Feeling down and out

Why do we feel such lows? Is there a reason and a purpose behind them? Do they help us grow? Do they help us appreciate the good moments?

There's no hard or fast answer for this. Tho I'll admit that sometimes I'm looking for that quick easy answer.

Christianity will tell you that there's something wrong with you if you are depressed. Well meaning people will tell you that if you are feeling poorly about yourself or your circumstances, then there's something wrong with your faith. I disagree. See, I don't think faith is a matter of will power; something we "drum up" inside of us. I believe our faith comes from a limitless outer source. So if our faith comes from someone else, how can our feelings be a result of a lack of it? Simply, they can't.

See, as human beings we were created with a unique set of emotions/feelings. Not all of them are pleasant, but none of them are bad. There are institutions (religious or psychological) that will tell you feelings like anger, depression, disappointment, etc are bad or that you need to "deal" with those emotions (by which they almost always mean obliterate or stuff them). I say feel your feelings; they were given to you for a reason.

There are no easy answers in life, in fact I enjoy questions now more than ever. I don't have to know why. And nothing is ever JUST black and white. So if you're feeling a little grey...that's alright. The sun will come out sooner or later and if you're feeling something; you can be thankful you're alive to feel it.

The Amazing Truth Treasure Hunt

My kids love Indiana Jones. I decided to take that love and make it real for them. I drafted a letter from Indy which held a request for their help. It contained a message that they had to first decipher and a map that would lead them around our property. It was a thrilling moment for them. They hurriedly decoded the clues and their eyes lit up when they realized the map was of the woods in our back yard. They had a passion for their new mission. Counting steps as they paced through the trails, they quickly found the area they needed to search. It didn't take long for one of them to hold up their treasure -- The Silver Apple of Sardis. (Picture an apple encased in tin foil) The joy and the excitement of this treasure hunt has stayed with me.

Just like my kids I get excited about treasure hunts, but these days I am motivated by hunting for truth. A lot of times it's an accidental find and that makes it precious to me. I read many things on Facebook that friends of mine write and through comments and discussion I stumble onto truths.

The question of HOW I know things to be true comes to mind. I know people ask it often. "By what authority?" The answer is simple, the spirit within me KNOWS. You can call that spirit whatever you want, but I know it is there and it guides me. I believe that spirit IS truth. I'm human, I make mistakes, but I do know how to listen. Other people will say that you can't listen to your heart; that it will lead you astray, but I disagree. That voice inside is worth listening to.

I was reading a post about Buddha and the things he stood for and taught. There was much debate from several angles but I don't think the debate matters. It doesn't have to have the name of some religion stamped on it to be true. Buddha taught some amazing, true things. He talked about a spirit at the core of everything. Whether Buddha conceded that the spirit he talked about was God or not. Does it change the truth? What is the glue that holds everything together? Call it God, call it spirit, call it a complex chemical process -- it does not change what IS. And truth can be found in part or whole. You can agree with one statement and disagree with another...no one said everything Buddha taught was correct. But he did teach a lot of true things.

I encourage people to read and learn for themselves. You will find truth.
I think the spirit of God is so amazing because he's planted truth in the most interesting places, just waiting for us to find it! It's just like an amazing truth treasure hunt!