Can Reality And Spirituality Co Exist
Posted: Friday, February 29, 2008
by Susan Thom
I have always been a very spiritual person, believing in God, and the honest existence of angels. I always believed that those who have gone on before us have ways of watching out for us, and influencing our lives. I trust that God is in my soul, and not just some abstract face or light that might not really exist. I believe in the Light, but I simplify my experience with the God I believe in by holding Him close to my heart.
To be caring, compassionate, non judgmental, understanding and helpful are the truths of spirituality that we should surround our soul with and emanate out into the world. Do we bend over and pick up the roll of paper towels the old woman in front of us dropped on the way out of Wal-Mart? Or do we ignore it, and just keep walking? Do we smile and talk to the cashier, who has had her share of angry customers for the day, and appreciates our kindness? Or do we just stand there, and wait for our order to be finished?
Do we help the short, older woman get something from a shelf she can't reach, or do we say to ourselves, "That's what they have employees for?" Do we let the car come out of the side street, when they've obviously been waiting a while, or do we say, "Hey, tough luck, somebody will let them out?" Do we tell the woman her baby is adorable, or just keep it to ourselves?
So many little things add up to make a positive difference. We make someone happy, they make someone happy, and what we started may last all day. So, we have the idea of spirituality. It's simply giving of ourselves in a way that benefits others. It is an air about us that believes in the power of God, and His goodness, and the desire to give back what we have been so freely given. It eventually just comes naturally, the way it was intended.
So, we go on about our days, trying to do all we can to make a positive difference, and to throw out some positive energy into the world. We do pretty good, we took the older man next door's garbage pails up to his garage, we talked nicely to the waitress at the diner, left a good tip, and we let every car go in front of us that needed a break.
We do alright until we get into the parking lot at work. We can feel ourselves start to tense up. Our boss has a "Superiority" complex, he is constantly pushing for more, he never agrees to the days off you ask for, and he is basically just a miserable person. He looks over your shoulder at your computer 5-6 times a day, sneaks up on your cubicle, and has spread rumors about you and others. The job pays well, has good benefits, is 5 minutes from home, and all the other employees are nice. You don't want to give the job up, but your boss keeps stepping on your last nerve.
One day, you just snap, you've had enough, there's no more nerve left for him to step on, and you call him every bad word in the book, and scream for all to hear. You slam your chair into the wall, shove everything off your desk, throw the phone at the wall and leave a gaping hole, and walk out. This is reality! But you just spoke all that talk about spirituality to your wife and friends and coworkers. They know the way you feel. Your thoughts, actions, and reactions were not too spiritual.
So now what? Beat yourself up? Have you "Fallen from grace?" Are you kicked out of the spiritual pool? Is swearing allowed in spiritual people? Or does the wise One know this life is progress, not perfection. We are all going to do things at times during our lives that may not make us feel proud, but at the time, they happened. However, if our awareness is such that we are trying to guide ourselves towards an altruistic and calm, caring, and compassionate lifestyle, we most certainly are spiritualists.
So many don't even think about why we are on this earth, and if "to learn" is the reason, why? To reach a higher plane when we get to Heaven? Who says that? Well, all the 8 million reported near death experiencers. And that was about 10 years ago. I'd like to believe that is true, and God exists, and angels are by my side, and although I can't see them, if I ever clear my mind enough, I may just be able to feel them. I believe my mother an father and family that have passed on are watching out for me, and helping me whenever they can. I have finally come to terms with the fact that my job may not be President or Mother Teresa, but all the little things I do add up to making a lot of people happy, and my kids loving. That to me is spirituality.
Getting so frustrated I can't contain my anger, and needing to voice my protection of myself, and maybe swear, and throw a pillow, or a brick!, is reality. Yeah, it can get you in trouble, yeah, you'll probably regret it, no, it wasn't a kind thing to do, but it's reality. And we have to accept ourselves as we are, human, with human frailties and problems. We can be spiritual beings with human characteristics. Nothing is perfect. However, again, those of us who try daily to improve our lives as well as those around us, are further ahead of the game than those who don't even have a clue.
Those of us who can write, which I believe is one of the many talents one may have, can write articles to uplift others, give hope, and provide understanding. I have suffered from Depression, and I have a few stories about my experiences with this heartbreaking dis/ease, and how I lifted myself back up, twice in the past 14 years. These are the things we can do for others. I will be sober for 15 years in March, and I have several articles on alcoholism and twelve step meetings, so someone who may be thinking about it will hear first hand what they are like, and how they help.
I think these are the things God has brought to my table for this part of my life. If I help one person, and have raised three wonderful people, and tried to live my idea of a spiritual life, then I think I've done a good job. And when life gets crazy, and so do I, that's true reality. Our saving grace is that some of us choose to stay on the side of right as often as humanly possible, while others do the opposite. There can be a balance between spirituality and reality.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Hi Sue, you said it well. This is why God gives grace. He knows we are but human, re knows our frialties and he gives us what we need to seek forgiveness, ove on and do it better next time. I for one, am very thankful that God gives me do-overs. Love and hugs. :-)Please log in to respond to this comment.
hi teresa, thank you for reading and commenting. to err is human,but not to is divine....i just made that up. my best regards, suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
I enjoyed this article Sue, particularly because I have come to recognize small signs around me that are messages from someone watching over me, or just briefly checking in. I used to think I was making it up - and now it seems very obvious. Thanks for sharing your insights. Dianne B.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi dianne, i hope you continue to grab the signs when you see them, and take comfort. i will leave you with my last "visit", i went to divorce mediations last week, and asked my dad who has passed, for protection and safety, and to show me a sign he was listenting. the mediations happened, we ended up having to go to court on the 17th, which, of course, is saint patrick's day, and was my father's favorite day of the year. thanks dad! thank you for reading and commenting, best regards, suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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