General Discussion

vlyons

(10,252 posts)

16. Hey MicaelS, thanks for sharing

Sat Mar 9, 2019, 07:33 PM

Mar 2019

I am a 72 yr white woman, who grew up in a disfunctional family also. Along the path of my life, I lucked out and encountered and studied Buddhist teachings. You and I and everyone else is the sum of all the prior causes and conditions that shaped us. The good news is that what we think, say, and do TODAY are the seeds that are the causes and conditions that shape the future.

Selfishness and ego-cherishing are the causes of all our problems and unhappiness. The true path of happiness is compassion for others. It doesn't matter how awkward and uncomfortable we feel around others, we need people, family, and community. Every single person on this planet wants to be happy and not suffer.

You have a perfectly good mind and can figure things out for yourself. As to ethics, I always recommend a book by the Dalai Lama. It is a non-religious book, appropriate for anyone of any religion, or no religion at all. It is "Beyond Religion: Ethics for the Whole World."

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Religion-Ethics-Whole-World/dp/054784428X/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=dalai+lama&qid=1552174303&s=books&sr=1-7

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Do you really want to know why some people are MAGAts? Read my story. [View all] MicaelS Mar 2019 OP

Amazing. Thanks for sharing that, Mike. sandensea Mar 2019 #1

What an amazing story, thanks for sharing this! redstatebluegirl Mar 2019 #2

That took courage. Nevermypresident Mar 2019 #3

Thank you Michael. It is the path that brought you here. Squinch Mar 2019 #4

Thanks for posting this MaryMagdaline Mar 2019 #5

Thank you for sharing. happybird Mar 2019 #6

Wow. I sort of get where you are coming from based on relatives chowder66 Mar 2019 #7

No it was gradual. MicaelS Mar 2019 #8

That's as good a reason as any. nt chowder66 Mar 2019 #10

"The Authoritarians," by Altemeyer was an eye-opener. Comatose Sphagetti Mar 2019 #9

I did just that. MicaelS Mar 2019 #12

You are amazing!❤❤❤❤❤ Karadeniz Mar 2019 #11

Thanks. n/t MicaelS Mar 2019 #15

thanks, and please alert as many democrats as possible on the importance of limbaugh and certainot Mar 2019 #13

Oh yes. n/t MicaelS Mar 2019 #14

That and allowing republicans to destroy The Fairness Doctrine. Haggis for Breakfast Mar 2019 #50

It wasn't only BlueMTexpat Mar 2019 #75

Hey MicaelS, thanks for sharing vlyons Mar 2019 #16

Thank you for sharing that. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2019 #17

Absolutely not to the first question. MicaelS Mar 2019 #19

I was afraid you'd say that, although it is exactly what I've observed over the years. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2019 #27

Thank you for sharing. Aristus Mar 2019 #18

I am glad I am not the only one. MicaelS Mar 2019 #21

that has shocked me too KT2000 Mar 2019 #44

Reagan was President True Blue American Mar 2019 #69

GLAD you came back! bluestarone Mar 2019 #20

Thanks. kooth Mar 2019 #22

Thank you for Sharing M. mercuryblues Mar 2019 #23

Thank you so much for sharing your story. AJT Mar 2019 #24

In my book you came from behind and ended up he winner lunatica Mar 2019 #25

Wow. Thanks for sharing that. It gives me hope that someone like you used to be pnwmom Mar 2019 #26

I had a co-worker who helped, though not the way you expect. MicaelS Mar 2019 #102

Thank you for sharing LiberalLovinLug Mar 2019 #28

No way. MicaelS Mar 2019 #54

That's sad. LiberalLovinLug Mar 2019 #55

Yes, most papers will not publish anyomous letters. MicaelS Mar 2019 #57

Send it to the NYT or the WaPo LiberalLovinLug Mar 2019 #60

I will think about it. n/t MicaelS Mar 2019 #62

Make up a name or use your middle name crazycatlady Mar 2019 #87

Thank you for your post. Tikki Mar 2019 #29

Thank you for writing this and sharing. Lunabell Mar 2019 #30

Thank you for your courage in sharing the story of your metamorphis. Although, it seems that the alwaysinasnit Mar 2019 #31

