Spiritual thoughts run through my head every day. Lately I have been struggling with what is happening in this nation. The basis of this nation was created on a clear separation of Church and State. The founders of this nation wanted to live their lives without persecution for their beliefs. Yet we have a radical group wanting to place their Religious beliefs on others. Not very spiritual is it?
What can I say? A blogger from Rochester NY with a rather small following to change the tides that seem to be upon us? Perhaps not much, but I am going to try. Last I checked I did not lose freedom of speech. So here are some of those thoughts that have been going through my head.
Spiritual thoughts – Kindness
The last I checked kindness did not cost anything. It is one of the most spiritual things one human can do for another.
What exactly is kindness? Kindness could be sending a card to a friend that is sick or depressed. Smiling at people when you cross paths with them be it the grocery store or on a walk. Volunteer in an organization to help others. Create something and donate it to a nursing home, hospital or school. Help a neighbor struggling to keep their yard nice. You get the idea, just get out there and show some kindness and compassion for your fellow humans. Do something without expecting something in return.
Lack on Personal Development
Pointing fingers at others is easy. Often three fingers are pointing back at ourselves. It is said that what irritates us about others is something that we need to resolve in ourselves. Instead of worrying about what others are doing, take some time and work on yourself.
Learn a new skill, get more exercise, take a social media break. Take a hard look at who you are to the world. Do you want to be friends with that person? If not, make small changes to improve yourself. Chances are you have been ignoring your own spiritual growth. Perhaps now is the time to work on it.
Lack of Community
I grew up in a time where my babysitters were my aunts and grandmothers, playmates were cousins and neighbors that were like family. It was close knit and a neighbor would discipline us when we got out of line and out of our parents sight. My curfew was when the sun went down and we played outside all day long in the summer. Somewhere along the line we stopped being these tight knit communities.
I miss that sense of family. Knowing where you were going to go on specific holidays, that July and August was full of all sorts of birthday parties as many of my family celebrated summer birthdays. If you are like me, start to build your own community. Be inclusive and create those memories. Start traditions that make not only you but others feel connected.
Stop the Judgement
When we judge people’s behaviors instead of understanding we miss an opportunity to learn and grow. What do I mean by this? Well if you stop and really look at the situation you may see that what is really needed is some kindness. Not always, but most times.
There are times that our unconscious bias gets in the way. It is powerful when you are able to recognize it, even more so when you change it within yourself. Conflicts arise, it seems we have lost the ability to agree to disagree. Respect someone’s position without having to be right all the time.
Spiritualism is About Inclusion
I have seen that some Spiritualists are better about this than others. It is hard to be inclusive when you disagree about things. Some Spiritualists are threatened by different beliefs that do not stick to the letter of the doctrine that early Spiritualists left us. The teachings are clear that we are to discover our own truths, the problem is that everyone interprets it differently.
Why I stick to the fringes of Spiritualist Churches. There has been more conflicts in this environment, not just one or two churches but many. I have seen some come and many fade out of existence. Still many are barely existing; let alone assisting their membership with their spiritual growth. There is a thread that I see true – the lack of inclusion and outright division. You don’t have to become best friends with everyone, just find a way to be more inclusive with others.
My Spiritual Thoughts
For what they are worth, is humans can do better. That includes me. It isn’t easy to change, and it may seem overwhelming to change everything all at one time. So may I suggest one small change this week. Be it checking your judgement or being more conscious of opportunities to be kind. One thing, focus on it for 30 days. Perhaps if everyone did this the world might just be a little kinder and nicer place to be.
