That being said, that was not actually what I was looking for. I appreciated it immensely, I really did but I wasn't searching for you to all validate our choices. My hope was that we could find a place, even a silly place like a blog to celebrate our differences. To come and say "this is what makes me different" or "this is my struggle" and receive nothing but acceptance. Even if that acceptance is merely "I definitely don't agree but I appreciate you and Im so glad I got to hear your perspective because I myself would not have been able to see it the way you do"
The post Im going to share this time is not necessarily a "vent" or even a "confessions" it comes from someone who lives in the same community as I do and is a member of the same church. The entire post is based on religious (Christain/LDS) perspective but I think its a perspective that anyone could appreciate. We don't have to agree to be appreciative of each other, right? Isn't that the whole point of all this?
So here it is. Our first write in.
As I read the first blog post on this blog, I was so excited to see that
there is a place to “vent,” to talk safely and openly about many of the
concerns that we face, especially in such a strange, unique culture
compared to much of the world. I see this blog as an opportunity to
create change, to begin creating a set of behaviors that slowly create
what we know as Zion.
When I say Zion, I truly am speaking in ideal terms. A society and community of “one heart and one mind.” I believe this sort of idealistic thinking, coupled with the perception to internalize and accept the reality of the world, is not only healthy, but absolutely required in order to move toward such a lofty goal. The best part is, it is absolutely possible. But there is a caveat. It requires having a vision. A vision of what Zion would look like. A vision of the small, day to day details that make up the reality of Zion. A vision of the behaviors that would define such a community. Without a vision of those small, intricate details, it can be very difficult to believe that such a community, even a world, could be possible.
As for the “venting,” the expression of frustration that exists within such a powerful, wonderful, and yet infuriating culture that so many people have clearly expressed irritation with, I claim only to be frustrated with the potential that exists, yet because of our own pride, our own mixed priorities on what is truly important in this life, and our fear of rejection, we fall short. We don’t fall short because we are imperfect, and we most definitely don’t fall short because of external barriers that hold us back. We fall short because we hold ourselves back, mostly because of fear. Fear for many reasons that we could list all day, but fear none the less. If we fell short because of our imperfections, the City of Enoch would never have been raised up. They were all imperfect as well. We all sin. We all make mistakes. We all come up short. But imagine a world where these shortcomings were constantly viewed as learning opportunities that every friend, family member, colleague, or even community member came running to offer support and a helping hand. Imagine if the fear, for whatever
When I say Zion, I truly am speaking in ideal terms. A society and community of “one heart and one mind.” I believe this sort of idealistic thinking, coupled with the perception to internalize and accept the reality of the world, is not only healthy, but absolutely required in order to move toward such a lofty goal. The best part is, it is absolutely possible. But there is a caveat. It requires having a vision. A vision of what Zion would look like. A vision of the small, day to day details that make up the reality of Zion. A vision of the behaviors that would define such a community. Without a vision of those small, intricate details, it can be very difficult to believe that such a community, even a world, could be possible.
As for the “venting,” the expression of frustration that exists within such a powerful, wonderful, and yet infuriating culture that so many people have clearly expressed irritation with, I claim only to be frustrated with the potential that exists, yet because of our own pride, our own mixed priorities on what is truly important in this life, and our fear of rejection, we fall short. We don’t fall short because we are imperfect, and we most definitely don’t fall short because of external barriers that hold us back. We fall short because we hold ourselves back, mostly because of fear. Fear for many reasons that we could list all day, but fear none the less. If we fell short because of our imperfections, the City of Enoch would never have been raised up. They were all imperfect as well. We all sin. We all make mistakes. We all come up short. But imagine a world where these shortcomings were constantly viewed as learning opportunities that every friend, family member, colleague, or even community member came running to offer support and a helping hand. Imagine if the fear, for whatever
reason, was removed because of the continuous love of everyone
around us.
