Category Archives: Thoughts

Letter re: Christians vs ‘abbotsford christians’

Editor, Abbotsford Times

I just want to clear up a misunderstanding arising from the failure of the Times to properly put in quotation marks and use small letters instead of capitals. In my original letter sent to the Times and posted on the View from the Street page of homelessinabbotsford.com it was ‘abbotsford christians’. The use of small letters and quotation marks was to make it clear I was referring specifically to Gertie Pool and her like, her fellow ‘abbotsford christians’ as opposed to the practicing Christians of our city.

Those Christians who not only talk about their Christian principles but practice them in their daily lives. It disturbed me when I spoke to Gordon and his fellow Christians as they ministered to the hungry homeless and poor, that this failure on the part of the Times to use quotation marks and small letters to distinguish between the two groups (practicing and non-practicing) would cause him to think I would paint the Christians in our city with the same brush I would apply to the ‘abbotsford christians’.

Many Christians throughout the City strive to help those of their fellow citizens in need. If any of these felt I do not appreciate them, please stand corrected – I truly admire and appreciate your willingness to practice your Faith in your daily lives. In fact, the point I had hoped to make in my letter to Gertie Pool is that this city would be far better of with more Christians like you, who live your Faith as opposed to those who only talk their ‘faith’.

Down into the pit of despair …. OR?

I was feeling a little frustrated or depressed Sunday morning. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say frustration was letting depression in. I go along, day by day, pursuing my job search as a full time occupation and when no positive results occur (employment) it gets frustrating. That frustration leads to negative thoughts “This is pointless; I’ll never find work; I am really tired of this; etc.: and I feel my old nemesis depression moving in.

So Sunday morning I went to Mill Lake Park, sat on a bench and watched the geese and ducks. Landing, swimming, feeding, grooming, going about the simple daily tasks of their lives. As I slowly relaxed I could feel the tension and frustration ease and flow out of me. Recharging my batteries watching the young children enjoy the sunny day and their visit to the park. Relaxed I took a nap. My time at the park left me relaxed and calm.

Good Mental Hygiene has become very important to me these days. When I have the need to ‘stop and smell the roses’ I make sure I do. The reality of my homelessness may not have changed but my attitude to life had. One lesson I have certainly come to appreciate (the hard way) is that we have a choice in how we view things. I can view things as a mess and let depression drain the colour from my days Or I can view this time as one of transition, embrace the felling of potential and change and work to reveal what it is I should be doing.

Frustration is the enemy. Taking time out to just sit in the sun, enjoy the view and the spring time antics of the birds helps me relax and in not exactly enjoy, accept this time of transition. But PLEASE Universe, let the transition be mercifully short.

QUOTE

Any profound view of the world is mysticism. It has, of course, to deal with life and the world, both of which are nonrational entities. Albert Schweitzer

Creating a new theory is not like destroying an old barn and erecting a skyscraper in its place. It is rather like climbing a mountain, gaining new and wider views, discovering unexpected connections between our starting point and its rich environment. Albert Einstein

One can travel this world and see nothing. To achieve understanding it is necessary not to see many things, but to look hard at what you do see. GIORGIO MORANDI