The Self-Help Religion

Currently the world is in a state of information overload. The Internet has made access to information so easy, blackberry's, cell phones, satellites, t.v., bookstores, brimming content. Self-help, is rising to the forefront of society. A few nights ago, I watched a movie called Kingdom of Heaven. The script itself led to some moments that felt corny rather then genuine, however the overall message and symbolism was intriguing. Orlando Bloom, (the main character), is propelled on a journey to Jerusalem following the tragic suicide of his beautiful bride, whose child was stillborn. He is on a journey to find forgiveness from Christ the lord, for the sin of suicide and for his newly commited murder, defending his wife's honour. I know, this is the stuff Hollywood is made of! but there is a very strong point here. The movie is an excellent representation of Islam, showing the the honourable and just side, and exposing the hypocrisy of Christianity at the time. Religion has long been "scapegoat" for people who's actions are questionable to hide under. As long as my actions are in line in the literal sense, with these rules I am good and will go to Heaven. While people who are kind, and gentle in nature may go to hell due to breaking a so called rule. A rule that may be twisted by man to meet his or her needs.

Finding the greater power that drives us, can be a liberating and confusing experience. Religion has been around so long, and taken so many hits, that in North America it is becoming taboo to discuss, and its reputation is waning.

So if the new religion is Self-Help, or Using the Powers of the Universe, will there be individuals that will abuse and hide under its cloak?

Absolutely, false representation of good is all around us. There will always be people who take advantage of others, and use these ideals to hide their true identities.

When we give to charity, or to homeless people, they may not spend it all on providing help for the needy. The homeless man may by a drink with that change, but at the end of the day who are we to judge? Should these kinds of things stop us from doing good? If our intentions were to be compassionate, then no.

To summarize, we cannot stop believing in improving ourselves, our spirits, our souls our lives, simply because there are people out there abusing it. In the same sense we don't need to feel that we there is one specific way to do things. Really our decisions on how we move forward with our lives are more simple. Do we want to improve? Do we have values that are good and self improving? Religion has may theoretical ideals, that many people have made into a literal translation. We should be careful to examine our new ways of thinking, and understand they are meant to be a shift in perspective and have much more to do with our mind set.

In my opinion, Religion if practiced with an open and caring heart, in the non-literal sense, can produce the same results as theories of the universe or self help. Paying omage to people who have enriched this universe, with such great spirit and heart, can't possible be a negative thing.

As we go into the future, we should simply be aware that self-improvement can be described in thousands of ways.

I wonder, what got us to the point of needed so much self help?
I wonder, what is the lesson to be learned by the apparent lack of family structure?
What role does the "lack of" or respect for Religion, play in this current state?

Here is to happiness, at the most basic of all levels.

Cheers to the chocolate chip cookie!
The late nights with friends...
The smell of the crisp ocean air~
The kindness of a child.
The dog chasing his own tail!


Ahhh.. and my favourite, gazing at the night sky full of stars.


There, I self-helped myself feel better for today.

CHEERIO~!