So how do I do this? Well, I need to make sure to focus on my spiritual practices during my busy year, using them to keep my life healthy as they have in the past. In addition, I’m going to look to incorporate more theological thought to some of these practices, enriching my life in a religious way as well.
What are these practices, and how might I use them?
1. Stay connected to my family. My family has always played an important role in my life, whether near or far. Staying connected to my family keeps me grounded in my roots in life, and provides an excellent level of support that I cannot get anywhere else.
2. I listen to music. Music has always been an influence in my life, starting from an early age. While I always look for a sound to groove to, I have more recently been finding meaning in songs I hadn’t thought would be meaningful before. As I move forward through seminary, I look forward to finding meaning in new music and old alike to grow for myself and share that meaning with others.
3. I follow sports. Sporting events have been a defining part of my life since an early age, instilled in me from both of my parents. As I write this I am listening to a San Francisco Giants baseball game, but I also follow the San Jose Sharks, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In every instance, I have someone I can consort with to create a sense of community, and sometimes that might be strangers. There is joy and pain in sports like there is joy and pain in life, and well all celebrate or commiserate with each other in sports as we should in every other aspect of life, so I cannot think of a better example of camaraderie to follow.
4. I write. Sometimes I write papers, sometimes I write poetry, and sometimes I write free form. Each time I write I’m given a chance to express myself in a way that I might not be able to do orally. Sometimes it may not be in the most interesting way I find, as in writing papers for school, but that will help grow my knowledge. Poetry and free form allow me to have a cathartic release of what I am thinking and feeling so that I might go forth aware of my inner self.
5. I cook for others. Many of my efforts are individual in some sense and communal in another. This is another great example of this, for in my individual efforts I find figurative and literal sustenance for myself and others around me.
6. I listen to nature. This may not be a practice I pay attention to as much as I should, but it important to me all the same. This is the spiritual blessing that has always stayed with me, and shown me the way. I observe what the world is telling me, and react accordingly. Sometimes it may be as small as a bird at the window, or sometimes it might be in a more majestic location, like the ocean or the woods. But nature is always there, and always will nurture me.
These are the things that keep me going. You may notice that there isn’t a real “church” event or some sort of religious experience. That doesn’t mean I don’t have one to add, but more it means I just haven’t found the right one to add yet. I am still trying to find the right church for me, and I will continue that search throughout the semester and year. And yet, a great option may be right here on campus: Tuesday morning chapel. The more I experience it, the more I would like to get involved in that. Alas, the planning sessions are Monday during our marathon classes. However, there’s always next semester.
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