Provocations

By pbobby

For the most part, my writings have been attempts to fathom the mysteries of God, Life, and religions. I have not been shy about my arguments with absolute fundamentalists. Nor have I backed away from stating that biblical interpretations do not have the same meaning to us today as they had for earlier generations.

I hope with all my heart that my positions helped you to re-examine the belief system that you inherited from your forbears, and that some of it has become your own rather than numerous borrowed shibboleths.

I think even as we approach the anniversary of nine-eleven, we need to take time to celebrate with our friends and countrymen all the joys of living and loving. The greatest healing action (for our personal and national wounds) just might be this: taking some extra time to play.

Too long we mourn and fail to truly live again. So I have started to play more golf and to see great movies with those I love. I have taken a sabbatical leave from being serious about anything.

Part of the reason I have been able to do this, is my commitment to the Four Agreements of the Toltec Indians as given to us by Don Miguel Ruiz.

They are:

Be impeccable with your word.

Don't take anything personally.

Don't make assumptions.

Always do your best.

Now that I have taken leave of trying to explain all that which I do not know or understand, my only job is to supervise my keeping of these Four Agreements daily. All of the theological expressions of my thinking have taken a back seat on the bus.

I invite you to have a party. Share delicious meals. Play some delightful card games (or dominoes like "42" if you live in Texas). Sing by yourself and with others whatever you or the group chooses to sing. Call someone you have not talked with for years. Help the children you know to play Kick-the-Can and Hide-and-Seek. Share stories about your ancestors. Tell some really good jokes to a group party.

Sleep in for a couple of days. Find someone having a down-time that you can encourage just by a visit or phone call. Read a funny book and the funnies in the newspaper. Have heaps of belly laughs and great knee-slappers.

I would be delighted to hear of some of your own ideas on how to have fun and truly relax. Just maybe, some of our fears will grow dim because we have changed our patterns of behavior.

Thanks for reading my stuff,
pbobby