Hello!
First of all: Happy Belated Thanksgiving to all! I hope you had a great day. Second of all: Happy Black Friday to all! I hope you had a great day, whatever that means to you.
It's funny, watching FaceBook over the past 24 hours; there's so much Black Friday Hate. Either people are excited or they hate it. I usually go Black Friday shopping. This year I saved about 65% off the regular prices on my purchases and I'm done with all my shopping for Christmas. I've just got some hand-made things to finish up. My Black Friday Experiences have always been good. I've never seen a mob, I've never been pushed or shoved, but I do have a cardinal Black Friday Rule; "Have a I don't care attitude at all times." For example: what you wanted to buy is sold out, instead of finding someone holding that item wrestling them down and ripping it from their hands say, "I don't care, I'll find something better or the same at another store." Another example: People in line infront of you are fighting and start getting really close to you, instead of saying Black Friday is terrible, I'm never doing this again, say "Wow, they're crazy, but I don't care." And then walk to the next line over to get away from the crazies (although this has never happened to me). Unless you are the kind of person who can go with the flow, then you shouldn't go a Black Fridaying, but don't hate on it just because it's not your style.
Additionally, I've found a lot of people saying Black Friday=Commercial=Bad. Ok, yes, the holidays should not be only about the commercial. But, spending some time picking something special for the people in your life that you care about is not commercial--it's kind and in some cases the least you can do. I just go Black Fridaying because the prices are really good that day, I can get it all out of the way in one day, and the extra money in my budget from getting things cheaper allows me to spend almost a third of my Christmas budget on a Salvation Army Angel Tree child.
Every day is what you make of it; if you decide a day is terrible and you let it make you feel icky all day, that's on you, not the day. Also, judging a whole group of people who go Black Fridaying as crazy and commercial-minded isn't cool. I think it's been well established (or should be at this point) you can't/shouldn't judge a large group of people. There is no way you can understand or know everyone's mindset or thoughts, don't pretend to.
And in closing: Thank you to everyone in my town for being awesome Black Fridayers. I had nice conversations with people in lines, the stores I went to were very well managed for the day, there was no pushing or shoving or cutting or cheating. Everyone was fair and cool. Thanks.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Psychic Fair
Hello!
So my dear friend Rose and I went to the Sense-ations Psychic fair in Dallas yesterday. We really enjoyed it and will be doing an event review on the podcast (which we plan to record this week and put out on the 30th or 1st). I had two readings done and really enjoyed them both; we also did mini-sessions of Voice Mapping, which was really interesting.
More details to come out in the show.
Choa!
-Ren
So my dear friend Rose and I went to the Sense-ations Psychic fair in Dallas yesterday. We really enjoyed it and will be doing an event review on the podcast (which we plan to record this week and put out on the 30th or 1st). I had two readings done and really enjoyed them both; we also did mini-sessions of Voice Mapping, which was really interesting.
More details to come out in the show.
Choa!
-Ren
Monday, November 15, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
New Episode
Hello All!
New episode of Shhh! There Are Pagans in Texas will be coming out soonish...tonight or tomorrow. It is editted, it's just a matter of services catching up with me.
In this episode we ended up talking about proselytizing and I had written a prepared statement, which I'd like to also share here:
It is my belief (MY belief) that it is not right to attempt to change people. I believe that change can only originate from the individual. If they don't want to change, they won't, so it's rude to try to impose change on someone who doesn't want/ask for it. If someone has questions about a faith or a religion, then it makes perfect sense for them to seek out people of that religion/faith to learn about it, be it Christian, Wicca, Hindu, Muslim, etc. In my humble opinion that is the appropriate time to share or educate about your faith or religion--when it is asked of you. When people come to you, that is when they are open, or most likely to be open, to hearing what you say and then it is not a confrontation, just a conversation. When someone is attacking or defending, they're in fight or flight mode, survival more. When you're surviving you can't make logical statements or learn anything new.
So, in answer to the question: No, in my humble opinion, we as Pagans, Wiccans, in fact Human Beings of any faith should not proselytize. We should not be confrontational about something as deeply personal as faith. We should have civil interfaith conversations amongst those who want to participate; we should not force these conversations.
When I am approached by a proselytizer, I calmly and politely thank them for the information, end the conversation and move on with my life. They are just doing their job by sharing their faith. It's what they were called to do. And by being polite I am doing what I see as my job: not interfering with others faith, treating others politely, and since they didn't ask (they usually don't) about my faith not sharing. I'm not saying my way of handling it is the best or most appropriate for everyone, just for me. As long as they don't become confrontational or harass or abuse me; then I can handle it gracefully. Only if they were to cross the boundary into rude, mean, or illegal actions would it truly become a problem to me.
I just want to live and let live. Not everyone will agree with me, but by my own statement, that has to be OK.
Enjoy the Episode and have a great week!
Chao!
-Renny
New episode of Shhh! There Are Pagans in Texas will be coming out soonish...tonight or tomorrow. It is editted, it's just a matter of services catching up with me.
