I'm incredibly lonely and not connecting with people

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
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<p>Gosh, I haven’t posted in eons, but this thread struck a real chord</p>

<p>A personal relationship with god (and note, I deliberately use the small ‘g’) does not necessarily require an organized religion - although clearly many find it helps navigate the path</p>

<p>Nothing would turn me further away from god than some of the very conservative groups (of any faith) that you can find on a college campus - but that is because for me the very rules and exclusions that these groups often focus on are the very opposite of what I think god is about: love, acceptance, compassion - of yourself and others</p>

<p>God calls us to him/her, we can feel in our hearts. When your heart aches as it does now, the Sufis (islamic mystics) call this ‘longing’ - longing for god’s love. Walking the path to god and love, and making that relationship central to your life, doesn’t have to mean going to church, attending bible study (although I think the latter is interesting). It could mean doing yoga and joining a meditation class. Practising the concepts of mindfulness (great for stress and anxiety too). Or joining an Inter Faith group and understanding the spiritual similarities between all faiths - they all are charting a path to god. Or volunteering, tutoring others and sharing love to others more in need than yourself. </p>

<p>God is not a man with a white beard on a cloud, it is not ‘external’ to yourself. I think sometimes this conceptualization makes the ‘belief’ difficult. You feel god inside you, that is where god and love reside</p>

<p>Although it hurts now, I think you are at the start of a wonderful journey. Hopefully, your openness will help your journey and make you more open to receiving and spreading god and love - to everyone, regardless of their background, race or beliefs (and yes, even Auburn fans)</p>

<p>I would also say, as a liberal myself, that many liberals can be just as prejudiced as some conservatives. This polarizing between two groups on so many issues is heartbreaking for me, and will be the cause of a lot of strife for many years to come. Finding a path that brings us together is the challenge for the next generation.</p>

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<p>robotbldmom, I have also heard Palmer Hall is scheduled for demolition, although I do believe that the Mallet Assembly is currently looking for a new building to house the program.</p>

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<p>Azalea you sound so much like my own daughter. You are not alone bc I can tell you there are others right in your own building feeling the exact same way. Sent you a PM</p>

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<p>The dems are watching the debate together tonight 7:30 Lloyd. GO!</p>

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<p>they’re looking to buy the kilgore house in order to save it from being demolished (since it’s a landmark), and they want to move there! that’s pretty exciting.
and i’m definitely going to the debate tonight! i’m ready to meet some people.</p>

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<p>Azalea: There you go, the hardest part of a journey is often the first step…</p>

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<p>Right on, azalea!</p>

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<p>azalea: You also mentioned that your major subjects are english and philosopy. Have you taken any philosophy classes yet? I would venture to say that those classes will help you delve into some of the questions/concerns you have mentioned in this thread (God,religion). When you start to investigate these issues, discuss and question your ideas and the ideas of others, you will gain a greater understanding of reasoning. These classes will no doubt hone your discussion skills and prepare you to sustain your argument and your position. I would imagine that you would also find many “thinkers” such as yourself in some of these classes.</p>

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<p>The dems are watching the debate together tonight 7:30 Lloyd. GO!</p>

<p>Yes! Go!!</p>

<p>Where in Lloyd??? in the food court area that is to the left after you walk in???</p>

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<p>Mallet isn’t totally moving into the Kilgore house in Fall 2014; there are plans for a Mallet-owned dorm next to the new location of the Kilgore House that Mallet intends to build to green and LEED standards. The entire process is much akin to building an environmentally-friendly Greek house.</p>

<p>Many Malleteers do not live in Palmer Hall and are not hippies or liberal;there are quite a few libertarian and conservative Malleteers. </p>

<p>As a business major who is a member of just about every progressive organization, I understand the feeling of being around people who don’t share ones ideological beliefs. This is why I try to draw lines between my school/work, social, and personal lives. </p>

<p>Many atheists and agnostics don’t express an opinion on the ultimate origin of the universe and leave open a [very, very small] chance that there was an original creator who is no longer active in the daily operations, basically Deism, which was the belief system of many of the founding fathers. Many will use Occam’s Razor to say that such a creator would not be necessary, but the point stands.</p>

<p>Feel free to PM me with any questions you may have about any of the organizations.</p>

<p>This will all work out. Who is to say that the troubles you are having now won’t pay huge dividends in the future? Keep trying hard and your proverbial ship will come in, most likely sooner rather than later.</p>

<p>Edited to add: I like to think that I’m parent-friendly, as are many other Malleteers. I may not wear a black suit and hang around women in red pantsuits and heels giving campus tours, but I feel that I connect very well, maybe even better, with parents. :)</p>

<p>Roll Tide!</p>

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<p>I sent you a pm.</p>

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<p>Can someone please describe Mallet for those of us who are unfamiliar with it?</p>

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<p>I think it is important to realize that there aren’t just liberals and conservatives.<br>
For example, many liberals are actually socialist leaning, while many others are mostly liberal on only social issues. Many conservatives are really “neo-conservatives,” who have very different beliefs about foreign policy and war relative to a “paleo-conservative.” Still other conservatives are really libertarians who want minimal govt intrustion into both the pocketbook and the bedroom. Then there are the conservatives who mainly focus on abortion, gay rights, etc. </p>

<p>I really don’t like the false dichotomy our media promotes of a war between liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans. Among those who really know a lot, there is a much richer continuum of ideologies. We don’t have to settle for Coke vs. Pepsi. College is a great opportunity to discover common ground between conservatives and liberals, Green Party members and Libertarians, etc. Don’t fall for the two party, two ideology trap. It is how the system keeps people divided.</p>

<p>Also, not trying to get you to embrace or shun atheism. But maybe you should consider Eastern spiritual concepts. UA has a great dept. of Religious Studies. I was able to rebuild my belief in God via exposure to alternative notions of God and existence. I was never preached to in a class, but just learning about the variety of ways in which relate and understand the concept of a higher power, was truly inspirational for me. Check out Religious Studies at UA.</p>

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<p>^^^^^ This right here. Excellent point, Atlanta68. :)</p>

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<p>^^^ Well said, Atlanta!!</p>

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<p>One country. Under God. Indivisible. With liberty and justice for all.</p>

<p>Roll Tide.</p>

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<p>It’s funny you mentioned the Religious Studies thing, because one of my biggest interests lies in the Hindu religion. My mom suggested the same thing- I’ll check it out.</p>

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<p>I haven’t been on the boards in ages, and I’m glad I popped in today and saw this thread.</p>

<p>You’re certainly not alone on campus, azalea. I’m sorry to hear that you haven’t found your group, yet, but I’m glad that the CC community has thrown some support your way. They’re cool like that :)</p>

<p>It’s miserable to feel out of place and I hope you do continue to throw yourself out there and check out some different clubs and groups that appeal to you. I know at least one kid at Bama who is like minded ;)</p>

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<p>I understand that the OP is hurting, but it’s too bad that she needs to vilify a particular group (Christian conservatives). I’ve never been to UA and don’t know the culture there, but I’m suspicious that she’s being treated like “garbage” just because of her liberal views. I think that there is something else going on here and I would strongly encourage her to seek out a counselor.</p>

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<p>I think riprorin just validated my complaints about being treated like garbage just because of my views. I’ve never villified anyone - I’ve merely asked that they respect my view as I do theirs. When someone sinks so low as to question my mental health, I find this repulsive and vile.</p>