Voicelessness and Emotional Survival > What Helps?

Which of your basic beliefs help you strive and survive in the world?

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Sheela:
I didn't realize that my comment about "karma" would generate such insightful commen!. Thank you.
I am absolutely sure that life really is unavoidable suffering. It comes in so many flavors, so many varieties.
I believe in it even to the point that it no longer makes me scared or squeamish. Somehow suffering is necessary
and perhaps enlightenment is learning how to be thankful and accepting, even for one's greatest trials.

This may sounds very Buddhist and i have to admit the Buddhist point of view has enlightened me. Here is a quote that reflects the same idea in different words:
The man who said it was in prison all his life for no crime other than the perception that his beliefs went against the mainstream.

“The confirmations of the spirit
are all those powers and gifts
with which some are born and
which men sometimes call genius,
but for which others have to strive
with infinite pains.

They come to that man or woman
who accepts his life
with radiant acquiescence.”

---`Abdu'l-Bahá

Rest assured  that I am one of those who must "strive with infinite pains"
but i treasure the beauty of "radiant acquiescence.”

Sheela:
A very good question: "Another way some might look at it as fate.  Is it my/your/anyone's fate to be destined to strive/survive.......no matter what calamity/stress/or test is givien?  Or is failure certain?  Is everything/anything predetermined?"

No heavens, no, (i think) failure is never certain as long as there is such thing as the human spirit. We shouldn't accept "failure." One thing I have learned over time is that the nature of human existance is tied to progressive growth. Our culture tends to be "event" oriented and therefore reactive instead of responsive, for the most part. Yet, I think we can  learn our way out of reactive behavior.

To give an example: I lost custody of my children to an NPD in the full throes of his affliction. Court cases, humiliation, everything a mother could dread. Even my family treated me more or less as a failure. Perhaps for a time I was. I persevered and continued to act upon my parental rights as a non-custodial parent. Thank God I did, because eventually he abandoned them after heruined himself financially, to the point that he fled the country to avoid prosecution for fraud. I was left to pick up the pieces. Which I did.

It was never been a perfect or ideal situation, but at least two of my children are healthy successful individuals with bright futures. My family, though very late in the game, came to see the strength of what I did. It took 11 years of driving 60 miles three times a week to reach the final outcome, in which I ended up providing a home for my younger children.

"Karma" in the sense of what goes around really does "come around."  Act in faith and letting go of the outcome while being honestly instructed by the dynamics of the  tests and difficulties one encounters makes the difference between failure and success. I think a wise man once said "if you get lemons, make lemonade."

Sheela:
Thank you Moon, there is such generousity and tenderness is all that you write, very touching for me.
Yes, there is such beauty in the sadness, perhaps the real consequence of "suffering," the kind of consequence that gives it purpose.

Thank you again for your sweet words.

Sheela

movinon:
Didn't have time to read through all the posts yest, but I wanted to respond to the original question.

My core beliefs have changed over time.  Yes, I know some are dormant, hidden, so I will speak of the positive ones that I know of.

Heres' my BIGGEST ONE:

There is a reason for everything. (sometimes it's just not made known to me)

When I am faced with an obstacle, there's a lesson to be learned.

I am going through my trials so that I can help others down the road.

There is goodness in everyone. (gotta be careful about this one!)

And you've heard it from me before:

We teach people how to treat us.

Movinon

WaltzWay:
What does it say about me if I'm not sure what my basic beliefs are?

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