mark 45

to an extent yes,he/she was.no one can truly make us happy,nor can they make us angry,if we don't allow them too(at least in theory). *however*it is a fact that in practice,we can indeed become upset with others.and yes sometimes we get very verbal about it.or we can freeze someone out of our thoughts or even life.either can be very hurtful. the dali lama once said (and this is not a direct quote)that we may share the same path for a while,but at some point we will split off and follow our own.

may your brothers journey be one of peace,love and light. you are in my thoughts.

pete, i was raised penecostal for the better part of my life(and grew to hate it).i don't hate any people but i do not accept their beliefs for myself.as such,i am an atheist.i choose to follow a buddhist path as it makes the most sense to me.however,i have no problems with learning from other philosophies. letting go is not an easy exercise at all.but in the end it can be well worth it.

i wish your family the best,and may your brothers suffering be short.

as rev calli would say"spot on".

yes you can,even tho it is difficult to explain.like you say "we are the sum of our choices".is it an accurate picture?maybe. feed back can be positive or negetive depending on how it's taken,and how it was intended to be presented.how we use it is an entirely different story.

go to ulcseminary.org,and it will take you to the place to enroll.if you need any help,feel free to ask.

keep in mind that my experience is that wiccans and pagens prefer a female officiant and very rarely(outside ones coven)do men officiate.

Shakespeare."two gentlemen from verona".recently saw "much ad about nothing,set in a plane factory during world war 2.different.

generally speaking,it is my understanding that the oral traditions are put into writing after the person has died.

brother kaman and meredog both make good points,but i cannot multiquote and make it work. yes i do believe it starts with us,but as brother kaman said,we can't give what may not have(ie:self respect).and as meredog said"not everyone deserves to be respected".if i find someone who proves that,i just don't have any further dealings with them.

considering the humanists around here,i do not want mixed up with them. free thinker would be nice,except for the above. so i guess i'll leave it at atheist. in my current life i started with diapers,so i didn't need underwear for a while.i suspect it will be the same in my next life.

rev tom, having gone thru a period in my life that can only be described as the"black lagoon",i in no way dismiss depression(capitol d)as something that should be ignored.it is a very real medical disease and needs to be treated. however,what works for some people does not for others.the psychologist and psychiatrist i was seeing both told me that medication was not an answer for me,but i had within me the answers.hence meditation.while i wish the answers to some other medical conditions i have were as easy to solve,they aren't.so i do my best and don't complain about it. i hope you did not think i was being dismissive,and if you did,i apologize.

we should be respectful of others,and to treat each other accordingly.

it's an excellent point to meditate on.

my first time seeing it,nice work.

been a long time von,good to see you again. do the questions/answers really mean anything?i guess it depends on who's asking/answering.maybe?

depends on where your doing the ceremony and what the laws of that state require.

welcome to the forum

welcome to the forum

welcome to the forum.

excellent

very nice picture.

i have to agree with jonathan on this one.that is the way i would describe myself,only less wordy.

congrats on the wedding,am glad to hear about the grandkids;time is only given to us in one day increments.make the most of them you are able.always good to hear from you.