Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at 6:06am
Speak your mind-somebody needs to hear it!
Column: PERFECTBALANCELIFE
If you think you have something important to say then speak up. The Founder’s of our country modeled such behavior. I can’t worry about what other people are going to think when I speak from my heart on the written page. Don’t let anyone ever convince you that what is coming from deep within must be tailored so as not to not offend someone or something. No. To do so will kill the original Spirit that wants to be manifested. Someone needs to hear what you have to say, so say it, god*$@it.
In my last posting I shared my perspective on same-sex attraction and marriage. For those who have not read this post I recommend you do. In this post I state that the idea of same-sex attraction and same-sex marriage is not a legitimate expression of divine love. One response to this post suggested that I am ignoring modern medical science and not demonstrating a spirit of compassion. Someone else suggested that my views on this subject are dangerous and fit right in with the kind of thinking that delivered to humanity the Holocaust, the Inquisition, the Salem Witch hunts, etc. Really? I don’t see it that way at all.
How do you feel when someone tells you something that you strongly disagree with? What is your reaction? I run into this kind of challenge all the time within the spiritual community I regularly associate with. For example, at a recent weekly meeting I attend with a small group of like-minded friends, I told someone there that I held a very different view from theirs on the subject of how God is or is not involved in the affairs of human beings. This person immediately took offense at my comments, and his suspicion was aroused concerning my understanding and attitude about “the right perspective” he believed I also should be sharing—his. Now I’m human, too. I tend to like it when people see things my way. I usually like this better than having someone question and challenge my cherished opinions. I can imagine it is the same for you also. But speak up we must, regardless of the consequences.
We need more people to speak up and share what is on their mind and in their heart. This is a very healthy and therapeutic practice. The discipline of doing this as a daily practice can strengthen one’s inner conviction and confidence. In the marketplace of ideas everyone is trying to sell you something. What are you going to buy into? If you look patiently enough you will find from within the special voice that the world needs to hear, right now. This is a voice that only you can give. Find your cause and you will find your voice. Once you find your voice you better let it be heard, because someone needs to hear it.
Jack LaValley is a practitioner of the martial arts, physical cultivation exercises, and sitting meditation. Although currently working in the hospitality industry, he spends much of his free time helping and working together with those who are pursuing the spiritual path. Jack and his wife, Wha-ja Oh-LaValley, a native of South Korea, reside in Westchester County, New York, and are the proud parents of three beautiful children. Jack is completing his book manuscript, "A Perfectly Balanced Life: Living Each Day with Wisdom and Strength," and expects publication to be in October 2008. You can reach Jack at: perfectbalance1@optimum.net © Copyright 2008 by Jack LaValley.
In my last posting I shared my perspective on same-sex attraction and marriage. For those who have not read this post I recommend you do. In this post I state that the idea of same-sex attraction and same-sex marriage is not a legitimate expression of divine love. One response to this post suggested that I am ignoring modern medical science and not demonstrating a spirit of compassion. Someone else suggested that my views on this subject are dangerous and fit right in with the kind of thinking that delivered to humanity the Holocaust, the Inquisition, the Salem Witch hunts, etc. Really? I don’t see it that way at all.
How do you feel when someone tells you something that you strongly disagree with? What is your reaction? I run into this kind of challenge all the time within the spiritual community I regularly associate with. For example, at a recent weekly meeting I attend with a small group of like-minded friends, I told someone there that I held a very different view from theirs on the subject of how God is or is not involved in the affairs of human beings. This person immediately took offense at my comments, and his suspicion was aroused concerning my understanding and attitude about “the right perspective” he believed I also should be sharing—his. Now I’m human, too. I tend to like it when people see things my way. I usually like this better than having someone question and challenge my cherished opinions. I can imagine it is the same for you also. But speak up we must, regardless of the consequences.
We need more people to speak up and share what is on their mind and in their heart. This is a very healthy and therapeutic practice. The discipline of doing this as a daily practice can strengthen one’s inner conviction and confidence. In the marketplace of ideas everyone is trying to sell you something. What are you going to buy into? If you look patiently enough you will find from within the special voice that the world needs to hear, right now. This is a voice that only you can give. Find your cause and you will find your voice. Once you find your voice you better let it be heard, because someone needs to hear it.
Jack LaValley is a practitioner of the martial arts, physical cultivation exercises, and sitting meditation. Although currently working in the hospitality industry, he spends much of his free time helping and working together with those who are pursuing the spiritual path. Jack and his wife, Wha-ja Oh-LaValley, a native of South Korea, reside in Westchester County, New York, and are the proud parents of three beautiful children. Jack is completing his book manuscript, "A Perfectly Balanced Life: Living Each Day with Wisdom and Strength," and expects publication to be in October 2008. You can reach Jack at: perfectbalance1@optimum.net © Copyright 2008 by Jack LaValley.