Thursday, February 7, 2008

Updates

- Super Z and the Devil

I talked to Mrs. Lee, Super Z’s teacher, a couple of weeks ago. She assured me that there has been no talk of the devil at his preschool. She says that they tell bible stories about Noah, Jonah, Jesus and such, but they never talk about the devil or Hell. I was very glad to hear that.
Of course, that left me stumped. I have no idea where he was getting his ideas. It had to be a seed that was planted somewhere. I have been looking at everyone that he talks to a little more closely.
The good news is that he seems to have gotten over it. He hasn’t woken up with nightmares in weeks and his questions these days are more likely to be about ducks and big school than the devil.

- My bank account drama

My money is back. My life savings has been returned to me. How sad is that…$874 is my life savings? I have my new debit card and have learned to fear ordering on the Internet.

- My Job

My boss/friend, Leigh is out on maternity leave and I am about ready to take a flying leap out of my window.

- The glass ceiling

Much to my surprise, it does exist. There are certain men at my job that have a problem respecting women. They seem to think that a woman isn’t worth listening to, unless she is an attorney, a department director, or their boss. That is pretty sad to me. I have worked with these men for years. My good ideas have been pretty consistent and important, if you ask me. Why is it like pulling teeth to get them to listen?

- Religion and politics

I have tried desperately to write several blog entries lately regarding both religion and politics. It has been very surprising how difficult this is for me. I have been hard wired somehow to not feel comfortable expressing my beliefs. How sad is that? I mean, I know what I believe…and I believe it rather strongly. But when it comes to sharing it with you guys (the world) it is just SO HARD. Why do you think this is?
Do you think it has anything to do with me growing up in the south? I am here to tell you that the close-mindedness thing is not just a bad wrap. The majority of southerners (not all, just most) tend to be very close- minded. There is only one way to think about things. And I assure you, I don’t think about ANYTHING the RIGHT way.
How do I get over this? Do I really want to? Why does this upset me so much?

11 comments:

AndreAnna said...

You should be able to write what you want, and your readers should respect it 100%. As long as you avoid preaching your beliefs, whether religion or politics and just stick to your opinions, you'll be fine.

You'll write about it when you are ready.

And I'm very glad that his teacher doesn't talk about the devil - he may have just heard it from another kid and had the seed planted. Even happier that he doesn't seem upset anymore.

Unknown said...

Girl, don't feel bad at all about not writing about your beliefs. It's okay. I wouldn't dare write about religion or politics...I didn't even think about writing about the pro-choice/pro-life day. Having an opinion is good - trust me, I have mine - but you will know in your heart that you can write about it when you don't have to think - the words will just come bubbling out.

Bilbo said...

It's said that two topics to steer clear of are religion and politics, both of which I address in my blog all the time. It can be hard to write about religion because it's such a deeply personal thing to many people that it's easy to give offense without meaning to. The real problem is with people who want to beat you over the head with their beliefs, but aren't the least interested in yours. I'm always ready to listen to a well-reasoned argument, so lay it on us. Also, glad to hear that Z isn't having the nightmares any more. Hope you're able to get to the root of the problem. Have a great weekend. Bilbo.

Heather said...

According to Payton, the devil seed could have been planted in another lifetime. Because he believes in reincarnation and we have repeated conversations about death and rebirth.

Now I'm curious about your religious beliefs!

Bren said...

I'm curious about what you have to say as well. You should be able to say what you want.

I think for me it's that I now believe differently from the way I was raised to believe, sort of. So, there is a fear - almost of speaking up.

Anonymous said...

I think we SHOULD be able to write what we want, but I'm pretty sure it would offend someone. I know you and I have very different political and religious beliefs, but I don't think that has stopped us from respecting one another.

Anonymous said...

You are dead on about how things are in the south. It was so different when I was living in New England.

I recently put a big Hillary sign in my car window. I've been warned by no less than three people that I'll either get keyed or get my tires slashed.

And the sad thing? They are probably right. You write what you want. It is sometimes a ton of fun to piss people off!

Robin M said...

I'm the same way. I have a hard time expressing my political and religious viewpoints. I grew up in the south as well and that may have something to do with it. It just seems a private thing. I have strong viewpoints but have a hard time when I come up against someone wanting to debate it. I don't like confrontation.

Good post.

Robin of mytwoblessings

JUST A MOM said...

WOW GREAT CATCHUP.... and the lsat tuff wait untill you get older my dera then it will all not matter what others think.

Unknown said...

Wow I wonder where he got the devil then. They should listen to you at work and I hope Leigh comes back soon.

I hope you relax and share your opinions. I have a hard time with that too. But I know why I do, I grew up in a house where it wasn't ok for me to have an opinion.

-Ann said...

I am with you on so much of this, especially the last point. I struggle with this too on my blog and just today made my fist post that was even vaguely political.

Three years ago, my dad and I started blogs at the same time. He posted whatever came to his mind, sometimes politics and he's a fairly liberal Democrat. Most of Dad's regular readers were live-and-let-live sorts, so even if they didn't agree with him, they didn't give him a hard time. This one guy though, conservative type from the South was relentless in his snipey comments. Here is an example.

It really bothered my dad, he just wanted to write what he wanted to write. He wanted to express himself, not engage in a debate with someone who's not interested in listening.