The people of the city of Enoch knew this. They knew that having one heart, a heart of charity through the power of Christ and the Atonement, was the only possible route to make this possible. A heart of having both empathy and sympathy for the struggles people face, knowing that those struggles were deliberately there as a refiner’s fire to teach and help the individual grow. They had one mind to the vision, and not just the grandiose, general idea of Zion, but a vision of the small details that made Zion a reality, all based on correct principles, the first of which being faith. Having faith in others, their decisions, their choices, and even their struggles. Such details as saying hello, offering to open doors, saying thank you for even the smallest of kind acts, and smiling at a lonely face. Even such details as removing gossip and rumor, but rather talk of genuine concern, love, and counsel for how to support and show love for those we would otherwise criticize or pass judgment or even just talk of trying to understand the the seemingly questionable choices people make. These are simple decisions, but powerful ones. These are decisions that do not create separation, but rather connection. People make these decisions based on one of two emotions. Love, or fear. These zionistic behaviors are always based on love, on developing a connection rather than a separation. People are born with love, so we need to ask ourselves, what behaviors do we exhibit that teach and motivate people to act out of fear? What do we do as parents, siblings, children, colleagues, and all other interactions, to motivate people to not want to open up? To not want to feel safe in the uniqueness they came to this world with? We are the only species that have potential to grow limitlessly, but we need the nourishment to do so, and that nourishment can only come from the selfless, loving acts of others.
So my frustration resides in our refusal and struggle to support each other in our potential. My frustration lives in our slowness to humble ourselves, to see new perspectives and paradigms of the world around us, and to truly base our decisions on principle and inspiration.
The people of the city of Enoch knew this. They knew that having one heart, a heart of charity through the power of Christ and the Atonement, was the only possible route to make this possible. A heart of having both empathy and sympathy for the struggles people face, knowing that those struggles were deliberately there as a refiner’s fire to teach and help the individual grow. They had one mind to the vision, and not just the grandiose, general idea of Zion, but a vision of the small details that made Zion a reality, all based on correct principles, the first of which being faith. Having faith in others, their decisions, their choices, and even their struggles. Such details as saying hello, offering to open doors, saying thank you for even the smallest of kind acts, and smiling at a lonely face. Even such details as removing gossip and rumor, but rather talk of genuine concern, love, and counsel for how to support and show love for those we would otherwise criticize or pass judgment or even just talk of trying to understand the the seemingly questionable choices people make. These are simple decisions, but powerful ones. These are decisions that do not create separation, but rather connection. People make these decisions based on one of two emotions. Love, or fear. These zionistic behaviors are always based on love, on developing a connection rather than a separation. People are born with love, so we need to ask ourselves, what behaviors do we exhibit that teach and motivate people to act out of fear? What do we do as parents, siblings, children, colleagues, and all other interactions, to motivate people to not want to open up? To not want to feel safe in the uniqueness they came to this world with? We are the only species that have potential to grow limitlessly, but we need the nourishment to do so, and that nourishment can only come from the selfless, loving acts of others.
So my frustration resides in our refusal and struggle to support each other in our potential. My frustration lives in our slowness to humble ourselves, to see new perspectives and paradigms of the world around us, and to truly base our decisions on principle and inspiration.
Yet I also have hope; hope for such a powerful community that knows
so many truths. I have a feeling that there are many who are
beginning to take a stand for what they know is right, whether it is right
for their own family, or right for the community as a whole. The gap is
widening, and we must makes a choice. Sometimes these decisions
are personal and will be unique for each individual and their family.
Sometimes these decisions are for the benefit of the community as a
whole. Either way, I have hope that people are taking a stand to make
a better community and better world, and I believe that this community
has the potential to be an example to the world, a testimony to the
power of doing things principally correct. It starts with an individual
who is willing to share their feelings in hopes of creating a community
who shares their concerns, knowing that only an outreach of support
and love will rebound, knowing that we are all just children who are
trying to make the best decisions possible in our lives, having hope
that people will respond as though they also had struggles they were
facing, wanting to receive the same kind of love and support. If love is
what we’re born with, and fear is what we’re taught, which is what I
believe, and we can only make choices based on one of those two
emotions, then I think we might all have something to learn, something
to work on, so let’s get to work.
