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Student
Posts: 11
Location: New York | Hello everyone, I am a new student at UMS, and I just recently received my first course, and I was so very excited and I truely feel this path is for me... well to make a long story short, my mother asked me what was I reading and I told her about the school and the courses. But I was hit by a negative comment she made, that was very discouraging. I know it doesn't matter what she thinks, but everyone else I told were telling me congratulations, motivating, and happy that I was following my heart in deepening my knowledge in metaphysics for my career and personal use; except my mother. Don't get me wrong she is a very nice woman, but it seems like when I have total belief in something to make my life better she rains on my parade, and I don't have that support, I feel a parent should give. It always been that way growing up. My question is how do you turn negative energy from other people into positive? when receiving negative comments from someone that shows lack of belief in you? I know all that matters is my frame of mind, and believing in myself is all I need to suceed. But I always wanted to be fully accepted by her and my endeavors that will not be harming but only bring positivity in my life. |
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PhD Alumni
Posts: 4414
 
Location: United Kingdom | Hello and welcome Latifa
Sorry to hear of your dilemma. I share it. I searched long and hard for a course of study that would combine my spiritual aspiration with healing and some kind of academic standing. UMS is the only one of its kind that almost nearly fits that bill, but does not completely hit the markers in terms of full academic respectability or registration credentials - but UMS is very upfront about that (I e-mailed and had good indvidual replies), and on their variuous public tabs they explain about validation, etc.
I had various offers form doctoral programmes in the UK and chose UMS.
UMS is certainly not, in my view, anything like a 'cult' (as my family initmated), check out, eg, Tracy's recent post on False Teachers.
But the outcome of your studies may, equally, not be what you expect: enlightenment is not an easy road. Those others who wander around with blissful smiles may or may not have 'got it', that is for them to discern.
We are all on our own narrow path. Friends, family, and/or whoever, wherever, cannot be with us in the darkest hour of our own choosing and destiny, so, in the words of the Grail-keeper in, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade - 'Choose Wisely' !!!!
It takes some free thinking, however, and free destiny choosing, not knowing where it will lead. No certainties. Unlike more traditional academia
Please feel free to PM me if you would like
Mazel Tov Blessings
Paul |
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Student
Posts: 11
Location: New York | Thanks for responding so quickly Paul. I am very happy I joined UMS after researching different schools. UMS has a vase amount subjects that most metaphysical schools don't offer. I just wish my mother believed in me, as I do myself. |
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Alumni
Posts: 862
 
| Sometimes the beginning of a spiritual journey is pulling away from the influence of people who do not understand. There is nothing wrong with other people in their views, but some people are limited by their belief system. People seem to be afraid of change, and accepting things beyond present human understanding causes fear. Fear is covered up by most people with anger |
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Expert
Posts: 2118
Location: The Heart of Space | Hello Lat......
This couldn't be the first time that you have experienced negativity on some level; aimed at some attribute of yours.
I will always remember Brooklyn as a "negative" place with many bad influences. Yet, I will also remember the good times, too.
Learning to deal with it is one of the essences of spiritual growth.
Peace,
Marty, Luck, Popp, Siss
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Alumni
Posts: 862
| Latifa, I do know in the beginning of my spiritual journey I faced family members who used negative emotions to control me. They would become angry and start arguments to try to pull me down to their level. So I went through a period of realising that some people use negative behavior to get me to respond the way they thought I should act |
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Alumni
Posts: 533
| Hi, Latifa and welcome to UMS. I'm sure you're going to love it here.
I completely understand what you mean about not having the support you need from a parent when that is the very person from whom you expect to receive it. I've spent many, many years coming to terms with this. Just to give a little background so you can see that I may know where you're coming from with your question:
While my mother has been very supportive of my metaphysical classes and spiritual journey as an adult, she wasn't as supportive when I was taking writing courses. Once when I was so overwhelmed with a writing course and struggling with a decision about whether or not to continue (my dad had just died- she hadn't been married to him for years so she wasn't really grieving, I was raising a 2 year old and working full time)she asked me, " who cares if you quit the class, what does it really matter anyway, no one will know you quit but you."
