"N" and "S" types in Familial Relationships. Personality (intuitive versus sensing) Affects Family Function and Friendships. Being SEEN.

*NOTE: As I have mentioned before in posts, personality is ONE aspect of being human and your individual make up. Environment, upbringing, birth, health, trauma, life experience, mental or cognitive differences, genetics, beliefs, gender preferences, country of origin....there are so many aspects that make up YOU. However, I firmly believe finding your accurate personality helps you understand more of yourself and how you work. Take a free test HERE: http://www.16personalities.com - or sign up with an email and take test here http://www.personalityhacker.com/genius-personality-test/ (this site has amazing insight, podcasts and videos.) The key is to answer as you ARE and not as you would want to be like. Meyers Briggs/ Keirsey is what the 16 personalities is based on and has research behind it for a reason. It is more of a descriptor of what you value and how you work out of the world in regards to communication and relationships. I am speaking with authority about INFJ because I am one. However, I make sure I am also reading up on all of the other types and I listen to every single Personality Hacker. Understanding more than just your type is key but writing about YOUR type can help the world. I encourage you, if you are not an INFJ, to write about your type and feel free to link it in the comments, as we need more personal stories on other types out there:) *

Our family was watching the TV series,"The Middle" together. We can relate a lot...especially the first few seasons. Our two boys are a mix of Brick and our daughter can relate A LOT to Sue. The episode was about a quirky Aspergian/ Dyspraxic child named Brick who wished to have a birthday he enjoyed instead of the "typical" party. So his mom threw him a party for the whole class where each child was required to read quietly at the table, eat politely, and whisper 'Happy Birthday' at the library, then proceed to take a picture with the librarian. All the children groaned and thought the party was a dud. My children and I thought the party was EPIC and ideal. Finally, a few children (even if it was on TV) would understand how we felt sitting through their loud, overly scheduled, obnoxious, boring parties to us. When a child complained to Brick's mom about the party, she replied that Brick has sat through years worth of all their parties so they can sit through ONE that suits him. A perfect example of how many introverted or intuitive types feel at birthdays and big events ect.

Events, family or otherwise, seem to be a big part of what is considered socially appropriate behaviour and healthy habits in our culture. It's ironic that we expect family to show up for big celebrations when our personal relationships with them are broken. Or even when their personality preference may do best in other circumstances. Why, if both parties involved, have not picked up the phone for years to build a relationship would we expect to have a fun family get together? Why is that an expectation?

Looking at this chart you can see why this happens. (The red is women, blue men and grey the general average.) Much of the world is comprised of 'S' types. Sensing types value big functions, hierarchies (in general- not all of them do), establishments and "traditional" family methods. 'S' types are amazing people who help run our culture and our institutions. They have their upsides and their downsides like any other type of person, but they are in the majority and a lot of their ways became the "norm." 'S' types are capable of carrying on idyll chit chat and valuing it as building a relationship. A few birthday wishes make them feel very special. While most Intuitive or 'N' types not only forget birthdays often (most of those in the Idealist category anyway) but often will see the rigidity of certain traditions as pointless or boring. Generally depth being built upon and acceptance of quirks, imagination and big ideas are valued stronger than building sensory memories. Often a big event will not be viewed as quality time. Perhaps 'N' types will look at the chit chat or get togethers a few times a year as neutral or necessary but if their relationships with the people involved are not of deeper substance, it is more of a function to endure. Why do we focus on collective family function when instead we should first focus on individual familial relationships? If we do not have some basic respect, trust, and love built, why do we expect everyone to get together to have a good time?

Those that do not show up are considered the family rebels. The family just waits and prays from them to shape up to the familial standards. If it's past a certain amount of time they give up altogether and write them off as selfish. Preceding the write off are years of mini lectures, phone calls anytime a "wrong" decision is being considered, and brief civil dinners where the individual isn't even appreciated or allowed to be whom they are. Is it love to ignore whom a person is? Is it love to write off most of what a person does as "wrong" or to judge most of their process as something to change? Why do we expect people to relish these activities?

