Spirituality...What does it mean to you?

What does spirituality mean to you?

I realize that talking about religion is somewhat taboo, and can surely turn some people off. That is not my objective here. My goal is to bring thoughts to mind that we can share.

After spending the morning at church, shopping for our Thanksgiving celebration and watching Disney's A Christmas Carol with the children, I can't help but think tonight. Most of my thoughts seem to be floating around the Ghost of Christmas to Come. I wonder what changes I need to make to eliminate regret in the future. As parents, we all have regrets. Sometimes it's five minutes after we over-react to a situation; sometimes it's 5 years after we see the result of a parental decision we made. But, as individuals, we continue to learn. There is always room for growth.

Religion is great. Each one is somewhat unique but all follow the concept that we believe in a higher source responsible for this earth, this race and all that is. Our religions set rules for us to follow and if we live within those guidelines we feel we are good people.

Spirituality on the other hand is much deeper. It is not what you have been taught. It is what you believe deep in your soul. In most instances you don't even know why, but you are sure that there is truth there and live according to it. Spirituality is how we are connected.

Let's ponder on that, and please, share your thoughts.

Blessings

Sometimes in life we are presented with opportunities to help others. When we do the feeling it brings is a blessing. The joy of helping someone in need can be overwhelming. I had one of those experiences the other day. It went like this:

I was at the grocery store check-out. There was an elderly man two people ahead of me. He looked very distressed. I heard the clerk tell him how much he owed. He stood there digging in his pockets, only to come up with change. The next thing I saw was the clerk voided some of his items. It broke my heart to see the embarrassment in his eyes. He kept looking at the items, looking in his pockets, looking in his hands at the coins. I stood there watching. He had big hands, working hands. I could see that he had worked hard in his life, with those hands. As the next woman paid for her transaction, the man walked slowly to the exit, looking back at the items he couldn't afford. I could see he needed the items. I continued to watch him as he exited the store and stood there at the exit, not moving.

I knew he needed the items. I told the clerk that I would like to pay for the items the man couldn't afford. I walked over to another clerk to retrieve the items they had placed in a cart, full of other items patrons had to leave behind. I paid for the three items he returned.

I can't explain how it felt. I felt like I was completing a test. A test from above and I succeeded in fulfilling my task. The task of helping someone in need. Someone I didn't know. Someone I knew nothing of. Someone who was also a human being, connected to me in the way we are all connected, as children of God.

I thought long and hard about writing this in my blog. I decided to, so that I could share my blessing. I do not want praise or thanks. I know my Father in heaven smiled when I helped the man, and that is enough for me. I only hope to have the opportunity to help someone again.

So, when you see someone in need. Please think of my story. Life can be a struggle, but together we will survive and giving is a blessing as well as receiving. We all need help sometimes, and when we give it, we have the opportunity to realize how much we have to be grateful for. It would be easy for someone to ignore his need. I witnessed it. BUT, I am glad that I didn't.

Have a great day and God Bless you all.

My Computer Got H1N1...

The Calming Effect of the Ocean

For years now, I have noticed the effect the ocean has on me. My husband and I used to travel down to Cape Cod every Friday when he worked third shift. His days were free and it was a great escape for us.There is something that draws us to Cape Cod and although we no longer go every Friday, we go often.

This was one of those weekends, a spur of the moment thing, except this time we went all the way to Provincetown (or "P" town for those who are familiar to New England). Provincetown, for those of you who don't know, is the curly part of Massachusetts on the map- or the tip. We stayed at a hotel across the street from the ocean. We took full advantage of that by walking the shore in the middle of the night. The stars were crystal clear. The seals were barking but other than that we were completely alone. Enjoying the peace the ocean brings us. It's fascinating really because we don't know why it has the same effect on both of us.

Last night we walked along all of the quaint little shops. The shops and restaurants were all open. We ate, we walked, we laughed and talked and we held hands for two days straight. It sure is nice to get away alone once in a while.

Marvelous Monday

I hope you all had a MARVELOUS MONDAY and I wish you a TERRIFIC TUESDAY so that we can WELCOME WEDNESDAY because THANKFULLY THURSDAY is the day before our FAVORITE........FRIDAY!

Prioritizing

Sorry---> to my faithful droppers.Adjusting to the new schedule caused me to miss a day of dropping.

When prioritizing, yesterday, 'dropping' naturally dropped to the bottom of the bucket. LOL

I'm back today and read all of your comments. Thank you all!

Successful Firsts

We may not all remember the first day we started kindergarten... I sure don't. 

BUT I am sure my mom does. 

There are certain milestones that carve themselves deep in our hearts and I know that this is one of them. Not just because this is the third time I have done this, but because my daughter surprised me. You see, my youngest daughter started kindergarten today. I have been worried for months because she is extremely shy. I don't mean she doesn't like to talk to strangers. I mean, she won't even talk to me around strangers. She kind of hums when there is anyone outside of the immediate family around. My son has figured it all out but I have yet to make sense of her sing-song language, (as wonderful as it is). I was afraid that she wouldn't talk in school... but she did. She knew she had too. She was proud and confident. I saw it in her eyes. As she answered her teacher, she looked at me and smiled. I will never forget that moment for as long as I live.

She needed to start school full time. I can see it now. She is coming out of her shell and stepped to the front of the line. She will do fine and someday I will share these memories with her.

It was a successful first day of school for Jasmine. It was a successful first for me as well. It was the first time I looked at my daughter and knew --without a doubt --that she is going to be fine!