Showing posts with label Letters from Hilton NY. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Letters from Hilton NY. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Letter #11 from Hilton, NY - Lighten up.

3 Ways to Address an Envelope in Care of Someone Else - wikiHow
Dear Jake:

I received your last letter and have grown concerned that you are taking things too seriously. Would it help to lighten up? A sense of humor can go a long way in nurturing our resilience. After all, what if the hokey pokey is what life is all about?

As you may recall, laughter is one of the components of spiritual health. When people stop laughing they are in trouble. Seriousness can lead to scrupulosity which has been recognized for centuries as a spiritual disease.

How do you develop a sense of humor? You have to look for the absurdities and incongruities in life. Puns are a great place to start. Jokes with an unexpected punchline are great.

The court jester was an iconic figure in the King’s court. Tom foolery was recognized as an important part of good governance. The court jester reminds everyone that the ways and wiles of the ego can be destructive so to make light engenders a sense of humility and perspective.

One way of engendering a sense of humor is having a joke a day. Share it with people you interact with during the day. I find bumper sticker sayings fun to share. My bumper sticker for today is “Never fetch water downstream from the herd.” We don’t live in agricultural communities any more, but even so, I found this funny and it is packed with wisdom.

Til next time, I hope you find some humor in your life. It will help you live longer and enjoy life more.

Your loving cousin,

Harry

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Letter #10 from Hilton, NY - Recovering the authentic self

Authentic Self.

Letter #10
Recovering the authentic self.

Dear Jake:

I am reassured to read that things are going well for you during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic. I got your letter about the component of spiritual health named “authenticity” and your concerns about the Cardinal sin of phoniness and pretentiousness. Your questions about how the practice of life review and examination, and discernment leads to an enhancement of authenticity are very interesting and so here are a few of my thoughts.

My first thought is about what the psychologists call the “false self” and the “true self.” The false self gets constructed in our attempt to please and obey other people. Some people call this social conditioning. At its extreme, some people are called “people pleasers” who live their lives for others’ approval and to avoid their disapproval. Such people do not have control over their own lives but are living their lives for others.

I remember a priest, Father James Callan,  who gave a sermon on addiction to approval being like a drug addiction. People sometimes are so addicted they have lost touch with what they think, feel, and want, and having taken on the thoughts, feelings, and preferences of others they have no idea what deep down they really think, feel, and want. Such people often become perfectionistic, obsessive and compulsive, and terribly anxious and depressed and even suicidal. The idea of doing a life review and examination for them is a foreign idea which leaves them confused, perplexed, and sometimes overwhelmed. Sometimes they seek relief in alcohol, drugs, and mood altering behaviors like gambling, sex, work, and religiosity.

One way of thinking about these situations is soul murder. The person suffering from clinging to a false self having been conditioned by the expectations and requirements of the world of the ego, is empty and terrified of being alone.  Being able to engage in a search for truth and meaning with a nonjudgmental, non anxious, trusted other is a very significant experience contributing to  getting back in touch with one’s true self, one’s genuine and authentic nature. This process is a clearing away of the barriers and obstacles to an awareness of Love’s presence in one’s heart of hearts.

Sometimes, people will suggest to a person suffering, “You need to find someone to talk to.” The person being suggested in our society is most often a psychotherapist. Unfortunately, not all psychotherapists see their role as facilitating spiritual development but at its fundamental purpose that is really all that good psychotherapy is, to help people get in touch with their authentic self.

In our Unitarian Universalist faith we covenant together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, the free and responsible search for truth and meaning, and the acceptance and encouragement to spiritual growth. It is a major part of our faith to nurture and facilitate the experience of the authentic selves of ourselves and our fellow congregants. A person would like to think that UUs are less pretentious and phoney than people in the general population.

Jake, I could go on, but this letter is getting long enough already. I hope these ideas are helpful and in some small way begin to facilitate your search for your authentic self. If I had more time, I would share my ideas about discerning God’s will so you can become the person deep down in your heart you believe God is calling you to become, but let’s come back to that another time.

