Words. I watched a sermon on tv today...usually I record Joel Osteen, Texan preacher/philosopher and regardless of others' religious beliefs, I find him & his wife to be most helpful. You can't form an opinion on the Bible unless you've read it and studied it imo. I don't know the Bible, maybe less than 10%. Some stories in there are historical and most interesting.
You can't get into a discussion about religion easily as people have strong opinions and become emotionally charged. I think religious talk should be calm, peaceful, and harmonious for good exchanges.
Words are the rudder that steers the ship was the message today. Your tongue is the rudder. Your words and declarations are what you become when you speak and the voiced thoughts are given life...especially if they are written or recorded in some way. You can't take them back...they are out in the world forever.
This is the problem with relationships I've found. When someone voices words against me, the situation is changed and sometime damage is irreparable. I've said the wrong things, too, I must admit, but I've moved on. I didn't ever say harsh words to my father. I totally respected him and understood his sensitivity. I don't recall he said any harsh words to me. He was strong, and he avoided conflict with us, though he and my mother had some battle royales...both Aries and butting heads! I love them both.
I lost my father to colon cancer 28 years today. I remember leaning back in my chair at night in his room at the hospital. I sat close to the window and snow fell outside, almost a blizzard...a fading bouquet of red roses on the windowsill beside me. I held his hand as he took his last breaths. Breath was faint...and then nothing. It seems not so long ago.
Losing my father was very difficult. I wasn't assertive in those days...more the role player of the studious honour student...the brainiac with little practical use for my learned experiences, the one who easily agreed with others to keep peace. He couldn't be with us in person to help me with family conversations. Many many years later I learned to stand up for myself and use my life experience in a practical way.
So here I am...animal rights activist of many years, human rights supporter, pres or vice pres of our strata council for 20 years where I lived...still when Dad was alive I was president. I kept getting re-elected...people trusted me and I'm proud of that. I'm not on council now where I live...by choice.
Dad is happy how things turned out this year with Mom & me...I think he helped from his realm in eternity. I fought with relatives for her rights. She loves the condo we bought and she moved to in November. I couldn't put her in a seniors' home during the pandemic. Those homes are filled with covid. I really asserted myself, changed relationships, proved I could protect Mom. I learned a lot...but I'll be careful what I say here. Love is the answer.
Happy New Year and stay healthy!
