to contemplate, watch, observe..fine..but what did you learn?

I’ve been able to go through life as a watcher/observer of people and their nature.  It’s fascinating really to see how they behave in a myriad of situations.  So sometimes when I am on a group page, I am content to watch what plays out there or not say much for others doing the same thing.  My problem has been lately with people who for whatever reason, join groups and don’t participate.  Now I have couple that I don’t say much on, because truthfully in my path, I don’t have a lot in common with some of those that contribute there, but I do occasionally make a  comment or two if something piques my interest.  This can be any group, whether it be here on FB or in the “real” world.  People join churches, groups etc, and are content to just come through the door and experience nothing and walk away, all the while saying…”I belong to such and such”:.  Ok, technically, that might be true, but what are you truly getting out of the experience?  You belong to a certain denomination and can call yourself(insert denomination here)..but truly what did you learn?  You can recite doctrine and dogma til hell freezes over, but what influence on your life does it have?  Did it cause you to revamp your prayer life?…give aid to others less fortunate without standing on a stage demanding a pat on the back?  Make you think of others as human beings without judging them by a personal set of criteria?  In pagan path, one reads, speaks with others..but what are you learning?  I claim label of witch, because I practice my craft..if you don’t do that, you aren’t one, in most honest opinion.  I have plenty of books, recipes, rituals, etc and if I did not avail myself to use them, find out which ones worked for me, ones that I didn’t care for so much,they would all be a waste of paper and dust catchers.  I see many people who are not willing to work at gaining personal knowledge, and while I realize people learn in their own manner, sitting without making effort is NOT a valid way to achieve it.  Get off your ass and try things!  So what if your working didn’t go as planned?  Sometimes the best laid plans go awry and you’ll know to do things differently next time.  And who said things have to be perfect anyway?  We are imperfect, fallible human beings and a lot of what we do often seems to others as if its crazy.  But the point is…we did it..We tried.  Life would be a lot different now if adventurous souls had not tried things that nobody ever dreamed of.  We’d still be in the dark, no cellphones to cart around that we think has to be surgically attached, no computers to live on FB with.  Fact is, these people did not sit and watch others do the work for them.  They chose to try.  And I am almost positive that it didn’t go right the first time out of the gate.  So too is our spiritual life..We have to work at it.  Speaking with ancestors, to god in a conversational manner is often helpful..no ritual or tool or big rigmarole required.  Just honesty…It will probably be the least judgmental conversation you’ve ever had in your life.  It will also, if you let it, be one of the most knowledge filled conversation.  Sometimes when we let go of all our hang ups, and fears of all the “what ifs”, things fall into place.  We learned what was needed to guide us. But we had to be proactive to receive it.  So next time you walk through the door(either virtual or real) and expect to receive something..ask yourself..what are you doing to help that along?  If the answer is nothing..then maybe it’s time to change that, or you will soon find yourself on the sidelines watching others receive what should have been yours. Fact of the universe…

PEACE OUT