Ever see or hear the phrase, "Christians aren't perfect, just forgiven."?  Have you ever really thought about it?  I think Christians would do well to remember that they aren't perfect.  And going a step further, if they believe they have a Messiah, and have indeed been forgiven of their shortcomings/sins/falling short of the glory of God/missing the mark/ect...then, why aren't they humble?  Where is that thankfulness for God's mercy and grace?  Where is that love for all manknd?  For the "least of these"?  No, Christians aren't perfect, we all know that.  But why do they try to act like they are?  And why do they love to climb up on that pedestal, on that throne of Judgment, and look down their noses at everyone else in the world??  Even in this statement, "Christians aren't perfect,just forgiven", they are saying that they are above everyone else.  And what kind of human being can say only they are forgiven, and not the humble man who lives down the street, who lives a good life, is kind to others, meditates, grows flowers, minds his own business, doesn't hurt anyone, and never steps foot in a church?   This man may be peaceloving and care of the needy, but if this man isn't a Christian, he is less than them.  Even if they live a life serving themselves, not truly following this path they proclaim, but judging and pointing fingers at as many people as they can....they can still wear the name tag of Christian and be above all others.  I often wonder why more proclaimed Christians don't truly follow the role model of Christ.  Would they not find more followers?  Would they not SAVE more people from ths hell they always shout about?  What does love really urge a person to do?  Think about it.  Does love make you want to judge others?  Does it make you hateful?  Does it make you point fingers?  Why would anyone but a person with a victim mentality fall for such a line as these type of Christians throw out?  I wish that just once, all the Christians out there could really talk, act, and react in love for just one week.  It could change the world.  But we will never know.

This is dedicated to those few Christians I have had the pleasure of meeting in my life that have shown me real love and kindess.  And also to all the non Christians (and Christians) who have been so hurt by mean spirited Christians who were working on their own agenda. 

And for those mean spirited Christians I have been speaking about....You have no idea how many people you have turned away from God and Chritianity.  You have no idea how many people you COULD have helped.  You have no idea the hurt you have caused to some many good people.  Please think about it the next time you are tempted to judge your brother, your neighbor, a stranger, or a friend.   I don't think you realize what a positive difference you could make.  If you only would... 

Sponge head, that's all I know.  I'm sick and my head feels like a giant sponge full of snot and other junk.  I can't concentrate, my head hurts, my nostrils hurt, I'm achy and tired.  And now, for the next two days I have to sit through workshops all day long.  I hope I wake up feeling better.  I'm just no good like this.  And I'd like to have some fun while I am gone!   

Anthony Robbins, in his book Awaken the Giant Within, writes "One thing is clear to me: human beings are not random creatures; everything we do, we do for a reason. We may not be aware of the reason consciously, but there is undoubtedly a single driving force behind all human behavior. This force impacts every facet of our lives, from our relationships and finances to our bodies and brains. What is this force that is controlling you even now and will continue to do so for the rest of your life? PAIN AND PLEASURE! Everything you and I do, we do either out of our need to avoid pain or our desire to gain pleasure."

He goes on to explain that if you can understand and utilize the forces in that concept, you can create lasting changes in your life. He gives examples of how we might procrastinate doing our income taxes, but when April 14th rolls around, we suddenly decide that NOT taking action is more painful than putting it off. And then you get it done just in time to get that April 15th postmark. Prior to April 14th, however, we believed that taking action at that time would be more painful than putting it off. So, we stay in that mode until we realize it will be more painful to NOT take that action. Makes sense to me.

Sounds so simple in some ways. Almost too simple? Are humans that simple that our whole lives are driven by pain and pleasure? I think so.

Sometimes we get ourselves in relationships or jobs that are not very healthy, but on some level we decide that it's less painful to just stay in what we know. Until one day when something just pushes you over the limit and all of the sudden you are finished and you hit a level of pain in that relationship or job that you were just not willing to tolerate. And that's when you do something about it. Pain becomes our friend in that setting. It leads you to get out of a bad situation.

The drive for pleasure is what leads some people to try serious drugs. They want to feel good and they hear that crack can make you feel better than the best orgasm, and for the right person, the desire to feel pleasure overrides the fear of pain that may come from using drugs (like getting caught, going to jail, losing your job, etc.), not to mention the effects of drugs on your brain.

He goes on to tell his readers that one of the most important things we can do in our lives is to figure out what creates pain for us and what creates pleasure. Obviously, that is different for everyone, since we find pain and pleasure in different ways and in different degrees.

