by Roxanne -

Dangers of Obedience and Compliance

Photo R. Meshar

Too often in Christianity (Catholicism included) obedience is held up as a virtue. This is true if the obedience is to God within ourselves or our deepest interior voice. Unfortunately this is not typically the reference for the virtue of obedience. The reference is all too often to religious authorities, institutions or superiors.

This is the opposite of what Christianity calls us to. We are called to answer to God within. We are to discern our own heart and listen to our own voice. Those who call us to obedience to others often have their own benefit in mind.

Society, of course, encourages obedience and compliance. What better way to control large numbers of people?

Are you obedient to others? If so, why?

You may also like A Walk With God, The Guest and Fundamentalism is Fatal.

 

 

by Roxanne -

Four Kinds of People

Photo Yoga Journal.com

Yoga philosophy has been around for more than 2,500 years. The Yoga Sutra texts have been around in written form for at least 1,500 years. These texts describe the yogic path. They also provide helpful wisdom in understanding the nature of human beings. The Sutras describe four kinds of people along with how we should approach with them. While this advice isn’t absolute – it is an interesting point of departure and something to think about.

Yoga Sutra 1.33 lists four basic character dispositions of people: those who are happy, sad, virtuous or wicked.

  1. Approach those who are happy with friendliness.
  2. Approach those who are sad with compassion.
  3. Seek out those who are virtuous.
  4. Avoid those who are wicked.

Certainly people are more complex than this and people change all the time. Still, at its core, I think this is very wise advice. Particularly because it describes “approaching” people which by definition requires we assess, re-assess and possibly change our approach each time we encounter someone.

Regarding those we “seek out” – because we are persons in relationship with others, those very relationships help form who we become as human persons. In the end, who do you want to spend your time with?

You may also like Difficult People, Fill Your Life With Fabulous and Fundamentalism is Fatal.

 

 

by Roxanne -

Decorating Without a Tree

De-stress this holiday. Enjoy the season, including the scents and tradtions but in new ways. Check out these  scented and spirited decorations – no tree required.

Apartment Therapy
YvesTown

Creative holiday tree options – without the tree.

You may also like After Christmas Tree Hangover.

 

by Roxanne -

Gift Ideas that Do More

Most of us don’t need (and do not even want) one more CD, T-shirt or pair of slippers. Would you like to give a thoughtful gift, spend your money wisel and have it do something good for the world? My friend T sent me these fun gift ideas:

TicketKitchen.com

Try giving an experience of delectable dark truffle hot chocolate from The Ticket Kitchen – using sustainable ingredients and packaging.

 

 

 

Altruette.com

Another interesting idea is altruette.com making jewelry out of recycled sterling silver. They make charms and bracelets. 50% of the net profit from their products goest to the organization the item symbolizes and they have many to choose from.

Thanks T!

Certainly don’t forget donating in someone’s name as a gift option. Mary’s Pence is always my first choice. Their ESPERA Funds help women become empowered to lift their families and entire communities out of poverty.

Also, churches can always use gift cards for local grocery stores, local gas stations, and pharmacies. One year when I was a pastoral associate, a parishioner dropped off a stack of grocery gift cards. When I exclaimed “How wonderful!” he replied, “Last year I was someone who needed groceries from the food shelf.”

Before buying toys to donate – consider gift cards for gas, groceries and prescriptions that make it possible for parents to free up resources to buy the gifts they know their children really want.

You may also like Malls of Justice, Christmas Tree Hangover and Christmas Craziness or Christmas Spirit?

by Roxanne -

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind: Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer (Harper, 2010) is an entertaining and inspiring story of what just one person can do to transform and entire community.

Using his own life story and the entertaining cultural stories handed down in his African village, William describes how experiences in his own life moved him toward using his own creativity, vision and ingenuity to bring electricity to an entire community and the hopeful changes that come with it.

His rich telling of the story immediately places you squarely within this remote Malawian village, witnessing their daily life and struggles.

But it also speaks to the importance of allowing local people to find local solutions that best fit their community and situations.

“The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a remarkable true story about human inventiveness and its power to overcome crippling adversity. It will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual’s ability to change his or her community and better the lives of those around them.”

Watch William explain his book for yourself, on this 1-minute YouTube video.

For another book idea consider The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz posted at Why We Should Listen, or check out New Books and 29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life.