Q.'s Quote of the Day: 04-07-07

"The God who is with us, the very God with us, is not just shedding light on us. God also sheds darkness. It is one thing to trust the God that you comprehend and understand; that's the God of light. It is quite another to trust and believe in the God beyond your comprehension and understanding. That's the God of the night. If all you can trust and have faith in is the God you can comprehend and understand, then who are you worshipping?"
~~Leonard Sweet

Stare into the night sky where there are no city lights, and see the face of the Star Mother. Sit in a forest glade, and listen to the trees sing in the wind. Feel the caress of the wind that threads through the leaves and your hair with gentle fingers and know the God of the Green Wood. Stand amidst the waves as the tide comes in. Feel the sea slide around your feet, inviting you into the primordial ocean.

God/dess is everywhere, in everything. S/He speaks with the voice of thunder and gentle rain, with the tiny sounds of sprouting seeds and baby birds, and in the agony of death by a predator. S/He speaks in our hearts, in our minds, in ways beyond our comprehension. We can glimpse a bit of the Meaning, and feel awe. That awe is true worship.

In Love & Light,

Q.

Proselytizing in E-mail: WTF?

Okay, it's obvious to me that there are times for proselytizing and there are times not to. As far as I'm concerned, it's never okay to assume that an e-mail recipient is Christian--or that if not, a proselytizing-style letter will suddenly make one a 'believer in Jesus as one's Lord and Savior'. To those of us who do not follow the gentle Rabbi from Nazareth in the form of modern Christianity, it is an insult and an irritant of the highest order. I'm sorry, but my own faith is just all right with me. I don't need to be 'sold' another way to God.

My religion does not proselytize. Those who seek to know the Wiccan and/or Pagan religion(s) can only discover it in their hearts, and by finding those of us that practice it. You can learn about it in some books, but truth is not found in a physical book..only in the book of your soul, and in the wild, starry skies, in the truth of a leaf. You won't find us knocking on your door asking, "Do you know the Great Mother? She loves you, and wants you to give up the ridiculous Christian superstition..." That is soooo anathema that I cringe writing it.

So, when I got such a blatant proselytizing e-mail last week, I wrote back to the sender (a long-time friend of my older sister):

Dear (Friend of my older sister),

Not everyone is a Christian, my friend. Please do not send me any more proselytizing letters. I am not a Christian, and I'm not going to convert to being a 'born again' Christian any time in this lifetime.

How would you feel if people continually sent *YOU* stuff telling you that if you didn't believe and profess your faith for...let's say...Zeus, or Aphrodite--or both--that you were going to hell?

I believe in Deity. I am not atheist. I'm a Pagan, and I'm very happy with my spirituality, thank you!

BTW, believing in Jesus 'just in case' is hypocrisy and selfishness of the highest order. IF you believe in Anything, do it because you feel it's right--for YOU--not just because everyone does it! or says it's right! Think for yourself, my friend! The Gods gave us brains for a reason.

Thank you for reading this. Many blessings on your road through life.

(Me)

She wrote back, kinda irate:

And hello to you to. No wonder you don't communicate regularly. You will be IMMEDIATELY removed from all corresponding ways. Ugh! I don't need your dissertations on anything. I polite remove me from ....what have been enough. And you're related to (Q.'s older sister)? I communicate with the rest of the (Q.'s) family and they aren't as unpleasant as you strive to be.

Needless to say, I was pissed. WTF? Here's what I wrote back:

WTF, (Friend of my older sister)?

Have I touched a nerve? If so, I'm sorry you feel as you do. I'm not one to pull punches on religion, but I do not say you should change YOUR beliefs. Gods, no! WHY should you not return the favor? I'm not your enemy.

As for 'not communicating', WTF? I'm not used to talking incessantly with ANYone online. Nothing exciting happens in my life. Why talk about boring every-day stuff? And just because (she) is my sister doesn't mean we see eye-to-eye on religion--or on anything else.

I'm not unpleasant--just not interested in proselytizing emails, is all. Is that considered anti-social to you? My God, girl, get a clue! Not everyone is a CHRISTIAN! GET IT? I love the emails about angels,love, and such, and I'd love to hear about your writing. Ever care to share some of that? I have two published books, myself.

I was nice, and polite to you. I even gave you heartfelt blessings! You are the only one in my life that has gotten so 'insulted' by my request to not be sent overtly Christian-convert type emails. Why does that bother you? That I dare to not follow the crowd and think for myself?

It's your decision to 'cast me out'. I didn't ask to be deleted from your email list, just from certain ones. Is that so hard to understand? Do as you will. Just know that you are being a less than great example of a Christian.

No matter what you decide, may God/dess bless you in your life.

(Me)

Why is she so ticked off? She would be up in arms if the situation was reversed. Christians believe they are being persecuted. That's a funny joke! How can a dominant (like 85% of US citizens) religion like hers be persecuted? Pagans don't interrupt and destroy any Christian rites or holy places--but some Christians do. Pagans don't feel the need to covert everyone--but most Christians do.

All we ask is that we get a little respect--like we try to give others. My older sister's friend doesn't get it. Do you?

BTW, have a Happy Easter. Enjoy your Pagan icons.



Q.

Q.'s Quote of the Day: 04-04-07

“I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas: they've gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind.”
~ Emily Bronte

This quote gives voice to the emotion I feel when thinking about my foreshortened railroading career. Those dreams still live--in my fiction, in my dreams. Those years shaped my outlook, my interests, and my memories. My stories would not be as strong without those sacrificial years freely given. Part of what and who I amm was forged in those 16 years. I thank God/dess that I was able to pursue and fulfill those railroad dreams. For a woman, it was no easy task. But I won. Heh heh! I won!

Q.

Reminiscing about the Railroad

5 days and 15 years ago, I quit my job on the BN. It was a time of recession, and it was heartbreaking to watch my ability to support myself and my (ex)husband evaporate. So, in a fit of frustration and anger, not knowing that IF I had held out another 90 days or so, my job as an engineer would have been secure, I took a buy-out. I sold my Trainman's Rights, not my Engineer's Rights--but their rules said I needed both to work...so...I lost my dream on a cold, overcast March day in Denver, CO.

I have regretted it ever since.



Why? My defining identity was wrapped up in my railroading, in my abilities to run trains and guide switching operations, to excel in a trade that takes skill and love to pursue well. I gave it up. Boom, in one fell swoop, I was without an identity. Part of me--an essential part, I felt for a long time--died a sudden painful death. I mourn even now, even knowing that my disability would have nailed me only a few years later anyway. It was just that I wasn't ready to end my railroading then! I wasn't tired of handling coal trains, or switching cars in the yards. It was still all shiny and fresh, every single trip.

Now all I feel is a deep sadness and anger that it all could have been different--if the BLE would have opened the Engineer's Extra Board up to us newbies (as it was designed to do) instead of keeping it as a gravy train for the older men. IF the country hadn't been in a recession due to the inanities and sloppy governing of G.H.W. Bush. IF I hadn't bought a house the year before I entered Engineer Training. So many IFS! Damn it!

Now, 15 years later (damn, has it been that long?) I sit here a different person. I am a published Author writing about--you guessed it--RAILROADING. I'm a blogger, an artist, a priestess. Do I still miss running trains? You betcha! Now, writing about running them is the best I can do--and it suffices.

I hope all the friends and folks back on the BN (now the BNSF) are doing well. Our paths have diverged, but I will never, ever forget those days so many years ago. I wish all y'all the best. Have safe trips always!

Choo Choo Q.