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First off, What are your opinions on the Medifast Diet? Looking forward for any comment. 2nd question I got is.. Merry Meet!. |
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I would like to know the answer too. Anyone here know what is the right answer. I'll do some research and get back to you if I got an anything. You should email the people at Medifast as they probably can help you..
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Tashi Delek!.
Here's a bit of information to those interested: Today is Losar, which is the first day of the Tibetan New Year. This period lasts a full sixteen days, which celebrate the sixteen days that Buddha Shakyamuni (the historical Buddha) performed miracles. During this time, Buddhists (Tibetan and Chinese included) focus on using the thoughts, speech and actions for good only, as during this sixteen day period we believe engagement in negativity or positivity is multiplied by thousands until the last day of Losar, Chotrul Duchen, when our actions (good or bad) are multiplied ten million times! So, we must 'guard the three doors', which are body, speech and mind.. By the way, this is the year of the female earth ox. Here is some information about it:. "The grounded, rational, earth influence of the Ox may bring good fortune to troubled economic times but only with a sustained, well planned effort. The Ox influence brings an aversion to risky credit and quick answers that are not well conceived. The Ox year brings success only through discipline and through hard work.". I included this because it mentions econmic issues, and due to the current economic situation in the U.S., and the rest of the world, I thought it was pertinent.. Finally, during Losar, Buddhists make an aspiration for the new year (similar to a New Year's resolution in the Western world). A traditional aspiration made by Buddhists at this time is:. "At this very moment for the peoples and nations of the earth, may not even the names of disease, famine, war, and suffering be heard, but rather may pure conduct, merit, wealth and prosperity increase, and may supreme good fortune and well being always arise.". In Peace,. Diane.. |
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I was glad to see this pop up today too, thank you for starting the thread...
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I'm solitary generic pagan, not in any particular path. Uneducated in traditions other than things I've read..
Lately I started going to the local UU church, which works well for me since I was feeling the need for community more than not. My beliefs are pantheistic and Western in flavor.. Long ago I was involved a bit in the Church of All Worlds, but the local group I was involved with faded and dispersed... |
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I suppose I should introduce myself as well..
I see myself as a solitary witch with Eastern philosophy overtones. Taoism speaks to me, as does Hinduism.. I'm a Dirt Loving Tree Hugger who's in touch with her inner Goddess... |
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:0).
I wanted to say hello here and glad to see the thread.. A bit about me: I'm very eclectic in my thoughts and beliefs and have been on my own learning path over the last several years. It's been a solitary path of learning for the most part with some friends helping me both knowingly and unknowingly. I am very tolerant of all beliefs, one has to be in these days and times.. But, I have a need to understand the whys of things. A friend of mine once told me: "When you buy a car, you don't need to know how it works. Just that it does work." Well, I disagree with him....I need to understand the how as well. :0). Geoff.. |
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I thought I'd post a Medifast related but question of interest for those of us in the less-traveled paths over here..
What do you think about this program as it relates to the natures of our bodies? I've run into a lot of fairly rabid 'all natural' oriented folk in the pagan community, and certainly what we are taking in while on Medifast isn't in any way "natural". Chemicals and created sustenance.... My own feeling is that if this is what it takes to get back to a healthy balance in my system, then that is what I'll do.. I think, though, I'm going to start offering a libation from my first Medifast meal each day to help me feel like I'm being properly observant...I'm a little surprised it's taken me this long to think of it... |
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Welcome Crystal!.
I think most teens (my boys are 23 and 18) go through some stages of spiritual searching. I think it is interesting that my less-spiritual younger son is the one who really is into the darker symbols - if you saw him you would think "Goth". Tattooes, body piercings, a scalp lock, and all black clothing. My more spiritual son looks quite ordinary in his appearance, but he's the one who followed in my beliefs.. Being open and willing to let your son do his own seeking is the best thing you can do, in my opinion. And do not be surprised if he comes full circle back to what you practice in your home, or only a slight variation from it. Many people return to the things they learned growing up, later in life... |
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To me, a Spritual Journey, is just that... a journey. My family was Lutheran when I was growing up. Then I became Mormon and my family flipped out. Then I was Pentacostal. LOL Even tho' I tithed (a 10% donation of my gross income) to my church, the Pastor kept asking the congregation for more.
Then I realized the pastor drove a better car than I did and had better clothes, while I was barely scraping by as a single mother... I left.. I am now free to worship who I want when I want.I don't feel guilty for missing a Sabbot or Esbat. There's no guilt at all in my beliefs. "An ye harm none, do as ye will".. Wicca, Buddhism, Taoism are based on peace, love, understanding. We don't subscribe to the "sin" system... and therefore there is no guilt.. It sounds like your son is in a good place... |
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Hi Laura,.
You described my son from beginning (your younger son) to current (your more spirtual son).. I agree with you on the tolerance issue. I let him know from the beginning, in a positive manner, that he was diverging from what we had taught and believed and that I disagreed, but that I also did not believe it was productive, positive or even correct for me to try to control his mind, heart or spirit (much dissension in my family over that decision...). As I said to him, If I truly believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob then I must truly accept that after completing my duty to him of spiritual instruction/rearing, my son's spiritual path is his own and his must make his own way wherever it takes him. Once I embraced that approach, I really did not worry another second. It was also enlightening for me personally because I had to look at myself and ask, Do you really believe what you say you believe? And, if you do, then let him make this spiritual journey it is not yours to control... |
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Hi Deb,.
"Wicca, Buddhism, Taoism are based on peace, love, understanding. We don't subscribe to the "sin" system... and therefore there is no guilt.. It sounds like your son is in a good place.". Sorry don't know how to do the quote thing, but yes, that is what I have seen develop: peace, love, understanding as a result of exploring those systems (albeit he still sometimes acts like a jerk teenage boy!. I am so glad for the place he is in now it has really had a positive effect on his psychological health... |
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Ha - Laura. I read your post. I didn't go full circle. Far from it. However, we did watch the moon and stars when I was growing up, so maybe I did. We had a veggie garden every Summer.
