dbiker2
12-01-2000, 02:12 PM
Food For Thought
From Act One of SHADOWLANDS by William Nicholson
This is from an opening lecture. The play then unfolds with what results in a changed Lewis, one who has suffered and become a different person in the process, from a hard, cynical intellectual to one who has loved and been loved by a woman who died of cancer.
Here I 'm going to say something which may come as a bit of a shock. I think that God doesn't necessarily want us to be happy. He wants us to be lovable. Worthy of love. Able to be loved by Him. We don't start off being all that lovable, if we're honest. What makes people hard to love? Isn't it what is commonly called selfishness? Selfish people are hard to love because so little love comes out of them. God creates us free, free to be selfish, but He adds a mechanism that will penetrate our selfishness and wake us up to the presence of others in the world, and that mechanism is called suffering. To put it in another way, pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world. Why must it be pain? Why can't He wake us more gently, with violins or laughter? Because the dream from which we must be awakened is the dream that all is well. Now that is the most dangerous illusion of them all. Self-sufficiency is the enemy of salvation. If you are self-sufficient, you have no need of God. If you have no need of God, you do not seek Him. If you do not seek Him, you will not find Him. God loves us, so He makes us the gift of suffering. Through suffering, we release our hold on the toys of this world, and know our true good lies in another world. We're like blocks of stone, out of which the sculptor carves the forms of men. The blows of His chisel, which hurt us so much, are what make us perfect. The suffering in the world is not the failure of God's love for us; it is that love in action. For believe me, this world that seems to us so substantial is no more than the shadowlands. Real life has not begun yet."
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Darrell
From Act One of SHADOWLANDS by William Nicholson
This is from an opening lecture. The play then unfolds with what results in a changed Lewis, one who has suffered and become a different person in the process, from a hard, cynical intellectual to one who has loved and been loved by a woman who died of cancer.
Here I 'm going to say something which may come as a bit of a shock. I think that God doesn't necessarily want us to be happy. He wants us to be lovable. Worthy of love. Able to be loved by Him. We don't start off being all that lovable, if we're honest. What makes people hard to love? Isn't it what is commonly called selfishness? Selfish people are hard to love because so little love comes out of them. God creates us free, free to be selfish, but He adds a mechanism that will penetrate our selfishness and wake us up to the presence of others in the world, and that mechanism is called suffering. To put it in another way, pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world. Why must it be pain? Why can't He wake us more gently, with violins or laughter? Because the dream from which we must be awakened is the dream that all is well. Now that is the most dangerous illusion of them all. Self-sufficiency is the enemy of salvation. If you are self-sufficient, you have no need of God. If you have no need of God, you do not seek Him. If you do not seek Him, you will not find Him. God loves us, so He makes us the gift of suffering. Through suffering, we release our hold on the toys of this world, and know our true good lies in another world. We're like blocks of stone, out of which the sculptor carves the forms of men. The blows of His chisel, which hurt us so much, are what make us perfect. The suffering in the world is not the failure of God's love for us; it is that love in action. For believe me, this world that seems to us so substantial is no more than the shadowlands. Real life has not begun yet."
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Darrell
Sponsor
Carole
12-01-2000, 03:26 PM
Thanks Darrell-
This was worthy of a print-out hard copy to be tacked on the mirror and read every morning or night or whenever I need some "answers."
Carole
This was worthy of a print-out hard copy to be tacked on the mirror and read every morning or night or whenever I need some "answers."
Carole
Bruce
12-01-2000, 05:11 PM
Darrell, I usually don't comment your type of post, but I can relate to your comments about suffering. I am not seeking sympathy, because I don't feel the need for it.
My feeling is what ever has happened to me in the past, has toughened me up. I am facing two major surgeries the last one a knee replacement, yet I am calm and serene and don't sit and worry about any of it.
Last night my sister called me and said she was going to have knee replacement as soon as possible. As she started going into detail about everything she would endure, I was sure she was scared to death. It's not a crime to be afraid, but I tried to make her understand how I was able to cope with it and she wouldn't listen, so I failed. I realized I could never convince her that her fear could be self distructive, but we all are diferent in how we respond to a tough situation.
