We live in an age of polarity. One person believes one thing so they feel they cannot jive with anyone that believes anything different. I have come to the understanding that what someone believes in does not make them a good person, their actions and behavior makes them one.
I was deeply religious for a period of time in my youth. I also remember being injured by religious people. I have felt judged, persecuted and shunned for my appearance, feelings, and thoughts. No matter how hard I tried to fit in I was a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. There was deep pain from believing in a higher power but feeling judged for believing in a slightly different way. Religion started early for me, reading the bible before the age of 8, I felt a deep, strong connection to God. I had faith that was unshakable. I did not question my faith until it was challenged by those meant to strengthen it.
As a child I loved the show Charmed. Three sister witches that took down demons and saved the world week after week. I was fascinated. These three beautiful women were strengthened by love and the will to do right. Did their belief in magic make them less heroic? I don’t think so. As I watched I was ever vigilant of the magic that the power of love had to drive and strengthen each woman. Love was a driving and central force, it inspired me to love hard. Had their beliefs been selfish and judgmental then maybe I would be writing an entirely different post today.
My perceptions of good and evil have evolved since then. Now I see the hypocrisy plaguing our mother earth. Joining religious organizations only to feel judged and outcasted. Conversely finding unwavering understanding, support and acceptance when attending AA meetings with friends in support of their recoveries. I was cast aside by biblical counselors and made to feel ashamed and deemed a sinner for my past mistakes. Places where my faith should have been nurtured and strengthened were instead shattered and weak. Beliefs made me doubt God could ever love me.
After leaving the last church I joined, I felt deeply depressed. Cornered by beliefs that attacked me I felt there was no where to turn. I had no faith or power; I felt desperate for understanding and love. Going to church I reached out, and in return I was labeled a worthless sinner.
Luckily, God had other plans for me, something inside me changed. I experienced a love I felt had died. I was given a candle and that light grew. My connection to God was rekindled not because of a book or a preacher, it was ignited by love.
I had visions, premonitions and dreams that told me that the connection I was seeking was not conditional like I had been lead to believe. It was inside of me. The holy spirit is something that lives within.
Recently I was told your beliefs don’t make you a good person, your behavior does. That sentence held so much truth that I wanted to share it with you today. No matter how much we believe we are right, sometimes we are not.
Our actions are what truly guide us through this world. No one was given a manual on how to live but we were all given the ability to make choices. Remember this next time you feel like telling someone else their beliefs are wrong. Watch your behavior and let that be the judge.
If you tell someone they are going to hell then that behavior is damning and cruel. Changing our behavior is the only way we can truly become better. Looking through the eyes of someone else is the only way to empathy. Empathy is the only way to understanding. Sympathy is the only way to learn the struggles of another person.
Let your behavior talk. Let your actions convey love and kindness. Let your actions reflect your heart. Your beliefs don’t make you a good person, your behavior does.
Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits, for they become your character. Watch your character, for it will make your destiny. What we think, we become.
– Margaret Thatcher
