tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post3716615795638002081..comments2023-08-23T08:27:08.039-04:00Comments on UU A Way Of Life: We are not special but gloriously ordinaryDavid G. Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08336565533124142690noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-8078791003344050812017-12-25T19:15:00.446-05:002017-12-25T19:15:00.446-05:00Nobody in this day an age wants to hear that they&...Nobody in this day an age wants to hear that they're not special. With the self-esteem movement in the US parents and teachers and coaches have been telling their children, students, and players that they are "special." We give prizes to everyone.<br /><br />Your story about the problem with specialness has made me think about what I have done and have been doing to my children, grandchildren, and students. Perhaps this idea that telling people they are "special" is misguided. Deep down we sense differently. Our biggest feat is that we are no better and problably worse than other people. It's about the comparisons. We need to just love everybody unconditionally. We don't need to love all their behaviors but we do need to love their essential nature. Sister Helen Prejean says that every human being is better than their worst act. Amen.Janenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-11148648778617628062017-12-25T16:06:03.721-05:002017-12-25T16:06:03.721-05:00Kurt Vonnegut said, "There is enough love in ...Kurt Vonnegut said, "There is enough love in this world for everybody if people would just look."<br /><br />"And so it goes........"Marlanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-37022515478843719032017-12-25T16:00:39.359-05:002017-12-25T16:00:39.359-05:00The story about specialness causing problems and c...The story about specialness causing problems and contributing to sin is the story of the whole Trump campaign and the rise of the jingoistic slogan "Make America Great Again." What has happened with the rise of Trumpism is anything but made America great. It has pitted one part of the population against the other and has engendered more conflict, divisiveness and oppression.<br /><br />Osho's statement that everyone belongs to God rings deeply within me. What a message for Christmas Day. I love this blog.Dianenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-77932332421224359942017-12-25T13:58:55.767-05:002017-12-25T13:58:55.767-05:00It seems that there are some things about us that ...It seems that there are some things about us that are essential and most are unessential. At the most essential level we are one and the same and what the ego considers "special" is a foreign thought to God. The at-one-ment is when everybody loves everybody all the time. This is the path we are called to travel. I resonate deeply with your sense of this.Thom Colemannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-211300886481498022017-12-25T13:39:20.585-05:002017-12-25T13:39:20.585-05:00Specialness leads to judgmentalism doesn't it?...Specialness leads to judgmentalism doesn't it? We compare what one person possesses that another person lacks. Some people are valued more than others and this diminishes the people found lacking's worth and dignity. It seems that the author here is valuing the divine essence of every person. This is what matters to him. The external characteristics are of no account. Do I have that right?Jeffnoreply@blogger.com