One last thought, and I will leave you alone on this piece. I understand that people are "hard-wired" sometimes and are born a certain way with certain characteristics. However, don't you think that love (whether in a relationship with God or in a human relationship) can "soften" that hard-wiring and allow re-wiring of behavior and personality? The Bible passage Louise read at our wedding was something akin to "love is stronger than death." I think love is strong enough to do that, if a person is open to change. One is not necessarily stuck with being "thoughtless" forever. Just a thought. I find myself thinking and re-thinking your musings. Thank you for exercising my brain and thoughts.
Yes…the possibility of growth and change makes life hopeful. And we also have to work with what we have, I think, and make it stronger, or tamp down our destructive impulses.
I'd like to think that Lyz Lenz is only partially right about people not changing. I think people who don't want to or know how to change, don't change. I'd like to think that the transformation of people's characters can and does happen, though. People can grow and change - Saul to Paul for example. The power of redemption, I believe in it like I believe in God. I have to... life would be untenable without it. Sure, there are many irredeemable people in life, but I have to have hope for myself. That's the only change I can do really. To answer your question, maybe I have tried too hard to change myself? :)
In the context of relationship is the place where change may happen. A place with more vulnerability, compassion and honesty. A place where we are on this circular table with only one side. A place where you acknowledge the limits of your human perception of others and self. Cultivating this space doesn't solve all conflicts, but it provides soil for the impossible to germinate.
I am both trying too hard and not hard enough to change the world. I spend a lot of mental energy on all that is terribly wrong with the world and not enough on thinking about (and acting on) what is in my power to do.
Also, I just took a big pile of shoes, mostly dressy heels, to Goodwill that I finally realized I will never wear again. It felt good, but also kind of sad, like saying goodbye to whoever that person was.
One last thought, and I will leave you alone on this piece. I understand that people are "hard-wired" sometimes and are born a certain way with certain characteristics. However, don't you think that love (whether in a relationship with God or in a human relationship) can "soften" that hard-wiring and allow re-wiring of behavior and personality? The Bible passage Louise read at our wedding was something akin to "love is stronger than death." I think love is strong enough to do that, if a person is open to change. One is not necessarily stuck with being "thoughtless" forever. Just a thought. I find myself thinking and re-thinking your musings. Thank you for exercising my brain and thoughts.
Yes…the possibility of growth and change makes life hopeful. And we also have to work with what we have, I think, and make it stronger, or tamp down our destructive impulses.
I'd like to think that Lyz Lenz is only partially right about people not changing. I think people who don't want to or know how to change, don't change. I'd like to think that the transformation of people's characters can and does happen, though. People can grow and change - Saul to Paul for example. The power of redemption, I believe in it like I believe in God. I have to... life would be untenable without it. Sure, there are many irredeemable people in life, but I have to have hope for myself. That's the only change I can do really. To answer your question, maybe I have tried too hard to change myself? :)
In the context of relationship is the place where change may happen. A place with more vulnerability, compassion and honesty. A place where we are on this circular table with only one side. A place where you acknowledge the limits of your human perception of others and self. Cultivating this space doesn't solve all conflicts, but it provides soil for the impossible to germinate.
Agree! It’s precious and rare!
I am both trying too hard and not hard enough to change the world. I spend a lot of mental energy on all that is terribly wrong with the world and not enough on thinking about (and acting on) what is in my power to do.
Sigh. It’s hard to sort out what we can actually do these days. I hear you.
Some people. Congregational goals. Sometimes you see transformation, so you’re rewarded and therefore continue.
Oh, & I can see you atop those pretty little shoes. 🥿🥰
Right you are — about churches!
Myself, with little success.
Yes, same here! I’m hopeful for myself, though…
The church.
Also, I just took a big pile of shoes, mostly dressy heels, to Goodwill that I finally realized I will never wear again. It felt good, but also kind of sad, like saying goodbye to whoever that person was.
Yes, the church! And that’s a bittersweet goodbye to the woman who was so well dressed in those heels. And maybe even pantyhose!