Ashamed

[Soccermom]

I was re-reading some a blog posts of mine from when Aristides was unemployed. I'm a bit ashamed of my attitude and that I didn't show more gratitude even during rougher times.

As many of you on here know, I have really struggled in my current ward. Socially, I am definitely leaning towards being an apostate. But....I realized that the people who are insincere and judgmental and exclusive have hurt others besides me. Probably others who may not have a decent foundation of beliefs. So like YOhio mentioned in wuaps thread, the basics like serving others and focusing on my personal relationship with God have been the right prescription for dealing with stupid people.

Some of you cuffers were very kind to my family during our struggle. To move on from feeling ashamed I have decided to triple my efforts of service and generosity. Aristides and i are trying to give even when it isn't so convenient. Some may call us stupid and foolish, but I have to say, following the basics of the gospel, of just loving our fellow man, giving time and money and help to others in need, makes me forget about the weird people and the pharisaical behavior of some. And I really think it brings much joy to our lives. We aren't rich like philanthropists and we aren't widows mite poor, but we give what we can and then some and it truly washes away our pain.

So I realized that if I want to see positive changes, I need to live that way more myself and not focus on flaws of others who may never change. It doesn't matter if they do. I don't need apologies or retractions to live the basic gospel. And I think in so doing we have rediscovered the beauty of the gospel.

Sorry for taking up a thread for this. But I hope I never feel is kind of shame again. I'm too fortunate to ever be ungrateful.

[taekwondave]

I was re-reading some a blog posts of mine from when Aristides was unemployed. I'm a bit ashamed of my attitude and that I didn't show more gratitude even during rougher times.

As many of you on here know, I have really struggled in my current ward. Socially, I am definitely leaning towards being an apostate. But....I realized that the people who are insincere and judgmental and exclusive have hurt others besides me. Probably others who may not have a decent foundation of beliefs. So like YOhio mentioned in wuaps thread, the basics like serving others and focusing on my personal relationship with God have been the right prescription for dealing with stupid people.

Some of you cuffers were very kind to my family during our struggle. To move on from feeling ashamed I have decided to triple my efforts of service and generosity. Aristides and i are trying to give even when it isn't so convenient. Some may call us stupid and foolish, but I have to say, following the basics of the gospel, of just loving our fellow man, giving time and money and help to others in need, makes me forget about the weird people and the pharisaical behavior of some. And I really think it brings much joy to our lives. We aren't rich like philanthropists and we aren't widows mite poor, but we give what we can and then some and it truly washes away our pain.

So I realized that if I want to see positive changes, I need to live that way more myself and not focus on flaws of others who may never change. It doesn't matter if they do. I don't need apologies or retractions to live the basic gospel. And I think in so doing we have rediscovered the beauty of the gospel.

Sorry for taking up a thread for this. But I hope I never feel is kind of shame again. I'm too fortunate to ever be ungrateful.

No apology necessary. Thanks for sharing. I don't believe in giving people money anymore, but I know how therapeutic it can be when we're down. As long as it works for you, I say do it.

[Viking]

I was re-reading some a blog posts of mine from when Aristides was unemployed. I'm a bit ashamed of my attitude and that I didn't show more gratitude even during rougher times.

As many of you on here know, I have really struggled in my current ward. Socially, I am definitely leaning towards being an apostate. But....I realized that the people who are insincere and judgmental and exclusive have hurt others besides me. Probably others who may not have a decent foundation of beliefs. So like YOhio mentioned in wuaps thread, the basics like serving others and focusing on my personal relationship with God have been the right prescription for dealing with stupid people.

Some of you cuffers were very kind to my family during our struggle. To move on from feeling ashamed I have decided to triple my efforts of service and generosity. Aristides and i are trying to give even when it isn't so convenient. Some may call us stupid and foolish, but I have to say, following the basics of the gospel, of just loving our fellow man, giving time and money and help to others in need, makes me forget about the weird people and the pharisaical behavior of some. And I really think it brings much joy to our lives. We aren't rich like philanthropists and we aren't widows mite poor, but we give what we can and then some and it truly washes away our pain.

So I realized that if I want to see positive changes, I need to live that way more myself and not focus on flaws of others who may never change. It doesn't matter if they do. I don't need apologies or retractions to live the basic gospel. And I think in so doing we have rediscovered the beauty of the gospel.

Sorry for taking up a thread for this. But I hope I never feel is kind of shame again. I'm too fortunate to ever be ungrateful.

My mom used to read the picture book to "My Turn on Earth" to us when we were kids. There was one picture of the little boy or girl crying because she was cold/hungry that always stuck with me.

A few weeks ago, Clueless and I were returning home and saw a teenage boy on the side of the street huddled in a ball and crying. He had a box of candy that most poor kids use to sell small pieces of gum/candy and I surmised he didn't do so well that day.

That image from "MTOE" returned in a flash (haven't seen that book since I was 4 or 5) and I gave him some money and thought that I really do buy into the Mormon view that reality is a test, but it's a test of kindness. What for, I won't even try to guess, but I felt better and seeing the kid perk up was a great feeling (I gave him his day's quota, I think).

Any way, give and get.

[SloanHater]

I was re-reading some a blog posts of mine from when Aristides was unemployed. I'm a bit ashamed of my attitude and that I didn't show more gratitude even during rougher times.

As many of you on here know, I have really struggled in my current ward. Socially, I am definitely leaning towards being an apostate. But....I realized that the people who are insincere and judgmental and exclusive have hurt others besides me. Probably others who may not have a decent foundation of beliefs. So like YOhio mentioned in wuaps thread, the basics like serving others and focusing on my personal relationship with God have been the right prescription for dealing with stupid people.

Some of you cuffers were very kind to my family during our struggle. To move on from feeling ashamed I have decided to triple my efforts of service and generosity. Aristides and i are trying to give even when it isn't so convenient. Some may call us stupid and foolish, but I have to say, following the basics of the gospel, of just loving our fellow man, giving time and money and help to others in need, makes me forget about the weird people and the pharisaical behavior of some. And I really think it brings much joy to our lives. We aren't rich like philanthropists and we aren't widows mite poor, but we give what we can and then some and it truly washes away our pain.

So I realized that if I want to see positive changes, I need to live that way more myself and not focus on flaws of others who may never change. It doesn't matter if they do. I don't need apologies or retractions to live the basic gospel. And I think in so doing we have rediscovered the beauty of the gospel.

Sorry for taking up a thread for this. But I hope I never feel is kind of shame again. I'm too fortunate to ever be ungrateful.

Great post, especially with the upcoming holiday. It's always sad when a vocal minority ruins things for the majority. I hope that you find like-minded friends in and outside your ward as you serve.

[cowboy]

My mom used to read the picture book to "My Turn on Earth" to us when we were kids. There was one picture of the little boy or girl crying because she was cold/hungry that always stuck with me.

A few weeks ago, Clueless and I were returning home and saw a teenage boy on the side of the street huddled in a ball and crying. He had a box of candy that most poor kids use to sell small pieces of gum/candy and I surmised he didn't do so well that day.

That image from "MTOE" returned in a flash (haven't seen that book since I was 4 or 5) and I gave him some money and thought that I really do buy into the Mormon view that reality is a test, but it's a test of kindness. What for, I won't even try to guess, but I felt better and seeing the kid perk up was a great feeling (I gave him his day's quota, I think).

Any way, give and get.

This post makes me want to go home and hug my kids.

Soccermom, you and A are good eggs. I firmly believe that service is the best way to overcome a spiritual funk. I'm glad things are better for y'all, and I have no doubt that you'll pay a lot more forward than you have received.