My best friend when I was pre teens Wellstone ruled Mar 2019 #32

Thank you cp Mar 2019 #33

Wow...just wow. Thank you for sharing. jrthin Mar 2019 #34

I really appreciate your post. MarvinGardens Mar 2019 #35

Congratulations on your evolution catrose Mar 2019 #36

Interesting. Good luck to you grantcart Mar 2019 #37

Thank you for sharing there is hope for change marlakay Mar 2019 #38

You sound like a good man. Maybe you always were. nolabear Mar 2019 #39

so glad you woke up and smelled the coffee. demigoddess Mar 2019 #40

Fantastic post... thanks for sharing your story. es466 Mar 2019 #41

Thank you. Blue_playwright Mar 2019 #42

Thanks for sharing your story Dixc Mar 2019 #43

Nice to read about your experiences at DU and how it turned things around for you. trickyguy Mar 2019 #45

The first decade of this century was definitely the Dean decade for our party. DFW Mar 2019 #78

thanks for posting this KT2000 Mar 2019 #46

save for later. Thanks amuse bouche Mar 2019 #47

It takes balls to take responsibility for one's own bullshit. fierywoman Mar 2019 #48

Thank you, MicaelS. raging moderate Mar 2019 #49

Thank you for the courage Ohiogal Mar 2019 #51

May the Gods and Goddesses Bless You,... magicarpet Mar 2019 #52

Thank you very, very much. MicaelS Mar 2019 #56

. magicarpet Mar 2019 #59

(( )) blm Mar 2019 #53

An extremely belated, welcome home! herding cats Mar 2019 #58

Thanks for your post. MicaelS Mar 2019 #61

You're welcome. herding cats Mar 2019 #65

Wonderful. Thanks. n/t MicaelS Mar 2019 #66

Hello from a fellow 1957'er jimlup Mar 2019 #63

Many of us are recent converts. Are at least some of us. GulfCoast66 Mar 2019 #64

My first vote was for Reagan MFM008 Mar 2019 #67

Same here Zambero Mar 2019 #68

Not me! True Blue American Mar 2019 #70

My very first vote was for a Republican, too DFW Mar 2019 #79

Thank you for your story. Very moving. GoneOffShore Mar 2019 #71

Thank you, Micael for sharing your story. It contributes to DU solidarity and learning. KY_EnviroGuy Mar 2019 #72

Wow, MicaelS - that is a stunning confessional. Thank you for opening up to us. calimary Mar 2019 #73

welcome. its easy to be seduced by the rite's messaging. kudos to you. pansypoo53219 Mar 2019 #74

Thank you so much for BlueMTexpat Mar 2019 #76

Wow! DUgosh Mar 2019 #77

Having left church is the strongest indicator of support for Trump, interestingly Recursion Mar 2019 #80

Some of us got here in what might be described as a straight line DFW Mar 2019 #81

Thank you for sharing your story Martin Eden Mar 2019 #82

Hell of a journey. tazkcmo Mar 2019 #83

You have helped convince me further that being a Democrat means randr Mar 2019 #84

Excellent post PatSeg Mar 2019 #85

I am not trying to be critical....and thank you for sharing....however mentalslavery Mar 2019 #86

You're right. MicaelS Mar 2019 #88

Cheers...love the new one...could not agree more! mentalslavery Mar 2019 #91

Thank you for sharing your story. 🍀 MLAA Mar 2019 #89

Thank you !!!! Mabel Mar 2019 #90

Thank you for sharing your story and journey Suprk Mar 2019 #92

I'm glad I read this woofless Mar 2019 #93

Thank you for your wonderful post! GreenEyedLefty Mar 2019 #94

Altemeyer should be required reading. CrispyQ Mar 2019 #95

Thank you for sharing your own story MrScorpio Mar 2019 #96

Thanks. Just keep it in mind... MicaelS Mar 2019 #99

Powerful writing. Politicub Mar 2019 #97

I absolutely get it. I'd be you if I were not gay. bitterross Mar 2019 #98

Thank you. MicaelS Mar 2019 #100

Kicketty Kickin' Faux pas Mar 2019 #101