FAITH IS SO IMPORTANT
I thought long and hard before I tackled this post because it can be a bit or a tender subject for many. It wasn't even on my original list of things to embrace, but the more I thought about it, the more I came to the realization that we all need to embrace having faith in something that makes us better human beings.
SPIRITUAL BELIEFS
For others, it may be faith in something spiritual but not in "God" as such, but in a higher being that inspires them to be the best possible version of themselves. Something that helps explain life's ups and downs and gives a purpose to it all. It brings serenity and acceptance and an opening up of the heart and mind, along with a desire to seek a deeper meaning to our life here on earth.
For others, it may be faith in themselves and their abilities, they may have enough within themselves to not feel the need to look for a greater inspiration. They look for a balance between their ego and their soul to find their reason for being and to develop into the person they envisage themselves becoming.
SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS
I'd like to think that we are all on a journey - not clinging to outward symbols of a religion or a creed. It would be wonderful if we can take the elements of what we have faith in, and use them towards enriching our lives, making us more accepting of others, more giving, more caring, more loving, and more willing to compromise.
So many evil things have been done in the name of faith and religion, I'd like to see us embrace a faith that is positive and affirming, one that seeks the betterment of ourselves and others. I'd love to see unity and harmony and happiness flow from our hearts because we have embraced our faith, learned from it, and shared it with others.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you have a spiritual belief system? Do you think it's important to have something other than yourself to help you lead a full life? Can the world ever get on the same page and choose love rather than adversity?
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Faith was foreign to me for a long time. I think it was because Catholicism was more a cultural thing for me than a religion. And then, all of a sudden, I understood faith and had it.Not traditionally, but in a way that works for me.
ReplyDeleteCarol
http://carolcassara.com/mateus/
I think we all meet God on terms our hearts resonate with Carol and that is quite often outside of mainstream religion - I'm sure he doesn't mind :)
DeleteThis post beautifully expresses how I feel about life. Let's all use our beliefs, whatever they are, to be kind, loving, tolerant and caring.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly Ellen - I don't care what you believe as long as it leads you towards being kinder and more accepting of others :)
DeleteI so wholeheartedly agree with you. We all need faith and that faith can take so many different forms. We do need to make sure our faith and our respect of others causes us to lift others up, not tear others down who don't believe as we do.
ReplyDeleteIt all got turned around somewhere Rosie and I think that's really sad - faith should be about seeking the best of ourselves and others - not fighting with them.
DeleteLeane - I am so glad you wrote this post. It's a shame that we are hesitant in this day and age to share something about our faith because it might offend somebody. I place my faith in God. But whether that is where someone is or not, I applaud those who know there is someone bigger and outside of ourselves that inspires us and moves us to being our best. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the affirmation Cathy - it's often hard to share what we believe in case we offend others but the strange thing is that the offensive people don't worry about that and just barge through!
DeleteSuch a positive rumination Leanne. It is comforting to believe that some'thing' is walking by your side. Something that loves you and doesn't judge. I think we can all walk a life of Faith with a bit more purpose. You've certainly inspired me to try. XXOO
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad Cheryl - I think having a faith in a bigger picture and believing that it's not all about "me" helps a lot when things get a bit rocky.
DeleteHi Leanne, I think faith is so important in our lives and I'm glad that you didn't just focus on 'religious faith'. Everyone needs something in their life to help them through the hard times and rejoice in the good times. My Mum had a great faith in God and it certainly helped her through the 10 years she battled cancer. I'm glad you included Faith in your embrace series.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we can demand that everyone believes exactly what we believe Sue - each person finds their own path and if it's not going to be a faith in God, then I hope it's at least a faith that makes them a nicer and better person when it comes to being kind to themselves and to others.
DeleteHi Leanne thank you for sharing your beautiful post about faith with us at Over the Moon. :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a pleasure Sue x
DeleteGood post - I like the quote that was used - it's not about clinging to a shrine but about embracing the journey and our faith.
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly Bill - it's about faith, not religion!