Most families have forms of dysfunction. There are normal subjects in each family that should be off limits. There are topics that are too explosive and should be saved for friendships. A general definition of a healthy family would be one that has all six ingredients of love and practises them to each other on a more regular basis. Thus, when the big events happen, everyone feels valued for whom they are and respected. Where each person feels comfortable enough to partake or leave when needed or be able to have some level of enjoyment. Then of course a big event is to be appreciated and looked forward to.

Years ago we slowly had to distance ourselves from certain events. For years we brought up how we felt disrespected, unheard or tried to foster understanding. Other than one beautiful person, and a couple healthy discussions, most of our pleas fell on deaf ears. Or it would be validated in a conversation but the key behaviours would continue again the next time. We were finally advised to focus on the individual relationships that could be salvaged or were willing to also work to understand, and leave the rest to their own lives. Family is what you make it. It's awesome if family can be blood ties but a lot of the time, the best family we have are the families we cultivate with respect and love.

 "Love is a combination of six ingredients: care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect and trust. I found that a lot of people just felt really confused about what love is, so I said, here, take these six ingredients and as you go about your life, you can ask: the action I'm taking, does it have these six ingredients? One point that I would emphasize to people is that it's the combination of the six ingredients that make love, because so many of us have one of the ingredients in our life – like we may be deeply cared for, but we may not be in a situation of trust. To me what's great about these definitions is that they're just very helpful for people in daily life trying to engage in a practice of love."- Bell Hooks (Note: As with any cited reference in this blog, just because I use an excellent quote from a speaker, does not mean I believe or subscribe to their total philosophy. In this case, the six ingredients of love is a solid example to recognize healthy relationships.)

Sometimes the minority just has to decide to stay home or do their own thing. There is no other way around it. The majority honestly do believe they want the others there in theory, but each time those others show up, there is controversy, disrespect and at least one person goes home hurt due to differences that are not held by the majority. What is the point? Why do we keep doing this? If the people in the minority aspect of the family for whatever reason (differences in spirituality, sexuality, disability, physicality ect.) decide they can be supported and happy away from the family, and the family has a general better time without them, why can't we let this happen? Why force something that isn't there? If it really seems to be an issue, then perhaps focusing on the individual relationship between the people focusing on the six ingredients of love cited above, would be a better use of time? If one seriously wants the family there that don't usually show up- it means change. It requires growth. It will take TIME. Are both parties willing to give that time? Are we going to view it as healthy and normal if both parties do not want to invest that time? Because it is ok. Life demands much. Some relationships are there to teach, sharpen or challenge, and some are meant to be left behind while some will ebb and flow depending on the ages and stages.

Another aspect of 'N's are that they are mostly unwilling to give their time to something that will not have a deep payoff...relational or otherwise. We want to know our investments of money, people, or love will at least be appreciated, helped or find depth. In relationships, we want more than talks about the weather. We want to be able to discourse about at least a few subjects deeply without having them all off limits. We want to swim in the deep end on a fairly regular basis. We want to skip the niceties that feel like a general waste of time and get down to the stuff that isn't often discussed. We want to speculate, use imagination and speak of possibilities. We want to hear philosophy or scientific theories. A shallow example would be that we would want a deeper explanation of how a person felt when the wind whipped their hair and the sun burnt their shoulders (INFP) and triggered a deep thought or existential question (many rationalists.) We don't want to just hear that it's windy and hot outside.

My husband, children and I are all "N" types. We have a lot of 'S' types in our life, because that is the majority of the world (estimated about 76% of the world.) Some are close friends who appreciate our differences deeply and we appreciate their steady differences. We need each other. We don't want our 'S' counterparts to change but we do want them to be open to understanding and reading up on us- like we understand and read up on them. It is often said that Intuitive types have had to literally be bilingual in both sensory and intuitive language because the world requires it. Yet, unless a Sensor has grown up in a household of Intuitives, they have no need to learn the intuitive language. Until one day they realize they are married to one or that person in the family they simply could never get was an Intuitive and then it is crucial if they want healthy ties to learn the Intuitive communication values. Which is why I am directing this more at Sensors.

