St. Patrick's Day

Today many people celebrate St. Patrick's Day. People dress in green, decorate with clover or shamrock motives, and play celtic music, maybe even think about Ireland. For many, it might be out of place for people who are not Irish -  particularly Irish and Christian - to celebrate this day, but I still believe that there's a lot to be learned from it, or at least from the stories that get to us from this day. Acording to what I've read on the net, St. Patrick was who brought Christianism to Ireland, and did it not by force, but after living in the island and getting to know the people of the island. (Some sources, such as History Channel, claim that St. Patrick got to the island first at the age of 16, sold as slave.)

The thing that impresses me the most, is how Christianity was brought to Ireland taking in consideration the Pagan traditions of the islanders, which is why the traditional St. Patrick's cross bears a circle, which was the sign of the Sun god. Though in other places Christianity was imposed with blood and cruelty, with the oppression of the weaker, in Ireland there was commitment, there was taking in consideration the traditions and what was sacred for them. I doubt much of the traditional religion was kept, but the merging of the two gods in one symbol (though for me there are one and the same, as God is God, and you can call Him and see Him anyway it spokes best for you), I see something we seldom see: the willingness to find a third way.

Mommy talked to me about this today. Though I nag my boyfriend constantly about order, and lot leaving newspapers and flyers on the dining table, and stuff like that, she told me that a relationship works when both parts commit, and one should know how and when to pick battles, and also to be the bigger person, and be willing to see the other side's point of view. One bears the cross, and the other holds the circle. The one doesn't exclude the other, but we can all get to an understanding and make a brand new path, a new way to do things and make them so much better.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to All!! ^_^