  Spiritual
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Do you get worked up over the smallest things? Or are you not so easily offended?
In this week's Spiritual Newsletter I'll be reflecting on anger...
kittiara |
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Have you ever looked around you and noticed how much anger there seems to be in the world? I do, sometimes. A few days ago I got ready to go to the supermarket, but waited to step outside because people were shouting at the other right in our street. When it was safe to go out, and I made it to the supermarket, there were two couples having arguments with the other. When I pushed my groceries out of the place, a driver backed into a pram and instead of asking if everything was okay, and apologising, he said a few choice words to the rather startled mother.
The baby was okay, it was actually being carried by the father, which was a blessing. But that, of course, was not the point.
Anger happens to all of us. It's hard to avoid it at times. But it can be unhealthy to live your life in anger at pointless matters. It can be too easy to take offence at everything, and think that the whole world it against you. After all, it usually isn't. 
When I get angry, I retreat to calm down. Maybe that's not always the best solution, but it does help me to distance myself from whatever is making me upset, and to think about what actually happened. Often I find that what got me all worked up was not that big a deal, really. It just got to me at that particular moment.
I don't do shouting, or throwing things, or violence. I never have and I doubt I ever will! It doesn't make things any better. It doesn't solve the situation - it only makes it worse.
I guess it is pretty difficult to make me angry. I'm not easily upset. I'm hardly a saint, though. I do get worked up at things sometimes - items on the news, seeing people be nasty to each other or to animals, general injustice, and quite often at politics. If I get upset over something I can't do anything about, I try to focus on other, nicer matters. If it is something I can do something about, I do it.
Holding on to anger can't do a person much good. I think it eats away at you, especially in the long run. Quite a few movies have been made about people going on a mission of vengeance, and though they make for interesting viewing for an hour or two, if those situations were real, the hero would probably not be a very happy person, and his actions would not be very admirable. Violence is never a proper solution to anything.
I tend to wonder how people feel, when they spend a lot of their days shouting at others. I wonder about their motivation, and how happy they are inside. Perhaps I am odd, reflecting on this. It just seems to me that there must be something wrong in their lives, and that it may be more constructive for them to look at these issues and solve them, rather than to keep on shouting.
Those are just my thoughts for the week. I would be interested in your views. How do you deal with anger? Do you find it difficult to let go of it? Do you find yourself easily offended? Are you difficult to anger? I welcome any and all views. 
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For this week's Editor's Picks I have chosen a selection of items dealing with anger, and inner conflict. I hope you will enjoy them.
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#1406053 by Not Available. |
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#1309666 by Not Available. |
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#1064415 by Not Available. |
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In my previous Newsletter, I requested some items from writers following a different spiritual path than mine. I am proud to present the following poem:
I would love to read more items by writers from all faiths and spiritual paths, so please feel free to send them in!
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all feedback, comments, questions and suggestions, so please don't hesitate to write us!
Obleo  - On, Is Freedom a Reality?
Kittiara, First I thank you for the wonderfully thought provoking letter from the editor.
Here is my answer the question posed at the outset of your theme about whether freedom be reality or merely an illusionary desire.
My heart tells me freedom is real. For is freedom not more than a state of circumstance in which we find ourselves? I submit that freedom, true freedom in any form or reality we may assign it is simply a state of our own beingness. And as if the need be evidence beyond what each heart knows, I am reminded that never have I heard a sound so free as the sweet song of joy that the canary sings as he welcomes each new sunrise from within the confines of his cage. For even with such constrictions, be they from his society or the purveyors of his faith, he chooses who he'll be. He chooses to be free!
Obleo
Dear Obleo, thanks so much for sending in your comment! I fully agree with you. I love the canary example - even in captivity, he chooses to be free. You are so correct in this. Thank you for the well-needed reminder .
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robertthomas - I found this issue to be very interesting. It makes me wonder what the status of freedom will be when the United States puts into affect the National ID program, in turn taking away the states individual rights to regulate. I was curious if this could be the beginning of a national registration sort of prelim to the mark of the beast, or is this another step "to secure freedoms" by taking them away via the Patriot act. This ID from my understanding will have your fingerprints your social security number and it will allow venders to check your buying habits. Not sure how far frederal authorities or perhaps even higher authorities are willing to take something like this to achieve their agenda, The beast will stop at nothing. Great Issue keep up the good work.
Robert Thomas
Dear Robert - I have pondered on the same. The cards suggested here will include biometric data, and a lot of personal information about a person. It is a frightening concept. I do not buy into the "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" theory, as in the wrong hands such data can be very unsafe. Indeed, sometimes it does seem like a sign of the beast. But then again, I might be looking into it too much. I guess time will tell...
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Zeke  - In the final analysis, freedom is a state of mind. We are all free to imagine anything regardless of how our physical bodies may be restrained.
Regarding the freedom of expression, it cannot be unrestricted. If someone shouts fire in a crowded theater, you do not have the choice to not listen.
Zeke
Dear Zeke - yes, I agree with you on the theater example. However, I am still a strong believer in freedom of expression and, perhaps more specifically, freedom of one's beliefs. Someone shouting fire in a theater will be doing so to annoy and cause chaos. Sharing one's genuine beliefs is presumably done with good intentions.
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faithjourney - Thanks for the great article on freedom. I do agree that we should be free to worship and express ourselves as we please, but we also must be prepared to accept the consequences. If you publish something that might be offensive to a large number of people, be prepared for negative feedback. We are entitled to our rights - but must remembers others are as well. It's all about respect.
Thank you so much for your feedback! Yes, I agree with you. We are each accountable for our own actions, and must face the consequences for these actions. I believe in personal responsibility and indeed, if one publishes something whilst knowing that it will cause great upset, one must expect not all reactions will be positive.
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Maria Mize  - I too believe in freedom of expression, as long as you are not slandering or bashing another human being --- hurting a culture, race, creed, animal, or entity --- without selfrestraint. That's crass, harsh, rude, criminal --- chaos.
The bible rightly says, "We reap what we sow," more commonly "What goes around, comes around."
There is no merit in railing against another for any reason. It is possible to have an opposing view, without bashing those who disagree.
Hell is a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth, not a pleasant place by any means. It is unpleasant living in an atmosphere where that kind of behavior is perpetrated on others under the guise of "freedom."
Thanks so much for your feedback! I agree - it is possible to have an opposing view without bashing others. I think there is a fine line, at times (depending on the topic, of course, as most views are not that controversial) and that it would be unwise to cross it.
On the other hand, one can be too careful of hurting others' feelings, and that may limit a person in creating what could be a masterpiece. If we're too scared to offend anyone, sometimes we end up writing nothing at all. Whilst really, most people are not that easily offended, and do not take things personally. And quite often, there's nothing offensive to be found at all, unless someone really looks for it...
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Lauriemariepea - hi, kittiara--
thank you for a lovely newsletter. one of our shared traits as human beings is our need for freedom, regardless of our culture or spiritual beliefs, and i applaud you for expressing this inclusive ideal with such eloquence. easy to take the freedoms we have for granted, and i imagine incredibly difficult to regain them if they're given away.
Thanks so much for your feedback and kind words! I really appreciate them .
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Puditat - Kittiara, a lovely discussion on freedom. It is well-considered, yet leaves plenty of space for the reader to develop their own thoughts. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much for your kind words! I am glad you enjoyed my editorial!
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Wishing you a lovely week,
Your Spiritual Newsletter Team:
larryp, Puditat . Sophurky  , kittiara
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Spiritual: May 28, 2008 Issue [#2416]
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