posted August 28, 2006 11:31 AM         

Does anyone know of any order of nuns that wear clothes/makeup like ordinary everyday people but have taken a vow of celibacy and work as mediaeval monks and nuns would have, creating beautiful things and teaching in quiet surroundings, etc.?

I say this as this month I had my handbag stolen & I had to replace a lot of stuff, my car has broken down, I am in the process of moving (which has been severely delayed because of above problems), I have laryngitis and probably worse due to a recent dalliance, my job brings in the money but it's a job, right? I can't for the life of me get emotionally involved with it. This is making me wonder whether a lot of things are truly worthwhile. Attractiveness doesn't really matter because all guys want me for is my looks, and to tell the truth, it is better to remain friends only.

Increasingly I get the feeling that sex should only be undertaken for the purpose of having children. That sort of relationship with someone beats me up so much emotionally I can't handle it, and I do indeed wonder whether I'm being punished for having had a sexual relationship in the first place, becuase I always end up being completely freaked about diseases etc. and I feel that all men will lie to me (or simply not bother telling me the truth), no matter what. I'm strong before I've made myself vulnerable to a man. After they've got what they wanted they just don't care...as much...any more. This leads me to question: is sex a quasi-suicidal thing?...so many animals mate, only to die immediately afterwards...

Money and material things don't matter overmuch as one can't take them with one; I'm wondering whether I ought to go and live on a commune for a while. I want to take up certain crafts etc. and this has been frustratingly delayed because of the various incidents I have had to deal with...I wonder whether someone has put a curse on me...whether I've been punished for divorcing, etc. as August seems to have been a run of neverending bad luck!! So therefore, I'm wondering whether something spiritual will help me confront things and calm my mind. Does being dissatisfied ultimately lead to our demise?

I haven't *thought* deeply at all, for a long, long time; perhaps I'm ready to *think* again...

If anyone can help with the astrological side I'd be grateful. Birthdata: 16.15, 18th April 1974, Bristol, England.

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posted August 28, 2006 12:14 PM         

Don't give up. I know that it seems that the world is out to get you right now...I cannot believe all the bad things that have been happening to you. Remember that you are not alone and that there is the greatest group of friends you will ever find here on LindaLand. We are your "Rah Rah" squad.

You can do anything you set your mind to!

Good Luck!

Lots of Good Thoughts are Coming Your Way!

posted August 28, 2006 12:25 PM         

Interesting quandry you have and from reading your topic starter, you are uncertain of the path in which you should take.

I am not catholic, do not even consider myself "christian" anymore, my heart is quite pagan, though and I have chosen a spiritual path in life without committing myself to a structured order. I am a RN and serve the universe/god/source in that way and in my actions and intentions in everyday life and in raising my two teenage daughters. You do not have to belong to a structured order to give to life the things you desire, though I understand where you are coming from.

In answer to your first ??, I work in a catholic hospital and NONE of the sisters I have seen dress in habit. They dress, conservative ofcourse, in regular clothes. I have seen nuns in various habits come in and out of the hospital, but since I know little about catholosism, I just assume different habits are for different occasions.

There is one exception........

I was blown away when I first met the "local" mother superior. She dresses in very expensive looking business suits, high heels, and the only way you can tell she is of the order is her very small veil which she places on her head and it is always color coordinated with her clothing! I think I have even seen a hint of makeup on her! I really do not care much for her, though. She is one "stuck up" sister, has a condescending attitude, does not carry an aura of love and peace. I have heard she come from money so maybe that is it. I always know when she is coming by the sound her fancy strut makes with those high heels!!

I, on the other hand, have been told I dress too young for my age (do not really care what others think of me), and too provacative at times. While I do not wear makeup except for work, my hair is long and highlighted. But I love life and my fellow humans. I love my patients and give all of me to them and their families. I have a deep reverence of nature and take care of the land on which I live and take care of my many animals.

My point being, sprirituality comes in all sizes and colors. It is more in what you do and the person you are that any group you belong to or how you look!

Sending peace, love and light,

posted August 28, 2006 03:31 PM         

From my personal experience I would say, don't rush into any life altering decisions just yet. It has been only a couple of months since your divorce, yes?

I totally hated the idea of even asknowledging how much this whole divorce situation really hurt me. I wanted to hold my head high, move on with my life ASAP but, like you, I had doubts about my career, problems with trusting men and feeling that after so much time had been wasted I should start a clean slate with something truly worthwhile. Or, get involved with someone truly wonderful who will finally appreciate me for who I am. Needless to say, every guy I met seemed to be a complete a$$hole...lol...and nothing worked right.

posted August 28, 2006 04:13 PM         

You have had a rough time of it for sure Xena but it takes a calling to be a nun and requires a lot of dedication. I stayed for a one week in the seminary in a room all to myself while taking certain classes and trust me, you REALLY have to have a calling and be dedicated to be able to live in a seminary environment for the years it takes to become a nun. Seminaries can be real creepy at night. I felt like I had been sprung from jail on the day I went home. lol It gave me such a lonely, disconnected feeling that week even though during the days at classes I was with other people but I felt kind of cut off from the world. Plus there was never hot water in the showers.

They do give people a lot of time to decide if this is what they really want if they feel they are really called to be a nun. Staying at a convent for a time might be helpful in determining if this is what you really want.

Many times while my kids were still babies and youngsters and I was worn out from all that goes with raising kids I have stated that if I had it all to do over again I would become a nun but I never really meant that. I knew I was not called to be a nun.