Sometimes, There Are Slow Days
The thing about faith is that not every day contains a revelation. Sometimes, there are slow days. That’s when it’s easy to slip into old habits of unfaithful living. It’s almost easier to keep praying and having faith when life is a BLEEPshow. The important piece, I am learning, is to keep praying even when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Especially then. Staying in constant contact with God (or Good) encourages our faith to flourish, so that we can tap into it the next time we walk into some sort of BLEEPstorm.
What I appreciate about a spiritual practice is the “practice” component. Before I allowed myself the option of just believing in Good or God, even “practice” felt like an annoying or daunting layer. Ugh, I have to keep doing it? Now, the rewards of continuing to check in with that quiet place within myself feels like a great luxury other people may not be allowing themselves. It feels like respite. The chance to pray my problems away is actually quite nice.
This, in my view, is the crux of the issue when it comes to religiosity. All religions seem to be invested in “saving” people, maybe even helping us, but the handbooks to all of them have always felt overly complicated, overwrought, full of antiquated rules and warnings, and in some circumstances, toxicity. No wonder so many people have a hard time even contemplating having faith, which is so unfortunate, because many of us need to allow ourselves to believe things can and do work out for the best. It’s almost like humanity has taken God or Good away from itself by making it too complicated.
I really do not mean to trash any or all religions (talk about a good way to piss a lot of people off). If anything, I hope this writing helps people establish a basic relationship with faith and if that includes eventually being comfortable enough to join a community of believers in one specific religion, then more power to them.
But spirituality does not have to be complicated. In many ways, it shouldn’t be. Sometimes I catch myself trying to get this right or worrying that if I make a mistake, I won’t get what I want or need. I have to remind myself that Good doesn’t operate that way. That’s inherently unfaithful thinking. If I have true faith, if I really believe in God or Good or the Universe and it’s powers to help me build a wonderful, meaningful life, then punishment or failure is not part of the arrangement.
Will I continue to make mistakes? Sure, but if I’m doing so while continuing to meditate, pray, focus on the positive, pay attention to signs or guideposts, listen to mentors, help others, make the best choices I can, and live openly and honestly and with love, those mistakes are all part of a new outlook, life, and direction built with Good or God. And this is where the “practice” comes in. I have a new affection for the phrase “spiritual practice.”
Now, I get to just keep trying this out. Every day, I keep practicing my faith, not perfecting it. I keep trying out my spiritual skillset. I am developing those muscles. I am testing out faith-based responses in a variety of ways, and getting better at it. It’s lovely, it’s rewarding, and thank God, it’s pressure free.