Sometimes the simple questions provoke the deepest of thinking. I was at the funeral for Zoe’s Aunt Neeny this past week and had a chance to talk to one of her family members (well actually the husband of her cousin). We have had virtually no chance to talk at all the last 8 years, so I think what happened between us was powerful for both of us. It all started with a comment about our favorite television channels (foodnetwork and the cooking channel). This led to me talking about The Zenful Kitchen and to a broader discussion of faith and spirituality. He seemed interested in knowing more about Inspiritual and I am ALWAYS willing to share the work we are doing here. I guess it is my form of evangelism – lol.
Then he looked at me and said, how do you maintain your faith? It was not that it was a complex question. It was that it made me sit for a moment and really think about how I maintain my faith. I loved that he asked this because it reminded me that faith unattended dissipates over time. Faith is something one must work on sustaining. I answered him pretty simply at first. I talked about maintaining my gratitude journal, my inspiration journal, and my intention journal each day.
Then it dawned on me it was more then just what I did, it was being disciplined enough to work on this everyday. I have friends who cannot get through the day if they have not gone to the gym and worked out. I am the same way about my morning quad (thought for the day, gratitudes, inspiration, and intention). Then I realized that there is so much more that I do to remain centered and grounded in my spirituality. I take time to meditate and pray. I am mindful of the music I listen to each day. I try to keep the air filled with aromas that open me up spiritually, such as frankincense by diffusing the oil into the air. I remember that I must work on maintaining my vision and my hearing so that I may continue to hear and see with both my eyes and ears. It is in doing so, that I am able to develop a greater intimacy with the Ultimate Consciousness.
Giving thanks each day is one of the things, which helps me to maintain my awareness of how Spirit is working in and through my life. It helps me to attune my hearing and vision. How can I give thanks and be grateful for something I cannot see or sense. I strive to be aware of the little things in life which inspire me, keeping that journal helps me to be mindful of the little things in life which inspire me spiritually, creatively, etc. sometimes it is just the peace and calm in the early morning when all are asleep, sometimes it is the sounds of life, sometimes it is something I have read, but there is always something. It is these little things which for me are gifts from Spirit to say – I am here and walking with you. My intention journal reminds me that I am not alone in this journey. It reminds me that I am co-creating my story with the Ultimate. It is this grounded in basics, which keeps my faith growing and evolving.
The other question asked of me recently was what book has most inspired my journey. While I have read a number of books in my life (and still am). The answer I gave is probably the most honest – my life. The Gospel of Sharon is a recording of my life and all that I know because of what I have experienced in my life. There are things I have experienced which have transformed me from the inside out and are now a part of my knowledge base. They are the things that I know that I know that I know. I know these things not because somebody told me to believe them, but because I know them from experience.
It is that experience in combination with my daily spiritual workout (my morning quad) which keeps me focused, centered, and growing spiritually. May they always continue to do so.