I believe…

What DO I believe????

This has been something I’ve had on my to-do list for a long time. As a fully formed adult who has raised 2 <almost> fully formed adults, I wanted to get clear with myself on what I believe to be true. This has sat on my list of to-dos for a long time because if felt like quite a big undertaking.

Doing soul searching to see if my long-held beliefs are still really true for me sounds like a lot of work and a bit scary. In yogic terms, Svadhyaya can be translated to self study and it is not for the faint of heart. It can be scary to think that a long-held belief you’ve had may no longer be true for you….and what do you do with that.  I also had to let go of the idea that I shouldn’t make the list until I knew it was 100% (perfection being the enemy of progress, you know).   So, this is what came to me when I finally sat down to work on it. And I’m sure as soon as I publish it, more will arise for me….perhaps a Volume II will come down the line. But for now…in no particular order…

I believe in the power of prayer and stillness.

I believe in the power of hard work and determination.

I believe in a power much greater than myself.

I believe that power is within me, as well.

I believe that power is within all people, maybe even in all things.

I believe Jesus came to earth to show us the way.

I believe spiritual growth only happens with intention and is extremely personal.

I believe change is the only guarantee on this earth.

I believe when we grasp onto anything, we eventually will suffer for it.

I believe there are times when we are brought to our knees and the only thing we can manage to do is to breathe. And that process of breathing is enough.

I believe my heart has the capacity to grow 10x it’s size in an instant.

I believe that loving all people is a challenge and is challenging. We are here to navigate this obstacle course.

I believe my children have been my most significant teachers.

I believe people who hurt others have been deeply hurt themselves.

I believe there is much to learn from most of the major theological systems.

I believe in equality for all humans.

I believe there are people I’ve met to whom I feel a connection that transcends this lifetime.

I believe that laughter is really good medicine.

I believe it is not my place to tell others how to live their lives.

I believe there is a lot of miscommunication in this world that leads to a lot of wasted energy.

I believe eye contact is one of the most valuable tools in our toolbox. True listening another.

I believe I expect way more out of myself than I would expect of others.

I believe humans make things way more complicated than they need to be.

I believe life is messy and hard and beautiful and scary and exhausting and exhilarating and surprising and boring and happy and sad and fun and…and…and…and it’s the same for everyone.

I believe the more Christ-like I try to live, the simpler life becomes.

I believe we are capable of so much more than we think we are.

I believe my time is one of the most precious gifts I can share with others.

I believe that Love truly always wins in the end.

I believe we would all benefit from pumping the brakes on our lives. Look around and take stock of what you are blessed with.

I believe that underneath it all, we all really want the same things….to love, to be loved, to be safe and secure, to do meaningful work, to have something to show for our work, to experience joy, to be able to bear our struggles, and to do it all with a community of people we can trust.

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I invite you to the same undertaking. Spend some time considering what it is that you hold as true. And write it down. Get clear on it. Make sure your thoughts, words, and actions align with your beliefs.

~Namaste~  the light that lives within me sees and honors the same light living in you