How These Two Things Will Get To The Next Chapter In Your Life
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| Image via American Eagle. |
Originally Published on readunwritten.com
This weekend I had an eye-opening moment at church*. While it is not uncharacteristic of someone to do so in a religious setting, it is for me. I am extremely spiritual and fascinated by religion, I find it hard to focus in a church setting. Similar to a classroom, it is too routine for me. We start the same way, end the same way, no real variation in the middle, except for the brief ten to fifteen minutes where the priest is allowed to interject his own opinion/views to relate to us listeners (also know as a homily). Most of the time I find spiritual enlightenment when I am praying on my own, but this time the big man upstairs got my attention during the priest’s homily.
As I was zoning out of the “religious classroom”, I began to think of all the other things I could have been doing with this precious hour of my time. There was a Harry Potter marathon I could have been enjoying (because I haven’t seen those 920392 times before). I could have been doing yoga and meditating (more like standing in tree pose and watching Harry Potter). Better yet, I could have been pretending to meditate and take a nap (more like it). And just as I was considering the lengthy beautiful dream that I would be having about Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, Chris Hemsworth (any hunky Chris will do!), our priest caught my attention.
Circumcision. He definitely just said “circumcision” but in what context? I am still in church, right? I have never heard that before in church. Wait, now he just said Uber. This is in no way a homily if he is talking about circumcisions and Uber or circumcisions in an Uber. Damn it, why is everyone laughing? What the hell did I miss?! Delicious Chris put your shirt back on so I can focus! And this is where my enlightening moment begins:
The priest was talking about the birth of Jesus and his circumcision (sorry Jesus, that should not be brought up in your presence ever). He was talking about New Years and being safe by using Uber (impressed he knows what Uber is – you have caught my attention sir! Proceed!) After veering off course like I had done with my daydreams, the priest then began discussing Mary (you know Mary, Virgin Mother of God – She is kind of a big deal), and something we all need to do a little work on:
OUR PATIENCE AND LISTENING SKILLS.
Mary was the model of patience. She was patient with her beliefs, humanity and herself. She didn’t question why she was the chosen one, she didn’t harp on the negativity that Jesus was experiencing, and she patiently waited for what was coming next, trusting her own judgment as well as the path she was on. She was known for her ability to listen (obviously something I could learn from). Everyone came to her with their problems because she was capable of fully listening to them and offering words of wisdom it a way that they would be able to use.
With that, the priest focused on living life as Mary did, listening to what the universe is telling us and focusing on the next big step. Not next week, not next month, just what was next in the present future. We become so unnerved when we look at the world in a big picture that we end up making rash decisions just out of fear of the unknown. If we were to focus on what is right in front of us, life would be a hell of a lot less overwhelming.
This brings me back to my initial eye-opening moment: Listening. Sometimes we keep hearing the answer to our problems, but we aren’t listening. We are too concerned with things like what ridiculous reality show is on television tonight instead of caring about what is going on in the world around us. We are too focused on the future, instead of enjoying the ride to get there. We are too invested in other things that are clouding up our vision to see that what we need is right in front of our eyes; we just need to take a moment to look at it. When you feel like you are lost and not sure which way to go next, have patience and just listen to yourself. Just focus on your next big step.
**This was just a personal experience I had in a Catholic church. I believe in God and that everyone has a right to practice their own religion freely; I will never harp on your religion or try to get you to convert. Your political views are another story.
About The Author
Natural red head (A real life ginger!) Dog Lover. Writer. Music Enthusiast. Book Worm. Harry Potter Nerd. Photographer. Boy Band Lover. Snap Chat Dancer. Pittsburgh Sports Teams Welcomed Only. Straight Up Weird And Proud. Taylor Swift’s Future Best Friend.
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