Fair Warning

I feel like I need to explain something.  I have another blog out there, and if you are interested and know me on facebook you have probably seen it.  I started that one for a specific purpose: to talk about aspects of my spiritual journey.  Then, at a later point, I decided that I wanted a place to talk about other stuff and started this one.  But I need to be really clear, I don't write either of these for you.  I write them for me and share them with you.

Yes, I have secondary reasons for each one, or why would I write them at all.  My secondary reason for the other one is that I have friends who are interested.  My secondary reason for this one is to let off steam, share random ideas, and because I'm just vain enough to think that something I have to say might be worth something to someone.

That being said, I also need to say that unless I actually write the words "I need some (advice, help, guidance, information) then I don't need your advice.  I especially don't need you "should."  If you find yourself starting to type "You should" to me at any point, just stop and keep it to yourself.  That isn't to say I don't treasure your opinions and ideas, but there are ways to share them with me without starting off with a phrase that says "you are doing it wrong."

I have several friends who are atheists.  Now, I don't care that they are atheists, but I do care when they use language and post against other people's spiritual beliefs in a way that is as hateful, if not more so, than the behaviors of some of those belief systems they are attacking.  Calling another person stupid for what they believe is just wrong, I don't care who you are.  There are better ways to share information than attacking another person.  If you are my facebook friend and you do this on a regular basis, I will choose not to see most of your posts.  If I don't have any other good reason to keep you as a friend I will drop you.  I'm too old and life is too short to keep any more anger and hate in my life than I can avoid.

I have friends who are some type of pagan.  They tend to be the most respectful.

I have friends who are more traditional "Christians."  To them I would say, no, I'm not "unteachable."  That is an offensive word used to write people off if they don't agree with your theology.  No, I don't have chapter and verse memorized (in most cases) and no I don't want to go look it up.  I have spent to many years of my life in those discussions.  If you want to have a real discussion, then you have to be willing to spend the time to really hear my side of it, not just look for key words that you can try to stab with your scripture sword.  If that is the discussion you want to have, go read my other blog, or lets plan on spending some time together.

I love my friends.  And if you are reading this, and I don't know you, there is a good chance that if I did know you I would love you too.  But you need to know that I also am learning what it is to really love myself.  This is your fair warning:  though I will try to be respectful, if you pull the stuff I have outlined in this writing at this time, I am going to call you on it.  If that offends you, then you don't understand, but that isn't my problem.  Really.