Remembering your Spirit

Do you know who you are, where you came from, and why you are here? Do your thoughts, words, and actions reflect the deeper, more meaningful, spiritual part of you?

Many people suffer for years until they connect to their spiritual side and access information that can free, uplift, and empower them. There are words and thoughts that can heal us which I refer to as the “light.” There are many degrees and variations of this light but just one spark can awaken us. Just one flicker can help us to emerge from the darkness where all suffering occurs to a place of peace and joy.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3

This “light” that is referenced over two hundred times in the Bible is “knowledge.” The New Oxford American Dictionary defines knowledge as “Information acquired by a person through experience or education; certain understanding; awareness gained by the experience of a situation.” This information is available to us if we are open to it. It is that knowledge that can liberate us from our afflictions and bring us closer to the essence of who we truly are, to the very core of our beings.

“Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7

So why do most people continue to suffer when the very knowledge that can heal them is readily available? Why do we torture ourselves when this important information is within an arm’s reach? Mostly, it is because we are so busy tending to the illusions that we have created in our lives. We are so wrapped up in our dramas that we barely have any time for introspection or new learning. It is so easy to forget the bigger picture when we have so many distractions. Family and financial obligations, work, and household chores; there are just too many “more important” things that steal our attention. Fortunately, despite our ignorance to the spiritual side of life, we are blessed with countless opportunities to recognize the light. These “opportunities” or blessings can sometimes come in the form of despair; such as illness, divorce, loss of a loved one, or even loss of a job. No matter what its guise, its purpose is to catalyze our search for deeper meaning and knowledge. So it is from these tragic events that we find understanding, wisdom, and awareness.
From my own place of darkness, I was suffering and desperately needing more understanding. I knew there had to be more to life but my insecurities and ignorance prevented me from exploring. I knew in my gut that with the right information, I could be happier and live a more fulfilled life, and my instincts proved right because eventually when I connected to the light, my life improved drastically. As soon as I began my search for knowledge, everything began to align. My life finally started to make sense to me. The result of this clarity was freedom, and on the heels of this freedom came joy.

You can access the light though many different channels. I found it in books, workshops, and classes. I listened to it from teachers, guides, and counselors. And most importantly, I pulled out the light from within myself through the process of meditation. I also gained wisdom from my many experiences. It seemed that the more I grew, the more the light became available to me. Similar to a growing tree; the taller it grows, the closer it gets to the sun. After years of confusion, I finally remembered why we are here. Our spirits came from a place of all knowing, and we have cut ourselves off from it so that we can learn and grow. Like a seed that needs the darkness to germinate, eventually when our roots are developed, we need the light to advance and expand. Without the light, our growth is hindered, and we begin to weaken and eventually even pass away. That is not to say that all death is the result of a lack of knowledge, but it can be for some. Furthermore, I learned that we all have a tool that is wired into our bodies that can help us to discern the validity of information that comes to us. What is true to one person may be untrue to another, so this infallible instrument assists us in weeding out all of the misleading inaccurate information. This tool is our emotional nervous system, and we all have it. Our emotions are the feeling responses to external stimuli, and they tell us exactly how to behave. So if a thought or word is destructive or uncomfortable, then you will know to disregard it. From my own personal experience, when I have read or heard things that made me feel good, they have advanced me significantly. Whereas, when I read or learned things that were upsetting or worrying, I would feel stifled and suppressed. Therefore, if you have the feeling that something is missing in your life, it is time to begin seeking the light. If you are suffering from illness or pain, feeling anxious, worried, or confused; it is time to connect to the light. If you are feeling jealous, resentful, greedy, impatient, frustrated, lazy, bitter, depressed, or fearful; allow it to be dissolved in the light. The light is what you need to nourish you; it can give you strength and vitality. It can reduce stress, ease your tension, and resolve your grief and conflicts. For every thought and word that torments you, there is an equivalent one that can heal you. You just have to be open to it. Most of us repeatedly think worrisome thoughts again and again until they sicken us. Our own thoughts can overpower us and prevent us from living an incredible life. A good life is not something we have to struggle to achieve. We just have to connect to the right source: the source that created us. Reach for the light and do not give up. Never stop asking and never stop seeking.

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3

Jesus came here over two thousand years ago to remind us that the light exists and taught us how to connect to it. He revealed to us that we can experience heaven on earth. He encouraged us to let our light shine for others as well as ourselves. I have written this book to share my stories with the hope that it will open you up and inspire you. My stories contain the light that I have absorbed as a result of my experiences. Remember, if this feels good to you, it is worth contemplating.