Manifesting your Beliefs and Values
This is the Holy Week for Christians and I love to keep tradition alive.
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I used to go and visit the Holy Week Exhibitions when I was young and now I am doing it with my kids. So today, Holy Friday I thought I would write a note of reflection after some visits to the Exhibitions that I did yesterday evening.
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In Malta the tradition of such exhibitions is really strong and it seems to be getting even stronger. Exhibitions of small statuettes depicting the Passion of Christ in private homes of people who open them up for public view, live Enactments of the Passion in the streets and dramatical representations of the Last Supper seem to be sprouting in greater numbers in Malta.
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Why do I see this as important?
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Simply because it is a way of manifesting one’s Beliefs and Values- whatever those beliefs and values may be. It is a way of bringing out tangibly in the material world an expression of the meaning one gives to life. It is a colorful way of expressing the unique characteristics, traditions and traits of a country and its people.
I am amazed by the passion that people have. People who spend weeks preparing their small statues and convert their garages into a devotional place open for the public to view.
I think that whatever your personal views about religion and spirituality may be, the fact that such people have a clear set of values and are ready to publicly manifest them is an attribute to be admired.
We live in a world where many people feel lost and without direction. People who have no clear idea what to believe and what to express externally about themselves. A world that has at times become enveloped with shades of grey – shades of uncertainty and lack of clarity.
Looking back in history we can see that excessive religious zeal and blind beliefs have at times led to a lot of suffering and endless wars (and it still does). So I am in no way promoting fervent fundamentalism – far from it because extremism can cloud my mind and make it closed to other people’s interpretation of what truth is. Rather than understanding the spiritual message of love and connection that most religions promote, fundamentalism creates a shackled mentality that sees my beliefs and the rules I create around them as the only way to salvation – at the expense of appreciating and loving mankind. The message of Christ and of most of the other great spiritual Leaders was that of love and compassion and we must all be careful that overzealousness does not snuff out this message.
However being fully aware of your Values and Beliefs in life and having the guts to manifest them tangibly is something that we require to consider seriously.
Are you clear about what you Value in life? Can you speak clearly about your beliefs whilst totally respecting other people’s views? Are you ready to extend yourself to others and create more fraternal love in this beautiful world of ours?
Whatever your beliefs may be, I wish you all MANY BLESSINGS in life and may your Beliefs and Values sustain you.
