Well, freeport, I suppose we could sit down and talk at length, and, I could feel comfortable telling you things and, visa, versa. I like to share these things but, don't so often in the "real world" (other then cyber-space) because, well, it doesn't seem appropriate.
Even discussing dreams at length often seems uncomfortable for many people. Though, certainly there are lots of people for whom the topic is of interests. It's just discovering those particular individuals that requires a selective process.
It's partly because even amongst those who might be interested there is a fear of expressing such things. Often the desire to appear "normal" will stop us.
I need to retire for a moment. I enjoyed your comments very much.
Well, freeport, I suppose we could sit down and talk at length, and, I could feel comfortable telling you things and, visa, versa. I like to share these things but, don't so often in the "real world" (other then cyber-space) because, well, it doesn't seem appropriate.
Even discussing dreams at length often seems uncomfortable for many people. Though, certainly there are lots of people for whom the topic is of interests. It's just discovering those particular individuals that requires a selective process.
It's partly because even amongst those who might be interested there is a fear of expressing such things. Often the desire to appear "normal" will stop us.
I need to retire for a moment. I enjoyed your comments very much.
Oh... the horrible "normal" thing... heh...
Typically, trying to start such conversations randomly with people will lead one into a conversational dead end.
So, one can either be eccentric... or fit in, and be secretly eccentric.
The people with the real problems though are those who can't connect with everyday people. For instance, brilliant intellectuals with shallow hearts.
Or, people brilliant, with deeper hearts... who don't have the social skills to fit in in a wide variety of places... maybe because they have been scarred emotionally and have not yet healed.
I think I have probably been all of the above, though now that I am older... generally I now know how to fake my way into just about anywhere -- and then one realizes they are not faking anything. That is, just because no one person sees "all of us", doesn't mean we are faking anything.
Just means we have a job to do and enough character to have real rapport with just about anyone.
But, yeah, definitely on the more obscure stuff, one isn't likely to find conversation locally. Good thing about the internet is one is not relegated to just finding people from a certain area or another.
I'm sure there are many people on this forum with whom we could have such discussions. But even here there is a certain stigma to voicing certain things. Especially questioning things and being (harmlessly I might add) speculative.
A few months back I ran into a devout Catholic who surprised me with both the breadth of his knowledge (on almost every topic we spoke about) and his delight in conversing about uncommon spiritual and metaphysical topics.
People are cautious. I am too. It's so easy to be labeled once we step over certain boundaries. That's just the way it seems to be.
I'm a little less cautious then I used to be regarding these matters. I don't blame others for their reluctance, it's a survival instinct. I think it's a matter of being in a position where one isn't concerned with what people think. I didn't say don't care but not be concerned. That attitude truly attained resonates an energy that dispels much of what comes against it.
I'm sure there are many people on this forum with whom we could have such discussions. But even here there is a certain stigma to voicing certain things. Especially questioning things and being (harmlessly I might add) speculative.
A few months back I ran into a devout Catholic who surprised me with both the breadth of his knowledge (on almost every topic we spoke about) and his delight in conversing about uncommon spiritual and metaphysical topics.
People are cautious. I am too. It's so easy to be labeled once we step over certain boundaries. That's just the way it seems to be.
Vive La Weirdness. I am not into labeling people myself.
Granted, I haven't met anyone who can out weird me.
When one is strange, they tend to have a respect for others of like caliber.
The real trick, I think, is seeing how everyone really is strange, in a good way, in their own way.
I routinely connect with all sorts of people.
Typically, I think I connect far more with individuals, people not afraid to buck trends and people comfortable enough with their own individuality... they don't conform to any sort of real herd mentality.
They don't look for outward praise from people but have their own good internal sense of right and wrong. They are used to being their own person without needing to impress others.
This often means your everyday Joe on the street. Deceptively, it can appear to be the abnormals of society, the intentionally weird, the would be rejects... but often these are just conforming to non-conformity.
Though, there is always the individual in there, somewhere.
And when there really isn't, there still is, they are just buried deep, deep in there... wanting to come out.
Another deceptive island one may find is among intellectuals, as I was mentioning. Many intellectuals are ultimately cold at heart, and not as cold objectively as they like to think of themselves. They come to cynical, apathetic conclusions which ultimately lead to nothing because they have no real concern for *meaning*.
I do not find this forum particularly open by any means. The Usenet is open. In this little subforum, yes. But, then most people avoid it.
I do find, I will also admit, a lot of solace in popular works out there.
Typically, I am used to getting a lot of respect. But, respect is a lonely place to be.
Anyway, I can't complain.
I do have a family with whom I am close. Always room for jokes.
I do enjoy modern society and find a lot of solace in the works of various writers and artists and such.
I also enjoy connecting with people, then moving on, here and there. Modern society may be birthing more individuals by sheer necessity of requirement that people cross boundaries of the past in order to work together. The anonymity of the internet well affords such boundlessness.
We can talk about one subject here with some, another there with others.
I'm a little less cautious then I used to be regarding these matters. I don't blame others for their reluctance, it's a survival instinct. I think it's a matter of being in a position where one isn't concerned with what people think. I didn't say don't care but not be concerned. That attitude truly attained resonates an energy that dispels much of what comes against it.
The Teflon effect.
I've been a "loner" since a kid. Like yourself, though, I also have some extroverted tendencies... I don't mind going out and talking to people or starting conversations.
