My journey

In my healing and understanding of my life (the glorious and the cruel), I've incorporated and taken to myself, some very specific and individualized beliefs. You see, my illness and hardships came from very specific and individualized abuses and factors, so the healing had to be the same.

I would not presume to say that what worked for me would work for you. I wouldn't say, "This is the only way to heal." What worked for me might not even have a small affect on your experience in healing. Then again, our experiences might be so like that alot of what helped me might be helpful to you.

That said, there are common threads in healing as we all experience it in its various forms and at different degrees...even if the only common ground we can stand on would be the desire to heal.

Much like my healing journey, every day in this life, my inner essence is on a spiritual journey. I look at what occurs in my life and how I'm to apply that to my spiritual journey...how do I interpret happenings for me in a way as to gain a spiritual understanding for self and a personalized spiritual experience. After all, the spiritual experience is VERY individualized and personal in interpretation!

I guess all of us who post here (due to the name of this forum) are on some kind of spiritual journey in their lives. Some are at the very beginning of their road, some midway, some well-established in their paths, and some are literally peering at the road...maybe viewing it for the first time.

I find my journey amazing, wonderful, difficult, tumultuous, incredible. I find my the sights along my road to be many different things...viewed by me as it's *my* road. You can't walk it for me, nor can I walk your's for you, as they're individual and we can't live each other's lives nor travel each other's roads. We can travel similar roads, and sometimes even parallel roads. We can also travel roads that are so far apart they actually feel they're being traveled on opposite sides of the globe!

I VOW:

To travel my road while knowing each of you have just as an amazing road to travel.

To not criticize your experience in traveling simply because it's different from mine; if I don't have anything supportive to say, I won't say anything at all because I respect your right to travel your road in your way.

To respect your right to travel the road of your choice, even though it appears much different in comparison to mine.

To respect your view and sights along your road because it's the one you're traveling and I respect you...even though my traveled-road is much different from yours.

To accept you for who you are even though you've chosen a different road to travel than I have.

To acknowledge that you may not even share the same destination that I have and that might be the very reason we've chosen different roads to travel.

To support you in your travels even though I can't imagine walking in your shoes for a second.

I vow the above while hoping the same in return because I'm treating others as I would like to be treated in return...because I care about *you the person* as we both trod along.

KD

(((KimmyDawn))) i am so uplifted to see you posting in this forum... i look forward to reading about your journey...

i can definatly feel and hear the acceptance and love in your post...

i believe that by sharing our individual experiences, we each may grow, and in the process, learn from each other by sharing the intimacy of our spiritual beliefs...

i look forward to learning and growing with you...

Yes, may we all Heal

KD,

I was so Happy to read this post .... I too understand that what works for me may never work for the next person.

I too believe that we are all on a specific journey to find an inner peace . In our journey we will meet and take other people with us , but yet we understand that one day there is going to be that fork in the road .

It has been a blessing to know you .....



God Bless you and Your Family


David

Kimmydawn, Thanks for sharing those beautiful words of encouragement with us. I believe someday we all will be healed in a way that helps us see the light at the end of the tunnel. Meaning finding joy in life instead of so much sadness and depression.
You are such a kind and gentle person and you are so helpful here on site, that in my way of thinking it would be a pleasure to continue this journey knowing you are not far from my side.

(((((((((((((( kimmy ))))))))))))))

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(((((((((((((((((( KimmyDawn )))))))))))))))))))

Sometimes it seems like the words you write come straight from my mind and heart as well.

I was brought up on believing in "The Golden Rule". Do unto others as you would have done unto you. Respect is what it all comes down to. Respect for oneself and for all others for the roads we travel, how we travel and where we end up.

While it's wonderful to share our path's and our hopes for our journey, it's also wonderful to watch and support others as they work down their paths, regardless of whether they go in our direction or not. We are all individuals and as such, have individual ideas, hopes, dreams and paths to travel.

We may not all come to the same conclusion on where we want to end up, but it's ok. I respect each individual for working on their paths and making headway towards their own personal choices, goals and beliefs.

Thank you Kimmy for a very uplifting thread of acceptance and appreciation for each of our journeys. May your journey and those of everyone else's be spiritually fulfilling.

Much love and respect
sabby

Bump

With a caveat:

Sky writes:
But also, realize that I do know my path's end, and want to share it with everyone, and have it be their path's end too...whatever they go through in getting there.

