Nurturing others to wake up. That’s what I used to say was my purpose in life. But one day I thought, that sounds pretty smug, as in I’m awake and you aren’t. So now I say nurturing myself and others to continually awaken.
I’ve always been very wary of the whole life purpose thing. I wonder if it just leads to more narcissist spiritual bull. It’s imperative that we don’t concretize our purposes like some corporations do with their mission statements. Life purpose’s must spring from what we can’t help but do and they must never be confused with what we do for glory or even for money – although sometimes these coincide.
7 responses so far ↓
1 Kate D. Sep 3, 2005
I’m much more interested in how those I respect cope with real life than I am in their polished writing and advice; I am gld you do what do you, including this blog. Thank you.
2 De Wms Sep 3, 2005
In your recent Self Care Minder you wrote about your anger and how you thought that your readers would reject you for it.
Anytime someone else shows me their humanity, I am grateful. There is little that can be done if we don’t show each other our human faces.
I am getting better at accepting my humanity. That stuff that makes life messy. THose feelings and emotions that happen on their own and throw our lifes into chaos and turmoil. They are also the things that bring us joy and hope.
I cannot bring myself to track news stories or human interest because I know the world sucks! I know that there are people in power that don’t have the ability to be compassionate and caring. Instead, I live my life every day doing the best I can to be caring and compassionate for my fellow humans.
That is not to say that I don’t sucumb to anger and saddness. I do the best I can with what I have…and often it isn’t very much…but it is all I have.
3 Patricia Sep 3, 2005
I think it was Louise Hay who said the best way we can help our friends own spiritual development is to give them the example of our own healthy lives working. Years ago, I read a story about a nun who worked among very challenging people and the reporter asked her if she tried to convert them or bring religion to them and she said, “My life is the only gospel they may ever read.” Meaning, she will share her own spiritual beliefs with them only with her own loving behavior.
I’ve always taken those anecdotes as a gentle reminder that I have enough on my own plate to work on without trying to better anyone else. It’s like the airline admonition of putting on your own oxygen mask first before you try to help someone else.
4 Janet Sep 3, 2005
Thank-You
for the re-membering
that we (I) am only human and that I AM Human . Only can do the very best that I can and I am not alone . It is Ok for me to get angry ….I struggle with my anger I don’t like it I think it makes me not as good as and not spiritual enough…. Janet N.
5 LaurieGayle Sep 3, 2005
I appreciate that you shared your raw feelings with us. So many of us are feeling the same way and it helps to remind us that we are human and we are no alone in our responses to the tragedies of this week.
6 judith Sep 4, 2005
Dearest Jennifer…….Your heartfelt expression of pain, rage, sorrow, grief, & deep emotional anquish is a powerful modelling of REAL. And it is echoed in every one of us who empathically feel the truth of “we are all one– every [man's] suffering is mine own”.
If only those who made the decisions leading to this travesty felt what you have expressed, there would never again be another callous disregard of human life for political capital or capitalistic gains.
What you have expressed so profoundly is, indeed, Spirit in Action: remember, the Goddess DOES have Her rage! It is both spiritual & healthy to express fury at injustices–& to harness Her energies to catalyze change!!
Many blessings to you and your Beloveds….may you all experience healing mercies on every level!
7 Sharon Sep 5, 2005
Dear Jennifer,
Having just read your comments on your feelings of anger and how you are concerned on what we will think of your level of spirituality…..I must say that I feel no matter how strong your spirituality is, we are all only humans and must face life’s challenges and emotions on a day to day basis, learning what we can from each day, and making the most of what we have in our life. Release your anger and enjoy!
Kind regards, Sharon.