(or something to that effect)
I also had a very best friend (whom I shared everything with as a teenager and I accepted her all our lives no matter what she was into) ask me upon my very first magazine publication ever-"What is this Tarot crap?". That stung and was an extremely painful response to hear when everyone else was saying congratulations. (I had been writing for years and submitting stories in different genres and finally got a break with a short fiction piece related to Tarot.) Needless to say, we don't speak anymore as the subject matter became too controversial and while I was always able to listen to her Baptist views on things with respect, she was not able to do the same for me.
So, your question is: how do you turn negative energy from other people into positive? when receiving negative comments from someone that shows lack of belief in you?
My answer- at least what helped me is- I had to come to the realization that their negativity wasn't necessarily a reflection on their lack of belief in me, it was more to do with something inside themselves that even they may not understand. Parents are people, they behave just like other people even though we expect them to behave better than other people. Friends, too. Everyone has their own ideas (and sometimes even their own hidden agendas, unfortunately) about lots of things in life that differ from ours. I suspect in some of these instances, that for some reason- if we seem to be succeeding in something, it causes some people to try to tear us down. For what reason I don't know- I hate to say jealousy, because I don't ever feel jealousy towards others and never have, but some people seem to not be able to stand it if we achieve something they were unable to achieve- or succeed at something they cannot understand.
This post is my long, drawn out way to say to you, don't let the reactions of others make you feel as though you are lacking in some way. Their reaction is more to do with their own issues than with anything you have done.
You'll find lots of support here, on this forum. I wish you well in your journeys. Congratulations on finding your way here and fulfilling your own purpose. It will be a life changing one, for sure.
Edited by Disa 1/9/2011 10:32 AM
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Alumni
Posts: 862
| As I help others, I often have personal issues that I release. I spent much of my life inside a shell and did not let others inside or know how I felt. I may not relate well to having lost my parents support, as I never felt it there, so there was no loss to suffer from. My life has not been one with trust and support from friends and family. But I do know that everything happens for a reason, I am still trying to figure out why I was raised in this fashion. But I sense the reasons were for me to have much more understanding and forgiving of the differences in people. I also feel if I had support from my parents, then I would be more like they were, and would not have learned to trust my heart UMS has helped me to raise the veil and see the reasons things are as they are and the miracles of everyday life. The coure work if pondered allows us to see the reasons for miracles that each of us are capable of. Everyone can do something miraclous, and spiritual evolution allows us to practice more miracles as we learn the materials UMS provides to students. |
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Ph.D. Alumni
Posts: 694
Location: New Smyrna Beach, Florida | Welcome Latifa to the UMS family. There are many more ideologies here in this forum then there are courses in the school. So please feel free at any time to jump in with your thoughts and/or questions.
Leo |
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Expert
Posts: 2118
Location: The Heart of Space | Hi Dis....completely off topic....but I was reminded of you because a list I was looking at of the 100 Worst Horror Films listed "Premonition" in the top 20. Now, I thought that it was pretty good and I liked Sandra Bullock. I can't figure out why it was on that list! I wonder if anyone is going to know what Premonition has got to do with you? Anyhow, I think it is great! Peace, Marty, Lucky, Poppy, Sissy |
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Alumni
Posts: 533
| Hi, Marty.
I do love Sandra Bullock- she's one of my favorites. I don't see how "Premonition" was considered "horror". I did see the movie, but I didn't like it as much as some of her others. I guess it was just not what I was expecting. Maybe I should watch it again.
Well, I wonder what "premonition" has to do with me, other than I sometimes have them, but I don't know if you knew that? 
Edited by Disa 1/20/2011 5:35 AM
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Expert
Posts: 2118
Location: The Heart of Space | Hello Dis..... Your pictogram I knew straight-away...... P&L Marty, Luck; Popp, and Siss |
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