-Anonymous
I'll be honest, I had to dumb this down a little to wrap my brain around what was being said. But this is what I got:
What if instead of judging others for their weaknesses or trials or differences, we embrassed them? So lets say (Im using this example mostly because it has been on my mind lately) that a young man named Henry is having issues with pornography. You may or may not see pornography as an "issue" but his family and friends do and so he hides it. It festers. It becomes a HUGE secret and the secret becomes an addiction. The problem becomes bigger and bigger and worse and worse because he feels alone. He feels like if he tells anyone about his problem, he will be judged and treated differently. His parents will be ashamed of him and he won't be able to ever get a date again because of the stigma that comes with this.
Now, lets pretend that we live in a different culture where this isn't shameful. People may not agree but they can accept his problems because they recognize that EVERY BEING ON THIS EARTH HAS PROBLEMS. Instead of Henry's dad saying "Shame on you. You are ruining your life. You are going to become a bad person. Don't tell anyone else about this" He says "I have been there.I have had the same problem in the past and I sometimes still struggle with it. I understand completely and if you want help Im here to help." and Henry's best friend says "Dude, that sucks. Im sorry you are struggling with this and I don't fully comprehend but I have weaknesses too and what Im struggling with right now is my addiction to the Lortab that I was prescribed last year for my broken ankle"
These might be silly examples but my point is that if everything was out in the open and no one felt the need to hide anything it would open up so many doors to heal and overcome and become stronger better people. Instead, when we feel like we have done something "wrong" or we are "different" we hide it and it festers. Lets be brave and open up. Quit with the secrets and start with the acceptance.
Id love love love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Comment below!
Also, if you are part of the blogging world or google+, follow this blog! If not, and you'd still like to follow you can do so by email. Just enter your email up in the designated place on the right hand side of this post and we will keep you updated!
Lastly, WRITE IN! I want to hear what makes you different because Im starting to absolutely LOVE anyone who dares to step outside the box and be different. You can write to me here dontberegina@gmail.com
-Anonymous
I'll be honest, I had to dumb this down a little to wrap my brain around what was being said. But this is what I got:
What if instead of judging others for their weaknesses or trials or differences, we embrassed them? So lets say (Im using this example mostly because it has been on my mind lately) that a young man named Henry is having issues with pornography. You may or may not see pornography as an "issue" but his family and friends do and so he hides it. It festers. It becomes a HUGE secret and the secret becomes an addiction. The problem becomes bigger and bigger and worse and worse because he feels alone. He feels like if he tells anyone about his problem, he will be judged and treated differently. His parents will be ashamed of him and he won't be able to ever get a date again because of the stigma that comes with this.
Now, lets pretend that we live in a different culture where this isn't shameful. People may not agree but they can accept his problems because they recognize that EVERY BEING ON THIS EARTH HAS PROBLEMS. Instead of Henry's dad saying "Shame on you. You are ruining your life. You are going to become a bad person. Don't tell anyone else about this" He says "I have been there.I have had the same problem in the past and I sometimes still struggle with it. I understand completely and if you want help Im here to help." and Henry's best friend says "Dude, that sucks. Im sorry you are struggling with this and I don't fully comprehend but I have weaknesses too and what Im struggling with right now is my addiction to the Lortab that I was prescribed last year for my broken ankle"
These might be silly examples but my point is that if everything was out in the open and no one felt the need to hide anything it would open up so many doors to heal and overcome and become stronger better people. Instead, when we feel like we have done something "wrong" or we are "different" we hide it and it festers. Lets be brave and open up. Quit with the secrets and start with the acceptance.
Id love love love to hear your thoughts on the matter. Comment below!
Also, if you are part of the blogging world or google+, follow this blog! If not, and you'd still like to follow you can do so by email. Just enter your email up in the designated place on the right hand side of this post and we will keep you updated!
Lastly, WRITE IN! I want to hear what makes you different because Im starting to absolutely LOVE anyone who dares to step outside the box and be different. You can write to me here dontberegina@gmail.com
This is beautifully written. I've never thought of the city of Enoch concept like that. I love the people in my life who have looked past my mistakes, because it's helped me forsake them and learn from them as well. It's also helped me learn to do the same for others.
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