Improve the Universe

[HeartShadow]

One of the main tenets of FlameKeeping is that it is our job to try and improve the world around us.  What do you do?

This one's hard for me to answer, oddly - I mean, sure, I'm writing all this FK stuff, and I'm sharing it, and talking about it - but I have a hard time seeing that as *counting* even though I can see the results of it.  But it doesn't have to be cosmic sacrifice - sometimes living each day as best we can IS what we do for the world.

[Devo]

One of the main tenets of FlameKeeping is that it is our job to try and improve the world around us.  What do you do?

This one's hard for me to answer, oddly - I mean, sure, I'm writing all this FK stuff, and I'm sharing it, and talking about it - but I have a hard time seeing that as *counting* even though I can see the results of it.  But it doesn't have to be cosmic sacrifice - sometimes living each day as best we can IS what we do for the world.

Your mention of living each day reminds me of the Shopping Cart Ma'at that we talk about in the Kemetic board. Small things lead to bigger, better things. Enough small actions can create bigger actions.

I help whenever I see someone needs help. That's how I help to improve the universe right now.

If you've got trays of food and can't get the door? I'll get up and open it for you.
In a wheelchair, and can't reach something? Let me get that for you.
Have a kid in your arm, and dropped something? Here you go.

Little things like that. No, I'm not making earth shattering waves, but I figure that I made a difference in that person's day. And that has to count for something.

Right? lol.

-Devo

[Sage]

Your mention of living each day reminds me of the Shopping Cart Ma'at that we talk about in the Kemetic board. Small things lead to bigger, better things. Enough small actions can create bigger actions.
-Devo

 
Didn't Darkhawk write an article about Shopping Cart Theology? Even though I haven't read that in detail, it's still made me put up shopping carts in parking lots. You'll also be amazed with the compassion you feel for fellow worker-drones after having worked as a Food Lion cashier for two years...

Though I'm not a FlameKeeper (yet? I feel like FK would really jive with what I'm doing - I just don't know enough yet/am super duper busy), I find myself nodding vigorously about changing the universe in tiny ways. There's a fantastic quote from Unitarian Universalist Rev. Michael Franch I quoted on my Facebook a few days ago: "Everything is connected. Your actions matter. Act accordingly." It was an aha moment for me. I may not be able to save the world like Superman, but I can change it. I can change myself and improve the life of those around me, and that is a completely holy act.

I pick up trash. I keep my dorm's kitchen as clean as I can, whether it's my mess or not. I smile at cashiers/waiters/etc and offer them compassion and humor, when I know they've probably been on their feet eight hours and have had to deal with some very cross, impatient people. I listen to friends in distress. Apparently I'm a good poor man's therapist.

[HeartShadow]

Your mention of living each day reminds me of the Shopping Cart Ma'at that we talk about in the Kemetic board. Small things lead to bigger, better things. Enough small actions can create bigger actions.

I help whenever I see someone needs help. That's how I help to improve the universe right now.

If you've got trays of food and can't get the door? I'll get up and open it for you.
In a wheelchair, and can't reach something? Let me get that for you.
Have a kid in your arm, and dropped something? Here you go.

Little things like that. No, I'm not making earth shattering waves, but I figure that I made a difference in that person's day. And that has to count for something.

Right? lol.

-Devo

 
Heh - there's actually a LOT of overlap in universe-structure between Kemet and FlameKeeping.  Certainly the concept of Ma'at - I've actually borrowed Darkhawk's essay (with permission) as a FlameKeeping guest essay when I was on vacation!

[HeartShadow]

Didn't Darkhawk write an article about Shopping Cart Theology? Even though I haven't read that in detail, it's still made me put up shopping carts in parking lots. You'll also be amazed with the compassion you feel for fellow worker-drones after having worked as a Food Lion cashier for two years...

Though I'm not a FlameKeeper (yet? I feel like FK would really jive with what I'm doing - I just don't know enough yet/am super duper busy), I find myself nodding vigorously about changing the universe in tiny ways. There's a fantastic quote from Unitarian Universalist Rev. Michael Franch I quoted on my Facebook a few days ago: "Everything is connected. Your actions matter. Act accordingly." It was an aha moment for me. I may not be able to save the world like Superman, but I can change it. I can change myself and improve the life of those around me, and that is a completely holy act.

I pick up trash. I keep my dorm's kitchen as clean as I can, whether it's my mess or not. I smile at cashiers/waiters/etc and offer them compassion and humor, when I know they've probably been on their feet eight hours and have had to deal with some very cross, impatient people. I listen to friends in distress. Apparently I'm a good poor man's therapist.

 
I saw that quote - and thought that that dude had it right.

We can't do anything about the people that coast on other people's efforts - but we CAN choose to NOT be those people.

[Sage]

I saw that quote - and thought that that dude had it right.

We can't do anything about the people that coast on other people's efforts - but we CAN choose to NOT be those people.

 
Exactly. (I've... also been trying to be more humble and less disdainful of people around me who don't "get" it. I was spoiled by Bryn Mawr where all the students there were passionate about learning and social activism and down with the patriarchy raaaawr. And I get to Roanoke which has... let us say a more average college experience. I can be pretty dismissive of people as an emotional defense, which isn't good for anyone involved.)

