A Secular Franciscan needs to be persistently faithful in living the SFO Rule, so that other people recognize that Franciscans see life in a special way!
It cannot simply be a sporadic living of Franciscan life. SFO profession does not tolerate that. Growing in Franciscan learning and experience means having our lives infiltrated more and more by our Franciscan focus - and it will show.
In today's world we need to avoid "boxing" people into categories. We often do it without thinking. Someone who thinks differently is obviously - "too far out" - "too traditional" - "too progressive" - "too fundamental" - "refusing to take responsibility for his/her life" - "wants security more than learning" - "is too liberal and leftist." Add whatever "box (label)" you wish. You may find yourself categorizing or labeling people.
The problem is not that we have different opinions on many topics, but that we get so cemented in place that we stop listening to people who think differently. Though there are times, when this might be healthy, it is not something for all situations. Instead of coming together for dialogue, we often try to "convert" the other person to our way of thinking. In this regard it doesn't seem to matter which way you lean in your opinions. But opinions are just that - opinions. It is our personal way in interpreting life, religion, politics, sports, spirituality or any topic that is part of normal conversation. It isn't surprising that we differ in our opinions on how to upgrade and inspirit the SFO. The SFO Rule is one demanding document! Following some other path, for whatever reason, seems to indicate that the requirements of the SFO Rule are not demanding enough. That is amazing to me! I am of the opinion that when we take the SFO Rule seriously, we won't have time to take on other commitments. Secular Franciscan life is filled with an awesome array: of life changes; attitudes development: conversion points; prayer development; re-building a flawed Church; showing compassion; identifying with the poor; sharing the Franciscan spirit with the young people; co-operating with other groups in creating a more fraternal and evangelical world; worshiping with the local faith community; transforming our workplace; standing up for justice issues no matter where it is needed (in Church or society); learning healthy ways of prayer; developing a personal relationship with Christ, the inspiration and the center of life with God and people.
Secular Franciscans will build up local fraternity life; loving people too much to let them diminish their own lives or the lives of others; being joyful and ready to place ourselves on an equal basis with all people, especially the lowly; seeking a proper spirit of detachment from temporal goods by simplifying our own material needs; imitating Mary's complete self-giving; praying earnestly and confidently; going through a daily conversion in our personal lives; striving to purify our hearts from every tendency and yearning for possession and power; esteeming work as a blessing from God and a sharing in the creation, redemption and service of the human community; making family life and matrimony a sign to people that faithfulness is possible; cultivating the Franciscan spirit of peace, fidelity and respect for life; striving to move from the temptation of exploiting creation to the Franciscan concept of universal kinship.
Perhaps you could have time for other ways of life - but not if you are living the SFO Rule that you have been called to follow. Our energy is limited. If we spread it too thin we get tired, but not necessarily better. Use your energy to enrich your SFO life and the lives of those you touch. In this pursuit we work together, avoiding labels, except the one that say, "Here is a faithful Franciscan." We can and will help each other be faithful - and in doing so have an impact on a world in great need of our Franciscan ideas and ideals.
"Children, love must not be a matter of theory or talk, it must be true love which shows itself in action." (1John 3:18)