Ya know, being a pagan for those 13 years was not entirely a loss. During the harsh years I did learn a lot (oh NO! Not ANUDDER life lesson!) loved a lot and made a lot of wonderful friends.
I think it would be stupid to just throw those years away, without remembering the lessons that I learned from them. So here we go - a short synopsis of the lessons I learned as a pagan:
- I’ve learned that Christians really can be obnoxious when it comes to their religion. When you’re a Christian, you don’t even realize it, but when you’re a member of a minority religion, you’re just amazed at how often you are reminded that you are in the minority. Take the Ten Commandments, for instance. Yes, they are a wonderful set of laws, but they have no business in a court of law. This is a country of many religions, not one.
- Likewise, I was amazed to learn how often Christians try to put into law their own beliefs. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is wonderful to have beliefs, but as one good friar once said - the Good Book doesn’t say, “Go forth and legislate.”
- I’ve learned that magic really does work, whether you believe in it or not, and so you should pay very close attention to the old adage: be careful what you wish for, you might get it.
- I’ve learned that God is not always just in a church; God can be equally found in a sacred grove, with naked people dancing.
- In my work with Ord Brighideach, I’ve learned how important daily devotionals are to maintaining your spirituality.
- I’ve learned that it’s important to stand up for what you believe, when the time calls for it. If you’re going to believe something, don’t be ashamed of it. But by the same token, you don’t need to shove it into other people’s faces, either.
- I’ve learned that most people, just don’t give a shit what you believe, or even that you believe. Even here in America, where they say we’re one of the most religious countries, ever, most people just give lip service to religion; they don’t really practice it. That goes for a lot of pagans, too.
- I’ve learned that yes, “who you hang out with” really does have an influence on what you believe, and what you do, so you should be aware of who you’re with and what they’re doing.
- I’ve learned that no matter what other people do, you are the only one responsible for what you believe, and what you do.
- I’ve learned that coyote is an awesome teacher, regardless of your religion.
- I’ve learned how to brew mead!
- I’ve learned to open my mind a bit and see that we’re all children of God, regardless of our color, sexual orientation, gender identification, or how many piercings we might have.
- I’ve learned that just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you’re meant to BE with someone.
- I’ve learned to be far more comfortable in my body, regardless of what size I happen to be that week.
- I’ve learned that lighting a candle and saying a prayer, really does help others.
- Finally, I’ve learned the important of playing, even as a grown-up.
There are many others, I’m sure, but right now the coffee is drunk, the sun is up, I have the day off - and it’s time to go play.
I’ve learned that just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you’re meant to BE with someone.
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that is a profound statement that i wish more people could grasp. i’m living that one at the moment, and quite frankly, himself is a much calmer person as a FRIEND than as anything else.
It’s a rough lesson to learn, because I think there’s so much “Hallmark-ing” of love. Love doesn’t fit neatly into a card, nor does it always have a romantic ending. But just because it’s not eros, doesn’t mean it can’t become agape.
who is lm?
huh? where do you see “lm?”
This is directed to “Helen” or “JamieLynn” or whatever you happen to be calling yourself, these days. All the rest of you can read along, for shits and giggles. “Helen” posted this comment, recently on my blog here “Who’s lm?” - in reference to a meme post I did on mydungeonspace.com., where I said I adored lm, and he adored me. When I asked her “huh? where do you see that?” she replied with:
Now I don’t know where “Helen” is getting her information from, but it’s erroneous. She seems to think that “lm” is someone else - some married someone else, whom I assure you, is not the case. “Im” is an online friend of mine, who is single, and lives on another continent.
Helen, I want you to know I looked up your IP address, that I get everytime you post a comment or visit here, and ran it through our software on MDS. I know you’re the same woman who kept visiting my profile on MDS, the same time all this mess with MM#2, went down. Interestingly enough, the IP address also shows an address down in south florida, which is where MM#2’s “girlfriend” is from.
Following along with me so far? Good. Oh yes. We’re dealing with MM#2’s “girlfriend” here. Hi.
How ironic is it, that someone who will stalk me across the internet, has a PROFILE on MDS, harasses and insults me, who attempted to blackmail MM#2 and bullied him into near suicide - still has the balls to preach to me about not living a Christian life? Who feels she is smart enough to know WHERE God goes?
How hypocritical is it, that she condemns me for adultery, when she has done the same thing, herself? Even worse, because she was married herself!
Let me explain something so that it is very clear to you, Helen. I’m not interested in married men, any more. I’m DONE with them. Frankly, I’ve been asked several times to HAVE sex by my ex-MM’s - all of them - and I have turned them down flat. Told them to go back to their wives. Note I said - wives - not girlfriends.
And yes, I know I’m forgiven for my past sins - Jesus himself has said it. So your judgement of me means absolutely nothing.
Now lady, I don’t know what your problem is, but I HIGHLY suggest you get some therapy - you need it, this stalking behavior and harassment is not healthy behavior. I don’t know why you are so bitter and angry and judgemental - nor do I care to know. But I will not be intimidated here, or on MDS, or anywhere. You do not nor will you EVER have that power over me.
I will only warn you one time - if you continue with this harassment, I will notify the authorities, and I will bring stalker charges against you. I already have the information I need, to do it. So I suggest you run along and find some one else to bully - it won’t be me.
Ronald Hutton, the pagan scholar said this about magic: “I used to think it all worked, then I thought it was all nonsense. Now I think it’s all nonsense that works.”
As an ex-Wiccan, I think I can vouch for that. But another ex-Wiccan, Carl McColman (over at anamchara.com) has another interesting view. He says magic is the height of megalomaniacal narcissism: imagine pulling the forces of nature off of what they’re doing just to run errands for you.
Maybe just a little embarrassing, eh?
Cheers,
Tom
lol - yup - just a tad bit embarassing
Wow, for a second I had a glimmer of hope that maybe you had not turned 100% into one of them. I suppose it is less arrogant to assume that out of over 6 billion people in the world, that God has time to worry about your little problems while there are starving kids all over the world, or something equally important?? All Gods are one God, yours is no better than mine, or vice versa.
well this is where I profoundly disagree with you. All Gods are not the same God, that’s fairly clear in all religious teachings. The idea that “all gods are the same” is a relatively new theosophy which is completely inaccurate.
Do I think my God has time to worry about our little problems? Of course. I wouldn’t restrict what God can do, or His love, by my puny human brain.