While we are "still" on the topic of spiritual practices . . .

Warning! The following written comments should be read within the context of a discussion about the spiritual practices I engage in as part of my extrovertive devotional life. There are certain orthodox Christian beliefs that are, in my heart, non-negotiable. My comments that follow are not about those non-negotiables. RM ><>

Being an extrovert . . . I enjoy participating (introverts may call it "dabbling") in several spiritual practices.

My worst enemy in life . . . is me. Especially when I become "set in my ways" about something. Creativity and freshness are essential in order to help me pay attention to something with all of my senses.

"Variety is the spice of life!"

I am the face on that campaign poster.

That is why I tend to embrace change . . . albeit slowly. Change is a challenge . . . because change causes me to stretch . . . especially when it comes to spiritual / devotional practices which help to strengthn my relationship with God. I seek God's closeness, strength and guidance through various spiritual practices, which for the most part appeal to my extrovertive nature. Some are uncomfortable for me . . . others rather contemplative. Some are loud and involve other people, and some I do alone. In the end, I want to be open to experiencing God in as many ways as possible . . . because I want to learn to see the many many ways God is working in His creation . . . instead of just the one or two that I am most comfortable with.

My life experience is this . . . when I get "set in my ways" about daily devotions . . . I tend to get narrow focused . . . and I miss out.

I find this attitude helpful, because I simply relish "engaging" conversations with people who might introduce me to a new spiritual practice. I long to learn to see God through a very, very broad lense.

In my life, I have learned one thing . . . The smarter and more mature I get, the less that I really know. The more I think I have figured out about God . . . the more broader God becomes.

I receive a weekly "Nugget of the Week" from John Mason. This is the one I received today, on the topic of change, which I hope adds to this conversation.

Your comments are welcome!

Ever forward . . . ><>

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Change. I hope this word doesn't scare you, but rather, inspires you. Herbert Spencer said, "A living thing is distinguished from a dead thing by the multiplicity of the changes at any moment taking place in it."

Change is an evidence of life. It is impossible to grow without change. Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. The truth is, life is always at some turning point. What people want is progress, if they can have it without change. Impossible! You must change and recognize that change is your greatest ally.

The person who never changes his opinion, never corrects his mistakes. The fact is, the road to success is always under construction. Yesterday's formula for success is often tomorrow's recipe for failure.

Consider what Thomas Watson, the founder of the IBM Corporation, said, "There is a world market for about 5 computers." Where would IBM be today if Mr. Watson had not been willing to change? You cannot become what you are destined to be by remaining what you are.

John Patterson said, "Only fools and dead men don't change their minds. Fools won't. Dead men can't." If you don't respect the need for change consider this: How many things have you seen that have changed just in the past year.

When you change yourself, opportunities will change. The same kind of thinking that has brought you to where you are, will not necessarily get you to where you want to go.

Do not fear change, for it is an unchangeable law of progress. The man who uses yesterday's methods in today's world won't be in business tomorrow.

A traditionalist is simply a person whose mind is always open to new ideas, provided they are the same old ones. "There are people who not only strive to remain static themselves, but strive to keep everything else so. . . their position is almost laughably hopeless" (Odell Shepard).

Mignon McLaughlin said, "It's the most unhappy people who most fear change."

When patterns and tradition are broken, new opportunities come together. Defending your faults and errors only proves that you have no intention of quitting them.

All progress is due to those who were not satisfied to let well enough alone. They weren't afraid to change. Change is not your enemy--it is your friend.

- John Mason, from the book An Enemy Called Average