I am pleased as punch. I've made amends with my estranged friend Katie. Dear, sweet Katie.... how I've missed you. Last night.... she even said, all on her own without provocation that she loved me. This, from a most unaffectionate and sometimes thorny person.
We love each other, how 'bout that! We love each other as only friends can. A greater love than even lovers know for we can expect nothing and get everything simultaneously. Hooray for life's lessons.
The lesson? Forgiveness, different from absolution (in my mind at least). Absolution is telling someone it's no big deal, or I'm over it, while in fact you burry you feelings and lose self respect. Forgiveness; to which you may be surprised I am just now learning; is telling someone that yes indeed they did hurt you, but you know they would never do such a thing on purpose. That life is a pitching torrent, the horizon not always in view, its easy to forget that your mates could still be cut by the lash of your tounge. You know it's not their fault, but just a sign of circumstance, and that you still love them very much. The old Will would have NEVER spoken to her again. My god how sad that is. I'm very far from perfect, so why should I expect everyone else to be?
(This is the part of the movie where a sole turbine engine falls from the sky and crushes me in my sleep)
This may mean bullocks to you, but it's how I explain things to myself. I reserve the right to define words I don't understand. Fuck off!
We love each other, how 'bout that! We love each other as only friends can. A greater love than even lovers know for we can expect nothing and get everything simultaneously. Hooray for life's lessons.
The lesson? Forgiveness, different from absolution (in my mind at least). Absolution is telling someone it's no big deal, or I'm over it, while in fact you burry you feelings and lose self respect. Forgiveness; to which you may be surprised I am just now learning; is telling someone that yes indeed they did hurt you, but you know they would never do such a thing on purpose. That life is a pitching torrent, the horizon not always in view, its easy to forget that your mates could still be cut by the lash of your tounge. You know it's not their fault, but just a sign of circumstance, and that you still love them very much. The old Will would have NEVER spoken to her again. My god how sad that is. I'm very far from perfect, so why should I expect everyone else to be?
(This is the part of the movie where a sole turbine engine falls from the sky and crushes me in my sleep)
This may mean bullocks to you, but it's how I explain things to myself. I reserve the right to define words I don't understand. Fuck off!
VIEW 8 of 8 COMMENTS
and thank you for that journal entry...i really like your distinction between forgiveness and absolution...i do the latter all too much.
and thanks for the set comment!
And there wasn't any ethnic cleansing, either. St. Patrick's historic contribuion was basically to bring catholicism to Ireland. After being brought to Ireland as a hostage it became apparent that his family wasn't either prepared or able to pay ransom, so he was raised as a slave. Not some kind of hard labor thing, but he was a sheepherder. After more than ten years, he finally decided to make for his escape and took off for France. After getting all churched up, he chose to go back to Ireland, since he loved the place so much and wanted to bring his newfound faith to them.
He established a number of churches. One of which is actually still around. St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh (small town in Northern Ireland) was established by him over 1500 years ago - the original structure has been destroyed and rebuilt a couple times (the current building is only around 745 or so years old).
His efforts led to a bit of a groundswell of support for this new religion, and he exploited some of the political cracks in the older beliefs.
During a springtime lunar ceremony (mid-March, though I'm not 100% sure it was the 17th - it was either an eclipse or the equinox), there was an ritual on the hill of Tara (the ancient capital of Ireland). Ireland's a generally flat country with low, rolling hills - you could see for miles.
In the middle of the ceremony, St. Patrick built a huge bonfire called the Paschal Fire on the hill (at Slane, I believe, some 60 miles away). It could be seen at Tara, and was interpreted as a seriously bad omen in the old ways. A landslide of conversions to christianity followed.
So no ethnic cleansing, per se. He wasn't any sort of military man, military leader, nor person of great physical strength. And keep in mind Ireland wasn't a single giant nation at that time - it was made up of hundreds of tiny kingdoms. Niall of the Nine Hostages (who died around 405) was the strongest leader in the history of Ireland at that point, and at the height of his power he only really reigned over about half the country. It would be another 500 years before Ireland would see another leader as strong as Niall.
Before Patricius got started, every minor and major leader in Ireland was a believer in one or another pagan religion, none were christian. At the time of his death, more than 75% were christian.
There you have the long-winded answer, hope I didn't ramble on too much lol...
~Trilo~