As a family, we have listened to every personality type podcast on both sides of our entire extended family. Why? Especially when we don't even converse with some? Because we do not want to harbour any bitterness. Bitterness is easier to overcome when we can understand and at least respect the place where someone is coming from in their mind. Even if we do not want to engage or are not at a stage where we can, it is healthy for us to at least get over ourselves, listen to their mind wiring, and understand that many aspects we thought were personal were just a part of cognitive wiring.

Unfortunately, most 'S' types do not like to delve into personality on their own. Often if I hear the statement, "Oh I don't believe in personality tests. Just get to know me..." That statement usually shows that the person is an "S" type. Not all "S" types do this, but there are certain ones that are often inclined to give these statements. Naturally it is because their main values are stemming from a place of what they can see with their own eyes. Personality does not fall within the five senses as such. While they understand abstract concepts, because of cognitive wiring, many would prefer to keep the abstract on the back burner to practical concrete topics. 'N' types are generally the opposite so while they can honour concrete aspects of being they would much rather live in the abstract regularly.

Generally, we smile at a statement of opposition regarding personalities and proceed to type the person based on a few educated guesses. Are they Extroverted or Introverted according to Meyers Briggs definitions (E or I- do they get a positive or negative hit of energy with socializing)? Concrete/Sensing (do they pay attention to their five senses?) or Abstract/ Intuitive (do they pay more attention to possibilities and patterns? S or N)? Are they inclined to value a thinking standpoint when making a decision based on principles and impersonal facts or a feeling all points of view standpoint (T or F)?  Spontaneous/ flexible lifestyle or scheduled/ structured lifestyle (P or J?) Suddenly, we have a basic sketch of their personality...obviously it is more nuanced than that but because our family is so immersed in personality studies we are pretty good at our guesses. Most times if we get to test the people out, they score exactly what we thought they would. But we can also be wrong- thus it is important to keep an open, flexible perspective on anything we come up with. Because if we want to get to know them, we want it to be of substance. Personality gets us down to the heart of the matter and to how they operate out of the world. Understanding what they value in their world view, helps us to have a field to play on, with clear lines on what they value and what we value, and how to play the game around those factors. Thus, if we both come from those understandings it is slightly easier to garner quicker trust, respect and genuine care. The six ingredients of love follow more naturally from something that is considered by them maybe sometimes to be unnatural.

No type is better than the other. I am giving this information because often (most) 'S' types do not give much consideration to these things unless an 'N' type, work or school bring personality studies up. It is not their natural inclination to search it out of curiosity or a desire to find out the cognitive functions of personhood, which is fine, but when in the majority, this can cause some issues. Because of the odds, it is important that 'N' types are discussed or give their opinions.

Unfortunately, for 'S' types on the net, it tends to go the opposite way online in certain forums. I actually feel bad for 'S' types that are searching out personality blogs based on type. It's hard to find. INFJ and INTJ and ENFP tend to make up the largest forums online. Perhaps it is because they felt the most marginalized as a minority? The copious amounts of INFJ information alone astounds me. But I also understand it is needed because in 'real life' we were the minority. Finding your tribe can be a beautiful leaping point to acceptance and awareness. In full confession, I can not read the comments on many personality sites or the content on forums, because they can be...well, not very nice. That is not where I need to spend my energy. If you are an 'S' type seeking more, choose one of the "official" personality sites like Meyers Briggs, Personality Hacker, Kiersey, 16 personalities, Michael Pierce ect. Each one has nuanced material on the 16 types. A word of advice? Avoid the comments until you have a foundation of self.

I also find that many 'N' types use Instagram differently than 'S' types. The Intuitives tend to have questions or abstract thoughts or pictures to prod larger discussions while the sensing types gather for memory, achievement or otherwise. Both like to document of course, but the drivers for why are different. In writing, Intuitives can come across as often matter of fact yet more abstract (most rationalists) or a mix of factual with abstract concepts like Philosophy, poetry or whatever is in their interest abstract form (typically idealists.) S types will often write sensory aspects of everyday or engage with their material imaginatively but applicable to concrete ways of being. There are exceptions to every type, nuances and many other factors that make up a person. These are just generalities. So it is very unlikely for an 'S' family member to naturally read my blog unless it is to dig for information, misunderstand my intents out of curiosity, or (on the positive side) because we have already established healthy interactions or share other similar interests.

