Yep, pretty much those topics in the title of this blog was what I was exposed to this evening when David and I joined our friends Julie and Robert to see Owen Egerton’s film, “The Best of God” along with co-host and fellow author Michael Largo at the Alamo Draft House. Both are in Austin for the Texas Book Festival to tout their new books, Owen’s is “The Book of Harold, The Illegitimate Son of God” and Michael’s is God’s Lunatics: Lost Souls, False Prophets, Martyred Saints, Murderous Cults, Demonic Nuns, and Other Victims of Man’s Eternal Search for the Divine. The film was a compilation of real films, commercials and television shows exclaiming their beliefs about God.

Michael was rather droll but a good straight man for Owen who was pretty hilarious and “real” at the same time. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this film but felt somewhat mollified as I looked at my fellow audience members waiting in line with me who all seemed bright, aware and with a sense of humor located somewhere inside themselves. I must admit that I was a bit taken aback when Michael and Owen walked on stage with the backdrop on the screen of their two rather mocking books. Wasn’t quite sure what we had walked into but it actually seemed to be an honest attempt to ignite conversation and awareness about our beliefs. Owen was disarmingly funny and very good at volleying very different concepts and beliefs simultaneously while repeating the wish for people to have conversations with each other and to be kind to each other. In my opinion, can’t argue with that.

This evening did make me wonder about a few things. One of the audience members asked the authors if in their research they acquired a sense of any kind of a “trend” that they were aware of with humanity and our beliefs and Michael Largo responded with a good answer around how in major economic upheavals like we’re in now, etc., we tend to see surges in cults and religions. Still, I sure wish we had time to explore that topic of conversation further. I’ve been hearing from several of my friends and relatives lately about the “mean spirit” that seems to have invaded the American public towards each others, towards just about everyone and everything that does not comply with our own beliefs. Usually when mean spirited behavior shows up or at least when it has shown up in my world, it is because of fear. Fear of being hurt, fear of losing someone or something, fear of abandonment so if a whole lot of people are being mean spirited now, I wonder what it is that we are all afraid of so deeply?

Perhaps talking with each other and really listening to what the other says is a starting point to unlocking the shackles of fear. Just a thought. Oh, and being kind to each other while we’re in the process, that too might help towards our healing.

Who will you start a conversation with today?

I’ve been writing letters to the voice within me (who I call “God”) since the beginning of May. Last night I sat out on our front porch to write my letter to God for the day and simultaneously attract my cat, K.C., out of her dark hiding place to come in for the night (she had been hunting a rather large mouse at dusk). The breeze was sultry and cool (amazing how non-stop days of triple digit heat can make evenings in the 80’s seem cool)….. K.C. never showed up (I suspect she munched on her mouse all night because she was very proud of herself when she greeted me this a.m.) but I did get in some rather important questions to God.

Such as, why is this writing down my soul stuff important? And, what questions do I need to be asking you God.

As usual, I had a montague of dreams that were shooting through my consciousness too fast for me to slow down until one scene. In this one scene I felt very afraid and I was screaming and then looked into a big mirror with a gold frame–still screaming–only to see someone else’s face so I shook my head a few times and then saw my own face. What was powerful about this was that the minute I saw my own face, I relaxed and calmed down and felt that internal peace. I also felt the loving presence of God behind me whispering into my ear that I was loved and that all was well.

Seems pretty significant to me. I’ve never “seen” my reflection within a mirror in a dream before. Maybe I can look for my hand next time?!

May you find that inner calm peace and self-love today and know that all is well in the present moment.