Blog & General Update

To say my life is in an abnormal period of change would be understating it. After thirteen years of living in the community I’m living in right now, I am moving to a new community in the same province, but a considerable distance away. Through this process, I’ve also left a job I’ve had for nearly twelve years–the longest I’ve spent at one job. I leave with heartfelt compliments and good wishes from many. It feels good to know that you have been appreciated.

A decade ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

I’ve scheduled this post to go up on the ten-year anniversary of the date I made my first post on this blog. As I’m writing this, it’s just over two months until this auspicious anniversary. I get reflective at times like this, and now I feel like I want to wax a bit nostalgic. So, dear readers, please indulge me.

Blog Update

I thought about posting this on April 1st. Since I returned to writing regularly here again, back in January, I’ve been posting weekly. I’ve come to realize that this is not really a pace that I can reasonably sustain with new and worthwhile content. I don’t want to waste your time or attention with stuff that I don’t think is worthwhile that I’ve written just because I want to post something every week. I’m also ever mindful of not wanting to cover ground that I’ve already covered. Life is also taking away from time to spend here. My wife and I are relocating to a different part of the province soon, so it’s going to get busy.

I’m Baaaack!!

Looking at my posts, the last thing I posted here was a link to an article written by John Pavlovitz, a writer, activist, blogger, and yes–pastor from Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA. That post dates back to October 2018. Normally, I’m not a fan of anyone who is a pastor or anything remotely connected to religion, but he is worth following, if you want something good and thought-provoking to read. He is the kind of Christian who walks the walk, rather than just talking it, and he doesn’t like Trump–something I consider to be a good thing. Find him here. He’s also on social media. The last substantive post I made was also in October 2018. So, it’s been awhile. I honestly didn’t think I’d come back here, then when I started trying, I didn’t think WordPress would let me back in.

Friends

Have you found it easy or difficult to remain friends with (Christian Science) people since you left the church?

Image credit: Emerging Gently.

This is a question posed to me by a reader, who suggested that I should address the topic of what happens to relationships with Christian Scientists when one leaves Christian Science. I’ll widen my focus to include some observations on familial relationships as well as friendships. Rather than just write only about my own experience, I figured the best way to offer up a good look at this topic would be to ask a group of former Christian Scientists. So, I posed this question to one of the on-line groups I’m in.

Is it all real, or is it all an ‘illusion’? Make up your mind…

Image credit: Emerging Gently.

I’m fortunate enough to live in what I think is one of the most beautiful places in Canada, if not the world. I chose to live here. I wasn’t born here, my parents didn’t bring me here (although the fact that they left me a house here in their will did have a strong influence on my decision to move here), and a job did not bring me here. I live in a semi-arid valley that is hot in the summer, and experiences moderate (by Canadian standards) winters. It offers many outdoor recreational opportunities during all seasons. Ride along any of the meandering back roads around here, and you’re treated to spectacular scenery of mountains, lakes, cliffs, hoodoos, desert sage, and blue sky.

Can you die of a broken heart?

The recent deaths at the end of 2016 (a year that seems to have taken its share of well-known people from this world) of actresses Carrie Fisher, and a day later her mother Debbie Reynolds, made me recall the deaths of my own parents, who died nine months apart in 2009 (my mother in March, my father in December). It begs a question for me: can someone die of a broken heart? I’ve seen some anecdotal evidence that the death of a spouse/partner or other close person can have an effect on the health of the survivor.

Forgiveness

Image source: Facebook page ‘Power of Positivity’.

Forgiveness is a topic that comes up a lot these days, and it is an especially hot topic sometimes within the on-line ex-Christian Scientist communities I’m a part of. It’s a topic I’ve thought about a lot too, and my thought about what forgiveness is have evolved a lot, especially from where I was as a Christian Scientist.

Testing…testing…

Like it or not, life is full of tests and trials. That’s just the way it is. Tests are a tool to evaluate how much we’ve learned, how proficient we are at something, and as a way to measure our progress. As I see it, they’re a necessary evil in our lives. I certainly wouldn’t want to go under a knife held by a surgeon who didn’t pass numerous tests with flying colours in order to get his medical degree. Some benchmarks in life can only be reached through a litany of extremely challenging tests for a very good reason.

What’s “God” got to do with it?

I was recently offered a new position at work–it represents a bit of a promotion. It’s a job that focuses on some primary aspects of the varied roster of duties I’ve had in my five-year tenure where I work, but at a higher level of overall responsibility. Back in the day, I would have credited Christian Science, God, and probably Mary Baker Eddy (in some way) for this opportunity. Most people of deep faith will credit God or some other deity for good fortune in their lives. I do not. I’m going to sound a bit selfish and egotistical here, dear reader; but in this case, I largely credit myself.