Carrie and Danielle - Latest Comments in How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Marie Leona — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:27:05 -0000

Hum... my belief that we, as a country/society, more often than not suffer from consumerism but I cannot help but buy the cutest handbag I saw in the store yesterday (this would be # 8...), and there are some days when some retail therapy is what seems to set my world straight!!!

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Alison — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 00:01:38 -0000

I'm rather contradictory in the way I both speak up (loudly) and keep silent. People are often surprised when I withhold my opinion and let people get away with things, or stand up for something I'm passionate about. I suppose people like to believe that you're either one way or the other.

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Alison — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 22:41:22 -0000

Beautiful. People attempt to be far too black and white when it comes to self-definition. Trying to see yourself as something simple that always behaves in the same way just doesn't work. Its lovely to see such beautiful things taken into account in Style Statement. Its freedom.

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Kristen — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:09:58 -0000

Thank you....I sure did need to hear that. K

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Jennifer Sage — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:46:23 -0000

Ellen I am responding to your posting below. I am struggling to put into words what to say.
Something like If we feel the hate and rage and hard wired desire to take revenge and then (and it can be a long struggle. "God I forgive help me with my unforgiveness") we forgive; THAT is spiritual practice and worth something.
I find it hard to believe or really trust immediate "Peace and love to all"

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Jennifer Sage — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:36:51 -0000

Have you ever met the worlds perfect mother? such a being does not exist. Kristen, I loved this honesty. so earthy and so real.
Just be sure the brawlers know you love them at times.

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Jennifer Sage — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:31:17 -0000

Can we just say that to be Christian and have a gay friend (or friends) is a pure gift from God.
Institutional church can be so hard and so black and white. I prefer to love, no matter how imperfectly, and let God be with us.
My heart tells me to trust this way.

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Jennifer Sage — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:19:52 -0000

It's pretty grown up to work with if you are not the solution you are part of the problem

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Jennifer Sage — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 20:16:15 -0000

The other good word is paradox and one of the great gifts of aging is being able to hold paradox. The tension of opposites.Like a good style statement!
I think Rumi said something like it once; out beyond right and wrong there is a field I'll meet you there (that is not a commletely correct recall of Rumi)

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Kristen — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:19:56 -0000

I have been known to wear a certain t-shirt around the house that reads, "I LOVE PEACE", while screaming like a banshee at my three brawling boys.

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Traci — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 17:50:46 -0000

The Whitman quote was the first thing I thought of when I read today's Q&A. But...it was 3:00 in the morning and I hadn't the capacity to remember it or figure where to find it. Thanks for remembering and sharing, Jamie!

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Tammy — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:47:47 -0000

That's a great story, and quite inspirational. Good for you! It's amazing how exposure to the broader world around us, especially through art, can open people's minds and hearts. Good luck with your play!

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Ellen — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:28:09 -0000

I have had a friend brutally murdered (by her husband!) and I also work with women who were raped and tortured as children. I, also, walk the line between the spiritual belief that all is one and the primal urge to kill.

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

writer11 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:43:22 -0000

I feel 'dual' all the time (see both sides of issues and viewpoints, so sometimes find it hard to make a decision) and have always put it down to being Gemini the twins sign. My husband says there's waaaay more than just two sides of me. Anyway, as long as we are alive and living our lives 'out loud,' there will be conflicts within our choices. Just be ethical and mindful of the rights of other people...

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Cecile — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:40:20 -0000

I try to be true to myself. But I am not always successful. I am fully aware of personality clashes, yet in the name of peace I keep compromising what I really want to do. Some day I will be able to cut lose from some upsetting relationships I have in my life with which I have to lie for now...Hopefully oe day I wil be free...

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

writer11 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:35:54 -0000

Bravo!

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

writer11 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:33:58 -0000

This is so true - and it reminds me of the days when I supervised a large, call centre and prior to our monthly meetings I would hand out an agenda to my staff, so they would come prepared to discuss those items. The last part of the meeting would be turned over to the staff for issues they wanted to bring up. I made one stipulation though, which was that they couldn't complain about something unless they had a resolution they thought everyone could agree upon. There were some great meetings and everyone felt like they'd had input and accomplished something.

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

writer11 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:24:57 -0000

Tammy - I am also conflicted about the meat/animal thing and have slowly eliminated certain kinds of meat (lamb & veal). I also donate to PETA, sign the petitions for change to the big companies who treat animals inhumanely. I have boycotted (by not buying) KFC and McDonalds for years, wrote the letters when asked, and recently PETA announced that KFC Canada (not the US yet) have changed their policies regarding the treatment of chickens (I watched the PETA video on their site and was very upset for days, but it made me take action). They are also introducing a 'faux' chicken choice, so it's good progress. This is our only leverage.

I still eat chicken but try to do it more thoughtfully, if that makes sense. I can't go for a drive anymore without crying over the road kill I see.

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

writer11 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:17:32 -0000

I didn't read far enough along... thanks Danielle

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

writer11 — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:16:20 -0000

I asked C&D about that the other day and it's being changed as we speak, I believe..?

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Danielle LaPorte — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:41:18 -0000

Praise be to the flip flop.

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Carrie McCarthy — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:11:55 -0000

Such juicy answers from everyone. The gap between our beliefs and our actions lies the gold, how can we bridge that gap?

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Carrie McCarthy — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:06:55 -0000

Wonderfully said Licarrit. I am learning to be with my little voice that notices my failing, thank you for showing me I am perfect-able!

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

kerrymac — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:03:09 -0000

Supporting local artists, farmers and small businesses is important to me until we go to Costco and I go hogwild buying huge sizes of organic flatbreads, cereals and jams brought from the US. I feel like I cave in quite frequently with my food and environmental values due to the budget restrictions of having three boys. Seeing them drink a small $6 bottle or organic milk at snack when we could have a huge jug of normal milk for $5 and have it last several days is hard to swallow sometimes. I have also contradicted my parenting ideals more often than I'd like to admit. I hate yelling and I have yelled like a cuckoo bird at my boys before. Honesty is what I preach to them constantly and I have told many a little white lie to trick them out of a store or generally make things a little easier for myself. Yikes...I feel like I am a kid again at Catholic confession...I wonder just how many Hail Marys' I should say? www.snickerdoodles.typepad.com

Re: How do your actions manifest, and contradict, your beliefs?

Katasha — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:51:00 -0000

Oops. That would be Carrie's comment, not Danielle's. . .