 Spiritual: August 03, 2016 Issue [#7777] |
  Spiritual
This week: Words Are Things Edited by: Shannon  
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Welcome to the Spiritual Newsletter. My name is Shannon and I'm your editor this week.
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"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak;
courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." ~ Winston Churchill
Last month's newsletter "The Devil's Bible" had more views than any other spiritual newsletter I've ever written. Traditionally, the spiritual newsletters don't get a ton of views, maybe a few hundred, but last month's edition received 1,300 views. I'm sure it's because of the compelling title; people were probably reaching for the holy water when they noticed The Devil's Bible was the subject of their weekly spiritual newsletter.  Those who read the editorial, however, know it wasn't actually about hell's handbook.
I mention this because it's a great example of human nature. We don't want to watch the news unless it's scandalous. Who cares about the presidential election? It only determines who will run the United States of America for the next four years, right? But if there's a bombing in a gay nightclub or a shooting in a rural high school we'll watch for hours, we'll discuss it with our friends, we'll voice our opinions about it all day long. We know more about who won last season of Dancing with the Stars than we do about the two people vying for stewardship of the good ol' U.S. of A. Hey, I'm guilty, too ... not of watching Dancing with the Stars, I want to make that clear, but of occasionally tuning in to the negative and tuning out the positive.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately--how influenced we are by what we see and hear. In every workplace there's always that one coworker who's in a perpetual bad mood. They hate coming to work, they hate their job, they complain about everything and everyone, and before you know it their negativity has rubbed off on those around them. It fundamentally changes the atmosphere, and you can literally feel it in the air.
Isn't it strange how one person has such a negative effect on a group of people rather than the group of people having a positive effect on the one?
Years ago I saw Oprah interview the late Maya Angelou for her hit cable television program Super Soul Sunday (fantastic show) and was blown away. Maya articulates so eloquently why what you say does matter, and I couldn't agree more.
I've heard it a hundred times, and I'm sure you have, too: someone will tell a racist joke then turn around and say, "I'm just joking. I'm not a racist. There are a lot of good black people out there." Once I overheard a man say exactly that and I asked, "If there was a black person here, would you still have told that joke?" He thought about it for a minute before saying, "If it was a black person who knows me ... yes, I would. If they know me they know I'm not racist and that I'm just joking."
Really?
I wanted to say, "So I could tell a joke right now about obese, unattractive, bald-headed jerks and you wouldn't take it personally because you'd know I was just joking?" but I held my tongue.
Deep down we know some of the things we say are wrong, but in the right (or wrong) company we say them anyway. We listen to other people say them anyway and we don't speak up and say, "Hey, that's not cool. Don't say that."
Why? Why do we do that?
I believe that spirituality comes with a higher level of consciousness, and a higher level of consciousness comes with greater responsibility. It is our responsibility as spiritual beings to call Racism by its name, to call Homophobia and Intolerance, Hatred and Prejudice by their names and put a stop to them every time they rear their ugly heads.
We are so afraid of confrontation that we'd rather subject ourselves, our children, and those around us to inappropriate and uncomfortable comments, jokes, and pejoratives than simply say, "That offends me. Please don't say that." We feel all icky inside when we hear such things, and we know they're wrong, but rather than do what we know is right we clam up and turn the other cheek.
But it gets easier. You feel vulnerable the first time you do it, but each time you stand for what's right and stop yourself or someone else from using words that belittle, humiliate, dehumanize, or diminish others you stand a little straighter, get a little stronger, feel a little prouder, and move a little closer toward love.
Thank you for reading.
"Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love." ~ Don Miguel Ruiz
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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!
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#1524960 by Not Available. |
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If you call someone a name often enough they may soon believe it
#259585 by Andrea  |
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#1878493 by Not Available. |
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#2009939 by Not Available. |
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The following is in response to "The Devil's Bible" :
Kanish ~ we got this! writes, "Wow. Thank you so much for this novel book and concept. Love it. Would dig deeper." You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoyed the NL. Thanks for writing in. 
A*Monaing*Faith  writes, "I would/will totally read this! As a born again Christian I don't feel the need to 'fear' any book/movie/speech that glorifies the devil. My strength is in the Lord and so long as I meditate on him before and after exposing myself to harmful influences I will be fine. I think most people deny themselves the basic pleasures in life because they do not know how to guard themselves from demonic spirits and impressions. I would, too. I am fascinated by old books anyway, but old books that are 800 years old and weigh 165 pounds? Count me in! 
Jeff  writes, "What a fitting newsletter topic this week. I'm literally in the middle of reading a supernatural thriller that centers around the Devil's Bible. Thank you for the additional insights!  " How funny! What's the title, just out of curiosity? And you're welcome. Thank YOU for taking the time to read and comment! 
Vaughan Jones - ONE Scribe writes, "As in my last reply re the Bible having been created in about 450 AD, this one probably includes Gnostic and Agnostic scripts, all dating back hundreds of years before 1230 AD. Same old-same old I'm afraid, just a new concoction of the 'original' which was a huge con job anyway." Regardless of whether or not you believe in its authenticity, would you be interested in the item itself simply because of how old and large it is? Aren't you curious? 
Cynaemon writes, "I would love to see it. I would love to touch it, and flip through its pages, if nothing else, just for the aesthetics of the experience. I believe that things like this exist for a reason." Exactly! You hit the nail on the head. I couldn't agree more.  |
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