Newer People Outreach Idea

Shoji,

That quote taken from my previous post doesn't really convey the attitude I intended without the context below. If I sounded a bit edgy, I apologize wholeheartedly. I have, on that note, certainly noticed the statuses of people asking for anonymous input from others requesting to address areas of concerns.

The concept I was trying to reach was in regards to the nature of the self. When we are in situations of hostility, sometimes our emotions will take flight over our bodies, and we enter a sort of unconscious drive and act sporadically; without giving much awareness to our actions. The Temple is experiencing this issue right now and the concept of egos attempting to defend themselves is not assisting the process. I appreciate the willingness of everyone willing to listen to other's concerns. We can move forward once we put aside being wrong or right and focus on problem-solving on a holistic level.

We are different, and I celebrate diversity, but it saddens me dividing further is seeming to be a more viable answer to the issues we are facing. On that same note, I can understand the nature of this post.

I wish I had an answer to solve the rift between the organization, but I do not. I choose to accept that the integrity of the Temple is being rocked right now, but I use my personal actions and choices as an anchor to help stabilize it. I want to do what I can and don't do what I can't do. And I fear that holding hope isn't the right course of action either. Hope requires me to exit the reality of my attention in the now and strive for something. I'm ready to accept the past actions of others who may have acted out of line if that means we can work together now to resew the one community that brought us all together in the first place.

Thank you for the clarification, Thomas.

Every few years, there's a push to change something that doesn't work here at the Temple. And every few years we do a lot of talking about it, and every few years we ignore the problems because we get so caught up in talking that we forget to solve.

The current turmoil is terrifying to many (myself included), but I know that we're actually trying to fix things this time around, and that gives me hope. This will pass. And it may happen again. The question isn't how long the storm will last, but whether we have the strength to weather it.

We're not doing a good job of communicating right now. Let's start by fixing that, first. And let's do it with threads like these, and private messages, and clergy contact forms.

I'm a licensed minister here at the Temple, and my inbox is always open. If you are new, or afraid, or both, just contact myself or any other person here that you feel comfortable talking to. Discuss things with them. I'll share whatever information I can in an effort to help people see that this is an opportunity, not a tragedy. We can make this place better, if we try. And we're trying.

Much love.

steamboat28 wrote: Every few years, there's a push to change something that doesn't work here at the Temple. And every few years we do a lot of talking about it, and every few years we ignore the problems because we get so caught up in talking that we forget to solve.

The current turmoil is terrifying to many (myself included), but I know that we're actually trying to fix things this time around, and that gives me hope. This will pass. And it may happen again. The question isn't how long the storm will last, but whether we have the strength to weather it.

We're not doing a good job of communicating right now. Let's start by fixing that, first. And let's do it with threads like these, and private messages, and clergy contact forms.

I'm a licensed minister here at the Temple, and my inbox is always open. If you are new, or afraid, or both, just contact myself or any other person here that you feel comfortable talking to. Discuss things with them. I'll share whatever information I can in an effort to help people see that this is an opportunity, not a tragedy. We can make this place better, if we try. And we're trying.

Much love.

This thread, alone, has given me lots of hope about the Temple. I'm really grateful that River started it.

ReallyRiver wrote: I feel like this is my final proof that everything I touch, rots.

River, rot is an inevitable part of life, but new life grows from the rot every time.
TOTJO is no exception. No matter how many trials and arguments pop up, the Temple is still hear.
But instead of rot I think of the temple as going through growing pains. Either way we get up dust off and carry on.

It might seam like you are cursed, but I for one am glad that you are here. Everyone makes their own ripples in life. Alone they might be weak, but a single ripple can eventually trigger a tsunami, or nudge a lost person to safe waters. You and your experience are invaluable to our community no matter if you leave us today or in 60 years.