Has CR changed you?

wil · 03-05-2008, 06:43 PM

I don't know where to put this. If some mod has a better idea, total permission to shuffle it on over there.

From another thread/post the comment was that the poster had grown from playing here on the forum.

How about you?

I often look back at ten years ago, twenty years ago and think of what a self serving ignorant ass I was back then. And then I ponder whether in twenty years I'll look back on today and see the same.

I can say I absolutely appreciate my time here. Being exposed to such a variety of thought on seriously such an intimate level, at truly sometimes beyond the edge of decorum...but always finding a way back to discussion is incredible.

17th Angel · 03-05-2008, 06:47 PM

Oh, you know it baby.. I was just saying to SG, look back to your very first post.. Take a peep my brothers and sisters, as you read you begin to see how much you have grown.. I couldn't possibly imagine one person... (apart from pathless just to get me!) that would say no, because around this circle, this magic circle there are so many ideas, rules, cultures, ways, traditions, and they all stem from one thing and are striving to get to the same place picking up as many as they can along the way... And when you are around people like that wisdom flowers and knowledge grows, even if you do not understand or believe or completley "get it" you still should leave here with a smile and a skip in your step because you have just been given like this special feed to make you grow... Heh... In my opinion.

dauer · 03-05-2008, 08:07 PM

I think I've learned to be a lot more tolerant of fundamentalists and I've come to realize that they too come in many different flavors.

wil · 03-05-2008, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dauer

I think I've learned to be a lot more tolerant of fundamentalists and I've come to realize that they too come in many different flavors.

Yes there is that. I don't even think tolerant is the word for me anymore. I've been given the chance here to understand where they are coming from, and while it may not be my cup of tea, and I don't totally grock it, I accept it, and can gain from their knowledge and belief.

dauer · 03-05-2008, 10:04 PM

That's probably a better way of putting it.

Tao_Equus · 03-05-2008, 11:43 PM

Nope, cant say i have grown at all. I'm still exactly 6' tall.

I just tried a search of when i made my first post here but record seems not to go back that far but think it was about 3 years ago. Not a lot of time to change really.

What I can say is there are people here I have grown a goodly respect for, and who entertain, amuse, educate and inspire me with their posts. There are a few once regular posters who I miss, with a depth that surprises me. There are a very few that annoy me but as they also challenge me in their own ways they are as valuable to me as anyone. But what really makes this place special to me is that the whole is much bigger than the sum parts. Its what everybody contributes that makes it special.

And while i think about it...our host has not been seen by me for some time....

Brian! (monty python mother of brian impersonation) Brian!!

dauer · 03-06-2008, 12:07 AM

Tao, try searching for posts by you that are older than a year ago.

path_of_one · 03-06-2008, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wil

Yes there is that. I don't even think tolerant is the word for me anymore. I've been given the chance here to understand where they are coming from, and while it may not be my cup of tea, and I don't totally grock it, I accept it, and can gain from their knowledge and belief.

There is that. And some of the solidly Christian folks welcomed me in a way that was such a relief from some of what I'd experienced in person... it gave me a renewed sense of faith in the body of believers (as opposed to God alone). It called me back to trying to (at least some times) worship collectively at church. It was a great gift.

I've grown a lot- some from other sources than CR, but CR is a great place I found to generate questions, to ponder, to learn from other traditions (I've had some wonderful ah-ha moments from the Judaism forum and contributions that impacted my Christianity a ton). I find it such a gift to share with others such a deeply central part of my life, and in such an intimate way.

China Cat Sunflower · 03-06-2008, 12:17 AM

I think that the process of writing to forums such as this over the last ten years has helped me burn through a lot of superficialities and refine my interests. The downside is that there are fewer and fewer topics at the pedestrian level that I'm willing to spend the energy on engaging in. And it's getting harder and harder to find the words to share what I'm actually thinking about. I wonder more and more what I'm doing here.

Chris

wil · 03-06-2008, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

...The downside is that there are fewer and fewer topics at the pedestrian level that I'm willing to spend the energy on engaging in.

And it's getting harder and harder to find the words to share what I'm actually thinking about...

You mean gossip at the water cooler, arguing who has the best whatever sport record for the weekend, is all getting old??

And your thoughts exceed your vocabulary?

I think those are both great attributes.

China Cat Sunflower · 03-06-2008, 02:06 AM

The great irony is that the more I succeed in leaving affectation behind the more aloof and obtuse I appear to others. I imagine that they think that I must think myself grandly superior, when in fact I am more and more humbled by the increasing realization of my own ignorance. I imagine at some point I'll lose the ability to offer more than grunts and whistles.

Chris

I, Brian · 03-06-2008, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

And while i think about it...our host has not been seen by me for some time....

Brian! (monty python mother of brian impersonation) Brian!!

Still around, checking, but rarely posting - punishing work schedule.

Funny - when I originally laid the groundwork for CR, I thought how great it would be to mix with spiritual - or, at least, open-minded or liberal people of faith, and learn from the process.

The bigger CR grew, though, the more I had to go into "admin" mode, spent time sorting stuff out, and the less spiritual food I was able to nourish myself with.

Maybe comes from running a business as well. Feel like a tree in winter.

path_of_one · 03-06-2008, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by China Cat Sunflower

The great irony is that the more I succeed in leaving affectation behind the more aloof and obtuse I appear to others. I imagine that they think that I must think myself grandly superior, when in fact I am more and more humbled by the increasing realization of my own ignorance. I imagine at some point I'll lose the ability to offer more than grunts and whistles.

Chris

I feel for you, Chris. People have told my husband I'm wierd, odd, and boring.

That's what I get for being a big nerd and into religion, politics, and science.

What makes me really sad is people have said they think I believe myself to be superior, when that couldn't be farther from the truth. I really believe I can learn from every person and I'm intensely interested in what other people (everyone, anyone) thinks about most stuff (ethics, religion, politics, whatever). But the combination of my intense interest, my nerdy activities, and my tendency to be quite reserved in large groups (I can't help it- I'm an introvert) means I come across all wrong to people. The lack of my capacity to gossip, know much about celebrities' lives, or have any interest in fashion means that I'm typically seen as even more boring and odd by women than men.

And now I'm increasingly on a kick where everything amazes me in life. I walk to work looking up into the trees, and I'm fascinated by the form and color. I fascinated by the birds that hang out on the sidewalk. I could hang out and literally watch grass grow at times. I talk to the homeless people- I actually have had a few good conversations. Before long I will go from being pegged as eccentric and boring (and oddly enough, either overly religious or wantonly wild and unchurched, depending on who you ask)... to totally insane.

I figure it could be worse... At least my family accepts me as I am. They even like me.

China Cat Sunflower · 03-06-2008, 04:19 AM

You seem very warm and affable to me Kim, like the sister I wish I had.

Chris

Netti-Netti · 03-06-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by path_of_one

People have told my husband I'm wierd, odd, and boring. That's what I get for being a big nerd and into religion, politics, and science.

I was under the impression that everyone is into these things. The main difference is that some spend more time reflecting and talking about them.