I agree that you should do what you need to do to get back to health. Once you reach your goal, you may most certainly be 100% organic! I do buy organic veggies, and am a vegetarian. The Medifast food is full of vitamins and nutrients for our bodies. We are nourishing our bodies with the Medifast food and the L&G.. No worries. You're doing what you need to be doing at this time in your life!. As far as the libation goes... you could do that... or maybe plant a garden this Summer, or have a patio garden. Get nuts for the squirrels, or bird seed for the birds. Just a thought.. Funny story - one of my neighbors is about 86. She uses her entire retirement check to buy food for the animals. She cooks a chicken breast every day for the stray cats in the neighborhood, buys nuts for squirrels, and seeds for birds. Oh - and she's a vegetarian. When I first met her, I thought, "OMG! That's ME!" She's always working in her yard in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Always tending to her plants and the animals... |
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Thank you for this clarification!.
To quote a post, just use the. Button on the bottom right of the relevant post.. Deb EXCELLENT thread! Such a breath of fresh air!!!.. |
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Baby steps, baby steps....
Hey, the quote button works! I was using some other button on the bottom left..... |
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How does that song go, "Just put one foot in front of the other.... and soon you'll be walking....."..
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Is anyone reading any good books? I recently finished the.
Twilight. Series and really enjoyed it! That's a hard act to follow. Before that, I read Single. White Vampire. ,. Blood Brothers. ,. The Hollow. , and. Pagan Stone. I usually read Robin Cook.. I'm looking for recommendations... |
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I enjoy fantasy, and I recently read S.M. Stirling's "Dies the Fire". Speculative end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it story, but he draws very compelling characters...
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Childhood's End.
Is about the end of humanity, life as we know it, and the Earth. It kind of leaves you with your mouth hanging open.. |
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I read it many years ago and don't remember it now, but that's something to put on my list to re-read. Thanks for the suggestion!..
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It's still fresh in my mind. A Radiologist recommended it to me about 10 years ago when my son got his Autism diagnosis. I guess that's why it's still with me after all this time...
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My weekend plans are:.
Tonight attend a 'newcomers' gathering' at my church. Saturday: Breakfast meet-'n-greet with the local polyamory community, followed by a four hour visit with my hospice patient. Sunday: Church, and then normal household stuff like laundry.. Any space in my weekend is filled with sewing, computer games, and checking in on my team thread here... |
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Polyamory?.
Wow - hospice. That takes someone really special.. I like to sew as well, but I haven't done it in years... |
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I had an idea what "polyamory" was (have some foreign language skills under my belt and had just read an article on CNN about it). Anyway, just to get a more "technical" definition, I googled it. I found this Q&A. I cracked up laughing at the third Q&A....
1. All right, so what is "polyamory"?. The word "polyamory" is based on the Greek and Latin for "many loves" (literally, poly many + amore love). A polyamorous relationship is a romantic relationship that involves more than two people.. 2. You mean, like swinging?. Not exactly. Swinging has a different focus. Swingers focus on recreational sex, though friendships and deeper bonds may develop. With polyamory, deep relationships are the focus, though the sex is often fun.. 3. Oh, I gotcha. So, like, you have a girlfriend on the side.. No. That is something different as well. The technical term for that is "cheating.". As for the weekend, lots of errands, chores, organizing, and working on March household budget.. Back to lurking..... |
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Thanks for providing the definition, Crystal, and yeah, that's about it. Thanks for the laugh!.
I've been a hospice volunteer for just about a year, providing respite for caregivers.. I hadn't sewn in a long time either due to a bad shoulder, and have recently taken it back up, very carefully. If I try to sew for more than a short while at a time, I am reminded why I stopped... |
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Yeah Crystal - that's where I was going with Polyamory... being in the medical field, we've learned Latin and Greek pre/suffixes..
So - Laura, what does it REALLY mean?.. |
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Polyamory is an alternative lifestyle choice in which one engages openly in multiple-adult sexual/loving relationships. Core values are honesty (sometimes called 'transparency' by those in the community), responsibility, and communication. Many of those involved in it are also involved in other non-traditional life choices as well..
Crystal's Q&A she found, while joking, was spot-on... |
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Thank you for the education! Wow - I'm so possessive, I don't think I could ever do that! LOL..
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Good evening. What am I doing this weekend? That's an easy one for me...packing! Getting ready for next week as it's a guys week out. I joke and say it's just a continuation of my mid life crisis which for some reason, only I think it's funny. Anyways, headed to Daytona Beach next week (Tuesday) so need to pack tomorrow and Sunday night. I won't be able to Sunday or Monday..
As for reading....I just started reading a new book. "There Once Was a Tree Called Deru" by Kakkib li'Dthia Warrawee'a. It seems interesting thus far..... |
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BTW: I have respect for anyone who does Hospice work. It is not an easy task to do. Thank you for doing it.....
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You're going to have to tell me about that book! What's it about? What's the plot? etc etc....
Sounds like a good time in warm Sunny Florida! I was in Daytona in Feb (1997) and it was FREEZING! Of course, I lived in West Palm at the time and it was 80 there.. Have a good time. Enjoy the ocean for me!.. |
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Hey all, I was very surprised and glad to see this thread appear!.