For now, be well, stay well.

Your loving cousin,

Harry

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Letter #9 from Hilton, NY - Getting your shit together.

The 5 Pillars of Personal Power: Part 2: Self-Efficacy

Letter #9
Getting your shit together

Even though it is unusual in these times of digital media, Harry Holleywood, aged 60, still exchanges snail mail with his cousin Jacob Johnson, aged 40, about once or twice a month. Below is the latest letter.

Dear Jake:

Thanks so much for your last letter in which you asked about self-efficacy as a component of spiritual health. Self-efficacy is a fancy term in psychology and whole books have been written about it. Let it suffice to say in this letter that my definition of self -efficacy is whether someone has their shit together.

Back in the 60s and 70s having one’s shit together was a common expression which unfortunately has fallen out of use in your generation. However, I think it is still useful even if a bit vulgar and some might argue too pedestrian.

The opposite of self efficacy is acting helpless and playing the victim. Now days, I think people call this state as being a  “lewser” or “slacker” or being a “drama queen” which can include people of all sexes.

The other fancy word people throw around, at least in academic circles, is “agency.” Does a person feel in control of one’s life and able to exert influence in their situation or do they feel victimized with no power to make their way in the world?

The therapeutic quality to be cultivated in one’s spiritual life to expand one’s self efficacy and diminish helplessness and victimhood is a sense of purpose, and the skills to be responsive rather than reactive. People who have their shit together have goals and a sense of purpose including a strategy to achieve their goals in a deliberate and intentional way.

The basic spiritual questions to be answered are “who is it that God wants you to become,” and “what is it that God wants you to do with the life you have been given?” I love it when people describe their major thing in life that matters deeply to them and then they say something like, “I was born to do this.”

At your age, Jake, between 40 and 50, people come to realize that achieving the goals the ego world sets for us has not made us happy and we get depressed and anxious and ask, “Is this all there is?” Some people call this the mid life crisis, and some call it the transitional phase between our two adulthoods of 20 - 50, and then 50 - 80. Sometimes I tease people your age and ask them, “So what do you want to be when you grow up?”

The existential questions of why was I born, what is the purpose of my life, what happens when I die, are normal at your age. What I want to share with you in this letter is that you are not helpless, you are not a victim, and that your mission, Jacob Johnson, should you choose to accept it is to develop, define, and live the purpose of your life in a more intentional way than you have in the past..

We, Unitarian Universalists, affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Deciding that these principles matter, how can you best live your life in a responsive, not a reactive way, and with a sense of purpose?

I am interested in what ideas you have, and I will be there for you through thick and through thin.

Love, your cousin,

Harry

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Letter #8 from Hilton, NY - Media fast leads to more peace and tranquility

How to Write a Letter | The Art of Manliness

Letter #8
Media fast leads to more peace and tranquility

It’s been quite a month in Hilton, NY where Harry Hollywood has been practicing a digital media fast. Harry has vowed to stay off of his smartphone and social media platforms for a week. No instagram, no Facebook, no scrolling the web for distracting and entertaining attention stealers like YouTube, Pinterest. Harry was shopping in Tops where he ran into Elmer Sandbagger who growled at him, “Why didn’t you answer my text?”

Harry said, “Oh, hi Elmer. How are you? I’ve been on a media fast for a week. I haven’t been doing texts this past week. It’s been hard but now a sense of peace and calm has come into my life which is quite comfortable.”

“Media fast,” said Elmer. “How the heck is anyone supposed to get in touch with you?”

“They could call me,” said Harry.

“Nobody does that any more,”said Elmer. “This media fast business seems like a bunch of hooey to me.”

Roy Christian came down the aisle having heard the conversation and said to Harry and Elmer, “Fasting is a religious practice engaged in by many religions. Us Catholics have a number of fast days. Thank goodness we don’t have to abstain from meat on Fridays any more.”

Jennifer Golddigger came walking up and said, “Hey if my family didn’t eat meat on Fridays I could save $20.00 on my grocery bill and buy me some more lip gloss.”