I just discovered I can play CD's and use the pc at the same time. The song is "Hey Jude" by the Beatles. This is fun. Bruce
My feeling is what ever has happened to me in the past, has toughened me up. I am facing two major surgeries the last one a knee replacement, yet I am calm and serene and don't sit and worry about any of it.
Last night my sister called me and said she was going to have knee replacement as soon as possible. As she started going into detail about everything she would endure, I was sure she was scared to death. It's not a crime to be afraid, but I tried to make her understand how I was able to cope with it and she wouldn't listen, so I failed. I realized I could never convince her that her fear could be self distructive, but we all are diferent in how we respond to a tough situation.
I just discovered I can play CD's and use the pc at the same time. The song is "Hey Jude" by the Beatles. This is fun. Bruce
LiceN
12-01-2000, 06:00 PM
Darrell,your post certainly contained much "food for thought"......really "indepth thinking"....Bruce,liked your Beatle song, too. Betty D.
Carole
12-01-2000, 06:34 PM
Bruce-
Did you get the Beatles #1, new CD?? I just love it!!
"The Long and Winding Road" always brings my PD friends here to mind; I'm sure our paths have crossed for a reason.
Another good CD I just got (an Oprah favorite) is George Winston's "December." (piano solos)
Music is SO good for the soul - the soul's food.
CC
Did you get the Beatles #1, new CD?? I just love it!!
"The Long and Winding Road" always brings my PD friends here to mind; I'm sure our paths have crossed for a reason.
Another good CD I just got (an Oprah favorite) is George Winston's "December." (piano solos)
Music is SO good for the soul - the soul's food.
CC
dbiker2
12-01-2000, 06:55 PM
Well since it seems we are talking music, if you don't want the devil to steal your joy, listen to STOMP by Kirk Franklin.
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Darrell
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Darrell
Googy
12-02-2000, 02:41 AM
Music my therapy for many years.I still play and sing the"Sounds of Silence " and "He's My brother" But how about "Stair way to Heaven" my son plays this and Jazz. How about Tina Turner and Rod Stewart my favorites.Bruce It is great to listen to music playing on the PC.To you all,I love the many thoughts you express.
Love,
Googy Originally posted by dbiker2:
Well since it seems we are talking music, if you don't want the devil to steal your joy, listen to STOMP by Kirk Franklin.
Love,
Googy Originally posted by dbiker2:
Well since it seems we are talking music, if you don't want the devil to steal your joy, listen to STOMP by Kirk Franklin.
pete
12-03-2000, 11:59 AM
Darrell,
You surely have a most impressive and important message in these lines for all people consider, but especially those who have parkinsonian problems or somethhing of a similar nature. The subject of love and God and people and pain and suffering are subjects we all have in some mesasure in our lives. The word that smacks many of us in the face is the word selfishness. Now, just how can a typical parkinson person be selfish? One that i am very familar with is anticipating, expecting , thinking his needs/ wants demand attention above those of other members in the household. And the reason i am so familar with it is i struggle with serious transgression in my relation witn my family and my God. And you might ask if i am aware of this problem am i not doing somerthing to correct it? At times i think so, and other times i am just going thru the motions.
Here's the scene--and this is the extreme, but it illustrates my poinrt. I am having a very difficult bout with a bradykinesic episode--i am feeling awful--everything seems to be going wrong.. I become so very demanding-wanting a pillow, water, move from ny wheel chair to a recliner, some food, meds., want someone to help me with my breathing. My family's patience is tried . They become angry and frustrated. I say i am not going to be so self -oriented the next time, but i seldom see much difference in my behavior.
Now, with situations and circumstances that are more of the norm, i am most of the time congenial. But, i become a monstor like the one who brings these awful ravanges upon my body. How can i get this situation into a more acceptable condition? Any input would be appreciated
take care--pete
You surely have a most impressive and important message in these lines for all people consider, but especially those who have parkinsonian problems or somethhing of a similar nature. The subject of love and God and people and pain and suffering are subjects we all have in some mesasure in our lives. The word that smacks many of us in the face is the word selfishness. Now, just how can a typical parkinson person be selfish? One that i am very familar with is anticipating, expecting , thinking his needs/ wants demand attention above those of other members in the household. And the reason i am so familar with it is i struggle with serious transgression in my relation witn my family and my God. And you might ask if i am aware of this problem am i not doing somerthing to correct it? At times i think so, and other times i am just going thru the motions.