Hm..............paths................ugh.. I am not good with labels, that is because I am a dabbler. I know some may look at that as an insult, but for me it is the truth. I am not entirely sure WHAT all I believe in just yet, and the more I learn, the more it kinda throws me for a loop.. What I DO know is that I love people and I love our differences.. I absolutely thrive in a place where I am the one weirdo in the group, or where I am constantly learning something new because I am unaccustomed to the environment surrounding me.. I love learning about other cultures, other lifestyles, other belief systems, and definitely other languages from the ones I grew up in/around/with/etc.. I am the last person to judge another, unless personally attacked and/or provoked on purpose (currently dealing with one such situation in my home at the moment), and when these things happen to me, I am very very uncomfortable with it because it makes me feel like I'm not myself anymore.. I once said that love was my religion, and in a way, that still holds true for me. Nowadays, it does not apply simply to romantic love anymore, but universal love of one another. It's probably pretty "hippie" of me but I really do believe in the powerful properties of love!. I am drawn to many pagan ideas and beliefs just because they make plain sense to me. I believe in the idea of universal balance - male/female, positive/negative, every action has an equal reaction, the way the seasons pass as an analogy for the feminine cycle, or as an analogy for the human life cycle in general.. I am very eclectic and interested in all of the different pantheons, and the different types of mysticism present in pagan practice today and historically.. One thing that I have always been fascinated by is Christian (especially Catholic) mysticism, and how ancient pagan rituals were allowed to bleed over into early Roman Catholicism because these certain (small, mostly) rituals were seen as harmless to the Catholic church, but would help historically pagan communities become more comfortable with Catholicism by bringing some familiarity to the table. Ever heard of the "bury a St. Joseph statuette upside down in your front yard if you're trying to sell your house" ritual? Haha this stuff fascinates me! I love it! I'm not one to scoff, because you never know when something might just work.. The power of prayer, energy and or just plain positive thinking can be amazing to see, so I am not the person to tell you "That's silly, it'll never work!". I am very pro-woman, pro-enlightenment, pro-equality, and definitely pro-human rights. Bigotry and baseless hatred have no place in my heart or in my surroundings, and I will always work to combat these things everywhere I see them.. I am just a big flaky open-hearted, open-minded crazy gal, let's just put it at that!!! Hahaha!.. |
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Hey Natalie - nice intro! Welcome to the Hearth..
I'm off to work again, but I wanted to post this:. On This Day. Mar 01, 1692, The Salem Witch Hunt begins as Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborne and Tituba, an Indian slave from Barbados, are charged with the illegal practice of witchcraft in Salem Village, Massachusetts... |
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Yes, I remember reading about the Salem Witch Trials.....ahhh.....Unfortunately we still live in a world where witch hunts of one kind or another are prevalent, and our communities are still rife with bigotry of every sort. The only thing I know to do is to, as my mother would say, "Kill 'em with kindness"..
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Hello, all!.
Laura. ,. Geoff. ,. Crystal. ,. Sz. And. Natalie. , thank you so much for your contribution to the thread! I'm happy to see such an eclectic collection of folks posting!. Crystal. , I wanted to share a bit about my kids with you: I have an 18 year old who calls himself an atheist, and a 12 year old who calls himself an agnostic. I have practiced Buddhism since before they were born (although not part of a sangha until two years ago), but when the subject of religion came up, I told them both that I would help provide them with as much *unbiased* information as I could; I have a healthy spiritual library that contains books on Wicca, Neo-Paganism, New Age, Christianity (I still have the bible my mom gave me when I was nine), Hinduism, Native American religion, Self-Realization, earth religion and of course, Buddhism. I also explained to them what atheism and agnosticism meant, as I believe that these are belief systems rarely validated as such, and that the boys should have access to information about them.. My eldst son is ADAMANT about his beliefs, and although he has a girlfriend who goes to a private, Christian school, he has no compunction about espousing them (much to my chagrin, sometimes!).. My youngest son, though, I believe is a Bodhisattva in training: He told me that he wanted to become a vegetarian because he didn't want to hurt animals. He also enjoys helping me make saffron rice for the welcoming tea ceremonies our sangha has when our teacher or a visiting teacher comes to town. And, when HH Ngawang Tenzin Rinpoche (who, at age forty five, was appointed by The Royal Government of Bhutan and the central monastic body to be responsible for the education of every Buddhist monk in Bhutan) came a year ago, he saw my son and the first thing he did was hold his cheeks in his hands, and then give him a big hug. (My friend thinks that they were connected in a past life!). Anyway, I guess I was commiserating with you in regard to a child taking a different spiritual path than that of their parent(s). As much as I'd like to tell my boys, "Look! This works! It has merit! And I'll tell you why....", I must respect their decision, and recognize that everything is impermanentwhat they believe today is not necessarily what they will believe tomorrow.. On a final note, and a different topic, I'd like to comment on the saying that you quote in your signature,. Laura. Is it from the Wiccan Rede? I have always found it to be a beautiful, highly respectable way of thinking.. One thing that Buddhists say, usually to dedicate the merit of one's positive actions to all beings, is:. May all beings have happiness, and the causes of happiness.. May all be free from sorrow and the causes of sorrow.. May all never be separate from the sacred happiness, which is sorrowless.. May all live in equanimity, without too much attachment, and too much aversion,. And live believing in the equality of all that lives.. Have a great Sunday, all!. Diane.. |
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WOW!.
Sorry about the long post, folks! Next time, I'll try to keep it short and sweet!. Diane.. |
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Hey Diane - as long as postitiveness (word?) flows....... I don't care how long your post is!.
I'm home. Driving thru the snow wasn't bad.. but when I got home, I slid and almost hit a car parked in front of my house. I like to back into my driveway, so I managed to steer away from it and park safely. So - I'm here until Wednesday and will happily stay in as long as there's snow out there!. It's funny. It was 61 on Friday and we're having a Winter Storm today. Maybe Friday was an example of labor pains for the birth of Spring!. Natalie - I've learned to "kill" a lot of people with kindess. They don't know what to make of me sometimes... |
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Yes, Diane (hello neighbor,) my signature quotes the Wiccan Rede. Harm none, and the three-fold return, are two of my core beliefs..
