Towards tradism, not too much…

My first post on this blog was titled “Away from tradism”. It was intended to be a mild public statement of where I was at the time when that piece was written. Though even after re-reading it numerous times, I still believe it to be a rather sterile assessment of what I believed was lacking in the community with which I had once thought I felt was my home, theologically, socially, ecclesially, etc. I had numerous private discussions with certain individuals since then, which seemed to paint a picture of me as a churchy social drifter, one who does not take firm stands anymore, prideful, a judger, you name it. Those who have known me the longest since my reversion to the faith in 2002, you know who you are, can give testament to the minor changes I have gone through theologically. However, the social communities with which I attached myself to was a process. I wanted to find where my tendencies fit. In many ways, this is sort of like Protestantism. You have certain affinities, and you go church hopping. Except here, I went group hopping. I had my time with the teen ministries, the young adult ministries, a very brief visit with the charismatic groups, the traditionalists, the extreme traditionalists, and was on the verge of joining the extremely extreme traditionalists, and now where I find myself today; in no group at all. This development of my thought, belief, and practice has always been public. I don’t shun my former associations. They were instrumental in getting me to where I am today.

I recall a conversation with a friend who went down a list of all the former groups he was involved in, some of which I shared. He proceeded to assess all the faults and flaws of these groups and why they aren’t adequate. I asked him, to think about each group and to try to find at least one good thing each one of those groups instilled in his personality that made him a better person. If at least one can be found in each, honestly, then it was not a waste of time.

So, now I write this piece to bring the first piece back in mind. It was not to say I had abandoned tradition. I had abandoned the –ism. Close to a year ago, I was on the verge of giving up on traditionalism. I had become impatient, despairing, cynical, etc. That route changed when one particular individual came barging into my life. She had an idea that she wanted to share with me. So we had a meeting. She shared the idea and I thought it was a wonderful idea. It revolved around the practice of charity. In any case, she had convinced me that the answer was not to abandon the group, but to develop an apostolate therein. So that is where I am at today. My focus now is on the reformation of my own life, and helping others in the reformation of theirs. At first, it was spiritually, but as my interest in psychology resurfaced, now psychologically. In the days and weeks to come I have many ideas for writing projects. God willing, they will be written.

In life, we come across many people. We experience many things. We hear many stories and we make some of our own. We share our lives with others, and they share their lives with us. It is the human experience, and it is heartbreaking to know that most folks are not satisfied with their lives. Not everyday is a party, believe me, but we should strive to make each day as pleasant as can be. Let’s not waste our lives away. Be bold. Be useful. Be loving. 


May 21, 2011
Laurence G.