  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: windac
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“There can be no knowledge without emotion. We may be aware of a truth,
yet until we have felt its force, it is not ours.
To the cognition of the brain must be added the experience of the soul.”
-Arnold Bennett-
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Do you consider yourself to be an emotional person? That is, do you allow yourself to openly feel and express emotion? This is a subject I've wanted to broach for quite some time, but the question was always, how and where to begin? Not wanting to write an overly analytic essay, or to be quite honest, one that might go over my own head, there'll be no in-depth research into the wisdom of Freud or Jung, or the physiology of the brain. A scholar I'm not, so as usual will rely on personal experience. Hey, I have emotions! What more do you need?
We humans were created with the capacity to feel and express a wide variety of emotions which add to an already complex makeup. Problems arise when we are unable to control our emotions in a positive fashion, and there are any number of illnesses, conditions or traumatic experiences that might account for this inability in some. This issue will not travel in that direction, but rather touch on those daily experiences that have the power to affect us profoundly, whether it be for a very short moment in time, or etch it so deeply on our hearts that we carry it for a lifetime.
I am by personality and from birth a highly emotional being. Years ago this earned me the title of brat by my older sister. In the not so distant past, there are some who would label me with another title, also a "b" word. I much prefer the term passionate. It's so much more sophisticated, don't you think? Even so, emotions flow as easily from me as does water over Niagara Falls. My problems arise when the outward gush is from that great, gaping hole that is my mouth, often done in a heated, passionate moment, which is almost always followed closely by shame. I can honestly say that there has been some improvement on that front, much to the delight of those who know me best. I'm also a cryer, and tears well up at the drop of a hat. The only time tears are unwelcome is when I'm angry. When the two go together, watch out! This means I'm majorly pissed, and major events are just around the bend. Thankfully, this rarely happens, but I've often wondered why certain things turn on my waterworks.
"The best and most beautiful things in the
world cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the heart."
-Helen Keller-
Books, movies and even 30 second commercials can bring on the tears. Other people who cry make me cry; no one ever cries alone in my presence. I'll give you a couple of movies as an example, such as The Color Purple, one of my all time favorites. This particular film took me on an emotional ride like no other film has ever been able to do. Each situation brought yet another emotion up from the depths to see the light of day: indignant outrage, shame, laughter, joy, triumphant pride, and every nuance in between. Just because I am not a person of color, doesn't mean that I can't feel empathy and compassion for their struggle. Though true, total understanding will never be mine since I've not walked in those shoes, it does bring my heart one step closer to the possibility. Another movie I totally enjoyed is Crash. Set in L.A., there are some that took to heart the setting and characters, thinking that it was a skewed depiction of the area and her people. It was a work of fiction, and could have been set anywhere in the world for the characters to come to life. What I liked most was the fact that it showed both sides of human nature, both the good and the dark. The film made me realize that most of us only see black or white, very rarely both, and completely ignore the grey.
It's not the movies or the books, or even the commercials that make me cry, but the stories themselves, and how they relate to me and my own heart. When I feel shame, outrage or pride, it's because I carry these emotions inside and on some level can understand. I can be bouyed by hope that maybe, just maybe, my life means something and that it could make a difference in someone elses. I love stories that speak to me, that make me think. What it really boils down to is this: I like to know that my heart can still be touched, that life itself hasn't stolen from me the capacity to love, to hurt, to rejoice, and to empathize with another. How comforting to know that there are true heroes and heroines out there in the world, that wickedness hasn't completely taken over our species. It's the journey, and being swept up in it. Life is extreme... extremely hard, and extemely short. While I'm here taking up space, why not learn and grow and feel in the extreme?
“People don't ask for facts in making up their minds.
They would rather have one good, soul-satisfying emotion than a dozen facts.”
-Robert Keith Leavitt-
Until next time, open your heart and mind to the possibilities, and look a little harder for those shady greys.
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As you can see, the Editor's Picks section is empty this time 'round. My apologies, but hours of searching didn't turn up any items that tickled my fancy, or fit what I was looking for. So for my November edtion I'd like to try something different. Let me know what you think.
Submit an article or essay concerning spirituality. What does spirituality mean to you? Don't just tell me what religion you adhere to. Tell me what it is that moves your spirit, that gives you peace and fulfillment. It can be an item already in your port, or you may write a new one. Sorry, I'm not looking for poetry, only essays or articles. I want biographical, real life, personal stuff. If you can, make them around 500 or 600 words, and I'll feature the best five in November. Proper form, grammar, spelling, and punctuation do count! After all, we are writers, so show me what you've got. You may submit them in the feedback section of this NL, or e-mail them directly to me. Please use either the item or bitem format. Any questions, give me a holler.
Thanks, and I hope to hear from you!
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Once again, it's so gratifying to know that folks are actually reading what I have to say. Your support and encouragement mean a great deal, and makes being an editor worth every minute! Thank you and God bless!!!
Submitted By: donald
Submitted Comment:
Dear,mature you are as old as you think you are when it comes to age.And your brother-in-law,should know better,he should be treating his wife and kids with respect.It was a good thing you took a stand.Also you are very right when you say only God can realy know where the individual stans when it comes to spirituality.This was a very good read for me,I can relate to this with my wife she is an ex nun and sometimes she thinks she knows everything,and it is not that way at all.Also life is to short to get all wraped up with what level is he or she on in there spiritual life....Don.
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Submitted By: Izzie, cc_s princess 
Submitted Comment:
Thank you for this issue. It certainly does give one food for thought. Introspection helps us all to grow even more.
Blessings,
Isabel.
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Submitted By: wayfarerjon
Submitted Comment:
What a brilliant newsletter. Thank you for being so real and honest. I identify with it all.
God Bless you
John
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Submitted By: Shadow
Submitted Comment:
I found this issue to be very interesting. Thank you for a little bit of a different point of view on spiritual maturity. I also like the quotes. They added a nice touch and drove the article home .
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Submitted By: PlannerDan
Submitted Comment:
Wind, well said. I am of the opinion spiritual maturity is not something you otain and then have it. Spiritual maturity is a moving target. I move into it and out of it, depending on the situations. Hopefully over the years I have learned to stand in the area of spiritual maturity more often than not. Its like taking two steps forward and one step back. The progress is slow but sure...as long as I keep the cross before me as my compass.
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Submitted By: schipperke
Submitted Comment:
Excellent newsletter, Wind. I guess we are all babes in the woods when it comes to our spiritual side.
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Submitted By: zwisis
Submitted Comment:
I think there's always an opportunity to learn and grow, ~Wind in my Wings~, both as a person and in our spirituality. There's also a danger of becoming opinionated and obsessive about our beliefs, and that can lead to lack of understanding of others' beliefs. Thank you for reminding us of that!
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Submitted By: Silence
Submitted Comment:
Is it possible to be spiritually impeccable? In that, I mean to be completely fulfilled? I wish my faith could conjure every embrio in my being, but it doesn't. I am as doubtful of my heart as I am with my life, and I wonder, how do I become spiritually impeccable? How do I live my life with my heart in complete faith of my belief?
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Submitted By: Iva Lilly Durham 
Submitted Comment:
Hi there. I really enjoyed the newsletter. Didn't realize you did this one. I especialy liked your highlighted picks this week. Good show!
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Submitted By: kafkaesque
Submitted Comment:
that was an awesome poem, (((friend))) |
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Spiritual: October 04, 2006 Issue [#1300]
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