We are spiritual creatures invested in this physical
world. Each of us embody a soul which transcends
this physical plane from birth to death, from life to life. Ensconced as we are by the mendacity of the
mundane, it is often difficult to ascertain the importance of feeding our spirits
and nurturing our souls. When we become
so entrenched in the tedium of life, of paying our bills, of securing our
relationships, of keeping abreast of the news around us, we oft forgo the most
primary piece of ourselves: The evolution of our soul’s purpose.
Each of us are in a different place in the timeline of
existence. Each of us perceives our
world through different eyes. What may
be judged ineffectual by one person, may be the key to success for
another. Knowing what is right for you
on your personal evolutionary journey requires a concerted effort to be open to
receiving this information. Prayer and
meditation, conscious thought and an open heart are all the tools that one
requires to recognize and evolve into our fullest potentials in life.
Throughout history, mankind has sought connection with the
divine. This search can be seen in the
up-rise of religious and esoteric study, through the creation of art, and by our
desire to intimately connect with others.
It is when we become so separated from our soul that we begin to falter
in life. We may lose our temper, we may
become sick, and we may become complacent or depressed when we are misaligned. We become imbalanced when we lose faith and
hope.
Each of us has been wounded.
None of us escapes life without having our heart bruised, without
wondering if we are worthy of being loved, or really deserve to be given all
the good things in life that we truly do desire. Our fears keep us trapped. We lock ourselves into our own self-made
prison with worry, over-thinking and despair.
Perpetuating these fears are the voices that replay in our mind from our
parents, our friends, the neighbors and the news. So fearful we are of upsetting others that we
forget about the still, small voice that is within each of us, reminders that
we are holy, eternal and loved by our Creator.
How do we shut out the noise and regain our centering? How can we recognize what it is that truly
matters? We must consciously take the
time to reflect and allow ourselves to open up to the eternal tether by which
we all are connected. As individual as
we all are, with as many perspectives that we each hold in our existence, there
is no singular “right” path to achieve this common goal.
When we let go our judgments of what is right and what is
wrong in how one may peruse awareness and subsequent unity, we are left open to
receive enlightenment. Sometimes this
comes through venues which are surprising to us such as pondering symbolism,
stories and scenarios.
Our world is riddled with symbols, all there as
opportunities for us to see and mull when they present themselves in our
lives. Because we are eternally linked,
ancient symbols have been given great power by our collective unconscious. This is why herbal remedies work and why
tarot readings can be helpful. Our centuries
of belief in them is what gives them the power to transform us.
Mythology, fables, and fairy tales all have the thread of
our human plight woven within. How many
variations of the story of the Flood have we discovered? How many tales of gods and goddesses, heroes
and villains are told for generations?
Why are we so riveted by stories that have a protagonist, antagonist and
challenge to be overcome? Our human
struggle is universal. It is why these
sagas endure and are adopted and reworked by different cultures through time.
Daily situations we encounter are also gifts given to us for
further enlightenment. Imagine taking a
walk in the park with a friend. What you
see and what your friend sees may be the same scene, but how you internalize it
can be vastly different. A simple
example: A mother scolds her child. One person
may believe that this is good parenting.
The other may disagree. It is not
for us to judge these things, but rather to acknowledge that each of our perceptions
and how we react to them is a tool
for better understanding ourselves.
It is only when we become blase about life that we start to
get into trouble. We may become inconsiderate
of others. We may succumb to mind-numbing
addictions. We may start to take our
value from how we believe others view us.
Each of these detours will lead us away from ourselves and take us on
bumpy, often heart-wrenching pathways.
To right our course takes concerted effort in initially altering the
well-grooved patterns of fear, trepidation and judgment.
Connecting with our divinity requires only one thing: the willingness
to do so.
When you stop, open up and listen, you will discover that
there are a plethora of tools for us to utilize in this endeavor.
Here is a list of methods that people have productively used
to regain awareness and enlightenment:
- · Prayer
- · Meditation
- · Creativity
Each of these things are internal, personal ways to
reconnect with the divinity that we all have and that we all are.
Prayer is a means by which we can give gratitude and thanks,
and to also submit requests for our highest fulfillment.
Meditation is the clearing of the clutter of the mind,
affording us the space to hear, recognize and then rejoice in the knowing.
Creativity is the extension of ourselves through art, a gift
of awakening for us during the process and a gift to others with whom we share
it.
As all thoughts are energy, what you think matters. Guard your thoughts. Let not your mind wander into places of judgment
and despair, fear and worry, for what you put out there is what you will attract
and also perpetuate. Instead, use your energy to pay attention, to listen, to learn and to take heed of these useful guides and tools that will enable you to better move through life with grace and with love for yourself and for others.
