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From: blew@waldorf.cc.wwu.edu (Barbara Washburn)
Subject: Re: Reality...???
Message-ID: <blew.787298292@waldorf>
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Date: 13 Dec 94 05:58:12 GMT
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roose@ix.netcom.com (Richard Roose) writes:

>In <blew.787091896@waldorf> blew@waldorf.cc.wwu.edu (Barbara Washburn) 
>writes: 

>I have snipped everything except part of Barbara's reply because 
>that part of Barbara's reply is so profound all by itself.

>>   When you figure out who you really are, you realize that 
>>you must constantly redefine yourself, or die of boredom. If 
>>you die of boredom, you start over again from the beginning. 

>From her first sentence we must assume that Barbara feels that she has 
>already figured out who she "really" is; that she has found the 
>experience "boring" and is in need of constant self-re-definition in 
>order to avoid the boredom.

Friend Richard Roose, I have very much appreciated the entirety of your 
response. I found nothing that I could seriously disagree with -- and I 
found your advice worthy. There are a couple of points I should clarify. 
My wife's name is Barbara. I use her account in order to access the 
internet. I am a priest and hospice counselor. My office takes seriously 
John 17:3 and Psalm 4:8. Someone wrote me about being nearly bored to 
death. I had the same reaction as you did. On the one hand, I wanted to 
discourage them from giving up on living; on the other hand, if it were 
appropriate for them, I didn't want to discourage them from proceeding 
beyond the veil of tears we call life. I attempted to give my solution to 
the dilemma in what I wrote and you quoted. Your statement was much more 
sensitive and to the point. Thanks.

>There isn't any second time around.  This is it!  Make it now or don't 
>make it at all.  Is reincarnation BS.  I don't know, but I do know that 
>if you do reincarnate, it won't be you!  How could "you" be anything 
>else than you, since every single bit of you is housed in "you".  

As a priest I make it a point to taste death (rest in the Lord) at least 
once a night. I wouldn't be a very good guide of the Way ahead, if I 
didn't. It is a kind of more of "you" and less of me gesture. It is a 
little more serious than saying my "now I lay me down to sleep prayer" 
as a child, because my bags are packed for the real thing. In this manner 
my lifestyle is in tune with those I counsel. 

>If you want to pass on this life and wait for the next one, like life is 
>a bus route with another one due in x time, be my guest.  But, what a 
>waste of good life energy. 
>-- 
>Warmest Regards,

>Dick, The curent Lord of La Mancha.  
>"He's a muddled fool, full of lucid moments."  Cervantes 
>roose@ix.netcom.com CopyRight R.C. Roose 1994 

Dick, I think your suggestion to make your decisions as if this life were 
all you have, makes a lot of sense; but, I would not rule out the 
possibility of a return (tomorrow morning or whenever). "In God We Trust" 
is a great motto IMHO. You exist, Friend!
                             ,,,
                            (o o)
-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-ooO-(_)-Ooo-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+
         David M. Washburn, blew@henson.cc.wwu.edu
             The Global Village Meeting House
Perhaps only God can love smart asses! Philosophers don't think
God exists; Theologians wonder whether true philosphers exist!
-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+
 