I like long posts... |
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Yep - you learn so much from them.
I took 2 Benadryl tonight and I think it's finally kicking in! I was up at 4:30 this morning sneezing and I had to get up at 7:30.... Oh - final count, we did 34 patients in 12 hours yesterday... 15 of them were between 7p and 11p. I was exhausted last night! Tonight wasn't so bad - thank goodness!.. |
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Crystal, a pentacle is a symbol that reminds us of the wholeness of ourselves in the universe. The five points represent the elements - fire, water, earth, air, spirit - and the lines of the star connect them infinitely. The circle that surrounds them tells us that they are all united in us..
That's my understanding of it, and why I wear it. Your reaction is probably due to the inverted pentacle being adopted by Satanists as symbol of their beliefs. Our upright pentacle is not generally associated with anything negative, as far as I know... |
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Laura.
, excellent description! When I dabbled in the Wiccan way years ago, the pentacle was explained to me with less specificity, but with the same 'elemental' aspects.. The pentacle inverted is, as I have always understood it to be, an esoteric depiction of 'the goat head' or 'the devil's goat', which has an association with dark magic, or Satanists. But, don't take my word for itI am not well-versed in 'the dark arts'.... While we're on the subject, my son showed me a video from "Family Guy" on what they called 'The Super Devil'. In it, a news reporter stated, "Vatican scientists announced that the devil was not the greatest threat to salvation, due to last week's discovery of the Super Devil." The difference between the devil and the Super Devil, apparently, is that the Super Devil is at least six inches taller, has a flying motorcycle and carries a jar of marmalade that forces people to commit adultery. I don't know what cracks me up morethe 'Vatican scientists' or the marmalade!. One thing you have to say about Family Guythey're an equal opportunity offender!. Peace,. Diane.. |
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Hi Ladies - the Benadryl finally knocked me out at about 3am... and I slept until almost 3pm. OMG! I was tired! So - here I am playing catch up..
Crystal - Center Point is AWESOME! I have one of their meditation CD's. It's so wonderful! It just helps your mind relax. Mine doesn't do that often.. If you believe in Angels, why not angel communication? Please explain.. My son is officially high functioning autsim, but he's probably an Indigo... as am I. We question everything tradition, challenge "authority" - to me, that means government or rules that do not make sense. I question a lot of things. Gets me in trouble at work. I'm always pushing the envelope. Got the dress code changed! We can wear shoes that match our tops now.. I wear my pentical every day... I even have one tattooed onto me. I have a water goddess, an ankh, and Kokopelli tattoo also.. From what I understand... Baphomet is the goat god. He is not evil. He does not represent the "devil" as we do not believe in a "devil". We do believe in good and evil.. but not ulitmate good and ulitmate evil. It is WE who CHOOSE which path we will follow... the light or the dark. I'm a twilight kinda person... More light than dark, but don't get on my bad side. Most Pagans do wear their Pentical point up. The top point of the star is Spirit. Spirit over material... earth, water, fire, air... There are 3 degrees in training to be a priest/priestess... High Priest/Priestess being the 3rd degree. I can confess that this did happen to me. I lost my job, my mother, finances were horrible, lost my home... things were not good... in that case, some wear their pentical upside down... Material over Spirit because that's litterally where you are at that point in your training! Everything is topsy turvey. Believe me - the upside down world is NOT a fun place to be, but you learn a lot from the experince! I learned that I can over come almost anything! With the economy the way it is.... I don't want to go back to that place. I am fighting tooth and nail to stay where I am, or even better my position in life.. Does this help you Crystal?. I do have a question for you Crystal, if you can help me? If your God is "ulitmate" good.. why is there so much death and distruction? Why does it say in the Bible that being "angry" is a sin, but God is angry and punishes?. And if there is only one "GOD", why does it say, "In OUR image we made him?".. |
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Check out my horoscope! LOL.
My Horoscope. Scorpio. Today, fresh air is the best treatment for whatever ails you, from a blue mood to a headache. So get out there into the wide-open outdoors and breathe deeply! Being in a physically expansive space will help you expand your mind, as well. You're more interested in a very distant-seeming goal than ever before. And if the weather isn't hospitable, then open up your mind by talking to someone who disagrees with you on a lot of things. Challenge your beliefs and you'll find new a passion for them.. - By Astrology.com.. |
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Hi. I have been lurking here a bit. Deb, I think I can answer your question on the "made in OUR image". Christians believe in the Trinity, or triune God. God is three persons in one. God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
The three threads are twisted together, yet they make one rope. That is what the OUR image represents.. Can you tell me where in the Bible it says anger is a sin? I am not sure that is quite what the Bible says. There is a difference between hateful anger and righteous anger (anger over evildoing). Righteous anger is certainly not a sin. Quite the contrary. Hope that helps some.. Perhaps Crystal will weigh in with her views here... |
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Thanks for the clarification. I can't give you the exact scripture... it could have been something I heard in church? Dunno..
We also believe an all in one sort of thing - I shouldn't say "we"... a lot of us. That's better. The dieties all encorporating the ALL. The elementals, watchtowers, spirits, gods, etc all part of the ALL. However, we do not say, "There is only one god" because there are many aspects of the ALL... |
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Ok. just got back from buying L&G stuff for tonight's dinner:.
