Well, not really. Been doing pretty good, actually.
Whilst others are beating their chests, wailing on CNN, or blogging about the collapse of our economy/society/political system, I’ve just been bee-bopping along here. No worries.
It’s not that I’m not aware of what’s going on, or that I’m not concerned. I am; I just know that whatever happens, I’ll be ok. Chaos whirls around me, but my center is stable and I am at peace.
There’s a phrase our deacon has said a couple of times in RCIA class that I’ve found extremely reasurring. He’s said “Catholics are FOR this world, we aren’t OF this world.” It all seems to tie into the view of personhood; yes, our personhood does include our bodies, but it also includes our spiritual selves. They’re united. Since we aren’t OF this world, we’re pretty much immune from what goes on within it.
I really wasn’t that way when I was pagan.
I don’t know why that is, but it seems every little tremor in the world sends off waves of concern and well, almost panic, within the pagan community. It’s like there are hundreds, maybe thousands, of Pagan Chicken Littles running around saying “OMG! We have a Republican President! The world is coming to an end!” “OMG! Starhawk has an FBI file! ALL PAGANS ARE BEING IDENTIFIED AS TERRORISTS!” “OMG! A Catholic school won’t let some kid wear a pentagram! Discrimination!!!!”
Child, please. Calm-the-fuck-down.
Look. There’s nothing wrong with loving the world. The world is an awesome place. But the world is constantly changing, too; if you go into hysterics everytime the world hiccups, you’re going to end up in a mental institution. Or at least, give yourself an ulcer and piss off all you friends.
Take a deep breath. Relax. Realise that this, too, shall pass - yes, sometimes it’ll pass just like a kidney stone, but you’ll live through it. God still loves us. The world’s not coming to an end, just yet.
It’s going to be o.k. Really.
you know…wolf was a very angry man (still is). and every time something came up, he’d growl and blame me (more fault me cause i let him throw it on me) and i’m sittin there like a rubber duck floating, knowing its going to be ok. i dont get it. but i know deep down things are ok.
*hugs*
now THAT i think is a genuine and critical difference between paganism and catholicism. a lot of *the* differences i think are imaginary, but this one. the particular theme of battling The Fates runs as yet through modern paganism. in catholicism, the stormy push and pull isn’t there. you can step out of the web. the web isn’t the world either. you step out of the tangle, without leaving.
p.s. i’m sorry your friend died.
thanks hon
I remember you from years past in the rooms on AOL…it’s very heartening to see your new site. Thanks for sharing. BTW I’m a a Catholic meself, used to chat frequently with the pagans…curious stuff. About ten years ago I discovered monastic spirituality and the Benedictines. It’s awesome stuff..check it out when you have some time. Anything by Merton, de Waal, the desert fathers…anyway welcome to the neighborhood!