In this episode we ended up talking about proselytizing and I had written a prepared statement, which I'd like to also share here:
It is my belief (MY belief) that it is not right to attempt to change people. I believe that change can only originate from the individual. If they don't want to change, they won't, so it's rude to try to impose change on someone who doesn't want/ask for it. If someone has questions about a faith or a religion, then it makes perfect sense for them to seek out people of that religion/faith to learn about it, be it Christian, Wicca, Hindu, Muslim, etc. In my humble opinion that is the appropriate time to share or educate about your faith or religion--when it is asked of you. When people come to you, that is when they are open, or most likely to be open, to hearing what you say and then it is not a confrontation, just a conversation. When someone is attacking or defending, they're in fight or flight mode, survival more. When you're surviving you can't make logical statements or learn anything new.
So, in answer to the question: No, in my humble opinion, we as Pagans, Wiccans, in fact Human Beings of any faith should not proselytize. We should not be confrontational about something as deeply personal as faith. We should have civil interfaith conversations amongst those who want to participate; we should not force these conversations.
When I am approached by a proselytizer, I calmly and politely thank them for the information, end the conversation and move on with my life. They are just doing their job by sharing their faith. It's what they were called to do. And by being polite I am doing what I see as my job: not interfering with others faith, treating others politely, and since they didn't ask (they usually don't) about my faith not sharing. I'm not saying my way of handling it is the best or most appropriate for everyone, just for me. As long as they don't become confrontational or harass or abuse me; then I can handle it gracefully. Only if they were to cross the boundary into rude, mean, or illegal actions would it truly become a problem to me.
I just want to live and let live. Not everyone will agree with me, but by my own statement, that has to be OK.
Enjoy the Episode and have a great week!
Chao!
-Renny
Monday, November 8, 2010
Post Samhain
Hello All!
My husband and I had a fantastic Samhain! In this post are pictures of our Samhain Pumpkins. I carved the Goddess Pumpkin and he carved the God. We also roasted the seeds (which we're still eating on).
My husband and I had a fantastic Samhain! In this post are pictures of our Samhain Pumpkins. I carved the Goddess Pumpkin and he carved the God. We also roasted the seeds (which we're still eating on).
In other news, our whole apartment complex is having a wasp problem. My husband has had to kill at least 1 a day (sometimes up to 3) that has gotten into our house. He has to kill them because I'm allergic to them and if they sting me, I die. It's been almost a week and the complex hasn't done anything. The arguement is because it's been windy and they can't spray when the winds over 10 mph. That makes sense, but we also have a 1 inch gap in our front door (which they're coming in through) and they have yet to send anyone out to even look at that. I'm a bit frustrated. I don't really want to end up in the hospital for something preventable and I certainly don't want to die.
:-/
Chao!
-Renny
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Happy Samhain!!
It's Samhain! All Hallow's Eve, Dia de Muerte, Halloween--doesn't matter the name, it's the most freaking awesome day of the year. I love this day. It takes me back to remembering my secret rites I used to practice as a teen living in my parent's house. I'd lock myself in my (rather large) bathroom, light candles, work my magic or just commune with the night. It's frequently foggy at night this time of year where I'm from and the atmosphere is unlike any of I've met since. It could have been conceived as creepy--but if you understood it, the fog and the cold night breeze were loving and gentle. The spirits and other-beings nearly visible in the deep midnight fog. It was magical and truly encapsulates my feelings on this holiday honoring the dead, the underworld, and the otherbeings.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Reporting
Hello!
Well, CMA was fun, a bit cold but fun. I definately enjoyed hanging out with my friends and knowing that (for a brief weekend) I was not in a religious minority. My husband and I made breakfast on the last day for everyone: French Toast and Sausage. We also brought a much larger tent this time, which just made the entire event much more comfortable. We went from litterally just enough room for 2 backpacks and a queen mattress to a 12x12 dome that we could stand up in. It was delightful. We also went to Revel Fire (which we some how managed to miss at Beltane)--it was really hypnotic. 23 foot flames usually are, but the people, drumming and dancing made it really special. It inspired me to try to find a place to take belly dancing lessons. I actually found a studio in my town, but they're in the process of moving and won't be taking new students until December, I think I'm going to look for another studio, but if I don't find anything by December I'll go with that one. It would be really nice to be able to take an evening class and be home before 8pm (since I have to get up very early in the mornings for work).
Well, that's a quick summation of my recent life. This coming weekend is Samhain; we've already been to one Samhain ritual and have 3 more scheduled to attend next weekend. It's really the busiest time for witches.
Chao!
-Ren
Well, CMA was fun, a bit cold but fun. I definately enjoyed hanging out with my friends and knowing that (for a brief weekend) I was not in a religious minority. My husband and I made breakfast on the last day for everyone: French Toast and Sausage. We also brought a much larger tent this time, which just made the entire event much more comfortable. We went from litterally just enough room for 2 backpacks and a queen mattress to a 12x12 dome that we could stand up in. It was delightful. We also went to Revel Fire (which we some how managed to miss at Beltane)--it was really hypnotic. 23 foot flames usually are, but the people, drumming and dancing made it really special. It inspired me to try to find a place to take belly dancing lessons. I actually found a studio in my town, but they're in the process of moving and won't be taking new students until December, I think I'm going to look for another studio, but if I don't find anything by December I'll go with that one. It would be really nice to be able to take an evening class and be home before 8pm (since I have to get up very early in the mornings for work).
Well, that's a quick summation of my recent life. This coming weekend is Samhain; we've already been to one Samhain ritual and have 3 more scheduled to attend next weekend. It's really the busiest time for witches.
Chao!
-Ren
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