There was a time in my life when it feels like I was much more spiritual. My favorite little self motivator was a simple phrase, “Take the narrow road”. In any situation I faced, I tried to do the opposite of what most people would do. That meant if I was in a store and the clerk was making mistake after mistake and everyone else was upset, I’d come through and be kind and offer some form of compliment in order to help the clerk adjust her mood towards the positive. It meant that if I knew a friend was lying to me; instead of calling attention to that fact, I’d remain silent and offer some form of kindness as my response. When the Catholic church decided to change the rules about receiving communion to standing instead of kneeling, I continued to kneel.
All of these things were my little love notes to God in thanksgiving for the graces and Blessings I’d received in my life and for the ones yet to come. I look back on those times now and remember the enormous sense of serenity I carried with me. No one ever told me I had to do these things; I chose to do them. Serenity was the natural by-product of my acting in accordance to my personal truth. I like being kind to people. It makes me happy.
I also remember it being a time I was very diligent about my prayers and strict about simple things like when to turn the television off and go to bed. (I’m one of those people that if the TV is on, I’ll fight sleeping rather than turn it off, because I want to see what comes next.) It’s so stupid really, so back in the day, I used to ask myself if what I was watching was going to contribute to my life in any way, shape or form. If the answer was no, and it always was, I’d turn the blasted box off.
I think in retrospect it all goes back to feeding the spirit. My life was simple then because I made the choice to keep it uncluttered.
It may not be AS simple right now with all that I have going on, but I still try to remember to take the narrow road. I continue to try to do the things that have always proven to bring me peace.
What are some of the things YOU do to feed your spirit? If you can’t think of any off the top of your head perhaps it’s time to reassess. These days, we aren’t going to find much from an outside source that will automatically do this for us. It’s a choice.
“For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” Matthew 7:14
Note: Interestingly, today happens to be the official first day of my two-week cleanse. (Certain to feed this girl’s spirit as well as her body.)I started the morning with a shake, made another one for lunch and dinner tonight will be salmon, coconut rice, mango salsa and steamed broccoli. No more cocktails for two weeks. I won’t lie. That part isn’t at the top of my list of easy things to give up. Can I do it? We shall see!
I am just about to hit the kitchen to start cooking. Today I feel strong and determined and happy about this decision.
(I also took my first-day photo over again, but I won’t post them until the end of the two weeks.)
