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#209876 - 12/28/10 01:46 PM
Re: Why do the Wicked Prosper?
[Re: jabber]
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Member
Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
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This reminds me of something I read years ago that has become so ingrained in me. It was by Jean Vanier and I can't quote word for word, so will just give the gist of it. Essentially, he suggested that in every moment of our lives and in every encounter with every person we meet, we either sow seeds of death or seeds of life. We are constantly choosing, by our thoughts, actions, words and non-actions, to either sow seeds of darkness and death - or seeds of light and life. There's no in-between.
Thoughts of vengeance lead to actions, words and a general demeanor which support those thoughts and those beliefs of vengeance...more darkness in a world that needs more light.
People have hurt me, hurt others, rippled devastating consequences into my life that have created painful rubble that I've had to stumble over in order to move on. I've learned that keeping grudges, wishing for vengeance, praying that others will get what I think they deserve (not in a good way), are all seeds of death and create dark and destructive forces WITHIN ME, leading me further and deeper into despair.
When I forgive and let go, asking God to BLESS those people (in a good way) according to His will for their lives, and to teach me the golden nuggets of wisdom and learning that always exist within every situation, good and bad, then I am living in light and sowing seeds of life, both within myself, and in the lives of those others.
The Bible is very clear, though again I cannot quote, about God laying before us death or life, and then exhorting us to choose life. Choosing life means choosing to live lives of forgiveness, compassion and love, even and especially for those who hurt us.
That's (IMO) what being a Christian is supposed to be about - not seeking vengeance (which only adds more darkness and death to our own hearts and in turn to anyone and everyone we encounter), but seeking forgiveness and reconciliation and sowing seeds of life and light wherever we can.
I have to say that it is beyond my comprehension to ever even think about asking God to hurt anyone for any reason! To use prayer and God in that way is abhorrent to me. My heart and spirit yearns for peace and yearns for more light and love in the world - that yearning leads me to use prayer to ask God to bless, heal, encourage, strengthen and help others in whatever way those others need, including all who hurt me or others.
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.
(Maya Angelou)
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#209899 - 12/30/10 08:55 AM
Re: Why do the Wicked Prosper?
[Re: jabber]
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The Divine Ms M
Registered: 07/07/03
Posts: 4894
Loc: Orange County, California
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Meridith how do you reachone the karma balance is regulated if considerring reincarnasion? goood deads get rewarded with a better life in the next life. dose it ever go the opposite way.......a real hard life is the rewared for the previouse life success at overcomming adversity? how dose it address poverty striken cultures and is thir ever a risk that us in our developed wealth get arrogant over the less developed cultures? Dose it all pice together? Celtic, I have no absolute answers, but some (although not all) of the Hindu beliefs regarding reincarnation resonate with me. Having wealth is not a crime of the soul, and as such wouldn't be punished. However, gaining wealth through the suffering of others; or using wealth to harm another -- would be. Why do so many people live in poverty and have hard lives? I don't know. Are they being punished for past life transgressions? I don't know. When I look, I can imagine a rhythm to all this -- discord as much as sweetness. Ebb and flow. But that's my belief system.
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#209907 - 12/30/10 03:10 PM
Re: Why do the Wicked Prosper?
[Re: yonuh]
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Member
Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
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Yonuh, I read a book years ago (Embraced by the Light) about a woman who had a near-death experience and that's what she learned in her NDE. Her book changed my life forever, because so much of it resonated with me and made so much more sense than anything else I've ever read or learned. Embracing the possibility of these teachings has given me a whole new perspective and joy when reading Scripture, and a new sense of purpose...a profound relief, so to speak, because everything - every encounter, every experience, every perceived failure is actually a unique opportunity to either learn or teach...there are golden nuggets of wisdom and learning in every moment, when/if we have the eyes to see.
Over time, as I've read more about this, it has also (I believe) healed me of all suicidal thinking (which I've struggled with since the mid 60's). While I still have down days, deep down inside of me, I can feel a profound serenity that was never there before, a "peace that passes all understanding", because now I believe more than ever that everything, even those "down days", have opportunities for growth and stretching and hopefully, helping someone else. This way of thinking excites me like nothing else has for a long time.
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.
(Maya Angelou)
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#209913 - 12/31/10 09:57 AM
Re: Why do the Wicked Prosper?
[Re: Eagle Heart]
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Member
Registered: 12/30/05
Posts: 3027
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It is my belief that we all reach a "place" that sits well with our own journey.For some it is a book other have an experience that allows personal growth. I too have read books Eagle similar to the one you mention.
Meeting many people who are troubled through my career there often presents a mindset of turmoil...presents as health problems or inablilty to maintain significant riendships..sometimes manifests as sadness and sometimes anger...in most cases there has to be a turning point before a client finds ther "place" So for me being vengenful has no value and erodes well being. It demands practice and is as important as exercise and good food.
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#209920 - 01/01/11 02:22 AM
Re: Why do the Wicked Prosper?
[Re: Mountain Ash]
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Member
Registered: 06/24/06
Posts: 384
Loc: California
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I agree with you Mountain Ash,
I see no point in being vengeful and have recently been reading an article about the power of positive thinking. I read Norman Vincent Peale many years ago and firmly believe in his beliefs.
I wish several family members would hang on to the positive rather than the negaative..
How do you influence others to see the positive??
Donna
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#209922 - 01/01/11 12:10 PM
Re: Why do the Wicked Prosper?
[Re: 49erDonna]
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Member
Registered: 12/30/05
Posts: 3027
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Donna There are none so blind as those who do not want to see.
Each person has the ability to seek their own conclusion.In novels..plays as in life there is a "turning point"
but illness is I believe connected to mind set...so internal work has to be done.
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#209924 - 01/01/11 01:49 PM
Re: Why do the Wicked Prosper?
[Re: Mountain Ash]
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Member
Registered: 03/22/05
Posts: 4876
Loc: Canada
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So wise, MA. My journey has been so full of twists and turns that it has taken many "turning points" to get to my here-and-now. I suspect that there will need to be more, because there is still much internal work to be done. I think, believe, that these life-changing turning points come just as one needs them to move into the next chapter of that inner work. It seems that it's a never-ending process, though perhaps that's because I choose to keep searching out what I need to heal the parts of me that are still broken (eg, I still have trouble establishing and maintaining relationships).
I keep hoping that one day I will stumble over the threshold into perfect inner harmony, where all of these turning points and healings will join together into one harmonious web of well-being and inner peace - what I want most, my constant prayer, is always to learn how to love and to be loved to the point where love and light are all that ripple out of my heart and mind and tongue. Perhaps that can't happen within the confines of this human form, but it's what drives me to keep moving forward and not to give in to complacency and futility (otherwise, my life would seem like intolerable drudgery at times.)
_________________________
When you don't like a thing, change it. If you can't change it, change the way you think about it.
(Maya Angelou)
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