The big discussion this weekend was the mix of religions. I think once the word "religion" gets thrown into the spirituality mix there is a demand to create a dogma around it that limits the perspectives and ideas of everyone. My homework this week in counseling was to read two articles on being a warrior that is able to let go of anger and embrace the doubt and openness of uncertainty. Granted there was much more to these articles but the thoughts and ideas sparked many a conversation between me and my partner who concluded that I needed to get my head back to Christianity fast. Does spirituality mix with multiple religions? Can a person take the religion out of the picture and love Jesus and all people as Jesus loved all people? When the creativity of art is mixed into this battle, my mind sees so many options to make things more open and alive to multiple ideas and loves of everyone. I wonder if even myself as a single human can even have any impact on the idea of openness to the uncertainty of the world and live in my own multi-faceted world. Pema Chodron and this year has opened my mind to so many different ideas that I cannot stop but think that there is more out there that we as human beings block off by our fear and anger. I have lived so much of 2014 in fear and anger that to let this go and open to my heart of creativity that expands beyond the normal dogma of one religion brings hope to a very tender soul that needs the sweet care of the balm of Jesus and the tender silence and solitude of the loving kindness of meditation and God. I walk in multiple worlds that have been narrowed to this one path of step by step motion of taking the next minute and the next hour as it may come my way. I have nothing much to give these days but a smile, hug, and a tender glance of acceptance. But is that not what Jesus did each day of His life on earth. A tender touch, a gaze, and a word of peace. Centering prayer, meditation, prayer, and simplicity is what my life has been condensed to after a year of turmoil and strife. All I can do is focus on the next step in the journey of a thousands miles. So, can I mix all these paths that I have in my head? As 2014 comes to a close and 2015 begins, I hope and pray I will be able to learn to focus on the expressive creativity that has been able to bring peace to myself and others about this world that can have hope without anger and strife. However in saying that, I know that the uncertainty of life will even challenge me each day to keep this journey going. Blessings and good wishes for the new year.