Roy said, “The problem, Jennifer, is that with you it's always about money. We’re talking about spiritual well being here.”

“Roy,” said Jennifer, “you just don’t want people to be happy so you tell them to sacrifice things to get to heaven faster and not spend so much time in purgatory.”

Ted Marketer walked up and the aisle was getting pretty crowded and said, “That’s a tough sell trying to get people to give things up. If you’re going to sell that you better have plenty of incentives and rewards.”

“How about greater inner peace,” said Harry?

“Interesting idea,” said Ted. “What image comes to mind?”

“None for me,” said Elmer, “but I’ll bet Barb Golden could come up with one.”

Barb who was in the next aisle over hollered over the top of the shelf, “I heard that! How about a sleeping baby all innocent and peaceful.”

Ted said, “Yeah, that’s great. I could work with that.”

Jacob who was in Barb’s aisle said, “I’ve not been sleeping well lately. You think I should turn off my screens?”

Harry walked over to the next aisle with Barb and Jacob and said, “Great idea, Jake. It’s helped me sleep better and have more relaxed, peaceful days. Sometimes you have to give something up to get something. Some people call it purification, and the Buddhists call it detachment.”

“I love you Harry,” said Barb laughing.

“Not here, Barb,” said Harry laughing as well. Jacob looked embarrassed and said nothing.

And that’s the way its been this month in Hilton, NY where Harry is on a media fast, Elmer is frustrated that people don’t respond to his texts, Jennifer wants meatless Fridays so she can use the grocery savings for cosmetics, Ted is trying to figure out how to sell peace and quiet, Barb wants to sleep like a baby, Jacob is thinking about giving up his screens before bed time, and Barb and Harry have a mutual understanding which has enhanced their rapport and friendship.

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Letters From Hilton, NY #7 - How interdependent systems work.

A model of interdependent systems: Ecology, society and economy.... |  Download Scientific Diagram

How interdependent systems work

It’s been quite a month in Hilton, NY where Harry Hollywood is trying to enhance his attunement with the interdependent web of all existence of which, he is acutely aware, he is only a tiniest, minute, inconsequential speck.

Harry was waiting in a long line at the Department of Motor Vehicles when he ran into Elmer Sandbagger who asked him how things were going. Harry  told Elmer of his desire to understand the systems of which is only a mere participant. Elmer looked at Harry as if Harry were speaking Martian and said, “What in hell are you talking about?”

Harry said, “I’m trying to figure out where I fit in with it all.”

“Holy moly,” said Elmer, “can’t we just talk about the weather or how fouled up things are here at the DMV where we have to wait so long in line to get any service?”

“Okay,” said Harry. “What do you think is going on at the DMV that makes their service so slow?”

“It’s the government for ya,” said Elmer. “This is what socialism looks and feels and acts like.”

Jennifer Golddigger was waiting, too, and piped up, “That’s right, there’s no money in it for them. They have no competition and no incentive. It’s not like you can take your business somewhere else.”

Ted Marketer walked up and said, “Fancy meeting you all here. What’s with the line? I thought the county clerk said he was going to improve things and create the new and improved DMV?”

Elmer said, “They make all kinds of promises to get your vote and then forget what they said.”

Roy Christain had overheard the conversation from a few spaces back, and called up, “They’re doing the best they can. Patience is a virtue.”

Harry said, “I think putting yourself in other people’s shoes and trying to understand what the factors are that contribute to situational performance leads to more constructive ideas and suggestions about how things can be improved.”

Jacob had walked back from the counter having gotten his registration renewed and said, “They’re doing a good job. The clerk helped me straighten out the problem and I just got my registration renewed. They’re really nice people here even if you have to wait.”

Barb Golden walked over having seen the crew and said, “It’s all about teamwork and everyone knowing their role and doing their part. It’s amazing how this whole system works to keep us all safe.”

Roy said, “It can’t be easy designing and implementing such a huge system to orchestrate our transportation system on our roadways.”