Portabella mushroom stuffed with spinach, roasted garlic, fresh basil, halved grape tomatoes and 3 ounces of tenderloin strips for dinner last night. Used a wedge of laughing cow and 1 T. fat free ricotta to hold it all together. Sprinkled each with 1 T. fat free mozarella, baked it at 350 for 20 minutes.. That recipe is from MF'er Starliane. I still need to figure out the proportions so that it meets L&G.. Now, I BRIEFLY flipped through the last few pages (BRIEFLY) and it looks like some DENSE messages, so I'm excited to read and put my 1/4 cent in.. Will take a look and get back at ya!. HI TAMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.. |
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I too have been lurking on these posts....loving the long posts and explanations and questions!!.
Deb - thought you may get a kick out of my horoscope today!. You are uncharacteristically inflexible today and this can create problems if you get into an argument about something that's important to you. You know your limits and it's not likely that anyone can push you around. Still, it may feel as if others are ganging up on you by making a case for you to change your mind. Avoid open conflict now, but don't be shy about informing everyone of where you stand in a clear and straightforward manner... |
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P.S. Deb, I still tithe. I read something funny on Dave Ramsey's money management forum a few weeks ago. Lots of Christians were posting about how they tithe and the blessing they get (we aren't talking lotto winnings, but you know, nice positive little things). Anyway, so people are posting how they are tithing a portion or in full or whatever, and things just seem to work out in their favor. Like little blessings.
It is really miraculous. I don't pay 10% of my salary to the 3 headed spaghetti monster in the sky, and at the end of the month I STILL HAVE 10% of my salary! Isn't that cool!" ACKACKACKACKACKACKACKACK!! LOL! FUN-NEEEEE!!.. |
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Julie! have you done your budget yet???????.
You run-away Ramsey-ites better get that March budget done!!!.. |
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Hey Crystal - the serving looks about right. You can have 1/2 cup of each of the veggies (3, right?)..
I saw that someone used the caps from Portabella 'shrooms as "bread" for their veggie burger! Great idea!.. |
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Yeah Julie - like someone is going to make YOU change your mind! LOL..
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Oooohh. what a great idea to use the caps as bread for burgers! Thank you thank you thank you! WOW! I bet I could slice them horizontally and make thinner caps so that I can still have some more veggies!..
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Crystal - the explanation of the Dark Side is a joke with Team Purple. I was originally a Purple, then started my team Aubergine... which is a dark purple. So the joke became "Come to the Dark Side" and I even had a Darth Vadar avi for a while..
I am a Cat Scan Tech... and I work all kinds of hours. One weekend is day shift, the other is night shift. Then I pick up other shifts here and there.. Some days they work me to death, and others, I get to read, play computer games, watch telly, chat with coworkers... and I ALWAYS have time to flirt. I used to be Mormon... and it's hard to get your head around some of that doctrine. I didn't hear they were twin brothers. I heard Satan was born first, and he thought that people should follow him, be made to behave and follow doctrine, thus returning to their Heavenly Father. Where Jesus said, no, I'll set an example for them to follow, and they'll have free will to chose which path they want to follow. 1/3 of heaven went along with Satan, and they were banished and never given bodies of flesh and bone. And we will all be "graded" at the end on how we did.. There are 3 levels of glory - according to LDS (Mormon) doctrine. The glory of the Sun (Celestial) is when you're married in the temple for time and eternity and follow all the doctrine of the church. The glory of the stars (telestial) is when you're LDS, follow the doctrine, but were not married in the temple. The glory of the Earth (terrestrial) is when you're a good person, are not LDS, but lead a good life. Then there's the outer darkness where all the "bad" people hang out. It is called thus because they will never see God or Jesus... LOL I guess they're Pagans, too. If you believe in predestination, there can be no free will... because in predestination, your "decisions" have already been made. Yes?. I do not believe in predestination. I can choose to ignore someone's rudeness... or I can choose to be rude back.. or magickally zap them. I like to do healing magick... but I have retaliated as well. LOL - the joke where I used to work was "who do you have in your freezer this week?" If someone at work was really hyper and freaked out over little things... I'd put their name on a piece of paper and put them in the freezer saying "Chill out" while slammign the door. They would calm down. So - it wasn't a "whammy" just a calmer down kinda thing. I also made tea for someone who just couldnt' calm down... saying something like, "relax, don't react" and it helped her to focus.. Hey - I loved that show Dark Angel with Jessica Alba!.. |
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Crystal - I don't even know where to begin!! So no it's not done! I'll visit you on the other thread..
I have to tell you, I believe in talking to angels. Long story...but to make it short about 2 years after my godfather passed away, he came to visit me for "coffee". We chatted for hours and then he lay down with me, stroked my hair and told me I was going to be ok and that he had others to see. He stayed until I fell back asleep. Oh was I upset in the morning when I woke up! I called my mom, told her what happened and said I felt like I was saying goodbye all over again!! We were incredibly close and I very often miss my very best friend.. I went to a psychic once (after this above incident) who asked me if I saw aura's and he proceeded to tell me I had spoken to and see "ghosts" and that I should continue to work on this (as he also knew I experience deja vu often) Totally freaked me out and I haven't been back to see a psychic since!. I really enjoy reiki as I feel much more balanced after a session and although everyone experiences different sensations, I see coloured energy orbs and definitely feel the energy being moved up and out.... I also like reading about chakras and my son's psychologist is talking to my son and I about energy flows and keeping them positive (for strength) and about what make you weak (when those flows are disrupted). I believe everyone chooses their path for a reason and we are not the one to judge. I feel much like Natalie, I have less tolerance for intolerance be it religious, racism, gay rights, etc.. Anyways, I've chatted enough for now!! And I must figure out what to eat!.. |
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LOVE the image Deb!! You up to no good??? Never.
Flirt.....one of my most favorite activities EVER.. |
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My former High Priestess is a psychic. We used to have other side circles where she would go around the room and tell us all something about ourselves that we didn't know. Really cool. I had brought a couple of coworkers with me one night and they swore I'd given her a heads up about them. LOL I miss that. Another time, we had a healing circle.
