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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7477-Humans-of-Planet-Earth.html
Spiritual: February 17, 2016 Issue [#7477]

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Spiritual


 This week: Humans of Planet Earth
  Edited by: Shannon Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

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Welcome to the Spiritual Newsletter. My name is Shannon Author IconMail Icon and I'm your editor this week.




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Letter from the editor

Working as a registered nurse provides a unique and valuable perspective: while some people may appear to be suffering more than others, suffering isn't a contest anyone wants to win; nurses see things every day that most people will never see in their lifetimes; what made your bile rise before you entered nursing school is now acceptable dinnertime conversation; you realize pretty quickly that each and every one of us has either been through tragedy, is currently going through tragedy, or will go through tragedy. It's unavoidable. You have little (if any) control over it, but you do have control over how you respond to it.

Whether it be the death of a loved one, chronic pain, physical/verbal/psychological/sexual abuse, disability, loneliness, mental illness, disfigurement, homelessness, traumatic brain injury, incarceration ... whatever the cause, pain is part of life and it doesn't discriminate, but oftentimes we forget. We get so wrapped up in our own story we fail to recognize our neighbor's heartache.


"Who are we? We are the lifeforce power of the universe with manual dexterity and two cognitive minds, and we have the power to choose moment by moment who and how we want to be in the world." ~ Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor


I love neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor. Not only is she a brilliant writer and inspirational speaker, she is the survivor of a massive stroke that could have killed her at the tender age of thirty-seven. Dr. Taylor spent the subsequent eight years of her life relearning everything the stroke wiped clean, and her book My Stroke of Insight is a game changer.



Dr. Taylor experienced what I like to call a spiritual awakening disguised as a stroke, and it changed her life. Many people who have near-death experiences are similar in the fact that they come back with a completely new outlook on life: they love more, don't sweat the small stuff, and appreciate every moment. They seem to have a sense of oneness they didn't have prior to their experience, and while scary and life-altering, the experience enriches their lives. They know there aren't any guarantees and that each moment is a gift.

“I am an energy being connected to the energy all around me through the consciousness of my right hemisphere. We are energy beings connected to one another through the consciousness of our right hemispheres as one human family. And right here, right now, we are brothers and sisters on this planet here to make the world a better place." ~ Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor


We may not have control over much of what happens to us or those we love, but we do have control over who and how we want to be in the world, and that in turn will impact, either positively or negatively, other people's experiences on this planet. What you bring to the table, your contribution to humanity via your interaction with others, is a conscious choice you make moment by moment throughout the day. What do you choose?

"Please take responsibility for the energy you bring into this space.” ~ Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor


Thank you for reading.
A swirly signature I made using the Mutlu font and a drop shadow.


Editor's Picks

I hope you enjoy this week's featured selections. Please do the authors the courtesy of reviewing the ones you read. Thank you, and have a great week!


 The Elevator Man Open in new Window. (E)
a little kindness goes a long way...
#2043520 by woody Author IconMail Icon


 Balancing Act Open in new Window. (13+)
A weary single parent balances accounts with help from a strange source.
#1498342 by Just an Ordinary Boo! Author IconMail Icon


Charley's Story Open in new Window. (E)
This is a story about the people we would rather not see.
#1277087 by tYpO/T.Boilerman Author IconMail Icon


 City Streets Open in new Window. (13+)
A homeless woman reflects on her history.
#1514203 by Jaye P. Marshall Author IconMail Icon


And one of my own. I usually don't include my own stories, but this one fits this week's topic.

The Death of Tucker Ray Open in new Window. (18+)
2nd Place winner (March 2012 Short Shots Contest).
#1858415 by Shannon Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

The following is in response to "The Act of ForgivenessOpen in new Window.:

ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy Author Icon writes, "What a wonderful message you have shared about forgiveness. I too agree, forgiveness is for the forgiver most of all, whether you've found a chance to tell the forgiven person or not; it's what happens within the heart of the forgiver and how they find peace in place of the hurt, anger, fear or other devastating emotions harbored by the lack of forgiveness. Those surviving the victims of a killer in their church prayer meeting, forgave him and found their peace in the matter; the shooter never knew but their hearts did. What an excellent spiritual, 'of the human spirit' message you've taught us today." Aw, thank you, Ann. You said, "Those surviving the victims of a killer in their church prayer meeting forgave him and found their peace in the matter. The shooter never knew, but their hearts did." Beautifully said! I'm glad you liked the newsletter. *Heart*

Just an Ordinary Boo! Author Icon writes, "I too cannot forgive in this manner. You see, the person did do some bad things, knowingly chose to them, witnessed the devastation with satisfaction and glee. I may be able to express, to my ex, that I cannot say 'I wish we had never met', since my kids are my joy and support now, my two best friends! I can even feel sorry that he threw away what could have been a happy and loving family. I can also wish him well and happy, as long as he remains out of my life experience. But I cannot be happy he stole 15 years of my life, wrung out my heart and soul and then threw it all away. The healing, the struggle, it all took its toll, and although I like the 'me' I am now, it's not to say I might have liked an infinite other variations that could have been if he never was. I cannot let him into my life as I would any stranger who crossed my path, cannot help him as I would any other needy soul. Does this make me a lesser person? So be it. Some wounds are so deep that even the scars pain when prodded, it's best to cover them over and get on with life rather than keep touching them to see if they are painless!" I didn't say not forgiving someone makes you a lesser person, and I certainly didn't intend the editorial to come across that way, but apparently it did, at least to you, and I'm sorry for that. My intention was to share a personal conversation I had with a Facebook friend which resulted in self-reflection--what I've learned that works for me. For me, holding on to anger, hard feelings, and bitterness wasn't conducive to a happy, whole, love-filled life, so I let it go. I don't even think it was a conscious decision. I guess I just focused on other things--things that made me happy as opposed to angry and sad, like my children, my work as a nurse, my husband, my soon-to-be-born grandchild. I'm sorry bad things happen in general, I'm sorry bad things happened to you in particular, and I'm sorry you're still hurting. Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts.

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