I’m tired of negativity. It seems to me that many of the blogs I’ve been reading lately are focused on the negative. I agree that there much that is negative in the world. I don’t have a Pollyanna-ish view that all is sweetness and light. But there is a difference between noting something and wallowing in it. It seems to me that some things I’ve been reading have crossed the line into “I’m not happy unless I’m miserable” territory. I find myself thinking, “What now?” with dread when a new post from them shows up on my bloglines account. So, off the list they go.

Lately I’ve been finding myself wanting to back into explorations of faith. I was rereading information from the druids yesterday while on fence-watch. There are aspects of it I like but I still can’t buy all of it. I started surfing some today looking for discussion groups to learn from. What did I find? Mostly more negativity. I did find some groups claiming to be focused on positive and uplifting aspects but none of them had postings in the past year. I’m feeling the need to be uplifted so I decided to lift up myself.

I’ve decided to make it a priority to post quotes or stories or insights that inspire me in hopes that it will help spread positive energy and possible inspire others. This shocks me actually because I’m the last person most people would consider an optimist.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

– Margaret Mead, anthropologist

So in the spirit of Margaret Mead, I’m setting off to change the world.

DO NOT believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe simply because it has been handed down for many generations. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is written in Holy Scriptures. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of Teachers, elders or wise men. Believe only after careful observation and analysis, when you find that it agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all. Then accept it and live up to it.

-Buddha, from Kalama Sutta

–found at I Am Of Her

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I found the Margaret Mead quote written down at GoddessWristband.org. I have two thoughts about this site.

1. I don’t think that I’m “out” enough as a pagan to be comfortable wearing a goddess wristband that people in my life would surely ask about. I like the idea though.
2. It doesn’t seem right to me somehow that wristbands celebrating the goddess should be “100% synthetic.”