After Life Ideas - Amber Fillerup Clark

Since sharing that I’ve left the Mormon church – I’ve realized what number of of you might be in comparable conditions. For me, one of many scariest ideas was what to do with the after life beliefs I had beforehand held.. And I needed to share a few of my ideas from the final 12 months or so with you in case it occurs to assist anybody or spark any new concepts for your self. This can be a very susceptible matter and one which in actuality, nobody is “proper” about as a result of none of us truly know for positive. We are able to all maintain beliefs and place confidence in these however none of us can inform the opposite they’re incorrect, solely that they don’t share the identical perception.

As a number of you already know, the mormon church believes that households might be collectively endlessly. I’d say it is among the foremost pillars of the church is this concept of everlasting households. And while you depart mormonism you do type go, holy crap wait is it true or not? I feel what we consider ought to actually simply be what brings us probably the most peace whereas on earth. Not in an insensitive method, however in a really literal method, none of us will care if what we believed wasn’t true as soon as we’re lifeless, as a result of… we might be lifeless. So we simply have to have peace and luxury right here and now. I completely see how the concept of everlasting households is a implausible perception that may deliver a lot peace to those that have suffered loss. I truly assume it’s a very wholesome perception to hold with you so long as individuals don’t lean on it as a crutch when being there for others grieving (not permitting them to correctly grieve as a result of you’ll “see them once more” so why are you continue to so unhappy kind of factor)

I additionally actually don’t consider that you simply even have to essentially be non secular with a purpose to consider that you will note family members once more in a heaven or in one other universe or no matter .. I feel that’s as believable as us ending up right here within the first place is. So I before everything don’t assume that perception must be thrown out when leaving faith if that perception nonetheless holds worth for you. There are not any guidelines in relation to these things, you are able to do it nevertheless you need.

I used to assume it was unhappy when individuals didn’t consider in afterlife – I now don’t assume it’s unhappy in any respect, I feel it’s a really realist and sensible outlook and for some the consolation blanket of afterlife isn’t needed. And I may also see how that may make individuals actually take in what we get to have right here on earth extra, embracing the finality as soon as it’s finished. I feel for me I’ve to cling onto one thing as a result of I feel if I ever misplaced a toddler or David I don’t assume I may survive with out that thought.. whether or not or not it’s we leap to a different universe and proceed on with life however with a brand new storyline or we reincarnate or we’re up in heaven having a flowery lil celebration.

Rosie not too long ago introduced up reincarnation and talked about how she actually likes that concept. And was increasing on the place she would ideally wish to go .. however she stated any animal or human simply not an fish 🙂 and I advised her I feel when you have that request the universe could make that occur! I feel there are a number of completely different choices for afterlife and no matter makes somebody really feel peaceable, wonderful. The principle factor for me when educating my children is simply to show them that nobody is “incorrect” .. we are able to all be open minded to different’s concepts and so long as they don’t seem to be harming others we are able to respect these beliefs and share ours as nicely. Our beliefs may also shift and alter – as we hearken to others we would hear one thing we actually love that we need to deliver into our personal perception system. Actually, nothing is everlasting.

As a number of you realize, David’s brother handed away about 6 years in the past, after which shortly after his dad handed. After which only in the near past his mother. We now have additionally had each of my grandpa’s die within the final decade or so. After which in fact Chauncey :(. We now have been lucky to be left with a number of actually particular issues of theirs. I’ve so lots of my grandpa’s work and I maintain them on show within the residence and in addition in a room upstairs the place I paint now. I do know this may sound cooky however I’m 100% satisfied that the work maintain power that I merely can’t clarify in any method apart from to say I completely really feel it and really feel like I’ve weirdly gotten to know him extra or really feel near him by way of the work. I even have felt his power pushing me creatively the previous 12 months.. It has felt so palpable for me that it actually bought me enthusiastic about power usually. We all know that power can’t be destroyed.. And we all know that we are able to *really feel* power each good and unhealthy and every little thing in between. We all know it’s there. I began to essentially love the concept once we die we depart behind all of our power. Particularly in issues like artwork or something we put power into (journals, prepare dinner books that have been used, clothes, and so on).. Possibly that is why artwork has such worth to sure individuals and to not others. Possibly we do have artwork/aesthetic preferences in fact however perhaps we additionally love the power that comes with it.

I actually consider that we not solely depart behind power however that individuals can select to simply accept the power or not. For instance once we really feel unhealthy power that doesn’t imply it routinely begins seeping into us.. We both let it are available in or not. So I began like a 12 months in the past actively making an attempt to “settle for” the power left behind by our family members who’ve left. Qualities about them that I actually liked and the eagerness that they had for the issues we now have in our houses and hoping to let a few of that keenness enter my realm. It would sound foolish however I really feel like I’ve began to have deeper relationships with them even after they’re gone – like I’m able to get to know them. Which for me has been actually pretty as a result of when David and I bought married, his mother and pa have been on their mission in Costa Rica. Then once they bought again, we have been residing in NYC and so they weren’t residence for lengthy earlier than leaving on a second mission to Patagonia. In Patagonia is the place David’s dad discovered he had a mind tumor, which he died from shortly after coming residence. I at all times really feel so emotional that I by no means bought to get to know him extra, as a result of he really simply appears so outstanding and so cool. Being open to this concept of accepting his power – the power he left behind in his movie digicam that david now makes use of, the rocks he discovered whereas touring the world as a geologist, the books he learn, the photographs he took. He was so inventive and adventurous and free spirited and I really like with the ability to soak all that up. And David’s mother was sooooo angelic and sort and affected person and artistic and such an amazing painter. I’m hoping to get a few of her portray provides so I can use these and once more hopefully have a few of her loveliness rub off on me. Ehren David’s brother was at all times thrifting and being inventive and was so enthusiastic – he liked a great thrifted discover and I’ve completely accepted all of his treasure looking power and love to take a look at the items he gave us that now we have on show in our residence… together with so many different issues from every particular person. So many wonderful qualities we are able to tackle from our family members who’ve left us it’s so particular.

This has additionally made me understand the significance of simply placing power into issues that may be left behind for our family members. How wonderful to have power stuffed gadgets that they’ll then settle for all of our great qualities and use them all through their lives.