My mother visited my brother. She asked if he wanted to see her, and he said, "No, I'm pretty freaked out as it is". LOL My brother the "reformed quaker" can see auras and I can't. My mother visited HIM. I call him that because he took a test on Beliefnet.com and that's what his results were. He even went to a Catholic high school.. Hey! I'm going to sign up for a Reiki class in the Fall at the Community College! Can you believe the CC has classes like that? I had no idea! Check out your local school and see what they have - it's under "wellness".. One more thing... check out. Www.live365.com. And check out the New Age music stations! Awesome! It's free!.. |
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Oh - and precog knowlege.... I do it all the time. My son looks at me and says, "how do you do that?" I just smile..
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Just checking in to see how everyone's doing today!.
I am in class....paying 100% attention, obviously... *ahem*.. |
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WOW, WOW, WOW!!.
What an amazing thread!! I am really digging the level of participation there is on this board! Bravo to all of you who can talk about your own belief systems while showing tolerance towards those that don't hold the same beliefs!! This is MY kind of board!. I would like to interject a couple of things that struck me as I read through the posts. For instance, the sacred 3s (. Tammy. , you mentioned the trinity); in Christianity: Father, Son, Holy Ghost; in Wicca: Maiden, Mother, Crone (the three phases of the female is the obvious connection); in Buddhism: Buddha (the teacher), Dharma (the law), Sangha (the community); in Hinduism: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), Siva (the destroyer). I believe it is no mistake that there are connections like this throughout many religions.. Regarding angerin Buddhism, there are another set of 'threes' called kleshas (poisons) and they are ignorance (deluded thinking regarding the true nature of things), attachment (craving) and aversion (or, for the purpose of this subject, anger). Although the Buddha identified attachment as the origin of the suffering of sentient beings (this is part of the Four Noble Truths which is akin to a Buddhist bible), it is said that anger is the most destructive. However, when I read. Tammy. 's post about hateful vs. righteous anger, I thought of the Wrathful dieties in Buddhism. While they are frightening both in appearance and in manner, their wrath is useful as a method to protect the dharma and in helping us learn how to cut through dualistic thinking (there are many, many more).. Which leads me to another interesting issue which both. Crystal. And. Deb. Discussed. In *most* religions, there is always a light side to every dark side, sun and moon, male and female, etc. But in Buddhism, we talk of the. Relative. Nature of things (existance that we experience with our senses) and the. Absolute. Nature of things (emptiness beyond dualism). So, ultimately, a Buddhist seeks to reach a level where dualism does not exist.. Deb. , in your post about the upset one goes through during the 2nd degree of priest/priestess training, that is somewhat similar to what happens when, from a Buddhist perspective, we strive to become better dharma practitioners. It is saidand I have found this to be truethat the more we learn and practice, the more obstacles will present themselves to us. Of course, this is part of the path, and the learning process. The whole point is to. Tame. And then. Train. The mind, and when one has to deal with their own or another's human emotions or challenging situations, this is precisely the fertile ground that makes it possible to overcome the defects of samsara (the world in which we live, or the world of illusion), and ultimately gain enlightenment.. Finally, regarding the tithing subject: Buddhists believe in making merit, which is essentially doing things that increases one's positive karma. However, in the Mahayana school (of which I practice), we dedicate the merit of our good works to ALL those suffering in samsara (insects, animals, family, friends, strangers, enemies, etc.) in an effort to help them increase. Their. Merit so that they will achieve enlightenment. So, tithing is something that is done for the merit of others, and not to secure oneself a 'free pass' to enlightenment.. Boy, this was a lonnnnng post; I'm sorry if I bored any of you. To those of you who could make it to the end, thanks for reading!!. Diane. PS.... Deb. , thanks for setting me straight regarding the inverted pentacle!.. |
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Hi Everyone! Happy Tuesday!.
Diane - I like your anaolgy (right word) for the Trilogies! I like that!. Karen said she was going to poke her head in, but I guess she got bogged down with classes and clinical.. Just in case - HI KAREN!.. |
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Crystal - I think it would be great if you would go meet them. Go with an open mind... they can tell when you're uptight..
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Good morning, everyone..
I was thinking a bit lately about the Wheel. The Tarot is something I use in my personal meditations, and the Wheel image means a great deal to me. My pagan beliefs involve the wheel of the year, the procession of events that symbolize the turning and changing of the earth through time and space, and also the cycle of human existence.. Ive seen the cycle again and again in my own life Ive experienced the lowest turns and highest, with joy and sorrow. It helps me cope to know that whatever I am experiencing now will change, nothing ever simply stays the same, but turns and changes with each passing day.. As far as Medifast, and the process of change we are going through in modifying our bodies, I see a cycle of weight loss and even my attitudes toward it. For me, each month I have low loss weeks and high loss weeks, in a repetitive cycle. And I have times where I am more hungry, or less hungry. Again, it helps me to remember that while I may be very hungry today, the wheel is turning, and I wont be so hungry tomorrow or next week.. I hope the wheel is turning toward good for you, and that you are moving easily through the cycles of change... |
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Laura - I knew I was saving this for a reason.
Hope everyone is doing well. I'm headed to work in a couple hours. Took my aunt to the dr and we waited 2 hours for a 5 minute appointment. So - no nap for me. I'll be fine. I get off at 3 am, so I can come home for a good snooze... |
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Sorry for the late reply, I eventually started taking notes and then I had to close the laptop and leave.
I was sitting in Advanced Business Law. I've already read the chapters, so sitting through the lecture was just....blah...... Some things, lecture and discussion can be good learning tools. Unfortunately for me, most academic courses I just learn better from the textbooks, so the lectures just feel useless and dumb. I am a bad student... |
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Deb & Laura.
