Losin' my religion...

Not that I really have one, but religion has been on my mind a lot lately, specifically the ridiculous things people do in the name of it. Wars, murder, shunning, lots of totally uncalled for things. The irony to me is that I was under the impression that religion as a concept was meant to teach people how to lead purposeful lives. Give to others, even when you have nothing. Share a smile when someone has lost theirs (and toys- definitely share toys!) Be a person whom your children and parents can be proud of. Apparently that has been lost in this dogmatic following of rules and regulations, without any question of the purposes of said rules. If a concept is important, teach your kids WHY. We do for others because it's the right thing, and makes us feel good. We treat others with respect, because that is the way we want to be treated. When people start being self-righteous, all that can be learned is lost.

So I shall continue to (mostly) eschew organized religion, and instead raise my children with the following things in mind:

1. It's ok to eat cake for breakfast, as long as you don't do it every day.
2. Just because someone thinks differently from you doesn't make them an enemy. Ask them why, and listen when they speak- that is how you learn and grow, and form your own opinion.
3. May you live to see a world that you create, and have your future be a time we cannot yet imagine.
4. Always explore.
5. Make sure your heart learns understanding, for without it, you are nothing.
6. Speak words of wisdom and sing songs of joy, in whatever damn key you want. Or in the words of "Sesame Street", "Sing, sing a song! Sing out loud! Sing out strong! Who cares if it's good enough, for anyone else to hear, just sing, sing a song!"
7. Let your eyes shine with knowledge you receive, and the wonder of it all.
8. Know that your parents' hope for you will span the generations that come after us.
9. Don't count the person ahead of you in lines' grocery items, when in the express lane. Pettiness is an ugly thing.
10. Your mom and dad will ALWAYS love you, no matter what you do. We may not be thrilled at your choices all the time, but that doesn't matter in the long run. You are still our children and should be confident in that love for all eternity.
11. Get therapy. It's really good for pretty much anyone. I'll even pay for it.
12. No one is better than anyone else. We are all different in so many ways, and it is this variety that makes life a garden.