Spirituality and its link to wholesome happiness

Since starting on this journey of seriously attempting to make my life what I wished it to be within these last 6 months or so, I have gone through much soul searching. I have read a variety of books, I have also learned the journey is half of the joy if not more than the actuality of ‘getting there’ among many other things. Though it seems I have always been trying to better myself my entire life, I know I will never stop at learning. This morning’s experience struck me though as super-revealing.

I was at church – the ‘early service’ that I jokingly tell my friends to not only join me when I go, but it’s the ‘in and out’ quicky version service without any singing so you can start your day asap once out of church. Now I hadn’t been to church in (pun intended) a month of Sundays, and in fact it has been at least two months of Sundays. I had fallen quite sick with bronchitis while attempting to handle my schooling, home life and a falling apart personal love life. Something had to give, and it was my body, along with everything else. But since having healed from bronchitis that literally turned into pneumonia, I felt strong enough and ready enough to get myself back into church for a variety of reasons.

As I woke up this morning, I looked over at the clock, knowing if I acted quickly, I would have time to walk the dog and get to church on time before services started. I figured, God was worth at least 45 minutes of my time, since I seem to offer my prayers to him/her often through out my day anyway – let me give God my undivided attention in helping me with my small little requests in the big scheme of things by actually attending a church service.

What happened next thoroughly got to me. I took what little cash I had on me for the collection, but just prior to the collection, we did the “May Peace Be With You” part – and in this small chapel, people removed themselves from their pews and walked across the isle and shook hands with almost every other member of the congregation. The Minister and other holy characters that stand upon the alter come down from the alter and shook hands with every member that came to the service that morning.

When they came to shake my hand, the Minister looked me in the eye along with her second in command shortly following – Both in turn, took my hand and shook it, with their other hand on top, blessing me and my peace. It was their honest sincerity and well wishes for me to feel peace within my being, that actually got to me emotionally.

As soon as I was directed to sit down, tears began falling down my cheeks. At one point, I had to get up and go to the back of the church where I know tissues exist for those in need – I grabbed a few before it was time for the Communion to take place.

I was still tearing when I left the church – in fact I sort of skittled my way out the exit without saying good bye to the Minister, a wonderful women with great stature  I see often enough during my week since I live right next door to this very church. I hoped that my scurrying out so quickly with tears streaming down my already reddened cheeks didn’t give the impression that I had sinned terribly, or my woes were too much for anyone to hear. Since that was the farthest from the truth – I laughed (sort of) OK, I smiled at the irony. Since my tears were ones that came from gratefulness, not from any sorrow I was feeling inside.

If they only knew, and I might share one day with my Minister what had actually had happened to me – it was the simple fact, that I sincerely felt their real and authentic well wishes and prayers for my peace that really got to me. It was that simple fact that made my tears fall. As I walked into my home, ran upstairs to grab some additional tissues to replace those that were already snot-filled – I reviewed what had just happened to me.

With all the reading of Dr. Dyer’s various books within these last three months, I have been praying for others continuously throughout my day. I have been attempting in every way to be ‘one with the source’ and having honest ‘intent’  – these are his words, not mine, in helping me bring happiness and health to those in need, love to those who need it most, while asking for the same for myself in as humble a manner as possible.

My concern and fear when I went to church this morning, was what I had to give from my wallet to the collection. I knew I had little cash, but I could go even if I didn’t have anything to give to their ‘plate’. I knew I had little available to me at the ATM as well, but I gave away what I immediately had available. Then after I was able to calm down from my release of tears, I sent myself off to walk to the local grocery store to grab some much needed toilet paper, paper towels and a few fresh vegetables.

Once in line, the woman in front of me was counting out quarters for a meager bag of hamburger buns – I said to her, “Please, allow me to pay for that.” Her clothes were a bit ragged as was her counting out the few quarters she had available to her in her wallet.  She was in disbelief of my offer, yet she smiled and took me right up on it.

She said, “thank you” sincerely, quickly grabbed her buns, since it seemed she was in a hurry – but then stopped, turned herself around, and gave me a kiss on my cheek and a quick hug, asking me to keep her in my thoughts, shared with me that her name was Theresa and she then said, “God Bless You”.

Now, no more tears fell down from my just-dried eyes – but what I felt inside, that I had helped someone more in need than I, and even with my own financial limits, I was still able to give to someone else – to share my own ‘bread’ in a sort of odd way.

In conclusion, to give really is divine. I received so much today with this short experience, that I share this with you. Regardless of any problems no matter how big or small you may be having in your personal life, it is still very helpful to seek out spiritual help in the manner that feels comfortable to you regardless of your level of spiritualism or type of religion. Whether it be to meditate, go to a service, but do definitely go and be in a space and place that you can make a connection to the power that is bigger than all of us combined. And stay for just a little while there.

Even as I type this, I feel stronger knowing my prayers have been heard, and some have even been answered. And in turn, I am reminded to be ever grateful for so very much that I have in my life: a working laptop, a roof over my head, a pantry and working refrigerator, my ability to walk, talk, smell, see – etc. – that I know I have much wealth indeed.

My personal prayers when I was in church this morning were very simple; to help me be strong and in fact stronger than I have been, in getting myself back on track with great study habits and to having more awareness in my eating habits among a few other prayers.

I was able to start my day with more love in my heart for those I met and for those that I don’t even know, who need just a little acknowledgment that they too are people in need, people who need love, and people who need food  – just like Theresa, who will stay in my mind and in my prayers, as she so honestly had asked.

Help others and you will help yourself be wholesomely happy. It really does work!

~Chef Maven