RE: Skin-Hunger, Siberian Fir Oil, Exposed Fruits Of The State, And An Overdue Reply To The Co-Creator Of @Anarchaforko, @lily-da-vine.
All of this resonates with me so deeply! And I’m a Doterra advocate too. I haven’t tried the Siberian fir yet. I’ll have to get that on my next order. It is so amazing how I crave the scents. The InTouch blend is my signature scent.
Social honesty...whew! I’m having an issue with a long time friend because I did not fully communicate to her my spiritual path that I am on because it is continuously evolving. She gave me a bible that you art journal in as a gift and said it was so we could do it together. I told her I don’t read the “New Testament” anymore and wasn’t interested in doing that. I tried to tell her gently, but I’m sure her feelings are hurt and she won’t answer the phone when I call. Part of me is relived that she may be our of my life because I don’t want to tiptoe around her feelings and not be fully me. Thankfully we only hang out together a couple of times a year. She has built up an image of me that is based on who I was in the past and also gave me a gift with strings attached. I don’t like hurting people’s feelings, but I was not gonna get roped into doing that.
Sorry...had to vent a little. I know you are one who would understand and probably say to just be free. 😊
@stillwatersart: I so appreciate how you may have felt torn in that relation... as she held an out-dated picture of you, so of course the connection would wobble. If it hadn't been that gift, it would have been something else.
And for people who lean toward Evangelicalism, Fundamentalism, or any sort of Biblical literalism... it's downright threatening to their ideological core when someone they've known "in the faith" starts to wander and explore other paths.
I spent years actively involved in a Pentecostal church (seems like a lifetime ago)... and when I started choosing lakefront jogs over prayer service... or a private sunrise meditation over worship, folks grew concerned about my salvation. And then when I pursued graduate studies at a Jesuit institution, I think they gave up on me: "Sister Harris is going to cemetary!" <--- That's what they'd say instead of 'seminary,' as an indicator that my faith would DIE with the Jesuits, lol.
And in a way, they were right.
My fragile, superstitious, cognitively dissonant faith DID die.
It was awful.
And then, less so.
And now, I will always have softness toward the earnestness and zeal of these Jesus lovers. I used to be like them. Worse, probably. (Think: tracts and megaphone!)
I LOVE the way you graciously updated your friend of your current spiritual status. I wonder if she might be open to doing a mandala art journal, instead of the New Testament one? If she thinks she needs to miss out on your fabulous self because of firm/narrow beliefs, then I'd do exactly as you've done... which is enjoy the additional space in your life for people who love YOU.
This was juicy. I hope you always feel free to vent! 🌀💙🦋🎨
Thank you so much for the reassuring words! I still feel that there should be some closure on the issue though. I may mail the Bible back to her with some kind of note wishing her blessings for a happy life. She has been through a lot in her life and has a lot of health issues. Also, several other friends have distanced themselves from her because of her ways. I will probably still keep my distance, but wish her well.
I knew you would be the one to talk to about this. Living in the Bible Belt and going on this spiritual journey has been interesting. 🌺