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Spiritual: January 08, 2020 Issue [#9954]




 This week: 2020 Vision
  Edited by: SophyBells 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

Hi, I'm SophyBells Author Icon ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.

The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountaain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.
*Smile*


Word from our sponsor



Letter from the editor

2020 Vision


What is your vision for who you want to be in 2020? What activities do you practice to set your intention and stay on course? What images or ideas or songs or poems help you cultivate the best version of yourself? As we move into a new year and decade, are there aspects of your life that you want to discard, to add, to keep and strengthen? How might this apply to your writing as well as your spiritual journey?

A reporter once asked A.J. Muste, a Dutch-born American clergyman and pacifist who protested against the Viet Nam War, “Do you really think you are going to change the policies of this country by standing out here alone at night in front of the White House with a candle?” Muste replied, “Oh, I don’t do this to change the country. I do this so the country won’t change me.”

That vignette came across my Facebook page a couple weeks ago, and it stuck with me. I’ve thought about it everyday since. It’s a striking image - one person standing by themself as a witness for peace before the seat of power as a catastrophic war raged in the world. There are no illusions of grandeur, no effort to gain attention, no expectation of quick or dramatic results. “I don’t do this to change the country. I do this so the country won’t change me.” It’s noble as much for its humility as for its pacifist values.

Taking responsibility for our own behavior, we begin with the practice of setting our intention for how we would like to operate in the world. For instance, I may set my intention to be respectful and fair-minded - even when others are not so. This doesn’t mean one tolerates abuse or capitulates to unacceptable demands. But setting my intention this way allows me to cultivate clarity and determination about my core values. It summons a sense of identity that guides me through turbulence so I can remain true to my best self. Wherever we choose to invest our attention and thought and energy, we need to be clear about who we are and behave in a way that approximates the best version of who we intend to be.

It’s dark out there sometimes. There are a lot of mean, immature, insecure, greedy, selfish, power-hungry people in the world. Most people who are given to hatred or greed don’t see themselves that way. Evil is seductive, and the ego protects itself. But whatever it does to improve its appearance, there’s plenty of darkness in the world. And not to be dismal about it – there are myriad angels in the world, too. There are friends and family and neighbors, colleagues, sometimes random strangers who remind us that the world can be a kind and beautiful place.

As we begin a new year, we have an opportunity to metaphorically wipe the slate clean and start over - what better way to do that is to take it as an opportunity to set our intention - to face the new year with a resolution, if you will, that helps us stay the course and maintain balance and integrity. Returning to the questions I already posed - What is your vision for who you want to be in 2020? What activities do you practice to set your intention and stay on course? What images or ideas or songs or poems help you cultivate the best version of yourself? As we move into a new year and decade, are there aspects of your life that you want to discard, to add, to keep and strengthen? How might this apply to your writing as well as your spiritual journey?

Share your writings with me and I will share them next month.


Editor's Picks

Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review. I realize I post mostly poems, but that is because it is tough to find other types of spiritual writing on the site. If you have something you would like me to highlight, please do share it with me, thanks!

 Ancient Ones Open in new Window. (E)
When you feel the Ancient Ones around you.
#2209431 by Rhoswen - Relentless Victory Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2209407 by Not Available.

 Bold and Confident Open in new Window. (E)
How I feel going into 2020.
#2209208 by Rhoswen - Relentless Victory Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2209204 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2209168 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2209176 by Not Available.

Image Protector
STATIC
Masks Open in new Window. (ASR)
The biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place. - G. B. Shaw
#2209124 by Words Whirling 'Round Author IconMail Icon

 
Image Protector
STATIC
My Spiritual Journey Through theHolidays Open in new Window. (13+)
As I grew up in Minnesota my faith was pretty clear because I grew up as a Christian.
#2208964 by Shar's Holly Jolly Expressions Author IconMail Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Here are some responses to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (December 11, 2019)Open in new Window. The Whole Truth:

From ForeverDreamer Author Icon:
Ruiz's book is very profound.


Indeed.

*Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3*

From Quick-Quill Author Icon:
This my be different take on your NL. I attend a woman's class almost every Sunday morning. We have discussion and participation. I'm pretty vocal in my participation. That being said I also sometime travel with my husband and I may be gone for a few weeks at a time. When I come back I am welcomed. A few of the women who hug me and say "Welcome back. I've missed you in class. You always say just the right thing to explain or help me to understand the lesson." I want God to speak through me and put into my mind what to add to the some of the lessons taught. Not that our teachers aren't good, but some are literal and sometimes, our own experiences help to bring that lesson into our lives in a more personal way. I'm not afraid to share my faults, missteps and victories with my ladies group. We have prayer requests at the beginning of class. Along with praise reports. We are women of faith and prayer.


Sounds like an awesome class!

*Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3*

Thanks for all your comments - keep them coming! *Bigsmile* Until next time, Happy New Year! SophyBells Author Icon

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