On Brothers...

I have 3 sisters, but only 1 brother. We lived together 8 years before life separated us. I saw him again when he was 15, and then again when he was 27 and then, this year. It is insane that siblings see each other so rarely. But life, and finances, have always been issues for us.

It was great to see him. To see he is struggling but surviving. To be around his comedic personality again. All of my kids really like him. I wish we all lived closer, or had more time/money/ability to visit more often. Sigh.

Pessimist, my new label...

Main Entry: pessimism
Pronunciation: 'pe-s&-"mi-z&m also 'pe-z&-
Function: noun
Etymology: French pessimisme, from Latin pessimus worst -- more at PEJORATIVE
1 : an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome
2 a : the doctrine that reality is essentially evil b : the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life
- pessimist /-mist/ noun

I've been told that I am a pessimist...and to confirm it I asked a couple other people who know me and they confirmed that often this is true. Especially about my marriage and life in general. This thought depresses me. To think that I was such a wide-eyed innocent who believed that everyone was good and that all things would work out in the end to someone that people perceive so negatively is almost more than I can bear...

Radical Golden Rule

Seven Statements of Golden Rule Radicalism

1. There are underlying universal principles common to all human communities. The closest we have come to discerning these principles is embodied in the Golden Rule, which can be recognized in all life-affirming faiths and secular moral codes.
   
2. The practice of the Golden Rule does not require the practice of any faith or secular tradition. Nor does it preclude or discourage such practice except where that tradition is antagonistic toward or dismissive of other experiences of the Divine.
   
3. The essential nature of the Golden Rule is embodied in relationships - with individuals, groups, and Creation. Therefore the practice of the Golden Rule is not concerned with sacrifice, but with self worth.
   
4. The Golden Rule implies that all people, without qualification, have intrinsic value and worth. By extension, so too do all aspects of Creation.
   
5. The presence of the Golden Rule suggests the presence of the Divine. It therefore encourages religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue.
   
6. The spirit of the Golden Rule compels us to act to address injustice, inequity and exploitation, whether of individuals, groups, or Creation.
   
7. To act in harmony with the Golden Rule we must seek first to understand those that we would interact with. This effort enhances our ability to relate to others in accordance with the principle of the Golden Rule.