Years ago we had our children take this test (click) and this test (click). To double check we also read their descriptions to them and made sure they agreed with their results. I take issue with these tests in general if they are not overseen by someone immersed in personality studies. Because often people will score wrong results based on HOW they see themselves or how their culture expects them to be and not on who they actually are. Generally, it takes an objective party who knows them to help them with their answers. Basically, you know if you have an accurate type if you read most of it and say, "Oh my goodness! How did they KNOW that about me? How did they crawl into my brain?"

I am an INFJ, my husband is an ENFP, and our children are ENFJ, INTJ, and ENFP. We have two extroverts who operate more like introverts. We have one primary thinker among a bunch of primary feelers...and two perceivers amongst a majority of those who value structure a tad bit more. Our cores have stayed the same over the years even though we have all mellowed in some of our stronger aspects to accommodate each other. We listen to podcasts over at Personality Hacker (click) on hour long trips. We discuss how each person feels about the accuracy of their personality result. We make sure to validate a person and if there is conflict, we first go to our main cognitive functions, driver's seats and 3 year old process to see how we can resolve while respecting the essence, strengths and weaknesses of each person involved. We know a lot about each other because of this. We can often tell when we are out, what we will discuss about something once we are home (and comfortable) as a family alone, by just a simple look. Basically we are in tune with each other BECAUSE of our deep dive into persona.

Of course, pre- personality we still understood aspects of each other, but the studies enhanced this and cut down on misunderstandings. We don't just chalk up behaviour to "sin" or "selfishness" nor do we chalk it up to "goodness" or "achievement." It's all based on WHO the person IS. On BEING. Personality studies enable us to see the person in front of us and bypass a lot of misunderstanding...or at least talk through it more constructively. Our hope is that our children's sibling relationships will carry this dignity, respect and honour of different brain function, outward preferences and inner ways into adulthood. We hope they remember aspects of these things so they can have somewhat healthy sibling relationships...maybe they will even still be the best friends they are today? Then again, maybe not, and if not, we hope they carry those aspects into their other friendships and find soul siblings to share them with.

I wish I could share this information appropriately with the relationships that long for healing in our lives but that do not understand the nuances, reasons and motivations behind many of the issues. I feel like understanding could foster the six ingredients of love. Perhaps our world would suffer less from mindless violence if we focused in on just a few people in our lives to give the six ingredients of love and if we would at least attempt to understand driving preferences, cognitive functions, perhaps we could change the course of history slowly with simple regard and general respect?

Here is a podcast titled Can Sensors Speak Intuitive Language (CLICK) it is worth a listen.

Have you studied personality? If so, did you find that your *accurate* personality type opened up a world of possibilities for you? Did you start to understand others more? Did the "box" of personality so many allude to actually become an open field of respect and understanding? Did it enable you to go beyond whom a person seems and into who they are by first having a structured view? Or did it make it worse? (If it DID make it worse could it possibly be due to inaccurate results?)

Sure, it's only one aspect of BEING but it is still important to consider. With personality, as a foundation, we can understand and judge less. Because we see that "One man's home is another man's journey...for one man's truth is another man's lie. It's just the way it goes and I couldn't say why. One man's cure is another man's poison."- Passenger Lyrics. It is brave to understand others and ourselves. To open, in compassion to be WHOM we are and allow others to do the same.

