In this life I've come to realize that there are certain groups of people that no matter how hard you attempt to please, no matter how life presents itself to them, no matter what is going on around them at any given time are self centered and just plain unhappy. Their way is the only way. They seem to live as though the world is out to get them. If something, anything, doesn't go exactly as they expect it or think they want it, they immediately see wrong screaming persecution and dissatisfaction. Children are called brats; but what do we call these same brats who have reached adulthood and are still stuck in this bratty syndrome?
"Nothing like this ever happened before the likes of you showed up". "Why do we now have to end up with the shitty end of the stick?" "Why can't you people go back where you came from; where you belong?" These words or feelings are usually expressed by the group I mention without concern about what's going on in the lives of others around them. These people are the "personally persecuted" of our world, the "Bless your Heart phonies" who claim to hold the greatest faith.
About seventeen years ago when I moved from the Sodom and Gomorrah of the North into the Bible belt of the South, Americas holy land, the Mecca of the USA, Gods gift to the continent, from day one a small yet BIG word was and still is constantly thrown in my face. That word is faith. "You need to have faith". "Without faith you are lost, eternally damned." Well, let me tell you something, "I" have faith. Faith comes in many colors and flavors and without the different faiths that I have I could probably become one of the personally persecuted myself. When faith is mentioned in this neck of the woods there is only one faith that people think of but my faith takes on many shapes.
I may not have the faith that you do but I have faith of my own. Faith that one day I will be able to look back on my life and know that I have touched others lives. Faith that one day the hate and anger we face every day will disappear. Faith that I am living the best way that I can and will have no regrets. Faith that all humanity, whether "personally persecuted" or not, are truly, inherently good inside. Faith that when my life is over there will be no more problems or strife. Faith in love. Faith that my faiths will happily get me through this life.
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9 comments:
You aren't the only one with this faith. I share it as well.
Who is to say what "faith" is right or wrong, but if the belief is there, it serves the purpose for the believer.
Like people, faith comes in many shapes. End of day, I hope it means good and not harm.
and the congregation said "AMEN!!!"
I read your posts everyday and rarely comment but this time I really needed to tell you how great this post is. Thanks for writing it. I also wanted to tell you that I love the way you write. You can turn any subject into a work of art.
Something I find funny is that I've heard people comment on the fact that we need to regain the faith we had in the "old days" like the good folks in the bible. Well, if the bible is historically accurate (which is obviously quite open for debate) how could these people NOT have faith? When God is constantly showing up as a burning bush or a flash of light, or flooding the planet how could you NOT believe?
As for your comment, it reminds me why I think you're such a beautiful person. Sometimes we act as if faith is a limited resource and that other types of faith somehow take away from our own. In many ways "your faith" is viewed as the ultimate evil, because your faith is in yourself.
I have faith that one day, as a species, we will be able to transcend the need of dogma and realize that the god we see every day is in the face of every person who strives to live a meaningful life.
Thank you for your note. It is this same kind of faith that leads me through one door or another.
I think I share the same sense of faith in ways. When I do find myself at a conventional "service" it is less about the ceremony and more about a sense of belonging or coming home. It's as if the building holds a familiarity for me whether it is in my hometown or somewhere miles away.
Defining my faith has been simple and understated. I have faith in myself and do all I can to make the best choices, and I truly believe that if I can look myself in the mirror at night and be content with myself than so will my maker be no matter what he or she may look like. Don't even get me started on that topic... hmm do I sense a new blog entry coming on?
Oh yes...and I have faith that at times I have the wisdom to turn away when negative people come into my life.
As they say...you can't choose your neighbours or your family...but I can choose to not speak to my neighbours but family is another thing.
If I'm having a good day...I tend to stay away from certain members of my family who have the talent of bringing me down...just being in their presence...and if I'm having a bad day...I run for the hills....no sense in being around a bunch of 'doom-sayers'.
You're damned if you do..and damned if you don't.
So...keep the faith. I believe also that I'm living the good life...and doing the right thing...and so far...I like the person in the mirror...damn nice person if I say so myself...I can live with that!
Love your posts...very thought-provoking.
I wrote a post awhile back on my favorite funeral director if you'd care to take a look.
http://runningonempty-matty.blogspot.com/2007/03/three-little-words.html
Love your blog.
I'm with Paisley.
With this particular line from your article that says "Faith that one day the hate and anger we face every day will disappear" I really hope so it disappears in me. I couldn't live a life full of hatred and I just have to let go of this feeling and forgive those who have oppressed me.
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