So I changed my avatar a few weeks ago, to the Phoenix.
The idea of rebirth is perfectly inline with where I am in life right now.
In some ways I'm starting over, and yet in other ways I'm finding myself returning to the person I was when I was younger.
I was optimistic, I was fun and I loved life. I was trusting, service oriented and very concerned about the world around me.
The idea that a new Phoenix rises from the ashes of the old, fits in line with the new life, but the fact that it rises from the ashes indicates to me that perhaps some of original Phoenix continues to live.
There is something else as well.
I haven't gotten into Harry Potter very much. Mrs Koda has, and so has my oldest son. I know the basic plot line... He's a wizard, right? And I've seen bits of the first couple of movies.
A few weeks ago, we watched the fifth movie for Movie Night Monday. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. It's almost as though I can still smell the cheap pizza!
Anyway, the Order of the Phoenix is a fictional organization formed by the hero's in the book to fight against a corrupt and tyrannical regime.
It's funny how in almost any movie or book, you can find themes which fit your life, and take lessons from them. I don't think it's necessarily divine inspiration, rather perhaps movies and other creative sources allow us to see things from different angles, and then based on our current circumstances, we can re-evaluate our lives.
The movie had several themes which struck me, based on my current circumstances, but the idea of fighting against evil and corruption, and the Order of the Phoenix was really strong.
When I was a Mormon Missionary, I though I KNEW that it was all true. And yet, as I approached people with the theology, I just didn't feel comfortable with it. Going door to door was pure hell for me, and challenging people to make commitments towards membership was sheer agony.
The thing is though, since learning things I know now about the religion, but more importantly about life and our place in it, I have a desire to shout it from the roof-tops. But then comes the realization that most people don't want to hear it.
I feel a desire inside to help free people from Mormonism. Fight against the corrupt corporation which is LDS Inc. And yet there is the knowledge that I am but a small part of the wheel, and that if I rise about that sphere of insignificance, the might of the Corporation of the President may be unleashed against me, and those folks don't pull any punches.
Anyway, so that was my thinking behind the Phoenix. For now the focus is rebirth, but perhaps in time it will grow into something else as well.
The Phoenix will be my next tattoo. I've got big plans for this tattoo. I'll be sure to show it to you after I get it.
ReplyDeleteA Phoenix, it works. I can relate, in that I'm also an RM from one of the Great Aussie Missions, below. Thinking I knew where the bear went as well, I always wanted to speak with my hand over my mouth when it came to the part where Peter, James and John appeared and gave positive instructions on the method of scrambling eggs. Its right there in front of the TBMs but alas, the warm and fuzzy corporation answers all the questions, and people can't leave the womb. I believe however the day of reckoning will come when "all their sins will be revealed" and the potlickers will have to take notice.
ReplyDeleteThis rocks. As much as I don't want to think about Mormonism when reading my favorite books, I find your comparison spot-on.
ReplyDeleteBut it's not that surprising. It think the Harry Potter books often attempt to address the issues at stake in today's society. OotP reminds me of the current TSA nonsense, "safety" at the cost of freedom, etc.
Oh, man. I got through Harry without attributing it directly to the church. I'm with Carla--it's so everywhere that sometimes I just don't want to think about it.
ReplyDeleteFor me, stories like Harry Potter (and Lord of the Rings, etc) makes me think about how I would act if I were asked to do such difficult things. Would I give in and give my loyalties to the bad guy to save my ass, or would I stand firm for what I knew was right? (i almost said true--i swear, I'm striking that from my vocab)
That's what I take away. Mormonism gets a lot of my thoughts, so I like it when my "take aways" are more universal.
Also, you said "I feel a desire inside to help free people from Mormonism."
I feel that too. I didn't at first, but for those friends and family I feel are at the fringes, I'm dying to nudge them. Dying. It's damn near impossible to influence those still deep in the clutches, but for those who express a bit of rebellion as it is? I want to free them, too. Even though I worry for them as I know leaving is, though freeing, awfully painful.
Just one more reason why I like you, Koda! I, too, am called Phoenix. It's the name of the work I do - Phoenix Touch - which is my own combo platter of life coaching and energy work. It's also in the name of my publishing company - Literary Phoenix. If you purchase my book, check out the Phoenix insignia. It's pretty sexy-awesome, if I do say so myself! :)
ReplyDeleteMy brother once told me, "Truth can be found in the strangest places," and I've been keeping my eyes out for things like that since. Though I don't know if I'll ever be able to top his talk based on the first Superman movie.
ReplyDelete@Angie - I should know in the next 2 weeks. It's on the Christmas list, and if I don't get it, I'll be on Amazon later in the day! I trust your judgement though, so I'm looking forward to seeing just how sexy-awesome it is!
ReplyDelete@Carla - Yep. I forget her name, but the little woman who gets transfered in to fix up Hogwarts - bears a striking resemblance to someone who tried to move in on me, and fix me.
@Lisa - That's the sad part about it. You can try and talk friends and family out of it, but unfortunately it often leads to them digging in their heels and hunkering down even harder under the waves of disillusionment. But I'm all for gentle nudging!!
@Dave P. - Not that I heard the talk, but I can imagine that would be a hard act to follow.
ReplyDelete