  Spiritual
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"What you dislike in another, take care to correct in yourself."
Thomas Sprat
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“Maturity is the ability to think, speak and act
your feelings within the bounds of dignity."
Samuel Ullman
Having just turned 51, I am what some deem "over the hill." And let's face it folks - this is no longer middle age, unless I happen to live to the ripe old age of 102. Highly unlikely. My life thus far, like most I suppose, has consisted of highs and lows, glaringly stupid mistakes, a few regrets here and there, adventurous new beginnings, and surprise endings, some not so pleasant. These years have known overwhelming joy, heartbreaking sorrow, stark loneliness, and anger dark enough to eclipse the sun. My life is only different from yours, in that our experiences have defined what we each call reality. And of course, because we each react to these experiences in wide and varied ways, our realities are just as varied.
By this stage of the game, a person of my years should have earned the right to be called mature. Now, the word mature can mean very diverse things, depending on which area of life you choose to examine. For instance, in years I am mature. Yes, as much as I hate to admit it, it's true. But financially? Not so much. My bank account can attest to that. Emotionally? Hmmm. It depends on the situation. If I were to catch my husband in bed with another woman, I doubt very seriously that calm and mature would ever enter my mind. On the other hand, if a friend were to come to me after finding her husband in bed with another woman, I would hope that calm and mature would rule the day. See what I mean?
Suppose we ask the same question of spirituality. What's considered mature? This is a difficult, if not totally impossible question to answer. We are, each of us, at varying stages in our spiritual walk. Not only that, but we each gauge this aspect of ourselves and others depending on the sum of experience, attitude and faith.
For want of a better subject to drive home the point, I'll use my brother-in-law as an example. He knows the Bible cover to cover, and can talk a blue streak about the stories and people it contains. Once you get him started, you'd best be prepared to sit awhile, and then mostly listen. It's very common for it to be a one-sided conversation. Even so, it can be spell binding. Years of not interacting with him day to day, at one time I would have thought him very mature in his faith. But since he and his wife moved to our neck of the woods, my once glowing opionion of the man has lost some of its shine. For one, he's very self-involved. His is one of those what-about-me personalities. If he's unhappy, which these days is most of the time, everyone's going to hear about it. He can be downright mean and nasty in the process, especially to his wife and kids. He loves to endow anyone who will sit still long enough to listen with his vast Biblical knowledge and seemingly abiding faith, yet for all appearances, doesn't practice what he preaches. Or, to put it another way, he can talk the talk, but can he walk the walk?
Do you see what's wrong with this picture? And no, I'm not referring to my brother-in-law. As much as his attitude angers me, the cold, hard truth is, the same can be be asked of me. Am I so mature in my own faith as to dare judge another's? Yes, his attitude is infuriating, yet I'm not married to him, and don't live with him. No one can truly know his heart but God, and it's not my battle to fight. Perhaps the spiritually responsible thing to do would be to encourage him to walk a higher, more God pleasing path. Sadly, this will never happen because it would be misconstrued as sticking my nose where it doesn't belong. On the other hand, if he were to treat me in this way, I would have every right and reason to call him on his behavior. As a matter of fact, his wife and I did have words just a couple of weeks ago. An attempt to smooth the waters after a disagreement proved to offer a less than amicable solution to the situation. Sadly, it's done nothing more than build walls of anger and mistrust between us. It's not something I'm particularly proud of, but I felt it was time to take a stand.
The thing is, just when I think spiritual maturity is at hand, something I read, hear, think, or God forbid say, bursts my self-inflated, self-righteous bubble. It doesn't take a genius to know that my journey is nowhere near complete. Spiritually speaking, I am still a babe in the woods. We must have the courage to take a long, hard look at the cracks in our own veneer, and repair them before looking for the flaws in others. Yep. It turns out I'm not as spiritually mature as I thought... imagine that. Now. Where did I put that putty?
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These look to be interesting and thought-provoking rules and guidlines for an off-site blog. If you've got questions, this site might be helpful.
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This is a a tragic yet hopeful biographical essay. Short, but thoroughly compelling and well written.
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This is a highly personal accounting of one person's post-Katrina experience. It may just change your opinion on a thing or two.
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Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit comments. Your thoughts, kindness, and encouragement mean a great deal. Blessings!
Submitted By: Alimohkon 
Submitted Comment:
You editorial was most inspiring. I think it was straight from the heart. You are a survivor, we are survivors in this battlefield called life. Victory will be rewarded in the afterlife when all of us become brothers and sisters with Him. Compliments and more power!
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Submitted By: letian304
Submitted Comment:
very excellent
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Submitted By: salliemoffitt
Submitted Comment:
Re: Spiritual newsletter 8/10/07
I am so sorry for the loss of your step-daughter and her baby. I experienced something similar as a child. Writing about that experience and other tragedies has proven to be my path to sanity. Just typing the words onto my computer screen makes me feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Whether writing to be published or not, expressing ones soul with words is excellent therapy.
Sallie
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Submitted By: Kenzie 
Submitted Comment:
Great newsletter. I absolutely loved this sentence:
"But in my humble opinion, if writing helps you absorb the blows of life, enables you to give comfort to those who are hurting, to entertain those who seek to be entertained, to enlighten those who seek to be enlightened, or to open doors of understanding that were previously closed, you are an author in every sense that matters."
Not long ago, I shared similar words here with a young writer. I think, no matter what the world thinks, that a writer knows when he/she is one. For some, like me, that comes early in life. For others it comes later. Nevertheless, every writer I've come across - professional or "wanna-be's" - has known in their hearts that they just have to write.
I truly believe if the words are springing from our very inner being, that we are supposed to write. Writing is a gift intended to be shared, whether for financial gain or not.
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Submitted By: kelly1202
Submitted Comment:
A wonderful newsletter! Although, I'm deeply sorry about your step-daughter, and her baby. I'm so happy you had your 'faith' to fall back on to get you through what I can only imagine had to be a dark, and lonely path.
Great picks for author reads this week!
Many blessings
Kelly
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Submitted By: Wren
Submitted Comment:
I keep subscribing hoping to find more spiritual content and less religious. The first is common ground that brings us together; the other is sometimes the opposite.
This issue is terrific. I love the quotations, and the best one is: "...if writing helps you absorb the blows of life, enables you to give comfort to those who are hurting, to entertain those who seek to be entertained, to enlighten those who seek to be enlightened, or to open doors of understanding that were previously closed, you are an author in every sense that matters." by Wind in My Wings
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Submitted By: schipperke
Submitted Comment:
Winda,
Great newsletter and pertinent to all of us who write when we need to express our feelings. This site is a wonderful place to make new friends and get the support you need.
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Submitted By: Brenpoet 
Submitted Comment:
Thank you for this wonderful, inspiring Editorial.
God bless you.
Brenda |
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Spiritual: September 06, 2006 Issue [#1248]
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