Sboyce

Lately, my community has been really laying on praise to me.
I do a lot in the community to promote the faith, but it's because I am able.
I deepen every chance I get but I still am not where I want to be.

The problem is, I feel like I am being praised for my doings. I don't feel comfortable with praise from Baha'is. I think thanks are enough.

I read a quote today about how everyone has to pray, fight spiritual battles and live the life.

I guess what I am trying to say in my (ENFP) sense of thinking is I am glad to be appreciated but I don't want to be made for more than I am.

to apply this more broadly is to just remind ourselves that we are to seek our answers in conversation and deepening, not to follow individuals.

LordOfGoblins

Sboyce. I think it shows some real humility on your part to recognise this (more praise!!!).
But if I could offer you some small advice. Be patient and gracious with the community you are in and with their praise. People are just well-intended even if it is slightly overthetop.
People will praise for all kinds of reasons. Perhaps they feel that praising you will make you more steadfast or confident... It is hard to say.
What I am hoping the community catches on to is praising and encouraging those that are NOT active. Perhaps you can try that if you get the time as an experiment?In my opinion this will really help the community grow as weeker souls become more empowered to step forward.
cheers

MAWillsey

be thankful you are being shown appreciation, that the others are just simply saying thank you in their own way. It is up to you not to get a big head over it. (just throwing out another way to look at it)
Warm Regards, Michael

aidan

I have often heard the phraise "deepening" but am unsure what it is.Would someone please explain.Thank you Aidan.

BruceDLimber

Quote:

Originally Posted by aidan I have often heard the phraise "deepening" but am unsure what it is. Would someone please explain? Thank you. Aidan.

Deepening is the Baha'i term for more-or-less informal study classes which Baha'i communities and other groups of Baha'is often hold. Its impliction is a "deepening of knowledge and understanding."

Peace, :-)

Bruce

cire perdue

I really think you should stop all that stuff, I mean, jelly bean, that you are just intimidating the sox off of 'em, and all they can do is praise you. You see they secretly know that if they praise you enough that it will run you off. However I think you should just suck it up and stick around and let them be intimidated and jealous of all your activity. Really, it serves 'em right. I mean, the very idea of paising someone like you, is.....uh....yes, ah, revolting. What is wrong with those people............

LOL

cire perdue

Gee, Aidan, did it get too deep here for you? CP

I'm really bad today....aren't i?

aidan

Yep!!!!!!!!!!

aidan

Can deepening occur through private study then?

Sboyce

Its a complicated feeling on my part. I like encouragement, but I feel as if I am being put in a spot I am not at.

cire perdue

Maaybe you should talk to them about it. I'm an old duffer and when I see young people doing things I think it is the old guy's part to compliment and confirm in a positive way.

cire perdue

uh, YES. Absolutely. You benefit from following your own interests about the Faith. Especially if is interesting to you and you want to do it.

WorkInProgress

ENFJ here ... I think that it feels great to be able to give praise and show appreciation to people for their efforts and contributions. Enjoy the appreciation and love that you are receiving and share some of your own (pay it forward) with others. Its all a good thing. And like MAWillsey said, just don't let it go to your head. Everybody can be happy. Cheers!

cire perdue

I have found I am much more comfortable giving to people than letting anyone do anything for me. However that can be a wall or a barrier keeping people out, and I have been guilty of that. We must accept love from others, but depending on our backgrounds it can be very, very tough. It is often just appropriate to just say thank you and accept it. It has taken years for me to be able to let people in. I think it is very common in the West. We need to learn to be comfortable with others, and I think materialism and the isolation we create with media self-entertainment has damaged interpersonal skills. That is kind of what my "i don't want to be a Baha'i" thread is about. Dealing with people is a hassle, and I would rather avoid it........!!