Category: Uncategorized

The only explanation of spirituality that makes sense to me comes from Dr. Brene Brown. In her book, The Gifts of Imperfection, Dr. Brown says: “Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are all inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. Practicing spirituality brings a sense of perspective, meaning and purpose to our lives.” And for a long time I felt this was enough of an understanding. That it sufficed. I had just never found this and probably never will but at least I had a definition of what I was missing.

I have heard many people say that everyone has had a teacher make an impact on their lives. I have to admit that my mind had been jumping from memory to memory, trying to find my one teacher, until tonight, when I realized that the teacher who has had the biggest impact on my professional life has been … my mother.

What was it about my newly acquired knowledge of him having experienced unimaginable pain that completely shifted my perception of him as well as the way we interact?

When you grow up with no education around the concept of divinity, but you hear of a God mentioned in certain circles and language expressions, you make your own representation. “Our Father who art in Heaven” must be like … my father. So God became someone to fear. Someone to please. Someone whose whims could never really be anticipated but had to if you wanted to be safe. Someone who struck you when you were wrong – and you prayed for just the thunder and not the beating.

I do not doubt the fact that my actions had turned everyone’s lives upside down BUT that should never have invalidated my value as a human, my right to demand what I want, my right to privacy, my right to quiet, choice and the life I want for myself.

There is a feeling of liberation when you realize that something you have felt for a long time makes sense.