have to think about more than I choose to. Apparently there's some law that says I have to start taking money out of my Roth IRA beginning something like 6 months after my 70th birthday, but I don't know how and don't know whether I'm legally permitted to investing that monthly amount somewhere else or whether I have to spend it or what... As a young woman, I was afraid of heights. Once, when I was living in the LA area in an apartment with ridiculously high ceilings (12 feet?), and DS was a baby in a crib, the overhead light in the kitchen burned out. I was alone and had to climb up on top of the kitchen table (I didn't have a ladder) and probably stand on tiptoe to reach the fixture hanging down from the ceiling. I climbed up onto a kitchen chair and started to shake. Then I knelt on the table, then slowly, slowly stood up, shaking all the while. Then I had to unscrew the burned out bulb, kneel down on the table to put it down and pick up the new one from its package, stand up again, still shaking, to screw the new bulb into the fixture near the ceiling. After all, I had this baby upstairs and couldn't go through days and nights without a light in the kitchen... I accomplished what needed to be done. All by myself. I haven't had the same fear of heights since then. To say it was scary is such an incredible understatement. I've been wanting to write an ethical will since I first learned about it, about 25ish years ago. I've taught adult education classes that included a section on writing an ethical will, but I've never done it. I still want to do it. I just never get started... High Holy Days services Sunday evening, Monday and Tuesday mornings were great. All three of 'em. I experienced two different rabbis and a cantor (this was the first time I'd heard this particular cantor; what a voice!!!). Gary, next Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday is Yom Kippur, so I won't be online at all then. Will you start Wednesday's thread for me? I can start Sunday's if you like, then you'd still have three days in a row. Let me know what you think. |
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Post by glrogers67 on Oct 6, 2016 1:48:09 GMT
Holly, you hit on a couple of points that apply to me too. One is the Roth IRA. I had been taking the interest/dividends from my Roth IRA as income but now that I am drawing Social Security I don't need those withdrawals any more, so my financial advisor has made some changes to my portfolio (with my permission) so that my investment income gets reinvested until I need it. I'm sure as I approach my 70th birthday and I retire that I will need to start taking more income from my investments. I have a good financial advisor. If you don't have one perhaps you need to look into getting one. I use Edward jones Investments.
Oh, wow, did you ever hit on a huge fear that I still have. I too am terrified of heights. I could only go so far when we went to the Grand Canyon. I went up on the Stratosphere Tower in Las Vegas, and even though it was protected all around by reinforced glass I could not approach the windows and look down. Even climbing up and down stairs or using my step ladder makes me nervous. In fact I have fallen off my 2 step ladder twice, one just this week when I was taking down my toppers to wash them. It's a wonder I didn't knock myself out or something. I am still afraid to climb upon the roof of my mobile home to brush off pine needles. The last time it was cleaned off was when I had my roof resealed.
That would be fine if you want to start the Sunday thread and I will do the Wednesday thread. I have to teach my class Sunday and it would take one task off my list.
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Post by hollygail on Oct 6, 2016 4:15:03 GMT
Okay, Gary, I'll start Sunday's thread, you have Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, and then I'll do Thursday and Friday next week. Thank you!
Interesting that we have/had the same fear! I wouldn't have expected it.
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