The wheel! The cycle!. This is the part of everything that makes perfect sense to me....everything is a circle. Life is a circle, each year is it's own circle...circle/cycle....you get what I mean.... This is one of the things that makes me feel hopeful when I am at my lowest points in life, no matter how down I am.. I know that no matter how bad things get, the wheel of life just keeps turning, and eventually, things will get better and start to look up some more.. Look at winter! For people like me who like sunny times and lots of bright colors, winter can be so depressing...I feel like winter is the dead season, and then comes spring rebirth! Spring is when the new year really starts, in my opinion.. There is SO MUCH MORE I have in my head on this subject, I am so glad to have found you folks, you have no idea.....I don't feel like I'm not good enough or anything to talk with you guys, just because I'm not *official* or *practicing*.....I have met too many pagans like that, who have to have things just a certain way, and so do you, or else you just aren't what you say you are, darn it! ...I just feel that I am what I feel I am, and it's got nothing to do with any straight lines or any sort of fences. The lines are blurry and fuzzy and man oh man, sometimes they're not even there!. Anyway, I'm going to stop rambling at you lovelies and go snooze.... Hehe *big hugs*. Ciao, darlings!.. |
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Natalie, if you aren't a 'good' pagan for those reasons, then neither am I. I just sort of float along doing what I feel is right for me. I went through a period of darkness the last couple years where I wasn't doing ANYTHING at all, and my Medifast journey is part of my recovery from that..
It's nice to connect with like minded people, whereever we find them... |
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Hi Ladies (Is Geoff back yet?) - I don't see any "lines or fences" in my life... which I really like! No lines to cross. As long as you harm none!!!! Do as ye will! I love that!.
Here's another pic I found that I thought was a great addition to this thread... |
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I like that!.
I am really digging the graphics you guys post in this thread, hehe!. Boy am I tired tonight!!! I had yummy chicken breast w/curry powder allllll over it and some green beans for dinner, and then I'm about to have my last Medifast meal - a dutch chocolate shake - and then beddy-bye time!.. |
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Mmmm Dutch Chocolate is awesome! Have you tried the Dark Chocolate? Good stuff..
Your dinner sounds nice. I didn't know that curry powder is actually a mix of other spices! and there's red curry powder and yellow curry powder! Hmmmmm.. |
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Yes, there are a wide variety of different types of curries. My children's father was Indian and I used to cook quite a bit of Indian food. I sometimes sprinkle my Lean with garam masala, which is another Indian spice blend..
Deb, you like the Dark Chocolate? I have two boxes of it, tried one packet and did not like it. It seemed way more grainy than the regular shakes to me. I keep thinking I need to do some different prep on it so I can use them up.. Happy Friday everyone... |
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Hi Laura - Love the Dark Choc.. just had some for breakfast! Mmmmmm I use my blender, add ice. You could also make a shake cake out of it..... yummy chocolaty shake cake!.
I discovered an Indian grocery on my way home from work. Of course, they're not open at 7:30 am... but I'll have to make a special trip over there to check them out. Do you think they would carry the shiritake noodles? I can't find them around here... |
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No, shiritaki noodles are Japanese. I discovered that my local Safeway had it in the produce aisle, in the cooler with the individually packaged salads and such...
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There's a Safeway over by my aunt. I'll check it out next time I go over that way...
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Hi All - I just got home and am headed to bed. Have a great Saturday. Enjoy the wonderful weather! It's supposed to be 70 today in Baltimore!!!.
Oh - this is a great place to discuss this. Thank goodness I was working with a like minded person last night.. A patient came in with what he called hallucinations. He's been seeing this man for over 6 years. He's said Hi to him on occasion, but never had a conversation with him. Even saw the man in the parking lot of his daughter's school.. driving a Dodge Duster. LOL He's had black outs. (almost like someone coming abruptly out of meditation or hypnotization). My coworker and I decided that this entity may be looking after him or his children and that he should confront him. Ask him why he's there. What he wants. Last I heard, the hospital is sending him to the psych ward for observation.. I did think of schizophrenia.. but he's only seeing the one entity. Thoughts???????.. |
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I did think of schizophrenia.. but he's only seeing the one entity. Thoughts???????.
Don't people act out when they have this?? Because they are being "told" to do things?? Harm themselves or others?. I obviously don't know enough about this to have an informed opinion. If he's only seeing one entity, I would view this as more of a protector or guardian watching over him... |
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Wow.....that's hard for me to say!.
On the one hand, I don't know enough to know whether it sounds like schizophrenia or some other real psychological disorder/issue.... On the other hand, it just seems....odd. More odd than bad. I am very intrigued....Poor guy. I mean, what if the guy isn't crazy, and he really is seeing something that really is there, just not meant for other eyes, something of a "paranormal" existence? How horrible for him to suffer the psych ward!. I went there as a teenager for making an attempt on my own life, and it was not fun. Fortunately, I was in the "kid" ward, because I was still in high school, but since I was 18 I could have chosen to go either way man I will take messed up crazy kids to be around ANY DAY rather than be around the naked lady with the plastic spoon who calls her v***na "Jesus" and tries to stab people with anything she can get her hands on! That's way more messed up than I can handle (although it does fascinate me, and I do want to get to know her for some reason, if there were a way I could get around the potential stabbing event....I have such a curious mind, ugh)....I hope nobody thinks I'm making light of such situations for anybody, because I assure you I am not these are real people I saw, met, and/or spent time with for awhile when I was there.. I never want to go back there again!. Poor poor guy....On one hand it would suck to lose control of your own mind and have some sort of mental disorder....on the other hand, if you're NOT crazy, it would really suck to be treated as such!.. |
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Natalie.