That is a problem for me and IMO goes against the basic point of Kimmydawns post.

But again, that is my opinion and do not want it to appear that I have singled out Sky's point of view. It just seems to me you can't have it both ways......

Take care everyone

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Thank you Kimmy for this post. Everyone's journey is deeply personal and so it should be. I am still on my journey, -i don't think i will ever stop learning as there is so much out there! I wish you all the best as you continue on your spiritual path.

I don't want to cause any conflict or to steer this thread from the true point which is love and respect for all (i hope Kimmy that you will forgive me for this indulgence) but i think i understand what Sky is saying and wanted to say that i think it is a really beautiful thing to say. Sky believes so much in Jesus as our Saviour that she wants to share it with everyone so they can feel how she does. I think that is the most wonderful thing anyone can say. Even as a Muslim i can understand the generosity of this statement. Noone wants to force their beliefs on anyone else, that would be pointless, but i don't think it is bad to say 'please let me share with you the love and hope i have been given by God'.

Gosh i am totally putting words in other people's mouths. I apologise. I hope i have not stepped out of line or caused any upset. I really enjoy this site in its entirety, it offers wonderful support for everyone. I know that is something we all have in common.

I hope that KD doesn't mind if I jump in and comment here. Kimmy, thanks for sharing about your journey, and your insights into our individual journeys. It truly is okay that our paths and experiences and beliefs are different. Sometimes our goals are different too, but I think that they often are not as different as it may seem. Sometimes we do all want the same things. Don't we all want to be loved, and to be happy?

Sometimes I think that someone takes offense just because of who says something. We are all responsible for our own feelings, and if we find ourselves getting defensive when we see a certain member's name, we ought to ask ourselves if we may be jumping to conclusions without hearing the message. I appreciate Abby's understanding and ability to understand that Sky simply wished love and happiness for everyone.

When we believe in something strongly, and have felt that it is good, we often want to share that with people we care about it. This reminds me of a story in the Book of Mormon that I would like to share.

Lehi was a prophet who was commanded to lead his family out of Jerusalem, because Jerusalem was headed for destruction. Some of Lehi's family believed him, but Lehi had two sons, Laman and Lemuel, who wanted to stay in Jerusalem where the family had a successful business and were wealthy. They didn't believe in their father's words, and didn't want what their father wanted.

Lehi had a dream in which there was a tree with the sweetest fruit he had ever tasted. The fruit represented the love of God, and it brought Lehi so much joy that he wanted to share it with his family. When he beckoned to them, his wife and two of his sons came and tasted the fruit. But Laman and Lemuel refused, and Lehi was afraid for them. He told the dream to his family, and preached to Laman and Lemuel because he loved his sons and wanted to share that joy with them.

You can read this story here: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/1_ne/8

When we experience something that brings us so much joy, it is natural to want to share it with others that we care about. We are sad for them if they reject it, especially without trying it. Lehi's two sons were on a different path, and one that Lehi knew would not bring them happiness. I'm not condemning anyone here, just trying to explain what it feels like to want to share something like that, out of love, when feelings are strong and some of the people we care about don't want to hear the message. I think that I can understand how Lehi felt, and also can understand how Laman and Lemuel felt with their father trying desperately to preach to them something that they didn't want to hear. Maybe if Lehi had been able to lighten up and recognize how his sons felt, the story would have had a happier ending than it does.

Rap

Thank you ((((( nowhere )))))

I share little because I believe it a very intimate, personal experience. I won't hesitate to ask for prayers and meditations, but I'm very private in regards to my spiritual journey. I know that I feel VERY strongly about it, and I know I'd try to get in the last word to ensure understanding, being heard, etc. I guess I know myself well enough to know that it's a very emotional experience, yet personal, experience for me.

That said, I don't hesitate to carry on a bit in PM...lol. I don't know, I guess I feel protective of this part of my journey because I still yet feel vulnerable?

I appreciate those who can share and that's where my vows come in. There's much I don't understand, but I vow to support the person in their choices and for who they are to me.

Thanks, again.

KD

(((((((( tymber ))))))))))

You're such a caring soul. I appreciate you so much...always have.

It seems you got completely what I was trying to say. In that, there's very little response, is there...more just feeling and acceptance.

Thank you,

KD

((((((((((((( oxbowgirl ))))))))))))))

Thank you so much for your kind words. I find you to be a truly giving soul, and appreciate that from you.