Another post I wrote on Families with the analogy of climates differing is found here:

http://worldwecreate.blogspot.ca/2013/06/the-climate-change-in-differing.html

And another post about Boundaries and how walking away from extended family can be beneficial and brave found here:

http://worldwecreate.blogspot.ca/2016/04/healthy-relationship-indicators-walking.html

For the Sensors: http://www.erikthor.com/2018/01/17/ever-thought-youre-actually-just-smart-sensor/

A post about INFJ Boundaries:

INFJ- If I cut you Off- Chances are I handed you the Scissors.

http://www.personalityhacker.com/when-you-almost-know-your-personality-type/
http://www.personalityhacker.com/podcast-episode-0149-how-to-get-better-at-personality-typing/

16 personalities: https://www.16personalities.com

Kiersey: http://www.keirsey.com

I also LOVED this site and found every word accurate for my type but this site has others too!: http://personalityjunkie.com/the-infj/

My quote board dedicated to my type: https://www.pinterest.com/KAlluraMarie/infj-personality-infps-intj-quotes/

 Personality hacker has podcasts and videos on each type. Here is a few of my INFJ links but you can click search for your personality initials:

http://www.personalityhacker.com/resources-infj/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88atj7wAtKs

http://www.personalityhacker.com/podcast-episode-0034-infj-personality-type-advice/

http://www.personalityhacker.com/phq-questions-entj-vs-intj/

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Convictions & Controversy. Being "Right" Comes at a Relational Cost.

"About controversies in families- I think that there are some people who will not be able to understand or see different perspectives and are blinded by their own convictions...it is OK until that person forces their convictions on others...then it becomes a painful relationship. Not only about faith. It is also about simple things like tea and coffee..if somebody irritates me repeatedly, with my drinking choice saying," I wish you drank chocolate flavoured coffee rather than mint flavoured coffee..." That too is so irritating to the point of conversation not going anywhere beyond what one thinks is right. Do you know that in some religions, there is no concept of heaven? They say hell and heaven is right there on this earth and both of them are created by humans? It is through our actions that we can create hell or heaven on this earth... the concept of heaven is not something up there high above the sky...it is here..when somebody sets somebody free, that person is creating heaven on earth. Whereas, when somebody dominates others and irritates others even after repeated requests not to...he is creating hell on earth. I mean not to offend but I want to say that before reaching the spatial/physical heaven or hell, (covered by heavenly clouds or hellish dirt) we must understand how these mystical concepts of hell and heaven work in our daily lives right from our birth. Both hell and heaven is in our soul to be reached or rejected here and now. They are not a distant place out of our reach ...no planning or programming will make you reach there, not even prayers...until you free yourself from your own suffering on this earth."- Sanghamitra

Painful relationships are tough because there comes a point when the relationship may exceed it's worth because of the pain caused. It is hard for both the cause of the pain and the victim of the pain. Often there is a mix of this pain from a perspective stand point. The one who is causing the pain for the victim may view it otherwise and vice versa. One has to ask themselves- Am I costing myself heaven on earth in my relationships by a holy vendetta? Is my belief in what is right setting myself up as a mini god in the sense that I am deciding what choices others should have and pressuring those choices at each turn of the conversation?

Of course each of us have convictions, beliefs of what we value, and there are times when we know or think we are in the "right." That is human behaviour and normal but as Sanghamitra pointed out, we can take our convictions too far.

Even if one believes in heaven and hell or an afterlife, should they not also carry that belief into their daily? Should they not start with creating safe places and pockets of heaven where there is no judgement on earth if that belief holds true? Should they not strive to make suffering less here and now BECAUSE of their belief in an eternal lake of fire later? It starts with the little moments. The moments where conviction over runs the relationship. When one is casually talking about life and then BAM- the pressure is on for them to conform to some standard of religion, worship, eating habit ect.

Convictions are normal, but taking them into every conversation or daily relationship comes at a cost. Of course we can speak of them on our personal spaces, in writing, or where people are safe to us...the difference is the platform of relationship. If the relationship is based on previous moments of safety, past experiences of trusting communication, developed emotion and depth with the little topics, then that relationship can take the controversy- even if both are on opposing sides. The love of the other, respect and dignity, will win over the actual topic. However, if the relationship is weaker, non developed in trust or understanding and has past wounds, being "right" comes at a cost. The cost of having deep or meaningful relationships here on earth.

