Learning about people’s faith & what they believe in, how they think about it & try to practice it

[Niatero]

I'm not practicing anymore, I'm living it.

By that, I don't mean I've given up religion. I've become more organic with it. It can't be something to do at a certain time and certain place. I have no right to my time, or where I am to be. It can't be a set of actions I try to uphold. Life will thwart me every time.

I can thank the dandelions for bringing me joy. I can sing to Surya, my friend. I can tell stories of how Ganesh fell off of his mouse under a full moon. I can honor my food, and those who brought it to me. I can dress with the colors of spring and feel in place when I walk through the woods. I can mourn the empty lakes. I can remember this, too, is a cycle.

Do you do anything intentionally to further develop your qualities and capacities?

 

[JustGeorge]

Do you do anything to further develop your qualities and capacities?

Nope.

I will develop or regress as it so unfolds, and take either as it may come.

 

[Niatero]

I believed in Jesus as a young child. I've gone through a lot of questioning if I would go to heaven and if Jesus would accept me. In high school I had a lot of panic attacks and depression. I'm feeling happier now. I still have an anxiety disorder. Scripture has been a comfort to me as well as songs. The author John Bunyan has encouraged me as well.

The Scripture encourages me to trust in God. My faith encourages me to love God and love one another.

Thanks. I've run out of questions to ask! If there's anything more that you'd like to tell me about how you live your life, and your thoughts and feelings about it, I'm interested.

 

[Kathryn]

OK so I am learning many new things as I travel along. One thing I am learning is how much I love and even adore some friends. I admit it, I've been overwhelmed with all this moving and downsizing. Today I had a friend come over and she cleared off all the boxes from my front porch and many of them from the side of my house. She broke them down for me and I am SO GRATEFUL for her love and concern. She's one of the people I love and adore actually. I am eternally grateful to her. And now I am done for the day. (It's 8 pm here.) I gave her some things and will give her more things as I go through stuff but nothing can repay her kindness toward me.

 

[Spice]

Do you do anything intentionally to further develop your qualities and capacities?

I generally read a lot, though participating here has greatly diminished that.

I get a lot out of a mental walk in another's shoes and reading fiction gives me that if I'm mindful of my authors.

I recently read Dragon Seed, by Pearl S. Buck who has never disappointed. This particular book is set in China preceeding WWII and covers the Japanese invasion and how it was the starter pistol of significant cultural changes for the Chinese people. It was fascinating and those changes were not that long ago.

I thought I was picking up a fluff book after an emotionally tough read when I chose _Hail the Conquering Hero_ , by Frank Yerby. It had a movie adaptation that was dubbed a comedy, but the little comedy I found in the book only gave me pause between the underlying tales and very descriptive scenes of 20th century human-trafficing.

So, that's one thing I do that greatly shapes my faith-living ....... I stay tuned-in to the everyday lives of others through novels.

Namaste

 

[Kathryn]

I generally read a lot, though participating here has greatly diminished that.

I get a lot out of a mental walk in another's shoes and reading fiction gives me that if I'm mindful of my authors.

I recently read Dragon Seed, by Pearl S. Buck who has never disappointed. This particular book is set in China preceeding WWII and covers the Japanese invasion and how it was the starter pistol of significant cultural changes for the Chinese people. It was fascinating and those changes were not that long ago.

I thought I was picking up a fluff book after an emotionally tough read when I chose _Hail the Conquering Hero_ , by Frank Yerby. It had a movie adaptation that was dubbed a comedy, but the little comedy I found in the book only gave me pause between the underlying tales and very descriptive scenes of 20th century human-trafficing.

So, that's one thing I do that greatly shapes my faith-living ....... I stay tuned-in to the everyday lives of others through novels.

