This weekend was busy for me and quiet...odd combination. I had made some commitments but all them I was looking forward to...so it didn't seem like drudgery! As I have aged, I am doing less of the things I do not enjoy because I feel pressured to do them. I have stopped being the always available friend...and lo and behold I wasn't the friend they thought I was but I do own more of my own time. Also, the friends I have left share a mutually fulfilling relationship! What that means is we are equally yoked! I do for them and they do for me, too! For a long while I had a lot of friends who I did many things for but the street only ran one way...I stopped and they went away!
I had read The Faith Club, a book about three women who develop a friendship based on their desire to be sensitive to each others faiths. These three woman of Muslim, Christianity and Jewish faiths build a bond of friendship that grows during their time together. With this in mind I have met a Muslim woman and spent time with her discussing her religion and I visited a Mosque on Saturday. I am still thinking about how this is happening and even if it is possible for me to find people who would be sensitive to each others faith without trying to convert each other...so far I haven't felt very hopeful!
After my visit to the open house at the mosque...My Hubby and I walked in a park near our home...we have made a commitment to be hikers/walkers! We went to a nice party on Saturday...busy weekend but we did things we enjoy rather than what we feel obligated to do.
I am playing pay-it-forward again...so the first three people who comment get a small token of my affection! You may play or not it is up to you! I won at Zander and Me and the video is priceless if you would like to see it!
Also, I am having a Thanksgiving contest for Losers!
Write of a time you lost something you really wanted or hoped to win and what the losing meant to you!You may also tell about a charity you hope to win the $50 for and I will put up and poll so encourage people to vote for you!
Our first entry is Candid Carrie and it is beautiful!
14 comments:
It sounds like you had a wonderful weekend! What was it like at the Mosque? Or is that a blog post for another day?
I read Carrie's post on Madeline Rose, and naturally cried my eyes out! She's a sure winner, right? The only thing I'm ever a better person for losing is weight. Ugh.
We are like minded! I actually sent an e-mail to another blogger recently stating that I have been working to do some "emotional decluttering" and have very quietyly severed ties with acquaintenaces that have been emotionally taxing.
Their negativity has been so taxing and they consistantly live in "crisis" mode that I was weary from being their emotional caregiver. I don't mean to be coldhearted but at some point these so called friends need to realize that I am not just their personal place to dump their emotional toxic waste.
Sorry to be so harsh but I would encourage other adults to assess their friendships in the manner that you described. It is quite liberating.
I don't know how you had a n enjoyable weekend...you didn't see your only daughter!!! :) kidding
Do I have to have a real blog to comment and participate in the pay it forward? I haven't been in a blogging mood lately.
See ya soon. smooches ;)
I would love to be able to learn about other faiths from people who just want to teach, not convert.
But even MORE than that I would love to find a nice Jewish person who will teach me about Jewish customs and celebrations, because as a Christian, that is my heritage, and I've learned enough to find absolute beauty in how Jesus was the fulfillment of those prophecies and Celebrations and I want to raise my girls to embrace that heritage.
I'll shut up now. .. :)
Okay...since I didn't specify that my only daughter couldn't win..I am going to let her play since she just started her own blog...check it out!
Okay...Hot Tub Lizzy is my last winner...the rest of you are losers who can enter my other contest!
Okay...I use okay way too much!
Hi Ronda--I know what you mean about high maintenance friends--I have had to reevaluate that kind of thing too!
How interesting about your visit to the Mosque--I hope that you will be able to form these new friendships!!
I won Karla's Pay It Forward too--YAY!
I'm glad you had a good weekend. And I'm so impressed that you're opening yourself up to experiencing such diversity! I know lots of people talk about it, but few actually pursue it... good for you!!!
I love that idea about meeting people of different faiths. I actually have that in real life - but never realized what a big deal it is until you mentioned it. Don't give up - it really is possible.
HT Lizzie- Swilrgirl is Jewish and a sweethart. She would be a good mentor. And are you saying, Ronda, that you loved Carrie's contribution just because she showed you her boobs? Cuz I was thinkin' I would vote for her for anything.
Great words...it's so hard to live your own life sometimes. I read your post twice, not because I'm slow, but because it was very motivating and well said.
I will look forward to your posts as you explore these diverse friendships.
My husband and I have also started walking after his surgery and I already feel better! Walk before blogging...that's the rule!
Hey that's a good rule...I think I will steal it!
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