So tonight I went to the first class and I'm feeling re-energized and excited to re-examine my budget for December and figure out where I can cut back and/or bring in more cash and/or sell other things. My class is held in a church (like most of the FPU classes, it turns out) and most of the folks in the class attend the church. I'm the only singleton in the class with about 8 couples (talk about feeling "weird..." sheesh!). Fortunately for me, one woman is attending without her husband so we've decided to buddy up.

As I said, I'm excited about the class and attending the sessions each week and having the support from other folks; what I'm less thrilled about is how much religion is infused into it. I know it's in a CHURCH, but there are plenty of AA meetings in churches and they (mostly) manage to leave Christianity out of the program... I guess I was hoping this program would be similar... Um, not so much.

Now, granted, I'm a baptised Episcopalean and have associated with Christianity most of my life, but this is not Episcopalean Christianity. This is the farther-to-the-right type of Christianity that frequently makes me a bit uncomfortable. Now, I haven't completely discounted Christianity as a faith, but the fact remains that I have some serious doubts about it and have begun to look to other, non-Western approaches to the spirtual side of human nature and the world. Do I have all the answers? No. Obviously. My point is, right now I'm willing to entertain all ideas because - even when I was attending church regularly - Christianity just didn't feel quite right to me.

So when the class facilitator made the assumption that I was of a like mind, I felt pretty uncomfortable.. Telling him, in front of the entire class, "sorry - I'm just not sure about this whole Jesus thing..." didn't seem like the smartest move. (At least if I wanted to get out of the room without a sermon.) So I kept my trap shut and figured that I could discuss my own spiritual journey if and when the appropriate time ever arises.

So there's that. Zee is uncomfortable with excessive religious talk. However, one of the things that was suggested was that we each carve out a minimum of $25 per month to give away. I've not been in the habit of giving lately because I've been focused on paying off debt and what not, but after thinking about it a bit, the idea of giving away money - however little - every month makes me feel happy. So I'm going to do it.

I like this idea because the fact of the matter is, I am blessed. I have a good job, I make pretty good money, I have everything I need. No, I don't have everything I want but who does? My needs are met, and there are so many people out there whose basic needs - critical stuff like food, shelter and clothing - don't get met on a regular basis. Not to mention all the pets in need of loving homes, children who need to be adopted and arts organizations that need funding. I know my measley $25 per month isn't much, but it is something. If thinking about giving it away makes me feel this happy, I can only imagine how good I'll feel when I actually do give it away.

So now I get to decide to whom I should give the money. My first thought was the Oregon Humane Society: they do such good things and I just love the animals. Last year I donated some to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, but I'm not sure I want to donate to either of those on a regular basis. (More on the NMSS thing in a later post; it has everything to do with my own cynical point of view on the current state of healthcare in this country.) Donating to stem cell research appeals to me if I could figure out where to send the money. Giving to a non-profit music association does too. So now I just have to figure out which one!

Any suggestions?

Oh, and one quick aside: I know, I know, I know. I've promised to write about healthcare ... or at least something more interesting than my usual drivel. The sad truth is, I've been working a weird schedule this week and DAMN if it doesn't just throw everything off! I've been wiped out all week. So. Healthcare. It's coming. I promise. When? I'm really not sure...

Soon. I hope.