Namaste

Have you read The Lovely Bones? It's a novel and it is SO INTERESTING. There's a movie made from the book but it's nowhere near as good as the book is. In fact, I wouldn't waste any time watching it. The book itself is not a particularly long book nor is it what I'd call a difficult read, but it is super, super good. It's completely non religious but it's about heaven (yes a book can be about heaven and not be religious!) It's also about a girl who has been murdered who is trying to help her sister figure things out, like who killed her, not for herself but for her sister.

 

[Spice]

@Kathryn
It's in my Kindle App. One day, I hope. But I'll need to live to be about 300 to read all the books I have waiting for me. LOL

You should try _Forgiving Ararat_, by Gita Nazareth. It's a "heavenly experience" that could be an eye opener for many. . .and not preachy.
Or _Jonathan Livingston Seagull_ another spiritual read.

 

[ChristineM]

Can you think of some things to tell me about how you live your life, and your thoughts and feelings behind it?

Nothing special. Just everyday stuff, looking after the family, walking by the river or in the forest.

But if you think of anything you wish to now about what i consider typical atheism, or what an early retiree gets up then feel free to ask

 

[Niatero]

Nothing special. Just everyday stuff, looking after the family, walking by the river or in the forest.

But if you think of anything you wish to now about what i consider typical atheism, or what an early retiree gets up then feel free to ask

Typical atheism? Oh, do you mean like the kind in China? Or some kinds of Buddhism? Or both together?

Sorry. I lost it there for a minute. Sorry.

 

[ChristineM]

Typical atheism? Oh, do you mean like the kind in China? Or some kinds of Buddhism? Or both together?

Sorry. I lost it there for a minute. Sorry.

Typical, i.e the sort that doesn't believe in god.

Religion in China is complicated, there is much atheism but it's counted in with Chinese folk religion and unaffiliated

 

[Niatero]

Typical, i.e the sort that doesn't believe in god.

Religion in China is complicated, there is much atheism but it's counted in with Chinese folk religion and unaffiliated

I don't know how to ask what I want to ask. Do you have something like a philosophy of life? Ideas about what you want to do in your life and what works best?

 

[ChristineM]

I don't know how to ask what I want to ask. Do you have something like a philosophy of life? Ideas about what you want to do in your life and what works best?

I'm am most definitely not into philosophy other than you live, you die. I'm quite happy with 1st law of thermodynamics.

Quite honestly I've done most of what i wanted to do (and some stuff i didn't want to do), what I'm living now is the result of what i wanted to do. Now I'll be happy if i livebto see my children fledge the nest and begin their path.

What worked best for me is to build a successful company and then sell it... ;-)

 

[Niatero]

Now I'll be happy if i livebto see my children fledge the nest and begin their path.

Okay, that's a start, Is there anything else that you would like to happen before you go?

 

[ChristineM]

Okay, that's a start, Is there anything else that you would like to happen before you go?

Nothing personal, I'd like wars to cease, a solution (or solutions) to climate change .
much less homeless people, better healthcare fir everyone, not just the chosen few.

 

[Niatero]

Nothing personal, I'd like wars to cease, a solution (or solutions) to climate change .
much less homeless people, better healthcare fir everyone, not just the chosen few.

Does any of that say anything to you about how to live your life?

 

[ChristineM]

Does any of that say anything to you about how to live your life?

Take things as they come, and hope you are doing the right things

 

[Niatero]

Take things as they come, and hope you are doing the right things

Do you have any ideas about what are the right things to do?

 

[ChristineM]

Do you have any ideas about what are the right things to do?

I wish i did, unfortunately i can't see into the future so i do my best at providing for my children, loving my family, housing and/or feeding stray cats, dropping a few coins to the needy, helping with a couple of charities. And hope...

 

[Niatero]

I wish i did, unfortunately i can't see into the future so i do my best at providing for my children, loving my family, housing and/or feeding stray cats, dropping a few coins to the needy, helping with a couple of charities. And hope...

Okay, thanks. I can't think of any more questions for now.

 

[Aupmanyav]

And hope...

Don't. Heaven is not for the likes of us.

Okay, thanks. I can't think of any more questions for now.

Ask her what does she hope?