I've decided that under my depression and occasionally crotechty attitude towards other people... I am an eternal optimist and idealist. The world right now can be better. I can make it better. We, collectively, should strive to improve things. Babies should be held, trees should be hugged, and cows should be liberated to run through the streets - I mean what?

[HeartShadow]

Exactly. (I've... also been trying to be more humble and less disdainful of people around me who don't "get" it. I was spoiled by Bryn Mawr where all the students there were passionate about learning and social activism and down with the patriarchy raaaawr. And I get to Roanoke which has... let us say a more average college experience. I can be pretty dismissive of people as an emotional defense, which isn't good for anyone involved.)

I've decided that under my depression and occasionally crotechty attitude towards other people... I am an eternal optimist and idealist. The world right now can be better. I can make it better. We, collectively, should strive to improve things. Babies should be held, trees should be hugged, and cows should be liberated to run through the streets - I mean what?

 
I thought we were supposed to RIDE the cows through the streets!

And personally, I actually have to keep myself from GETTING too activist - I get mad and my stomach turns into acid-city and I make myself sick for two days.  Activism is all about fixing the stuff that makes you angry .... hrm.

[Sage]

I thought we were supposed to RIDE the cows through the streets!

Bovine liberation is at hand!

And personally, I actually have to keep myself from GETTING too activist - I get mad and my stomach turns into acid-city and I make myself sick for two days.  Activism is all about fixing the stuff that makes you angry .... hrm.

 
I've had that problem in my ethics class - thankfully I'm out of that. To me, there's no question that someone should care. I understand being unaware of issues or feeling powerless/emotionally drained with particular issues, but... man. That ethics class. I'd rather fight against raging Fox Newsicans all day than people who just don't care.

[HeartShadow]

Bovine liberation is at hand!


 
I've had that problem in my ethics class - thankfully I'm out of that. To me, there's no question that someone should care. I understand being unaware of issues or feeling powerless/emotionally drained with particular issues, but... man. That ethics class. I'd rather fight against raging Fox Newsicans all day than people who just don't care.

 
*nods* cares differently can be worked with.  Closed-minded and closed-hearted?  Can't do squat - there's nothing to work WITH.

[Devo]

Heh - there's actually a LOT of overlap in universe-structure between Kemet and FlameKeeping.  Certainly the concept of Ma'at - I've actually borrowed Darkhawk's essay (with permission) as a FlameKeeping guest essay when I was on vacation!

 
I've noticed that many religions/faiths/paths overlap with Kemeticism. I always get excited when I see that occuring. I don't know much about Flamekeeping. I'm hoping that if I lurk around here long enough, I might be able to learn more.

-Devo

[Devo]

Heh - there's actually a LOT of overlap in universe-structure between Kemet and FlameKeeping.  Certainly the concept of Ma'at - I've actually borrowed Darkhawk's essay (with permission) as a FlameKeeping guest essay when I was on vacation!

 
I actually went back into the old TC forums to read the essays that you wrote there. And I have to say- many of the things you touched upon- Set has been working with me on over the past year or two. It was surreal and weird to see. Yet comforting as well. :3 Too bad I was MIA when the conversations about those essays was going on!

-Devo

[HeartShadow]

I actually went back into the old TC forums to read the essays that you wrote there. And I have to say- many of the things you touched upon- Set has been working with me on over the past year or two. It was surreal and weird to see. Yet comforting as well. :3 Too bad I was MIA when the conversations about those essays was going on!

-Devo

 
Well, if you want to revive a convo about one of them, I'm always willing to talk about one of them.  

[Devo]

Well, if you want to revive a convo about one of them, I'm always willing to talk about one of them.  

 
I had considered it, but I really didn't know what more I could add to the conversation other than "I agree" or "this really clicked for me". My biggest comment on the whole thing is that it reminds me a bit of Shinto set up. They are both similar in nature- along with Kemetic practice. Which makes a nice set up for me XD

So now that I've read, I guess I'll let it stew for a bit. Maybe I'll come up with something more relevant. I look forward to more reading material on FK as a whole.

-Devo

[veggiewolf]

Heh - there's actually a LOT of overlap in universe-structure between Kemet and FlameKeeping.  Certainly the concept of Ma'at - I've actually borrowed Darkhawk's essay (with permission) as a FlameKeeping guest essay when I was on vacation!

The two flow together seamlessly for me, which is why I call myself a FlameKeeper.  The ideas and actions I am exploring through FK are ones my gods have pushed me to examine.

[veggiewolf]

I actually went back into the old TC forums to read the essays that you wrote there. And I have to say- many of the things you touched upon- Set has been working with me on over the past year or two. It was surreal and weird to see. Yet comforting as well. :3 Too bad I was MIA when the conversations about those essays was going on!
-Devo

It is the same for me, Devo.  I really believe Neb.y led me to FlameKeeping...even though I didn't know it was He at the time.  After all, choices must be made in life and FK requires that of its adherents.