Stretch Marks

“A mind stretched to a new idea never returns to its original dimensions.” ~ Oliver Wendall Holmes

Not all minds that are stretched to new ideas are a good thing. Take these elephants for example. Do you think that they could ever return to the wild, knowing that they could sit down, like on a toilet seat, and paint a picture? I still do not know what to think of the elephant shows that I saw. I prefer to see them in their native habitat.

I feel lately as if my mind is being stretched to new ideas—bombarded by them actually. I have had a number of events force me into thinking in new ways or pushing the limits to what I believe. I was out with friends tonight for supper and a good conversation. One topic of discussion was the Vatican’s investigation of the American nuns. This event has saddened me. I am having difficulty wrapping my head around the fact that this covert operation only looks at the women religious. Did no priests support the Obama administration’s health care? Have all priests spoken up about abortion and been silent about same-sex marriage? Is doing social justice a sin? Is challenging the status quo not allowed? I will be curious to see how this unfolds. At a time when the US church is declining in numbers because of cover-ups of sexual abuse by bishops and priests, this seems to be a slap in the face to women who have dedicated their lives to a church that has let them down.

I know my mind cannot return to its original shape and I know that this is a challenge. I am feeling a little like those elephants and wonder why on earth I ever learned to sit up.

Peace,

Suzanne