It is ironic how often the people who believe in the afterlife of heaven and hell, are also willing, because of their beliefs, to make earth a living hell for those that don't... by isolating them, or punishing the "wayward sheep." Even worse, is the fact that those who may be fundamentalist about it, believe in their "right path" so deeply that they are willing to isolate their family for the sake of a possibility after. They are willing to lose a here and now relationship for the possibility of an eternal one later. And if what they say is "right" then not only will they not see this person ever again after death (and in their belief this person will burn in eternal damnation) but they are also not interacting with them and have already created a line in the dirt of "us" and "them" on this earth. The time given is used for testimony, for convicting, for consistently using each conversation as a tool to bring the "nonbeliever" around.

The definition of faith is that it cannot be provable. In school I was taught to argue my faith by scripture. Scripture that ironically would have no hold on an unbeliever. But that is not faith. Faith requires complete trust in something that is unprovable. And if one is willing to stake all of their current relationships and what they already have on the cost of something unprovable that is their choice. It can be respected, but please note that the choice is deeply personal and should not be expected from others in the path. Just like food choices should not be forced upon people with differing guts, allergies, sensitivities and body make up. We all have differing factors that make us whom we are. We have the right as human beings to make choices. We have the beauty to come to differing forms of faith. Faith alone can be a beautiful choice. However, when that faith is used as the "only right way" it is no longer faith but something akin to a communist faith manifesto...believing that all should conform to the one way of faith and enforcing this with social sanctions, threats of eternal damnation and torture, and isolation.

This unfortunately often bleeds into more than faith. When one believes one is undoubtedly "right" in faith, sometimes other topics follow. Politics are often the next big "given" and themes trickle down to the Splenda in coffee. Suddenly, one can not feel safe to speak because each conversation becomes an exercise of black and white thinking. Someone gives an opinion and suddenly it is perceived as an attack.

This is the difference between conversing in a safe relationship and conversing in the "rightly convicted" relationship. In the safe relationship, someone can say that splenda is disgusting without being judged as a shit stirrer. They can bring up their personal choices of diet without someone misinterpreting it as a judgement on themselves. Because if one believes in the spirit of choice, they automatically know that most people's choices are not a reflection of themselves. There is a clear boundary of where someone else begins. Thus there is respect, dignity and honesty. However, when dealing with someone who often brings up convictions, being right, and strong moral standpoints, there are not many safe topics to explore unless one belongs to their group. Which is why churches and bible studies ect. often have similar people attending with similar interests. They are validating their own convictions. Which is fine to a point, as long as that is what is recognized and when in relationship with others they do not engage in "othering."

We have friends in our circle who are fundamentalists. It is possible to have good relationships with fundamentalists of any belief. While I would say there are definite topics that are safer left alone- at least we have the respect to do so. Sometimes the conversation becomes strained because of personal belief differences, but then we both sense it, laugh a bit and decide to put the relationship before the issues. We both agree to disagree and move on to healthier topics. Topics that our relationship can carry the weight of are the go to. That is the beauty of discourse, of diversity, and of dignity.

We have had relationships with people who believe the same as the fundamentalists above, yet the foundation of the relationship was not built. Instead the relationship had a history of disrespect, proselytizing, and converting to like minded states. It's the same belief but it comes at a very different cost. The cost is the relationship itself. A house can not be built on sand that sifts and changes according to the topic, or takes offence to each minor difference or has to argue for arguments sake. There are appropriate places for that but they have to be on concrete foundations.

I do take issue with some of the christian doctrine itself that I will not go into here, for many reasons. Bertrand Russel and other philosophers cover that area better than I. Plus, it's really not my cup of tea to discuss much of it outside of my home. I prefer peace and harmony. I don't want readers thinking that I am being dishonest in my portrayal of myself. However, I LOVE and respect MANY christians in my life and believe in much of what is touted as the current christian doctrine. Mostly I believe in Jesus/ ALL whom IS/ Magic/ Love. I also have my brand of faith.  Every belief in what is "right" comes at a cost. I don't believe I am right. Of course I have convictions and normal human direction but I like to leave the benefit of doubt in all my considerations. Of honouring the question more than the statement. Maybe the cost of being "right" is worth it to some? I was taught in christian school that anything "against" us was persecution and to "consider persecution pure joy." Perhaps my post will just further solidify that stance to anyone in it? If so, my words are not for that person whom has the choice to shut down their browser. If one is aware their cost of being right is their relationships - that is their choice to make.

