For those of us raised pretty religious, we can have some firm ideas about words like God, Higher Power and Our Father.
Well I’m not here to argue religion, to each their own and enjoy that. I’m talking about finding YOUR personal Higher Power and it’s not the same thing. It might be for some, but not for the rest of us. For some, faith is something magical, wrapped up in religious artifacts and belief is something reserved for children and Santa Clause. But I’m puttin’ a kabosh on that.
Go the beach.
Now, on your way to the beach, you don’t worry that the waves will be “on” and rolling in and out, or that there might not be sand there today. Of what if you get there and the sun is gone? We don’t have these thoughts. We bring sunscreen because we know the sun will be there somewhere, we bring a surf board because we want to ride the waves, and we bring baby powder (if you’re smart) because it cleans off sandy feet easier. This is faith, kids! We have faith in things all day long: our phones, the internet, the freeway, starbucks…the list is endless. And all of these things, NOT as consistent as say, the universe? energy? The sun, rising and setting each day. ANYTHING that is higher than YOU, can be your Higher Power.
Start connecting to your HP. Asking for help, for guidance, clarity, strength. Every morning, I “pray”, I meditate and ask my HP to keep showing me what I don’t know. I used to close my eyes in the morning and ask for birds. I had decided I wanted to hear birds. And I kept NOT hearing birds. I’d get frustrated and my head would start with “why can’t I have birds? don’t I deserve birds? I don’t ask for much,” and on and on, the self absorbed wallow and wine.
Until.
I finally got quiet enough one day to just notice what I DID hear. My 150 lb dog, Max, snoring closely beside me. My son giggling in the next room, laughing with his friends on facetime, the hum of my beautiful air conditioning, battling the 110 degree day outside, keeping me cool and cozy inside my huge soft bed and my gorgeous, pumpkin spice scented, bedroom. My daughter’s boyfriend in the kitchen slicing up something for breakfast for us. And I was pissed because I didn’t hear birds at the EXACT moment I decided I wanted to. I was missing it all.
So, find your HP, experiment with what it means for YOU. God, Mother Nature, Your Divine Goddess, whatever it is. Begin to notice what beauty is already in your life, that you are missing because your focus is elsewhere. Close your eyes and listen to the magic. THAT is real prayer.
Amen
