Growth comes not from hating what is wrong, but in loving what is right. I heard these words during yoga practice a while ago, another “ism” shared by our instructor. As a child raised in a Christian household, I soon learned that in life there are absolutes: yes and no. Right and wrong. Good and evil. Sickness and health. And the list goes on. Throughout the years, these (and other) absolutes remain, yet many have become muddied over time; shades of gray splashed onto a canvas of black and white. Rather than accept or reject, we choose to tolerate. Instead of casting blame or offering forgiveness, we overlook. An exception to the rule might take the place of “always” or “never.” Yet when it comes to growth, compromise won’t garner the results we seek: Because what we give out, we get back in the same form. However, I believe we can’t go wrong with love. But we’ll never be right about hate.
Do you struggle with any absolute(s)?
Dec 06, 2019 @ 15:45:09
All throughout the mountain west we find tiny towns surrounded by rural people living with varying degrees of agnosticism or anarchy. I recently ended that struggle. My moral absolutism resulted in packing up my belongings, saying my “so longs” and moving to where the Christianity we were raised in is still pretty much alive and well. Love is all around. Sloth and ill repute is nowhere to be found anymore… I had been unequally ‘yoked with [those] non-believers. The weight has been lifted. It was moral agony. Now I’m 40 miles from RHS, back in Minnesota state.
Dec 06, 2019 @ 16:02:51
Jimmy, wow. Your resolve is impressive, and enviable. Blessings on your new (ad)venture. It sounds like a lovely place to call home. And perhaps our paths will cross again one day when I return to our old stomping ground 🙂
Dec 07, 2019 @ 21:13:24
Thank you Chrissy. Those are sweet compliments. I think a spin by the Riverview Wine Bar, to share in a bottle, would be a perfect place among those many stomping grounds. I’m glad to see you are keeping up with your great writing. I’ve been enjoying your talent. Everything you’ve been writing is as real as ever. Merry Christmas to you all. Hugs -n- high fives!… plus whatever else you need in the way of thoughts & prayers & faith.
Dec 08, 2019 @ 14:08:55
You are much too kind Jimmy. And a spin and a toast to old friends sounds perfect. Merry Christmas and the happiest of new year wishes to you and all you hold dear.