DeleteI'm glad you included faith in this series, too, Leanne. I really liked your point that your faith in God doesn't mean He change the hard times to rainbows and sunshine, but that He is with you even then. That has been my mainstay many times -- He may not choose to fix it (whatever "it" is), but neither does He leave me to handle things alone. Thanks for another great post!
ReplyDeleteThat's exactly how I feel Wendy - just the knowledge that He is with you through it makes it easier to handle, and looking back you can often see why you needed to go through difficult times (but maybe not so much when you are in the midst of them!)
DeleteDitto to Wendy's comments, and I agree with Bill that the chosen quote was good.
ReplyDeletethanks so much Kathleen - people confuse faith and religion all the time - they are two completely different concepts aren't they?
DeleteWe are one at heart and that's all that matters. Spirituality is a beautiful way to bring us close together when used the right way.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing it.
I agree Debbie - we all need to connect to our spiritual side more and use our heart as much as we use our head!
DeleteI am committed to my faith and religion and it is sad that so much damage has been done by 'religious' people. On the other hand, so much good has also been done and if we can follow the example God set for us, then we can do better. I don't ascribe to spirituality as its own religion because for me, I need to have a clear guidebook and example to follow. I believe it is possible to combine faith and religion and be full of hope and promise, in spite of a broken world and life's challenges. Thank you for the thought provoking post, Leanne.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree Molly - and I like the reminder that a lot of good has been done in the name of religion too. I love the consistency and strength that having faith in God gives me, but I also understand that different things work for different people - I just want everyone striving for peace and giving rather than grabbing.
DeleteBeautifully written. Faith is such an important part of life - no matter what it is. Just understanding that there is something bigger than ourselves or some greater purpose.
ReplyDeleteI really need the idea of something bigger or I don't see why we're here doing all this stuff to ultimately turn to dust and be forgotten.
DeleteWhat a beautiful and important post. Belief (whatever it may be) that inspires you to be the best version of yourself. I want to live in a world where everyone is striving toward that! It starts with us and our sphere of influence and moves outward from there, so we all have a the power to effect change. Well done, Leanne.
ReplyDeleteI agree Lee - if we all strove to make this world a better place - starting in our own home and moving outwards, then we'd elect politicians that supported goodness and generosity and maybe the world would start to improve.
DeleteThis is a nice post. I'm actually an atheist, but I agree with you that many terrible things have been done in the name of organised religion, but that does not mean that they have been done by all people who have faith, many people do a lot of good and take a lot of good from their individual faiths.
ReplyDeleteFunnily enough, I kind of wish I did have faith in a god, because I am not comforted by the belief that there is nothing else beyond this - it terrifies me. But it just doesn't make sense to me. & pretending to believe in something I don't I feel very much would defeat the purpose of faith!
I also think that, even if you don't believe in anything in a religious or spiritual realm, you can still believe in people and believe in yourself. You can still support compassion and morality, and make the here and now better. Let's face it, if here and now is all you believe in, making it better becomes even more important!
It's an interesting conundrum isn't it because faith depends on us believing in something we can't actually prove. I think I hold to the idea of God and a purpose for life because that makes sense in my heart. I totally agree too that if you don't believe in God, you can still hold to all that is good and make the world you live in better because we all want to live in a way that leaves a legacy of good.
DeleteI really hope that somewhere along the way you find God because connecting to Him does answer a lot of those "why are we here doing what we're doing?" questions. xx
Hi Leanne, congratulations! Your post was in my top two picks to feature on Over the Moon. I love the message you have given us. Have a great week!
ReplyDeletethat's wonderful Sue - thanks so much x
DeleteLeanne this is very true too often we do get faith and religion confused. My mom was very religious observing all the traditions and trappings and because of that I had moved away from it all for many years. Now that I have my own kids I try to not repeat her agressive stance (which is kind of ironic because she was the least aggressive person I have ever known) and instead try to make them see it as faith instead of religion. To embrace what they feel comfortable with and not the superficial things. And I hope that one day their faith will give them comfort as it has given me.
ReplyDeleteWhen you think about it, our kitties have faith ... faith that they will be loved, fed, sheltered and taken care of by their hoomans. If only it was so for more kitties, like ours!
ReplyDelete