, your post really blew me away. I'm so sorry to hear about your early experiences. I know first-hand how horrible depression, anxiety, etc. is, and how dibilitating it is to suffer from emotional/mental turmoil.. I am completely in-step with your theory regarding real/perceived mental disease. The heart-breaking thing that I have found to be true is that when one is in a state of such un-checked mental duress, they are absolutely conviced that they are operating within the parameters of reality and very often doubt the sanity of those around them who are trying to assist in 'stabilizing' them.. But, enough of that. On to the really interesting part (not that I'm taking any of this lightly, or using it as a means to entertain myself): Whether or not someone who is thought to be mentally disturbed is actually experiencing paranormal or 'other-reality'-based phenomena.. Throughout history, there have been many yogis who have lived lives of seclusion in order to attain certain spiritual levels or awarenesses. Many have been considered insane, or at least out of the 'norm'. I mean, let's be honestgiven the choice of sleeping in a soft, warm bed; eating nutritious, plentiful food; enjoying the company of friends/family to living/sleeping in a cave; eating nettles; enduring constant solitude, most of us would choose the former. In fact, most of us would consider the latter a ridiculous lifestyle. But these men and women chose this existance because of their devotion to the discovery of 'truth'.. Going one step further, once someone has attained a level of spiritual accomplishment, people often disregard them as down-right crazy due to their new view of reality and ultimately, the nature of all things.. Further, Buddhists maintain that. Everything. Is an illusion and that everything we experience is based on dependent origination. Now, how many people can wrap their heads around that concept? I've been contemplating it for years, and I'm still working on it. While I can *almost* understand it on an intellectual level, absolute knowledge is well beyond my reach.. I guess this could be translated into many different spiritual beliefs. "Scrying", "Glossolalia", "OBE" "Visualization Manifestation" and "Meditation" are just a few ways in which we access some thing/one outside of our normal waking reality.. So, my point is that who knows what is real?. Immaneul Kant said, "...the lunatic is a wakeful dreamer...". Or in the words of my hero, Neil Young, "It's all illusion, anyway." And it's like that whole, 'am I the dreamer or the dream?' thing. Remember, atheists think of all religion as a form of 'mythology'.. Deb. , your story about the hallucinogenic patient has sure sparked a great topic for conversation.... Thanks for letting me ramble,. Diane.. |
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I haven't told you that the man he is seeing looks Amish. So - he's got an Amish man following him around, driving a car. He did go out to chase him off his property, then said the man hit him in the head with a shovel. We told him that Amish aren't violent..
I'll probably never know the "rest of the story". Thus is the life of a CT Tech... |
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WOW, what a COOL thread!.
Great people!. Thoughtful topics!. Respectful, intelligent dialog!. I LOVE this! There's so much catching up to do!. Gotta go back to re-check what I wanna comment on and reply to.... This group ROCKS!.. |
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KAREN!.
Yay! I'm so glad you're here! Now, let's get this farty started (oops, too late...my farty started after my last Medifast meal!!. ).. As you will find out, once you begin your foray into the board that is Pagan Hearth, I am the biggest blabber-mouth of all, AGAIN. Man, I need one of those Hannibal Lecter mask thingies, but for my fingers!! Of course, that makes absolutely NO sense.. Deb. , the Amish guy story is SO FUNNY! Not to find humor in someone's tragedy, but ya gotta admit, that is one interesting hallucination! And I should knowI was a child of the sixties!. Well, I hope all of you have a fan-tattily-astic (channeling Ned Flanders) Sunday night. I hope to see lots of posts next time I roll into town!!. Peace,. Diane.. |
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I'm glad Karen finally found us!.
Hope everyone has a lovely Monday. I'll be back after I snooze a while!.. |
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I am pleased to find this thread today. I have been looking...hoping...and now smiling..
My name is Ardy. I am a daughter of the Universe. I follow my own path...somewhere between Pantheism, Solitary Paganism, and Dogisim (the belief that dogs make our world a better place). OK I might have made up the last religion...but I actively practice it!. I started Medifast December 28th. I have lost 31 pounds as of last Wednesday.. Auriaux. I like your question/thoughts on the effect of Medifast on our bodies. I have contemplated this too. I believe that my weight was in no way honoring the gift of my body. In complete disregard of how amazing life is...I consciously continued to over eat and drink. I feel so much better now. The clarity I experience on a daily basis is astounding. I know I am on the right path.. I am looking forward to getting to know all of you.. Peace,. ~Ardy.. |
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Ardy, I'm glad to see you here! Welcome!.
I'm having a very busy week (for me), and am trying to conserve my energy except for the things I've committed to do. Having a chronic illness is a giant PITA. Bleh.. Bright blessings to you all... |
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Ardy - Welcome to the Hearth! I hope to see you post regularly here..
I am so pleased that everyone is feeling at home here.. Laura - please feel better!.. |
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Oh, I'm all right, thank you, Deb. Since starting Medifast I am so much better than I was, it's amazing. I really could not stand up or walk without a lot of pain, a year ago. Now I'm dancing and all sorts of things, and by conserving my energy I mean trying to hold back and not do TOO MUCH just because I feel so much better. I do suffer a setback as far as pain level, if I push myself too hard..
I'm thrilled that my problem now is wanting to do too much, instead of not wanting to do anything at all... |
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Hello!!.
I'm happy there is a place for folks to meet to discuss and celebrate their various belief systems!. I hope to see lots of folks participate!. About myself: I practice Tibetan Buddhism, Mahayana school, and my teacher is a branch of the Karma Kagyu lineage, his being Drukpa Kagyu (Tibetan: Druk=dragon, pa=person). I have not found any other Buddhists on the boards (or at least none that claim such!), and so I think this place could be of great benefit to those who feel their expression of spiritual views would not be welcome by the vast majority of Medifast users.. Thanks for starting this room, Deb!!. Diane (Karma Yangzom).. |
