Showing posts with label devotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devotion. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Time to Be More Specific



Many Christians I have met focus on "Being Good Christians". Others focus on "Not Being Bad" (herein lies a trap that snares self and others). Pagans, on the other hand, at least the ones who became Pagans on their own, often focus on "Being Pagan" or "Not Being Christian, like my ______" (if the latter sounds like the mindset of a fifteen-year-old, you're getting a good grasp on the behavior associated with it). Honestly, I don't know enough yet about Pagans raised as Pagans to make broad sweeping statements about them yet. :-D

While each of the viewpoints above may be a departure point for the spiritual seeker, it shouldn't be your stopping place. Following a bunch of rules written down in a book doesn't cut it, and neither do the number of pentagrams or goddess symbols you wear. Your spiritual 'designation' is a badge you wear, but it's not who you are. It's an adjective, not a noun.

Who are you, really, and what are you meant to do in this life? If you don't believe in 'destiny', then ask yourself: Who are you, and what do you want to accomplish in this life? Find or choose a goal and build towards it. You may already have a life goal (or itemized Bucket List). Select the most important, ennobling one in that case. Raise self-reliant, principled children. Help a friend get off meth. Provide basic needs for a family of strangers. Write a novel that makes people laugh. Find a new home, and truly make it yours. Enroll in that dance class you thought you were too old to take (and scream 'ageism' if you get flack).

You may wind up somewhere else, but I promise you will discover that you are more than a label.