My words are for those who are wondering what went wrong down the road. How did they find themselves in an empty relationship with nothing but traces of disrespect, disregard and a history of pain? Perhaps the ownership is on both parties. The foundation needs to be built before the safe house. The safe house needs to be built before going on to the roof to speak of the heavens.

If there is a loving God, would that spirit not want us to free suffering on earth? Jesus spoke many times in the scriptures (that so many christians adhere to) about the fact that the kingdom of heaven is HERE now. It applied wherever Jesus was, where love was, as Jesus was said to embody love. Now whether or not I believe in the literal translation of scriptures is a moot point....but if one does, would it not require another look into what is asked of those who believe? There are mixed messages in the bible..brother against brother to turning the other cheek. I guess if the cost of the belief is brother against brother, for the family, if taken literally, it has to be worth it. And that would be why the drive to convict the "other brother" would be high on the list of family priorities. Because it follows that peace would reign once again not only on earth but in heaven meetings according to the familial belief. But if that is the cost- one must then decide to live with that cost here on earth. And live with the cost that may come from the brother choosing differently. It is impossible to have both the brotherly relationship and the "right" god/eternal damnation/ relationship if one believes that way and the brother does not. Because it is a clear separation of someone who believes they are "right" versus the "wrong." Which will it be on earth? Or is there a way to come around to grey area thinking? To respect the "brother" and love the other as one loves self while still holding to personal faith and not treating them less in each conversation with the inevitable righteousness that comes with being "right"? Because with righteousness above another there can be no equality, and no respect or trust...which are a few of the six ingredients required for actual human love relationships. Love is somewhat skewed without those ingredients. ( Do I believe Gods love conquers all ? Yes. But do I also believe we were made to value these ingredients? Yes. Do I believe All Thatcus Good comes from God - yes.) How can we say we truly love if we do not give respect for others decisions? When respect is neglected because of our convictions? When trust is not given or taken because there is no basis for it? How does love grow in these places? Is God not bigger than all of this and can God not just BE?

If one loves oneself, we do not subject ourselves to violence, belief or flagellation- spiritual or otherwise. If we are still participating in these behaviours to ourselves we can not possibly love "the other" we are called to love. God covers all in grace- that is what is said of those who chose the christian God. But who decides that? Who gets to be God on earth? Simply because of belief in scriptures suddenly there are God ambassadors- but that is a serious job with serious ethics to consider that often are neglected in the name of "being right."

In the end, I just wish that my education and the education of others who are emerged in religion and religious education, would have included these questions. I wish they would have talked about more than the cost of faith but the cost of what IS now. I wish they would have balanced their opinions out with philosophers who were agnostic and atheistic. Not as an example of evil but as an example of differences to be respected and considered. Those topics would have helped those who still chose faith, stronger in their stances, because they would have heard legitimate, intelligent fact based opinions from another side to counter act their legitimate, intelligent fact based opinions. Because we all have them. Legitimacy is in perspective. Facts can come from many places. I wish I would have learned history that wasn't just christian history. Many of the Pharaohs were actually quite benevolent and began by PAYING their local farmers to build the pyramids. They were not just evil overlords, like I was taught with pictographs in sunday school, with hearts hardened by God. I wish I would have been taught history, philosophy, psychology and sociology from unbiased standpoints. I wish my essence would have been respected enough to allow me to look at all, and make my own way without manipulation. No wonder there is so much fear around the liberal arts topics, social sciences, science and secular post secondary schools in these circles. Because that brings choice. Luckily, these factors came fleetingly through the rebels and outcasts I knew, balanced faith bringers, music, arts, aunts... and the rest followed in my later twenties for my journey. It is with great relief and joy that I reflect on those that DID.

I grieve. I grieve the cost that some are too blind in being "right" to see. I grieve that in some circles the weather has to be another notch in the belt of a provable God. I grieve that the obsession of hell and heaven after death become the vendetta to sometimes do unspeakable acts on earth. I grieve that freedom or choices have become synonymous with sin. I grieve for what was lost.

