This work is insightful. I am a Catholic Christian and I do not feel threatened by what you had to say, in fact it has helped me put to words (as you have done so eloquently) my own manifesto of what the baby is for me. I read into your work even a previsionary warning about sin, for the things that we choose that harm other people leads to harm for our very own souls and that recognizing what things we choose that causes harm is among the things we should strive to practice.
I also appreciated what you had to say about the self. Religion often reigns so heavily on altruism that the self is lost. Self care while it is a trite buzzword poster child of mental health, it is in fact essential. I thank you for that because I am certain that many of your readers may be burdened or conflicted with shame over choosing themselves if given the opportunity.
Excellent. Even though I’m a full blown atheist, I was a staunch fundamentalist baptist for years. It’s definitely an understandable concern for many people.
The baby I found in Jesus was the relationship He appears to enjoy with the One he called father. That One is love, which I why I call myself a follower of Jesus. And still function in the Church of England, very selectively as a retired minister, comfortable with an evolving theology which is as much decluttered as it is deconstructed. I found your article very challenging and interesting but was left wondering whether it was an awful lot of work building something to replace what the everything has to go approach removes. Certainly all the questions in the what gives me joy list are answered for me by loving the life I do..
Our life purpose is to heal and love ourselves so that we can love and heal others. No easy task but the universe has a way of showing us where the work is. Trusting in that process with an open heart.
This work is insightful. I am a Catholic Christian and I do not feel threatened by what you had to say, in fact it has helped me put to words (as you have done so eloquently) my own manifesto of what the baby is for me. I read into your work even a previsionary warning about sin, for the things that we choose that harm other people leads to harm for our very own souls and that recognizing what things we choose that causes harm is among the things we should strive to practice.
I also appreciated what you had to say about the self. Religion often reigns so heavily on altruism that the self is lost. Self care while it is a trite buzzword poster child of mental health, it is in fact essential. I thank you for that because I am certain that many of your readers may be burdened or conflicted with shame over choosing themselves if given the opportunity.
Excellent. Even though I’m a full blown atheist, I was a staunch fundamentalist baptist for years. It’s definitely an understandable concern for many people.
So we are really told not to throw out the sacred cows! Are there particular books you were thinking of by Sartre and whitman?
Living the life I do, but yeah, loving it too.
The baby I found in Jesus was the relationship He appears to enjoy with the One he called father. That One is love, which I why I call myself a follower of Jesus. And still function in the Church of England, very selectively as a retired minister, comfortable with an evolving theology which is as much decluttered as it is deconstructed. I found your article very challenging and interesting but was left wondering whether it was an awful lot of work building something to replace what the everything has to go approach removes. Certainly all the questions in the what gives me joy list are answered for me by loving the life I do..
Our life purpose is to heal and love ourselves so that we can love and heal others. No easy task but the universe has a way of showing us where the work is. Trusting in that process with an open heart.
All I can say is wow! You have given me so much to think about! Thank you'
Hi, Gloria! Thanks for your encouraging comment :) I'm happy you found this piece useful.