Blog 127 – 9.29.15

The first intention of theTen Intentions for a Better world reads:

“I refrain from opposing or harming anyone. I allow others to have their own experiences. I see life in all things and honor it as if it were my own. I support life.”

That my friends, I think, is a good start in letting life speak to you. The airwaves are full and the Internet of sales people, preachers, politicians, and bloggers (Hey wait a minute, Buddy, I resemble that remark) trying to sell you, save you, or line you up in some way that usually involves you parting with some of your money. I am an entertainer, a provoker of thought, an encouraging word guy. Oh, I am as opinionated as the next guy and have been, too often to be proud of it pretty bull headed about some of my beliefs. But here’s the thing I have discovered, a very important thing about much of what I once believed so fervently. It just didn’t work for me. I have learned to discard any belief that is no longer serving me. If that is sacrilegious to you I’m sorry but each of us has one life to live (so they say – I’m not even sure if I even believe that anymore but even if it is so). I have lived over half of my life bound by beliefs that made me unhappy and not even a better person. I intend to live the rest of this adventure being happy and being the best me I can be.

Like it or not I am borrowing Flip Wilson’s motto: “What you see is what you get.” A friend did a favor for me recently with the stipulation that if she did it that I would make a recording of a song I sang in church years ago when she was a child and I a teenager and post it on Facebook. I did it though honestly as beautiful as that song still is to me, I no longer consider myself a Christian and really do not want to make anyone think I am trying to live to theirs or anyone else’s particular interpretation of what it means to be a Christian. And trust me there are almost as many variations on that theme as there are people who profess or claim to be Christians.

That brings me too my point. (About time, Rambling Man.) The way I let life speak to me best is by suspending judgement. When I read or say the first intent above and get to the part, “I see life in all things and honor it as my own” I always want to add – for it is. I see myself in the person that doesn’t think like me, look like me, act like me and I love them as I love myself. If you hate some one or thing try suspending judgement and loving that person or thing and life will speak to you like you’ve never heard it before.

That is what I hear in the message of Jesus. But honestly I still have a big problem with the animal sacrifices of the Bible including his bloody sacrifice of himself. I am not sure I will ever choose to believe in any god that could require such a thing. Sounds to me like that god was made in man’s image to justify a lot of blood letting. But hey, that’s my opinion and I could be wrong. I don’t think so but it is always a possibility. Tell me what you think. but be careful quoting scripture at me, because I know that book pretty well so if you want to debate I am quite prepared. I believe in allowing others to have there own experiences. I love to hear other people’s stories and to share mine. Have a happy journey, Pilgrims, and by all means let life speak to you.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White