If I were Boss....
Aug. 16th, 2006 09:22 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mdehnersOver the yrs, I’ve been told quite a few times, in a number of ways; “If you’re so Smart, why don’t YOU do it?!?!”. Well, I often have. Unfortunately for others, I’m a bit of a Misanthrope. As my fav misanthropic author, Florence King puts it, ”I don’t Suffer Fools and enjoy making Fools Suffer”. During my CR days, it was made clear that I wasn’t “caring” enough to be a leader. Too much the Strict Headmaster, not enough the Loving Father;>. I can remember one time my less-than-positive comments about the “Druids from Atlantis” Belief got me into a bit of trouble. So much for “Why Not Excellence”;>!
Recently, I’ve had a few Heathens state “The Question”. Well, if I were the “Grande Fromage” of a Heathen org, I’d;>:
1: Recognize Reality. To build Community(s), you need numbers FIRST. Make it easy for folks to find their “Way Home”. I Know Heathens “bitch” about all the “Pagan 101” books, but WHO HAS THE LARGER POPULATION;>? Write some acknowledging the Reality that most don’t live in areas where there are a handful of Heathens within a couple of hrs drive, let alone a “kindred”. Don’t make Solitaries Feel like 2nd Class Heathens. Don’t write exclusively for groups. Guide them “Home”, don’t drive them away, esp to Alien Ways….
2: Help with Individual growth. . Right now, most Heathens have only their e-folk to help them. Most ‘zines focus on Academic and/or group material. While there’s absolutely nothing Wrong with this, “toss a bone” per issue to the Newbie and/or Solitary...
3: Stop the Insanity?!?! As much fun as Mental Masturbation is, leave it to when other more Useful projects are completed. When the majority of your folk are Solitary, why are you Primarily focusing on large group Rites and dynamics? If your folk need ___, do ___. Play with your own desires afterwards. Also, remember that while you may be descended from some of the Regin, you aren’t one. You can’t “do it all”. Focus on a few subjects and if you have extra time, add more….not the reverse;>
4: Stop the Mollycoddling. If a Heathen can’t handle the Truth, they aren’t much of a Heathen then. That’s Truth, not Opinion. We all have Opinions, which can be factually True or False. Truth can never be False. False habits/beliefs are better not acquired in the 1st place.
5:Deal with Facts, don’t Ignore them OR “Reframe” them. If something comes from a non-Heathen source, say so. If a Belief has been shown to be False or on very shaky ground, “Deal”. If an MSS has been shown to be a forgery but you like it’s info…TOUGH. If at any time a position requires the concept of Multiverses/Alt Realities as Support….there are Ways much more supportive of material not of this world or universe;>…
6: Be Honest. Really Honest and CONSISTANT. In the last quarter+century, I’ve run into WAY to many Leaders that “Believed” one thing on paper, another in public another with one group, etc. If your Beliefs Change…that’s fine. They should not change depending on the audience, however.
That’s enough for two cups of coffee;>!
Troth,
Pat
Recently, I’ve had a few Heathens state “The Question”. Well, if I were the “Grande Fromage” of a Heathen org, I’d;>:
1: Recognize Reality. To build Community(s), you need numbers FIRST. Make it easy for folks to find their “Way Home”. I Know Heathens “bitch” about all the “Pagan 101” books, but WHO HAS THE LARGER POPULATION;>? Write some acknowledging the Reality that most don’t live in areas where there are a handful of Heathens within a couple of hrs drive, let alone a “kindred”. Don’t make Solitaries Feel like 2nd Class Heathens. Don’t write exclusively for groups. Guide them “Home”, don’t drive them away, esp to Alien Ways….
2: Help with Individual growth. . Right now, most Heathens have only their e-folk to help them. Most ‘zines focus on Academic and/or group material. While there’s absolutely nothing Wrong with this, “toss a bone” per issue to the Newbie and/or Solitary...
3: Stop the Insanity?!?! As much fun as Mental Masturbation is, leave it to when other more Useful projects are completed. When the majority of your folk are Solitary, why are you Primarily focusing on large group Rites and dynamics? If your folk need ___, do ___. Play with your own desires afterwards. Also, remember that while you may be descended from some of the Regin, you aren’t one. You can’t “do it all”. Focus on a few subjects and if you have extra time, add more….not the reverse;>
4: Stop the Mollycoddling. If a Heathen can’t handle the Truth, they aren’t much of a Heathen then. That’s Truth, not Opinion. We all have Opinions, which can be factually True or False. Truth can never be False. False habits/beliefs are better not acquired in the 1st place.
5:Deal with Facts, don’t Ignore them OR “Reframe” them. If something comes from a non-Heathen source, say so. If a Belief has been shown to be False or on very shaky ground, “Deal”. If an MSS has been shown to be a forgery but you like it’s info…TOUGH. If at any time a position requires the concept of Multiverses/Alt Realities as Support….there are Ways much more supportive of material not of this world or universe;>…
6: Be Honest. Really Honest and CONSISTANT. In the last quarter+century, I’ve run into WAY to many Leaders that “Believed” one thing on paper, another in public another with one group, etc. If your Beliefs Change…that’s fine. They should not change depending on the audience, however.
That’s enough for two cups of coffee;>!
Troth,
Pat
