Worship

What is your definition of worship?

During a conversation, Robyn and I asked how can someone worship God, yet not be satisfied with his creation. I said this is not possible. I looked up the definition of worship and was surprised at the result. Come to find out, there are several definitions given at the Merriam Webster site.

1 chiefly British : a person of importance —used as a title for various officials (as magistrates and some mayors)

2 : reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power; also : an act of expressing such reverence

3 : a form of religious practice with its creed and ritual

4 : extravagant respect or admiration for or devotion to an object of esteem

Perhaps the confusion is not that people don’t worship their God, but that their meaning of worship is different than mine. It’s a horrible comparison, but when I started thinking about it, I think that I worship my Pekingese. Val is perfect. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. I am a bit crazy but hear me out. To me, Val has no faults. He is beautiful. I love him completely and unconditionally. He loves me more than anything in the world. He has a wonderful personality. He never has any negativity about him. He is always there when I need him. What more could I ask? Now, if you look at him, you might say different. But then, you just don’t know him like I do. I never thought that I worshipped a dog, but according to the definition, I do have extravagant respect and admiration for him. I am very devoted to him. Now that said, I can also say that I love all of his creations. I never mind vacuuming dog hair, it just shows I should have brushed his beautiful coat more. If he gets in the trash, it is the fault of whoever put something in there he wanted. If he has an accident on the floor, it is my fault for not taking him out. If he barks, I appreciate the alert. I listen and go see what he wants. Every puppy he has created is also perfect. Any puppy we have had that has less coat then normal is perfect for someone who wants a baby that doesn’t shed much. Any puppy that has a longer nose than normal is perfect for someone looking for one that won’t snuffle and snore as much as Pekingese usually do. Every puppy that is standoffish is perfect for a home with older people who don’t need a playful outgoing dog. Every puppy that is a tad hyper is perfect for a home with children who need a dog to play. Every creation is perfect.

So again, I wonder, how can people worship God, yet not think everything created is perfect. How can we not believe that every storm is needed? How can we not believe that every sickness has purpose? How can we not accept that every abuse is destiny? Of course, every child is perfect. If we believe that God is the creator of everything, then everything is perfect in its own right, no?

Perhaps it is only that people live by different definitions of worship. Perhaps some of us only have reverence and respect for God. Perhaps some of us have built our religious practice around God and formed our own rituals and creeds or follow those of others. Personally, I think I am going to work towards worshipping more than just my dog. I will begin to adore everything created. I will love, unconditionally, every aspect of nature. I will begin anew the adulation I have for the entity I believe in by assuming there are many things I cannot yet understand the purpose for and accept life’s tribulations. This will not be easy and I will fail, but as part of the creation, I am perfect. I am at the stage in life where I am meant to be.

I hope that this makes you think about at what stage you are at in your life. I hope that this helps anyone who reads this blog continue with their own personal growth. Perhaps during our prayers we can hold off asking for healing and instead be thankful for the pain and the distraction it causes. Perhaps shouldn’t ask for peace but be grateful for the violence and the lessons it teaches us. Maybe we miss our loved ones who have passed away but are appreciative of the time we spent together. We can believe that change will come when the time is right assuming we truly worship our creator.

Blessings,

Karen and Robyn - A collaboration (Teamwork is great!)

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Honesty

Wow, what a week! Got lots of work done around the house. The new furbabies arrived. I’ve had some great conversations with friends, new and old. Maybe all the serious, soul-wrenching conversation has been in preparation for the Taurus moon coming up on the latter part of October. There has been much talk of trust, core beliefs and honesty. The question I ask myself this morning is how much is too much?

I for one appreciate total honesty, regardless of its effect. Most people aren’t honest with themselves, much less others. I don’t think this is a conscious choice, not for the most part. Our egos play tricks on us when trying to tell the truth. We are either an egomaniac, who would never admit a fault, or so insecure we fear what others would think if they truly knew us. Most of us fall in the middle, which gives us both problems at once! Strangely enough I think most people feel comfortable enough with me to be fairly honest. Maybe it is because I try to be honest; maybe it’s because I have so many faults I am not likely to cast any stones. Then again, maybe it’s because I love people for the interesting, wonderful souls they are and that shows. I hope so.

So how can we be honest, keep our fragile egos inflated and dodge the stones of thrown at us? How can we be who we are, while still being who others expect us to be? How can we say what we feel and not risk offending others? This takes delicate balance. You might say, screw what others think, I am who I am. Well, that is easier said than done. Whether we are parents, children, friends, politicians, church leaders or just some random stranger, we all are at least a little concerned about how we affect others. We should be. I don’t want to hurt anyone but I need to be me. So this week, while I am still learning to consistently emit positive energy, I am going to be working on positively being me. While we make the transition from the impulsive, intelligent Aries moon, to the more positive and practical sign of Taurus, I will be working on a new aspect of growth. I am committing myself to being honest. Only then can I begin to trust myself and others. Only then can I take a sincere look at my core beliefs and know for absolutely certain, this is who I am.

As always, any comments or criticism is most welcome. Feel free to sign up and comment right here, or where the blog link is posted on facebook or myspace.

Bright Blessings to all,

Karen