“It’s a blessing when you think about it,” said Harry. “It’s all about understanding and doing unto others as they would have you do unto them. It’s about compassion, equity, and good outcomes that benefit everyone.”

Jacob said, “I agree. It’s a good example of the platinum rule not the golden rule mind you. The platinum rule is do unto others as they would have you do unto them. Waiting awhile to obtain effective, accurate service is worth the wait and everyone benefits.”

And that’s how things have been this month in Hilton, NY where Harry is looking at the big picture, Elmer hates governmental bureaucracy, Jennifer thinks the service would be better if people could make some money, Ted is interested in campaign promises kept and unkept, Roy thinks people are doing their best given what they have to work with, Jacob is grateful for the benefits the system conveys to help keep people safe on our roadways, and Harry is more delighted than ever at how awesome things are when people understand how interdependent systems work.

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

Letters From Hilton, NY #6 - Mindfulness - What do ya think?

Can Mindfulness Really Help Reduce Anxiety?

Letter #6
Mindfulness - What do ya think?

It’s been quite a month in Hilton, NY where Harry Hollywood has been reading books on mindfulness and trying to be less reactive and feeling so much like a victim. Harry was over at the coffee corner in the Hilton pharmacy where he ran into some of his friends. He was telling Barbara Golden about his attempts to meditate and Barb said, “That’s wonderful Harry. I meditate every day and it calms me down. I find my day goes better when I am more centered.”

Ted Marketer overheard what Barb told Harry and said, “They are opening a new yoga and meditation studio down the street where you pay a monthly fee to take their classes like you do at the gym. I’m selling memberships if you are interested.”

Jennifer Golddigger heard this from an aisle over in the store and came over and asked, Ted, “How much?”

Ted said, “$30 dollars a month or $300 for the year if you pay up front.”

Jennifer said, “How about I teach a class. Would I get a discount?”

“Good question,” said Ted, “I’ll talk to the director and see if I can work out a deal for you.”

Roy Christain, sitting at one of the tables in Coffee Corner, called over to the group, “I didn’t know mindfulness was for sale.” It wasn’t  a question but a statement of mild contempt and disdain.

Elmer Sandbagger walked into the conversation and said, “Roy, you should know by now that everything is commodified and for sale. Otherwise no one in this materialistic dump pays attention.”

Jacob, who overheard the whole conversation being at work that day at the counter at Coffee Corner said, “Mindfulness involves doing a life review, a personal inventory, which leads to confession, and in the middle ages the Catholic church sold indulgences for time off in purgatory after a person died which lead to Martin Luther instigating the protestant revolution.”

“Hell’s bells,” said Barb, “This has turned into quite a conversation. All I’m saying is that I like meditation because it calms me and I think Harry would benefit from developing a mediation practice.”

“Gaze at your navel,” said Elmer and snickered.

And that’s how things have been going in Hilton, NY where Harry is beginning a mediation practice which Barb endorses and supports. Ted is trying to figure out how to market the practice and cut Jennifer in on the deal. Jacob connects mediation to life review and confession and points out how easily the practice can be corrupted and Roy is disgusted by the attempts to commercialize spiritual practices. Harry, though, has already experienced more peace and joy in his life from his fledgling efforts and in his own mind makes a commitment to continue.

Monday, August 10, 2020

Letters From Hilton, NY - Letter # 5 - Loving unconditionally is the path to enlightenment

Letter #5
Loving unconditionally is the path to enlightenment.

The Buddha's Enlightenment Is Infinite | Cambodianess

It’s been quite a month so far in Hilton, NY where Harry Hollywood wants to be more attuned to being unconditionally loving and just listening to people nonjudgmentally. He told some of his friends that he was finding it difficult.

“Well, you’re not Jesus Christ,” said Elmer Sandbagger. “I think it’s better to call a spade a spade, to take the bull by the horns, and just give it straight.”

Roy Christian piped up and said, “Elmer, did you ever hear of Irish diplomacy? It’s making a person go to hell in such a way as they enjoy the trip.”
Barb Golden said, “That’s funny Roy, but a bit cynical don’t you think?”