Yet, hope can be found in the darkest of places. In this dark grieving, I have also found surprising people, who while they hold fast to their god, and disagree with most of my life, find joy and love within. I have found heaven on earth. This heaven is in a kind word, in mercy, in grace, in becoming, in choice, in freedom and in love. Love has too many numerous definitions. I have found that by defining terms we can come to understanding. I enjoy Bell Hooks definition of love, "Love is a combination of six ingredients: care, commitment, knowledge, responsibility, respect and trust. I found that a lot of people just felt really confused about what love is, so I said, here, take these six ingredients and as you go about your life, you can ask: the action I'm taking, does it have these six ingredients? One point that I would emphasize to people is that it's the combination of the six ingredients that make love, because so many of us have one of the ingredients in our life – like we may be deeply cared for, but we may not be in a situation of trust. To me what's great about these definitions is that they're just very helpful for people in daily life trying to engage in a practice of love."

When I take that definition of love, and apply it to our lives, safety matters. It is important that we can trust that when we are in a conversation we will not be pressured to conform to another's standards of what is "right." That we will not be evangelized at every turn. That combination is the concrete foundation of a home. Until we each take responsibility for our six ingredients of love in our important relationships we have to be ok with surface level or distant regard. It's not wrong, it's simply what IS until something stronger can grow from the sand. Sometimes the energy or time is not there to build a foundation. Relationships ebb and flow. That is the cost of life. But the cost of being right for the sake of being right is unnatural. It can be addressed if that is the only issue.

The love of the other is important. So is the love of self. There has to be a balance of both. In order to respect and love we must respect and love ourselves first. But then we must act upon that which is. Building small safe havens in the relationships in our path. Some are meant for challenge, some are meant for growth, some are meant for ultimate, unconditional love and some are meant for havens. But none should be meant solely for the convictions of being right and perhaps by saying that I am engaging in black and white thinking? Maybe some convictions of being right have done the world a lot of good? I believe some have, but when thinking upon it more, the damage done in the same name exceeds the good...so perhaps we each have to face our own choices. I need to face mine. While I leave my writing here to question, hash it out and state aspects of my self, I firmly believe the reader has the right to their own interpretation applied to their own growth state. What the reader chooses, and the emotions they choose and their perceptions is entirely their choice to make- even if I may disagree. I need to let go of outcomes and go forth into life, now that I have cleared the cobwebs of my mind by writing.

May you, the reader, have relationships that are not on sand, or at least one or two relationships in life, that have the six ingredients of love. In that I am rich for I have at least a handful- I wish you this richness too. I believe God IS Love but that love looks differently to people as God is surprising in ways that God speaks that love. I believe all things good can only be from God - while good things can be tarnished that tarnishing is not God tarnishing but God redeems all in time. May you let go of those that do not have room to let you grow in choice or keep them in life for later growth. May you find hope in dark places and heal from previous wounds of the convictions of "right" thinking. ( which also includes “left” thinking lol - we have it in all areas!)  May you honour your need for healing and pain, but also move through to the wonders each day has the possibility of presenting. May you savour your drink and delight in your nourishment of body, spirit and soul. May you rejoice and receive Love with a spirit of Thanksgiving ! ( 1 Timothy 4:4)

This post is dedicated to my husband on his birthday week, honouring the many conversations we have had on this topic, the deep grief, and the wonder that we share together. Love you and your 33 years. xo

Also, thank you Sanghamitra for your constant wisdom and encouragement of growth in my life. xo

All nature/ quote images from Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/KAlluraMarie/

And a throw back to my nineties teen years when I was indebted to the rebels and the outcasts who brought me alternative music, outside the box thinking, and the sight to see the loveables others saw as troublemakers. It was a big deal- pre iTunes, to hear songs outside of what was allowable in my school, and be exposed to radio or CD tracks- and I am so glad I had the friends who dared to BE. I hope they get back what was given to me: Life by Our Lady Peace.