Tag: repressive religion

Instead of allowing others to manipulatively interpret our lives, our gods, our spirituality and our religious beliefs—interpretations that are much too small, elitist, repressive and oppressive—we must assume responsibility for interpreting them ourselves.

Only through making the meaning of our suffering a conscious agenda and summons for spiritual enlargement can we ever emerge from the underworld. In our lives, periods of wounding present rich possibilities for enlarged being—if we courageously fearfully accept the invitation.

We all hunger for significance, for signs that our personal existence is of special meaning in the universe.

Since meaning and purpose in life are no longer simply bestowed on you, you have to become more active in creating your own meaning in life.

This post is about enjoying your present life: not perfecting it, and definitely not missing out on it while awaiting heaven or some other afterlife.

A friend one day told me he admired my courage. After I laughed and thanked him for the compliment, I came up with a saying that, whether I’m the first to coin the phrase or not, has worked for me many times in the past: “courageously fearful.”

At one time or another, all of us have worn other people’s beliefs and personalities. Being ourselves is so much more demanding than attempting to become someone else.