I, too, look forward to continuing this journey...knowing there are some I can call on who already have an understanding of me in place when I need it. That's a true gift.

Thank you for letting me know that you're one of those persons.

KD

(((((((((((((((((( fuzziestbear )))))))))))))))))))))

Few words, but much understanding.

Thank you as always, kind bear.

KD

Thank you ((((((((( sky ))))))))))

I can't control another's choices along their journeys, nor their destinations. I've learned that. It's one reason I stated my *vows*...knowing I can only control me, and possibly example for others who might be searching.

Being raised in, first Fundamental Baptist, then Southern Baptist churches, I understand the desire, calling and direction given to "share". I truly understand that...having had been in mission work singing, teaching Sunday School, doing the old-fashioned "street preaching", etc.

In my individual journeys, I've had my own personal convictions. Mine might not be yours, and visa versa, but at one time they were to share, share, share.

In my 30's my eyes were opened to certain types of sharing, altering my personal convictions, though. There is a fine line between sharing and pushing. When pushing, there's a finer line between pushing to and pushing away. I've seen the pushing away and it broke my heart. I vowed to never push at that point. To ensure I wasn't pushing, I vowed to never share unless asked and then to walk softly...to example.

That's just one part of my personal journey, and what I've learned in regards to your comment of, "But also, realize that I do know my path's end, and want to share it with everyone, and have it be their path's end too...whatever they go through in getting there."

I do the same, excepting the "everyone". Mine would read, "But also, realize that I do know my path's end, and want to share it with *anyone showing interest and asking...answering only what's asked of me, then acknowledging that others who follow a different belief than I probably feels just as strongly in their commitment as I do. Mine's right for me. Is their's right for them and their needs in the moment even though I can't imagine it...knowing we're both still on the journey?*" I can't imagine the world's creation...cannot comprehend it though I believe it true. Is there more that's true that I simply can't imagine/comprehend? I'd venture to say there's LOTS.

I appreciate you, and respect you in your journey.

KD

((((((((((((((((((( sabby ))))))))))))))))))))))

thank you so much for sharing. we are one that share parallel roads in this respect.

I appreciate you more than there are words to say.

KD

((((((((((( danialla ))))))))))))))))

Thank you for your thoughts.

I agree that the post of sky's might read that it adds a "but" in there. I can't speak for her, but I think it was more and "and"...her own personal addition.

I appreciate very much your response and hope you a wonderful evening.

KD

Sky,

I just read this. I wrote the above post before I did, so my reference to "push" above was not in response to you here.

I understand your convictions and accept that their yours (and others).

KD

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(((((((((((( abby ))))))))))))))

If this is an example of your indulgence, please do so anytime.

I so agree that there's so much to learn and that I have a very basic (even for me) knowledge of what it is that I'm meant to know.

Thank you for your kind words and I wish you the same.

KD

Sky,

To me it read as an addition whether it a "but" or "and"...your own personal addition that I respect.

KD

((((((((((((((((( Rap ))))))))))))))))))))

Thank you so much for your words and I agree.

So many times I've wanted to share specifics in regards to healing for example...to have my own "joy" diminished when others weren't in the place to hear them.

It wasn't my fault for wanting to share. However, it wasn't their fault either for not "getting it" or not even wanting to hear me at the time and due to their own "place". It just was.

I guess that gets into the dynamics of relationships and communications...personal desires, expectations, and capabilities/limitations...knowing in the end we can only "control" our own actions, then feelings.

We can only share as we feel led to, or care to. From there we have to know that some will relate in response, share opposing responses, or not care to even hear us maybe. It's a huge risk that can leave us feeling quite vulnerable. I guess we need to do a self-check to make sure that we're in the place to receive the response, or lack thereof, that might be given. It can be very tough when we're feeling joyful, yes? It's hard to think that joy is a vulnerability, but when struggling, it might be a huge one.

I do hope when I share my joy that others would keep their responses supportive of the same...possibly allowing for peace and healing for all involved.

KD

Thank you Kim for being you. An awesome example of God's loving kindness. I so appreciate you and the message you shared with the vows. I join you in that commitment and give thanks for the blessings they reflect.

Respect, acceptance, acknowledgement and support. Gifts of love and tolerance that guide the journey of peace.

Bless you Kim... thanks for sharing.