I'm Not Religious, I'm Spiritual

Dear Malady and Purl -
I, too, have now read the introduction to An Altar in the World. I had to laugh when I read the very first sentence: "If I only had a dollar for every time someone told me, 'I'm a spiritual person, not a religious person.'" I tell others that same thing ALL THE TIME!

Malady, you mentioned Taylor's emphasis on finding the divine in everything we do, no matter how small or insignificant. You also alluded to how difficult it is to maintain that kind of awareness when you're grinding through your day. I absolutely agree.

I think I tell people I'm a spiritual person because I long for meaning and connection. I look for meaning and connection in other people. I look for them in objects. Being an outdoor person, I especially look for them in nature. In fact, I fully expect to find God when I'm nature and am a little bummed out when I don't find Him (or Her, as the case may be) in beautiful outdoor places. What's up with that, anyway?

About a month ago, I woke up early when I heard the train pass by our house about a half mile away. Trains go by all the time and I'm so used to them now that I rarely wake up when they pass. But there was something different about this train. Or this particular time. I woke up hearing the train and feeling at complete peace. I could feel my weight on the bed. The sound of the train was crystal clear. My mind was calm and quiet. I felt happy for no particular reason. I think God was with me.

I rarely have this kind of sensation, as my mind is active, fretting, or engaged in some other distraction at nearly every moment of the day. For me, peace is one of those elusive and divine qualities I wish I experienced more of in my everyday life. I cherished this moment with the train.

I'm looking forward to this book.

Love,
Gary

Introduction to AN ALTAR IN THE WORLD

Dear Gary and Purl--
I just finished reading the introduction to Barbara Brown Taylor's AN ALTAR IN THE WORLD and I am so excited! This sounds like just the book I need. Although it is a simply premise, it seems groundbreaking to find a book on faith that focuses on the sacredness of daily life.  How we can find the sacred in the baking of bread, giving birth to children, making love to our partners and going through the processes of daily living. I am really looking forward to seeing what she has to say. 

This dovetails really well with what I have started reading in Baron Baptiste's 40 DAYS TO PERSONAL REVOLUTION.  I thought I was just picking up a guide to meditation and yoga but I have been surprised how Baptiste mentions Jesus in almost every chapter. Since this book focuses on bodily practices, I think it will be an excellent companion to Taylor's book.  A good start to Lent all around.

-Malady

Keeping Promises

Dear Malady and Purl,

Recently I have found myself in a lot of trouble at home and at work. It's because I haven't kept promises to certain key people in my life.

My not coming through hasn't been intentional at all. In fact, I'm meticulous about writing things down and sorting out their respective priorities later.

Of course, one of my problems is that I have a lot to do. I tend to work slowly and carefully, so I often find my tasks piling up. Another problem I have is giving people false hope by promising to have things done by certain deadlines.

As I fall behind on my tasks, I have a tendency to put off the people who I care the most about and/or have the biggest investment in. I also look for simple efficiencies as I do my work. Often I find clear-headedness in getting ten unimportant tasks done at the expense of one important chore for someone who matters a great deal to me.

As a result, some of the relationships I care most about have suffered. I've lost much of the trust I once had in these people because I haven't come through on things I have promised. Right now, I feel inadequate and inauthentic in those relationships.

If you ask me about my own faith, I'll tell you that I derive much of it from the relationships I have with certain people. The people who I have failed. I'm wondering if you've ever found yourself in a similar situation, and if so, what you did to get yourself on track again. I would be grateful for any suggestions you might have to help me.

Gary

Lenten Challenge?

Dear Gary and Purl--
Guess what came across my desk today?

It's a yoga/meditation book.  Change your life in 40 days.  My doctor tells me I need to get serious about managing my stress.  I always enjoyed yoga but can't seem to find the time to go to class . I'm thinking of checking out this book and trying it out. Week one involves a 20 minute yoga practice.  By Week Six, you should have worked up to a 75 minute yoga practice.  Remember how many days there are in Lent? That's right. 40 days.  I might make this part of my personal Lenten challenge.

-Malady