Journal WolfElvendar's Journal: In the process of change 5
This isn't very different from most people that try to better themselves. How many people that are trying to be good Christians or Hindus or Pagans or any other way they try to develop themselves spiritually, and cut you off in traffic, cuss you out, cut in line in from of you, or whatever? I do it too. What I find amazing is the way the world views people like us. What is most interesting is that most of the people that make snotty comments like, "And you call yourself a Christian (or whatever)!" art the ones that are not making any real changes in their life! If they were they would know that change takes time. But instead they prefer to put down others that are trying to make the changes they should to make themselves feel better about the horrible state of their own soul.
The worst part about being put down for professing your choice to change and making slips is that people early on in the path of change, need encouragement and will have trouble not knowing what to do when these negative impulses come up. Many get discouraged at the negative comments of others and think, "Maybe I should just give up. I'll never be good." Why do people feel the need to put others down? I think the answer is easy. If you don't feel good about yourself, deep down inside, you think you may feel better if there are more people down on your level, so you try to lower everyone who tries to be better. I'm not saying it is intentional, nor am I saying I haven't done the same myself from time to time. We should however endeavor to not engage in such hurtful and damaging actions.
The truth is that we didn't get nasty and mean over night. We didn't start cursing, driving like nuts, hurting people, killing them and making them disappear, or whatever we do in one day. We are not going to repair those bad habits in one day either. We need to encourage each other to be better. Yes, a good friend will let a friend know when they are slipping, but will do so in a helpful, encouraging way. To drag down another for not living up to their own ideals in a short time is nothing but a sign of their own lack of development. To pay attention to people that talk negatively about you in that way is to listen to a person that is, unlike you, probably not even trying to change.
Be encouraged in the positive changes you ARE making, not discouraged by the mistakes you still let slip. To focus on your faults to much means you will never see that your faults are slowly getting fewer and farther between. Keep pushing towards your goal.
washing yer mouth out with soap... (Score:2)
What is most interesting is that most of the people that make snotty comments like, "And you call yourself a Christian (or whatever)!" art the ones that are not making any real changes in their life!
So... judging people is oke, as long as you're the one doing it?
Wolf, honey, i'm just gonna let you take that one back gracefully, oke? Don't make me wrap it around a brick, because i'm the LAST person who should be taking the moral high ground. But- come on. This one's too easy.
Re:washing yer mouth out with soap... (Score:1)
Please clarify your point, because I really don't understand.
Re:washing yer mouth out with soap... (Score:2)
The best answer is to simply focus on taking the log out of your own eye, and not to worry one way or another about what others are doing. But that's very hard, and part of the process of change Wolf is talking about. Cut the kid some slack.
Re:washing yer mouth out with soap... (Score:1)
Re:washing yer mouth out with soap... (Score:1)
I believe it is perfectly acceptable to rant and rave without your every statement being analyzed and ran through the "nitpicker" (I imagine the nitpicker as a great big machine...I know a few people who certainly SEEM to have one of these in their basement! LOL) Keep up at that change Wolf, and I love that PY quote. I need to change mine when I get the energy. The one good thing about be