Mental Downturn
When I initially started this blog, my goal was to post weekly. Every Sunday, as a little ironic joke to myself. However, right after that initial post, things started to go downhill in a rather remarkable way in America and in my personal life to a lesser extent. I had assumed things were going to be bad, but I could not comprehend how quickly things would get worse.
Simply Surviving
Suffice to say that I quickly became overwhelmed. Combined with some personal issues that reared their ugly head, I had become insensate and was focusing purely on survival. The goals I had for spiritual growth were thrust into the very back of my mind as I focused purely on politics. I was neglecting myself in every way.
Venting Backfired
In particular, I wanted to discuss one of the decisions I made during this month. Against better judgement, I had allowed myself to vent my frustrations and indignation out into the social media sphere. Rather quickly it rounded back to hit me in the face.
While I do not necessarily regret the things I said, relationships I valued deeply were in jeopardy, and I had strained them by this method of trying to do what I thought was the right thing. While we eventually repaired our relationship, I realized that the “Moaning about it on Facebook” Method of venting was in fact working against everything that I was trying to accomplish. Even if it made me feel like I was doing something worthwhile.
For many this may sound like basic common sense. Posting controversial and inflammatory things will be met with something equally vitriolic. I wanted to do something as I saw the injustice around me grow. Instead of helping, however, I alienated myself from friends and family, and pushed them further away from my beliefs rather than drawing them close.
A Small Epiphany
As I was thinking about that I had a little epiphany. By giving into my anger, and letting myself lash out, I had in fact lost my own fight against injustice. Not only was I not pursuing my life’s goal, I had abandoned one of the things I am most passionate about so that I could go on some self-gratifying quest.
While we should do everything in our power to stand up for the oppressed, we should not give up on our own passions in the process. To do so is to allow those in power have the little victories over us. To burn us out so that we become nothing more than automated husks.
It is through these passions that we are better able to interact with the world. Without them we lose one of the best ways we can communicate with ourselves and others.
The Reason I Started
I started this blog in large part to try and help those deconstructing their toxic religions to find a place of respite from the more intense opinions on the internet. To show that one can be spiritual, learned, and maintain the healthy parts of our religions and bring them into the next stage of life. To reconstruct our spiritualities with something better.
Final Thoughts
Do not let yourself burn out. Do not be afraid to speak out. Do so with compassion for yourself and for others, even if you are on the farthest sides of the fence. Because injustice wins when good people lose sight of what they love. For me, It is the relentless pursuit of spiritual Truth. For you, it could be anything: Art, Music, Philosophy, Relationships. Whatever makes you glad to be alive.
