I believe in you and me. I’m like Albert Schweitzer and Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein in that I have a respect for life – in any form. I believe in nature, in the birds, the sea, the sky, in everything I can see or that there is real evidence for. If these things are what you mean by God, then I believe in God. But I don’t believe in a personal God to whom I look for comfort or for a natural on the next roll of the dice. | |
–– Frank Sinatra | |
[Can one draw comfort from believing in “God” without looking directly for it (God’s comfort)? I seem to be able to. Inshallah… — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2023 | Takin’ A Lickin’ |
Actually, It’s The Other Way Around | |
2022 | If That’s What You Mean |
2021 | Awakening The Glow |
I Remember (In The Air Tonight) | |
2020 | Golden Eagle |
Like #45: Incompetent Donald | |
2019 | #45: Who Lost By Three Million Votes |
2018 | Torn Between Two Loves |
A Girl And A Boy | |
2017 | I Think They Are Starting To… |
2016 | Living There |
2015 | Bookin’ West |
Beyond My Reach | |
You Never Call Anymore… | |
2014 | Winning? |
2013 | Still Inventing |
2012 | Motivated |
2011 | Waiting In Line At Starbuck’s |
If That’s What You Mean
April 4, 2022 by kmabarrett
I think that’s the first time that I have seen you use “Inshallah”, but I may be wrong, lol. I almost feel like the two go hand in hand – at least for me. Then again, I know some who look for God’s comfort without believing in God, so I don’t know. Each individual is different. I looked for His comfort in the Bible, the Quran, and then just in myself. There is a peace knowing that He exists, but sometimes the path to finding His comfort just rests in the realization that He’s inside of me. I’m a confused soul…lol.
LoL. I don’t know how many times I use the word, either. I was raised a Roman Catholic. I am still a “praying” Catholic, but I have stopped attending Church and providing any financial support directly to the Church because I am upset about the child abuse issue and lack of meaningful action (not) being taken by the Church. I am firmly a “deist”, but I have my doubts that GOD acts intentionally in any specific way for or against us. I do believe in the moral arc of history, but frequently it’s difficult for me to see the finger of God on the scale. I use the words “Peace”, “Inshallah”, “Salaam Alecom” and “Namaste” often, if not frequently. To me, peace and salaam alecom are extensions of life (the peace of a life lived well), namaste is both a greeting and a way of saying “I see in you, the humanity I feel”, and Inshallah means if God (the universe or chance) wills it to happen.
I have looked for comfort in reading various “holy” books / writings; in prayer; in chanting; in mediation; in creative arts (most recently in music); and, in nature. I believe GOD exists because I see rainbows, sunsets and sunrises, and wrinkles on the elderly and newborn. I do not believe God is a He or a She. GOD simply IS. In all and as all.
I share your feeling of God’s comfort / realization being inside one’s self. And it IS confusing. Sometimes I feel like I am standing on the mountain top, it is mid-day and the view is forever (and I am close to God); sometimes I feel like it’s the middle of the night, I am in a well with only the light of the campfire to see the nearby walls. This is when I feel lonely… But, then I remember to put my hands up, see them in the light and feel the warmth of the flame(s) and know / realize even in the (mostly) darkness that God is near.
Salaam Alecom! (may the peace of a well lived life be yours)
Kevin