A Spiritual Being...

My husband reminds me that as my sister gave her toast on my wedding night, she mentioned that I was one on the most spiritual people that she knew. I guess that part of the speech didn't really stick with me because I don't know if I understood what the word "spiritual" meant to me.
I might have thought she was saying, "she's such a good Catholic girl," because at that time, I was a very diligent church-goer. I had sang in the church choir. I said my prayers. I had learned some valuable ways to find stillness and peace because of the religious rituals of the church. But... was I spiritual?
Yes, I think I was. I think I now realize that all of the journaling, quiet walks, and time for reflection that I needed, were a part of my spiritual ritual/life. Now, I am finding that I don't turn to the religious rituals that I used to think were so important in keeping me grounded and centered. I have found many more ways to live out my faith in God. I can find my strength and connection in walks, meditation, breathing, yoga, journaling, dancing, looking at Art, listening to music, watching a live performance, playing with a baby, watching a puppy, laughing with friends... the list seems endless now. My religious views are shifting or evolving and my spiritual practices are growing. It is a great adventure. So, yes, I guess I am a spiritual person.

I believe we are here to live out our soul’s calling.

That we are here to learn all of life’s lessons,

support each other,

make life easier for each other,

take care of God’s creation,

feel joy & pain and survive.

To be at peace in ourselves and with each other.

To be the manifest of God in a body.

And to let our souls shine!

What do you believe life is for?

Comments

Letting go & holding on- how you can do both at the same time

Everyday I am thinking about letting go. My days are spent in sessions with clients, or reading about decluttering tips, or writing blog posts, all in an effort to support clients as they let go of clutter and unwanted habits. Letting go is something that I have made into my life's work, but never is it more "in my face" than when I sit with my grandma at the nursing home. My grandma has Dementia/Alzheimers. I don't even know what or which or why or how, but I do know that it seems we have lost her to the disease and letting go & holding on are happening all at once. As I sit and watch her sleep, I can stroke her hand and feel the many memories of playing Go to the Dump or Crazy Eight on my days off of Kindergarten, getting a home perm in her kitchen in elementary school, and painting my nails at her kitchen nook in H.S. I remember learning how to snap a dish towel with my cousins as we cleaned up from holiday gatherings & singing and dancing...

The Holiday Shuffle

This time of year, I always find myself struggling to keep the holiday spirit as I contemplate my lists of things to do in order to get to every event on our calendar with all of the required food, gifts, smiles, and energy. It is the same every year. Every year I say to myself, "how could I do this differently next year?" and every year I find myself in the same place. The holiday bustle is starting earlier and earlier and it seems like that only creates more pressure for performance. In my house I am the bah, humbug of the family. I am not ready or willing to start thinking Christmas until Thanksgiving is on the books. I usually don't listen to Christmas music until that day, and I don't get the tree or the house decorated until after that day. I'm the scrooge who lives with a husband and kids that would (and do) listen to Christmas music year-round! I feel guilty for being this way, but I also try to honor each day, and I guess for me ...

Countercultural

These past weeks I keep running into the same themes in my conversations and in what I read. It is the notion that our culture wants us to believe that there is a "perfect recipe" for parenting and how much trouble this creates when you look at the reality of life. The idea that there is a "right" way to parent is something that I struggle with as I raise my two kids. The pressure to keep it all together and produce well-rounded, successful, polite, obedient children is enormous in our culture! Before they were even born I was reading about their development and making sure that I had all the necessary supplies. Then I was reading to see what the experts said about schedules, sleeping, tantruming, potty training. Now I am reading about puberty and sibling rivalry. Parenting is a never-ending job and society's pressure often makes it hard to enjoy the ride. The ride involves patience and persistence, goal-setting and vision. It involves connect...

Breathing Space & More...

Search This Blog