“In sales, you have to be nice all the time even as you look for openings to engage the customer, suck them in, and then close the deal,” said Ted Marketer.

Harry was getting upset with the conversation and wondered if any of them were really understanding what unconditional love is. Harry believed that God loves us unconditionally and doesn’t care what we, God’s creations, do. God gave us free will so whatever we create is on us not on God. We can create hell or heaven depending. Unfortunately, human beings love conditionally and play the games of “give to get,” and “it’s not me it’s you.”

Jennifer Golddigger said, “Oh, I can love anybody if there;’s money in it.  I’m an equal opportunity hostess as long as you paid the cover charge at the door.” Then she laughed.

“I suppose you could be a nonjudgmental unconditional lover if you were a Buddha or a Jesus or a Krishna,” said Jacob, “but how many of us become enlightened during our current incarnation? We’ll need to come back again and again until we get it right.”

“May it be so,” said Harry.

“What the hell do you mean by that, ‘may it be so,’” said Elmer?

“That we could attain enlightenment,”: said Harry.

“For crying out loud, “ said Elmer. “You people are holy rollers, air in the clouds, not in touch with reality idiots.”

“Whatever,” said Harry, “but I love you anyway Elmer.”

And that’s the way things have been going in Hilton, NY this month where Harry is trying to love everybody unconditionally, Jennifer will do anything for money, Ted thinks being nice is a marketing ploy, Barb thinks being charming can be cynical, Jacob is on his way to enlightenment, Elmer isn’t having any of it, and God continues to love them all unconditionally.

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Letter #4 from Hilton, NY - The world of the ego is not in jeopardy

Pin by Div on Buddha | Buddha quotes inspirational, Buddha quote, Buddhism  quote

The world of the ego is not in jeopardy

It’s been quite a month in Hilton, NY. Harry Hollywood has been trying to meditate. Harry wanted to have more peace in his life and to feel more centered. His life, for a long time, had seemed out of balance. Harry was sharing his experience with meditation with some of his friends at a local coffee shop and wasn’t getting very far.

“Meditation,” huffed Elmer Sandbagger, “what is that, some kind of new age nonsense like yoga?”

Barb Golden piped up and said, “It’s sitting quietly Elmer and just watching your thoughts pass by in your mind.”

“For crying out loud, “said Elmer, “what a waste of time. I don’t have time for that. I’ve got things to do. I can’t just be sitting around watching my thoughts. It sounds like a new fangled brand of navel gazing to me.”

Roy Christian said, “It’s a form of prayer, Elmer. Jesus went off by himself to pray. I suspect that what is meant by prayer is meditation.”

“Ahhhhh he just wanted to get off by himself. Probably those disciples of his drove him nuts always wanting some sort of miracle out of him.”

Ted Marketer shared, “Well, meditation has been rebranded as mindfulness and it’s caught on. It’s become very popular. They are selling hundreds of self help books and video courses on how to do it.”

Jennifer Golddigger said, “Well, if there’s money in it, count me in. Maybe if I learned it, I could write a book or make some videos or even do some workshops or classes and make me some money.”

Jacob jumped into the conversation and said, “You all seem a bit cynical to me. I meditate every day and I consider it my quiet time and happy place. It takes a little practice but I’ve gotten better at it and now I enjoy it.”

Harry said, “It’s a way of getting outside your own ego and going inward and just being without having to do anything. I feel closer to God, you know, that non dualistic Oneness..”

“The what?” objected Elmer.

“The non dualistic Oneness,” said Harry.

“What’s with all the big words,” said Elmer?

“I’m sorry, Elmer,” said Harry. “I probably shouldn’t have said that. Most people wouldn’t know what that is.”

“It’s another word for God, isn’t it?,” said Roy.

“Yes,” said Harry.

“Is it time for an offering?” said Jennifer and laughed.

And that’s the way things have been going in Hilton, NY over the past month where Harry is developing a mediation practice, Elmer thinks meditating is a waste of time, Ted is thinking about how to brand it, Barb wants to teach it, Roy thinks Jesus did it, Jennifer is scheming about how to get money out of it, Jacob has tried meditating and enjoys it, and the world of the ego is not in jeopardy any time soon by people embracing the non dualistic Oneness.