Here's the scene--and this is the extreme, but it illustrates my poinrt. I am having a very difficult bout with a bradykinesic episode--i am feeling awful--everything seems to be going wrong.. I become so very demanding-wanting a pillow, water, move from ny wheel chair to a recliner, some food, meds., want someone to help me with my breathing. My family's patience is tried . They become angry and frustrated. I say i am not going to be so self -oriented the next time, but i seldom see much difference in my behavior.
Now, with situations and circumstances that are more of the norm, i am most of the time congenial. But, i become a monstor like the one who brings these awful ravanges upon my body. How can i get this situation into a more acceptable condition? Any input would be appreciated
take care--pete
dbiker2
12-03-2000, 01:52 PM
Pete,
Your words flow together so easily, I have been and are impressed with how you write.
I don't think you're feelings are those of selfishness, necessarily. I have feelings similiar to yours also. I think it's more, for me anyway, not wanting to be a burden on your family and loved ones. A feeling of somewhat being helpless and frustrated because you must depend on someone even for what you feel are minor things, or used to be but are now major, like getting or moving a pillow. All of these things help push us closer to the edge of "the zone" (depression) which we must constantly fight to stay away from. Staying positive with PD lurking around is difficult, but with the help of friends, positive thoughts and the grace of God, we can do it.
"Don't let the devil steal your Joy"
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Darrell
Your words flow together so easily, I have been and are impressed with how you write.
I don't think you're feelings are those of selfishness, necessarily. I have feelings similiar to yours also. I think it's more, for me anyway, not wanting to be a burden on your family and loved ones. A feeling of somewhat being helpless and frustrated because you must depend on someone even for what you feel are minor things, or used to be but are now major, like getting or moving a pillow. All of these things help push us closer to the edge of "the zone" (depression) which we must constantly fight to stay away from. Staying positive with PD lurking around is difficult, but with the help of friends, positive thoughts and the grace of God, we can do it.
"Don't let the devil steal your Joy"
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Darrell
Bruce
12-03-2000, 03:40 PM
Pete, like Derrell, I am always eager to read what you post. We are all human, and I am sure the mood we are in depends a lot on how good or bad we feel at time. It is a good trait that we are capable of realizing their is a problem and are willing to find a remedy. I am sure that all of us have said or done things we later regret, but those among us who try to use our mistakes as a learning experience can't help but be a better person. Bruce
Googy
12-03-2000, 06:43 PM
As I read the many responses from Darrells first post which was very real to me being a CG.I have a strong spirit.My own faith.But as Pete was telling about his Bradkinesea Bill has this most of the time.Pete it is Ok to be angry,When others are there trying to help they see how helpless they are !! Bill does get angry at me. with him he has a speech problem .I tell him to shout at me as he can then speak clearer.There are no answers.For someone to have to rely on others is so hard,so I understand.You do have to get it out so I say, shout.We all have to fight this PD foe in our own way.You are !!
Love to you all. We are all on this path together with Gods help and each others help.
Googy
Love to you all. We are all on this path together with Gods help and each others help.
Googy
Chuck
12-04-2000, 02:17 AM
Boy am I glad I checked in a read this thread, especially Darrel's opening.
My take on this living body experience is that we are having an experience of separation. The more intense the pain we experience the more intense the stimulus to get on with our spiritual reawakening.
Having PD has accelerated my commitment to Love more than anything before it in my 59 year, for turning to Love has made the difference between existing in a perpetual state of self pity and spending most of my time in peaceful connection with a world that is OK just the way it is.
When I was physically fine, financially successful and had modest influence in my community, fear was my operative mode and constant state. Today, with dwindling resources (in all departments:-), Love is my constant companion and fear but an occasional visitor. Pain and unwanted change made this possible.
My take on this living body experience is that we are having an experience of separation. The more intense the pain we experience the more intense the stimulus to get on with our spiritual reawakening.
Having PD has accelerated my commitment to Love more than anything before it in my 59 year, for turning to Love has made the difference between existing in a perpetual state of self pity and spending most of my time in peaceful connection with a world that is OK just the way it is.
When I was physically fine, financially successful and had modest influence in my community, fear was my operative mode and constant state. Today, with dwindling resources (in all departments:-), Love is my constant companion and fear but an occasional visitor. Pain and unwanted change made this possible.