Urban Renewal...

Trying to get back on the writing “horse”, though my finger was cut a bit deeper than I thought. And one of those that I can use too! I have two “spares” on each hand dammit;>!
Seems to be a lot of Endings going on lately. A co-worker of Chuck’s died(as he Lived, Drunk and screwing around…), a friend’s relationship(too much responsibility for him, too much drain on his wallet. She needs to find a nice, stable guy that happens to be Pagan. Stable and responsible 1st!), the continued Death Throws of a list that I was one of the Founding Members. …
A lot of wasted time but what IS important? A Good Life well Lived is always a Winner. Spiritual Growth? Well, that sort of depends on the definition. Some folks define it as Personal Power. Some as Self Improvement. Others as Growing closer to the Deities of their Choice. While I’m not a big fan of selfless sacrifice, I do however find selfishness Irritating. “Following Your Bliss” is all well-n-good if you are only Responsible for yourself. Once there is another person or persons, it’s not longer “all about you”. ..esp if you’re no longer in your early 20’s. Adult is NOT a dirty Word!!!
I admit I tend toward the Devotional Path. The Codger in the Cave or Hag in the Hut is more my style than Wand-slinger or Pope. I also don’t Believe in Easy Answers or that Answers ARE easy. There is a big reason why Lore of most folks have the Questor “schlep” hither and yon. Knowledge and Wisdom Earned is always more Useful than that easily picked up. Sort of like the Tomato grown by yourself is always tastier than that from the market;>.
Most of us tend to take the easy way then get pissed when it doesn’t work out in the long run. There’s a reason why old houses last longer than those thrown up in modern days. They were slowly, carefully put together, usually of the best materials available to those building. Keeping with the metaphor, you need a good foundation. BTW, not just Spiritual. You don’t have to be Rich but you do need to have enough to take care of your ADL’s as us Nurses say, Activities of Daily Living. Shelter, Food, Water, Power and Transport. You need the minimum for all of them or no Growth can really be made simply because your Energy is about SURVIVING. You have to have the ability to Do for Yourself. Even if married, something could, can and does happen to the Breadwinner….ALWAYS. Even if it’s for a couple of weeks folks don’t have Reserves. You’re all in the “boat”. EVERYONE has to Know how to “sail”….
Unlike many Folkish I’m a strong Believer in the Individual 1st. My Reasoning is that you need each Individual to have an Individual relationship with their God/desses, otherwise, you are heading toward the same model as Christendom; religious performance art. A group of those strong in their relationships with the Regin(or for those reading of other Ways, your God/desses;>) is by Nature got more going for it than a couple with some folks that are more there for the sense of community than that of religious conviction….sadly, often the case with both Universalist and Folkish as well as Pagan groups I’ve Known….
Find some way of taking care of your ADL’s 24/7-364. Go meet some God/desses personally, not as a metaphor. Study and Practice. Avoid those that don’t or worse, wish you to do all the work for them. No one’s THAT good in bed;>!
Troth,
Pat