Since sharing that I’ve left the Mormon church – I’ve realized what number of of you might be in comparable conditions. For me, one of many scariest ideas was what to do with the after life beliefs I had beforehand held.. And I wished to share a few of my ideas from the final yr or so with you in case it occurs to assist anybody or spark any new concepts for your self. This can be a very susceptible subject and one which in actuality, nobody is “proper” about as a result of none of us truly know for certain. We are able to all maintain beliefs and place confidence in these however none of us can inform the opposite they’re incorrect, solely that they don’t share the identical perception.

As a number of you already know, the mormon church believes that households may be collectively eternally. I’d say it is without doubt one of the principal pillars of the church is this concept of everlasting households. And while you go away mormonism you do kind go, holy crap wait is it true or not? I feel what we consider ought to actually simply be what brings us probably the most peace whereas on earth. Not in an insensitive method, however in a really literal method, none of us will care if what we believed wasn’t true as soon as we’re lifeless, as a result of… we can be lifeless. So we simply have to have peace and luxury right here and now. I completely see how the thought of everlasting households is a incredible perception that may deliver a lot peace to those that have suffered loss. I truly suppose it’s a very wholesome perception to hold with you so long as individuals don’t lean on it as a crutch when being there for others grieving (not permitting them to correctly grieve as a result of you’ll “see them once more” so why are you continue to so unhappy kind of factor) 

I additionally actually don’t consider that you simply even have to essentially be non secular in an effort to consider that you will notice family members once more in a heaven or in one other universe or no matter .. I feel that’s as believable as us ending up right here within the first place is. So I initially don’t suppose that perception must be thrown out when leaving faith if that perception nonetheless holds worth for you. There are not any guidelines in relation to these items, you are able to do it nevertheless you need. 

I used to suppose it was unhappy when individuals didn’t consider in afterlife – I now don’t suppose it’s unhappy in any respect, I feel it’s a really realist and sensible outlook and for some the consolation blanket of afterlife isn’t essential. And I can even see how which may make individuals actually take in what we get to have right here on earth extra, embracing the finality as soon as it’s executed. I feel for me I’ve to cling onto one thing as a result of I feel if I ever misplaced a toddler or David I don’t suppose I might survive with out that thought.. whether or not it’s we bounce to a different universe and proceed on with life however with a brand new storyline or we reincarnate or we’re up in heaven having a flowery lil social gathering. 

Rosie lately introduced up reincarnation and talked about how she actually likes that concept. And was increasing on the place she would ideally wish to go .. however she mentioned any animal or human simply not an fish 🙂 and I advised her I feel if in case you have that request the universe could make that occur! I feel there are a number of totally different choices for afterlife and no matter makes somebody really feel peaceable, superb. The primary factor for me when educating my youngsters is simply to show them that nobody is “incorrect” .. we are able to all be open minded to different’s concepts and so long as they don’t seem to be harming others we are able to respect these beliefs and share ours as nicely. Our beliefs can even shift and alter – as we hearken to others we’d hear one thing we actually love that we wish to deliver into our personal perception system. Actually, nothing is everlasting. 

As a number of you understand, David’s brother handed away about 6 years in the past, after which shortly after his dad handed. After which only in the near past his mother. We’ve got additionally had each of my grandpa’s die within the final decade or so. After which after all Chauncey :(. We’ve got been lucky to be left with a number of actually particular issues of theirs. I’ve so a lot of my grandpa’s work and I preserve them on show within the residence and in addition in a room upstairs the place I paint now. I do know this may sound cooky however I’m 100% satisfied that the work maintain power that I merely can’t clarify in any method apart from to say I completely really feel it and really feel like I’ve weirdly gotten to know him extra or really feel near him by the work. I even have felt his power pushing me creatively the previous yr.. It has felt so palpable for me that it actually acquired me excited about power typically. We all know that power can’t be destroyed.. And we all know that we are able to *really feel* power each good and unhealthy and every thing in between. We all know it’s there. I began to essentially love the concept that once we die we go away behind all of our power. Particularly in issues like artwork or something we put power into (journals, cook dinner books that have been used, clothes, and many others).. Possibly for this reason artwork has such worth to sure individuals and to not others. Possibly we do have artwork/aesthetic preferences after all however possibly we additionally love the power that comes with it. 

I actually consider that we not solely go away behind power however that folks can select to just accept the power or not. For instance once we really feel unhealthy power that doesn’t imply it routinely begins seeping into us.. We both let it are available or not. So I began like a yr in the past actively attempting to “settle for” the power left behind by our family members who’ve left. Qualities about them that I actually cherished and the fervour that they had for the issues we now have in our houses and hoping to let a few of that keenness enter my realm. It’d sound foolish however I really feel like I’ve began to have deeper relationships with them even after they’re gone – like I’m able to get to know them. Which for me has been actually pretty as a result of when David and I acquired married, his mother and pop have been on their mission in Costa Rica. Then once they acquired again, we have been residing in NYC and so they weren’t residence for lengthy earlier than leaving on a second mission to Patagonia. In Patagonia is the place David’s dad discovered he had a mind tumor, which he died from shortly after coming residence. I at all times really feel so emotional that I by no means acquired to get to know him extra, as a result of he really simply appears so outstanding and so cool. Being open to this concept of accepting his power – the power he left behind in his movie digicam that david now makes use of, the rocks he discovered whereas touring the world as a geologist, the books he learn, the pictures he took. He was so artistic and adventurous and free spirited and I really like with the ability to soak all that up. And David’s mother was sooooo angelic and type and affected person and artistic and such a fantastic painter. I’m hoping to get a few of her portray provides so I can use these and once more hopefully have a few of her loveliness rub off on me. Ehren David’s brother was at all times thrifting and being artistic and was so enthusiastic – he cherished a superb thrifted discover and I’ve completely accepted all of his treasure looking power and love to have a look at the items he gave us that we have now on show in our residence… together with so many different issues from every particular person. So many superb qualities we are able to tackle from our family members who’ve left us it’s so particular. 

This has additionally made me notice the significance of simply placing power into issues that may be left behind for our family members. How superb to have power stuffed gadgets that they will then settle for all of our great qualities and use them all through their lives. 

Anyway, I really feel like that is ending considerably abruptly however these are simply my “work in progress” ideas in the meanwhile. I’d love to listen to yours as nicely so be at liberty to share within the feedback and please be respectful to all! Xoxoxoxo