Monday, August 3, 2020

Letters from Hilton, NY - Letter #3 - On miracles

Christian Worldview and Apologetics: Do Miracles Really Happen? - Baptist  Courier

Letter #3 - Miracles

It’s been quite a month in Hilton, NY. Harry Hollywood has been doing miracles. He does a few every day. Sometimes people notice, but most of the time they don’t. It makes no difference to Harry because he goes on doing them anyway.

Harry went over to McDonalds and ran into Elmer Sandbagger. Elmer was going on about how much he loved Donald Trump and all he has done for our country, how Covid-19 is a hoax to make the President look bad, and if it wasn’t for the Mexicans and Muslims and you know who moving into our suburbs, America could be great again.

Barbara Golden was there and told Elmer she disagreed but he, Elmer, of course, is entitled to his opinion, even if he is wrong, because it is a free country and people can express their opinion. Elmer then went off on fake news and how reporters should be locked up for spreading lies.

Ted Marketer came in and joked that he didn’t know if he could sell what Elmer was peddling but if he could sell it anywhere he would have more success in Hilton, NY which is certainly Trump country. Roy Christain who had come to McDonalds with Harry said, “There certainly are a lot of Trumpists here, but not everyone, and I pray every day that the tide is turning and that there will be a miracle and that people will see the light of God in every person.”

Jennifer Golddigger was sitting in one of the tables in the back and apparently had overheard the conversation because she came up front to get a refill on her coffee and said, “I voted for Trump because he is a billionaire and a great businessman. I always wished I was one of his daughters like Ivanka. I would like being married to a rich guy like Jared and have a rich daddy like Donald.”

Harry said, “There’s more important things in life than money.”

Roy chimed in, “Jesus said it would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven.” There was a pregnant pause in the conversation.

Harry said, “Yes, a fool and their money are soon parted. A person does not live on bread alone.”

Elmer said, “What are you talking about Harry?? Rich people rule the world and call all the shots.”

Harry said softly, “Not the world I live in.”

And that’s the way things have been going in Hilton, NY over the last month or so. Harry thinks there are things more important than money. Jennifer wants to be Ivanka and have Donald for her father and Jared for her husband. Roy loves to quote the bible, and Elmer loves D.J. and wants America to be great again when the whites were in control. Meanwhile, Harry seems to have risen above it all and surfs the waves of pain and suffering in the ocean of the ego. Harry’s attitude and presence of mind in the midst of this insanity seems to be a miracle.

Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Letters from Hilton, NY - Letter #2: On Kindness

Letter #2: On Kindness

How to Address Mail – Postcards, Envelopes & Packages (United States)

It’s been quite a month in Hilton, NY. Harry has been working on the component of spiritual health which is named “kindness.” Harry explained to us that kindness isn’t the same thing as being nice. Harry said, “Jesus was always kind but He wasn’t always nice.”

Elmer Sandbagger said, “You gotta be tough or people walk all over you. You gotta show them who’s boss.”

Karen Golden spoke up and said, “Elmer, you’re always so gruff. I know that deep down you have a heart of gold, but you sure don’t show it and people are a little afraid of you.”

“Too bad,” said Elmer. “It’s not my problem what other people think of me. I couldn’t care less.”

Ted Marketer chimed in, “It helps to be diplomatic if you’re going to make the sale. You’ve got to suck them in before you stick it to them. You know, get them to like you. Be nice.”

Jennifer Goldigger couldn’t help at this point to point out, “Getting them to like you is where the money is. You’ve got to butter them up whether you feel like it or not.”

Roy Christian blurted out, “But it’s not always kind to be nice. Buttering people up to manipulate them seems to me to be mean. You’re just manipulating them and playing them for fools.”

Jennifer replied, “Roy, as P.T. Barnum said, ‘There’s a sucker born every minute.’”
“I know,” said Roy, “but buttering them up just to take advantage of them seems mean to me.”