Also, I really joke about feeling lonely. I don't really. Not in a meaningful way, anyway.
I do think, actually, that there is a trend in modern society towards this individualism. Beyond that there has been in some societies for sometime.
Perhaps the trick is that there are so many groups one might be a member of... one begins to bend to what they think will make them more a member of a group, and they lose themselves. For myself, and it sounds like you, and I know a lot of people... they never really do that. For some, they try to but do not fit in anyway, and they crave approval... but they don't know what to do to get it.
For more religious people, I don't think we really crave approval like that.
But, that is a matter Jesus taught very strongly about.
Falling asleep -- that is one precious story! I would think narcoleptics must go through this often.
The scripture wrapping around you -- it is a great illustration for understanding, not just as a miracle but as a concept.
I was reading this week on how obedience leads to protection -- as in Deut. 28, but also other passages. I got started with Perry Stone's message on protection through the feasts and sabbaths.
I have also belonged to churches that taught speaking the scriptures with the intent to declare how things need to stand in the supernatural realm. Power in the spoken word, as God's "let there be light" but much more, power in the Word that God has spoken over creation and in covenant.
I suspect we could go on and on sharing things that relate to the vision that accompanied your rescue.
Falling asleep -- that is one precious story! I would think narcoleptics must go through this often.
The scripture wrapping around you -- it is a great illustration for understanding, not just as a miracle but as a concept.
I was reading this week on how obedience leads to protection -- as in Deut. 28, but also other passages. I got started with Perry Stone's message on protection through the feasts and sabbaths.
I have also belonged to churches that taught speaking the scriptures with the intent to declare how things need to stand in the supernatural realm. Power in the spoken word, as God's "let there be light" but much more, power in the Word that God has spoken over creation and in covenant.
I suspect we could go on and on sharing things that relate to the vision that accompanied your rescue.
A tiny glimpse of the reality of God's word, actually His word, holding things together. In this case holding me together and being a wing of protection.
I suppose things like that are happening to us often, but, we're mostly unaware of it. God's grace working in the background.
Thanks for the Perry Stone link. I've listened to him a few times, maybe it's time to take another listen.
I've been a "loner" since a kid. Like yourself, though, I also have some extroverted tendencies... I don't mind going out and talking to people or starting conversations.
Also, I really joke about feeling lonely. I don't really. Not in a meaningful way, anyway.
I do think, actually, that there is a trend in modern society towards this individualism. Beyond that there has been in some societies for sometime.
Perhaps the trick is that there are so many groups one might be a member of... one begins to bend to what they think will make them more a member of a group, and they lose themselves. For myself, and it sounds like you, and I know a lot of people... they never really do that. For some, they try to but do not fit in anyway, and they crave approval... but they don't know what to do to get it.
For more religious people, I don't think we really crave approval like that.
But, that is a matter Jesus taught very strongly about.
My lifestyle doesn't afford much opportunity to cultivate friendships. I'm on the road a lot. When I'm not I usually seek a quiet place with natural scenery. It massages my psyche.
However, along the way I've met many precious souls. As far as attention goes. I very much enjoy positive feed back. It's a real blessing. It's normal and good I think to desire positive feed back, it's confirmation we are doing or saying something of value.
When my focus is on the Lord, and, I feel His joy and presence I count that as positive feedback, confirming that, I'm walking rightly. With people it's a little more complicated. I try not to be offended when someone reacts in the negative. I used to be defensive, but, I'm learning.
The strangest thing is no matter what you do there will always be opposition. I remember praising God for something he did for someone, and, bragging on God about it. Then I ran into some people who's response was "what about all those other people who God didn't save?" They were sort of "anti-miracle-minded" which was weird. They were religious but didn't believe in miracles today. I was a bit flabbergasted that someone would try to cast a shadow on a documented miracle. They actually tried to turn the event into a negative.
My conclusion is not to worry about people who object to my point of view. However, to be considerate of people's sensibilities. Last night I was talking to a fellow who, clearly had a spiritual perspective, however, certain topics he didn't want to discuss. He was a very pleasant, high energy fellow. Strong Christian convictions, etc., but certain topics regarding the supernatural simply disturbed him.
This guy was unusual in that he was well aware of the reality of such things but discussing them was off limits. His response was not to look at me side long but, to very honestly, directly in a totally non offensive manner, say, "I do not like talking about those kind of things." Instead we talked about stand up comedians of all things. He was so high energy that almost any topic would have been interesting to discuss with him.
He is such high energy and of such good will! Reminds me of this greeter I saw at a Wall Mart. She nearly shouted at everyone who walked through the door. "Hello! Welcome to Wall Mart! I hope you have a wonderful shopping experience!" She did this in such a disarming manner as to cause almost everyone to smile.
Upon leaving I asked her what it was that made her so happy. With a great big smile and that booming voice she exclaimed "It's Jesus!" Without missing a beat she returned to her greeting people, "Hello! Welcome to Wall Mart..."
Last edited by JWNEWMAN; 31st October 2009 at 11:06 AM.
Upon leaving I asked her what it was that made her so happy. With a great big smile and that booming voice she exclaimed "It's Jesus!" Without missing a beat she returned to her greeting people, "Hello! Welcome to Wall Mart..."
I remember a lot of happy Christians a few decades ago. Now they have such a competitive edge.
That is, just because no one person sees "all of us", doesn't mean we are faking anything.
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