Nothing groundbreaking there, but I find it interesting to study human behavior. When somebody comes into my office, it's usually some source of pain that brought them there. My job is to help them figure out what is the cause and effect of it, and hopefully, help them figure out what they want to do about it. If I'm not entertaining enough for some of them, they'll drop out of treatment. If I don't fix their problems, some will drop out of treatment. But sometimes, you have a client that comes in who is sincerely seeking answers to these questions, and when they do, they will always find what they need. They have to do the work though, and most of them aren't willing to go through the changes it may require to get different results. In other words, by Mr Robbin's principles, they decide that it's more painful at that moment to work on those issues than to just put it off and blame the therapist, or their unsupportive spouse, or their deceased mother.

It's been a long week and I'm tired.
And right now, my hunger pain is greater than my pleasure from writing a blog! A peanut butter and jelly sandwich is my source of pleasure at this moment. I hope the night gets better!

1. walking in nature with no manmade structures in sight


2. streams of light coming from your eyes


3. baby's fingers wrapped around your one finger


4. recognition from a kind face in the crowd


5. the sights, sounds, and feel of a creek


6. watching and particpating in someone's empowerment


7. those times trail riding where it's just you, the horse, and nature


8. walking up on nature in prgress, two foxes trotting along, a deer eating, etc.


9. slow motion of that winning shot or that perfect pass or execution


10. the quiet of night


11. riding on dirt roads


12. making someone laugh and watching the stress release


13. the ease of a child giggling


14. Manna raising her paw to me, and nobody but me


15. the electricity of her touch, the healing, the light


16. lifting a burden from another


17. sharing your truth with another who understands


18. silient understanding


19. kitty bringing his toys on the bed for us


20. kitty kisses and rubs when he's sleepy and yittle


21. the sound of crackling leaves


22. the refreshing to the senses that the ocean brings


23. wildflowers scattered in the woods


24. a grandmother's touch


25. reading something that makes you think


26. the comfort of family


27. friends who move with you


28. feeling free to be yourself


29. bodies flowing like liquid


30. real love

I recently did a group at work about decision making and it went pretty well.  Now, I'm trying to use the same kind of skills myself and can't seem to make my choice.

Seems that I don't know what to do concerning my current job situation.  I work for a company that has a very negative energy, bad vibes, sickness all around the place and it brings me down all the time.  Everyone who has ever worked here knows what I'm talking about.  It's a heavy environment that beats you down to nothing and drains all of your energy and strength and, apparently, your will and motivation.  Unless you've worked at this place, you can not understand the severity of this toxic environment.  Seriously.

My dilemma is.....I plan to move out of the area in 3 yrs.  Do I try to get something else (although at this time the only jobs available would require driving an hour to another city, or working in hospice) or do I stay in the familiar?  I am the boss at my office.  I have some flexibility.  I don't make much money.  I have leave built up.  I am familiar with this situation.  My job changes all the time, but I have, so far, been able to do a good job.  Or so they tell me.  The people I work with are okay.  Administration is frustrating.  I have no real power to make changes.  I am a puppet, in many ways.  Everybody is stressed out, all the time.  Everybody gripes and wishes they worked somewhere else.  I just had two people quit and move onto greener pastures.  I keep wondering where my greener pastures are....

I wouldn't take another job unless it was a nice pay increase.  It wouldn't be worth the move.  Starting a new job would be scary and I'd have no leave for awhile.  If I worked in hospice, it could be depressing at times.  I'd have to drive around all over the place.  But I would probably make more money than I am now.  I just need to find out HOW MUCH more money to help me decide, I guess. 

The thing is, if my supervisor found out I had an interview, I would be on her hit list.  Which, as history will tell you, means you will lose your job somehow.  If I told her of the interview beforehand, I would end up on that list anyway.  So, I can't win.  To describe this situation sounds paranoid and juvenile.  But it is real.  And frightening.  I would hate to leave this job only to get a job I didn't enjoy.   This all sounds so crazy and nobody can tell me what to do.  Usually I can figure things out.  I'll just have a feeling about it and know what I need to do.  I guess that is what's frustrating about this, I just don't know what to do.  Do I just make the best of this job and ride it out until I move away?  or do I take the risk of getting another job?  Some clarity would be nice..... 

Bertrand Russell
I say quite deliberately that the Christian religion, as organised in its Churches, has been and still is the principal enemy of moral progress in the world.
Why I Am Not A Christian