Jacob opined, “Politicians do it all the time. They look at people, smile at people, kiss babies, and lie right to their faces. I always wonder whether they believe their own nonsense.”

“Of course they do,” said Elmer, “or how could they live with themselves? I don’t think I have ever met a kind politician. There are plenty of nice ones, but it’s rare to find one who is kind. They’re too Machiavellian. You can’t trust any of them.”

Harry said, “There are plenty of mean people in the world who pretend to be nice and there are kind people who sometimes aren’t nice at all. It seems a little confusing, but of this I am sure: kindness is the true measure of a person because kindness takes integrity, compassion, honesty, and generosity. I am working on being more kind. I look for the little spark of goodness in every person and focus on that. I am intending to do a good deed daily and also do random acts of kindness.”

And that’s the way things have been in Hilton, NY this month where Harry is doing a good deed daily, Elmer has doubts about the idea of kindness to begin with, Jennifer is in it for the money, Ted turns on the charm to manipulate people, Jacob doesn’t have much respect for politicians, and yet they all seem to agree that increasing kindness would contribute to a better world.

Monday, July 27, 2020

Letters from Hilton, NY - Letter #1 concerning peace and joy

3 Ways to Address an Envelope in Care of Someone Else - wikiHow

Letter #1: Concerning peace and joy

It’s been quite a month in Hilton, NY where Harry Hollywood has been working on his book on spiritual health. Harry says he got the idea when he was writing on his blog about the spiritual life. Harry explained that people worry about their physical health, their mental health, but rarely, if at all, consider their spiritual health.

Harry’s description included 12 components of spiritual health, and 12 cardinal sins that mitigate or interfere with spiritual health. Barbara Golden called the cardinal sins pathogens which contribute to spiritual sickness to stick with the metaphor and not mix it.

Jacob wanted to know what spiritual practices can be engaged in to improve one’s health and various people had various ideas. Harry reminded people that talking about spiritual practices without naming a component of spiritual health they were trying to improve made no sense.

Elmer asked, “What the hell are you talking about? Spiritual health - I’ve never heard of such a thing. Is this real or are you just making up more of your psychobabble mumbo jumbo?”

Barbara said, “No, Elmer, spiritual health is a real thing and I am wondering what kind of condition yours is in. You seem cranky and irritable a lot.”

Elmer said, “So what if I am. I’m an old man. I’ve got a right to be cranky and irritable. A lot of old men, and old ladies are, too, for that matter.”

Barb replied, “Wouldn’t you like to have more peace and joy in your life?”

“Is that what you’re selling? Is that what this is all about: making a buck,” said Elmer.

Barb said, “No, Elmer” spiritual health is free for the asking and the doing.”

Jennifer Golddigger chimed in, “Well, I would be more interested if there was some money in it. Otherwise, why bother?”

Ted Marketer said, “You could do some lectures, you know classes, and post them to YouTube. If you get some traffic they will put ads on the videos and you can get money.”

Jennifer said, “Great idea! what could I say?”

Roy Christian said, “Start with peace and joy. Everybody wants more of that.”

Elmer piped up, “How do you get more of that?”

Barb said, “Forgiveness, Elmer. You have to become more forgiving - you know, stop blaming other people for your own unhappiness.”

“It is their fault,” shouted Elmer. “These idiots make me so mad I could spit.”

Jennifer said, “Maybe you should let it go, Elmer. You know, rise above it as they say.”

“Easier said than done,” said Elmer.

“It takes practice,” said Harry. “That’s why they call it a ‘spiritual practice.’

Elmer for once fell silent. He didn’t seem to have anything to say to that. Jennifer smiled and you could see the wheels turning. Barb smiled beatifically and Ted looked very pleased with himself. Jacob thought forgiveness would give him much more peace and joy.  Harry looked bemused and peaceful. And that’s the way things have been in Hilton, NY this past month where people are considering the things they could do to enhance their spiritual health with a special goal of creating more peace and joy by being more forgiving..

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