Sunrise asked my question so I'm curious about your reply Maven. I consider myself a freethinker but i'm not an atheist. I believe in a higher power.... the Creator of all things. The God of all religions but mostly the God that sets a standard for me.... the God that is my model for love.

I believe I am a spiritual being having a human experience. I believe our time on earth is a kind of 'school' where we grow spiritually from experiencing love. I also believe I am never challenged with more in my life experience than I can handle or that I may need to have happen so that I may learn and grow from my life experience.

I can even go so far as to consider it a privelege, a gift to my spirit that I am challenged with my list of MI issues. It tells me I am stronger than I think and more able then I image sometimes. For me everything has a purpose in helping me be and do what I came to this earth to be and do. If MI is part of the package that provides me the times and places to grow spiritually and/or to show love to others then I accept that as my reality. I take it as a challenge to overcome, survive, cope, endure that I might be a witness, an example...cause for someone else to keep the hope alive.

Like you Maven I too often feel like I want a do-over. I entertain thoughts of anger, frustration even bitterness for my lot in life. I image an easier path and when things are really bad I cry for an easier journey. The magic comes when I'm in that pit I can feel my spirit pulling me out... giving me hope.... healing my pain in spite of myself.

Great thread Maven.... good to hear what others think about religion and spirituality.