Thank you, Del.

 

I'm struggling to learn to communicate from the heart level rather than head. It's difficult and I often don't succeed, but it's delicious when the magic works.

 

From my 75-year-old brain cloud, I said "Wes" in my e-mail. Was thinking of Rev. Bill. Where do those things come from?

 

Blessings,

Jann

 

I really appreciated this Jann.  One of the best experiences a few years ago was visiting the church Eileen and George have been active in, in which the people are from all walks of life and all types of theological backgrounds, and using an amazing variety of vocabulary to describe their experiences.  The common denominators were joy within themselves, acceptance of one another and their great diversity, and a care for their community.  I’m sure there were other “denominators”, but these were the most evident to a one-time visitor and observer.  Wouldn’t it be nice to “view” this, and participate in it, in most any gathering.

 

Frankly, I was rather surprised at the quick, dogmatic responses and judgment elicited by this latest writing from The Week (which is a great mag, if you haven’t ever read it). Granted, it wasn’t a ton of correspondence, but it came to me as quite “old-fashioned”. Responses that seem to come before getting more information or even asking a simple question or two before making such judgments, seem, to me, to be as close-minded as the same persons probably accuse those of more conservative religious views.  What happened to the days when we felt strongly that you should not critique a writer until you have read through thoroughly and tried to be in their shoes as that writer?  I guess some of us have forgotten this. I’ve been learning in these past years to at least attempt to listen for what a person is trying to say to me, rather than getting blocked by the words used or the philosophy out of which one speaks.  Is there a new perspective?  Is there a different slant being taken on an old perspective? Is there an attempt to help the reader understand where someone else is coming from, or why they have chosen the route they have taken? etc. etc.???  Personally, I rather appreciate trying to understand just why someone might think the way they do or act they way they act.  Maybe it’s just that I’m so much older than when I thought I knew everything!

Del