Spiritual Life

The spiritual world does not have to scare you…

In fact, the spritual world should bring peace when you think about it. If it doesn’t, if it makes you squeamish, then this brief article is for you!

Remember the movie karate kid? I was pretty young when it came out, but I found it very impressive. Still to this day I find myself saying, “wax on…wax off” as I go through mundane tasks. I always wondered why Mr. Miyagi, the karate guru, got the little boy he was training in the art of karate to paint a fence and wax a car. I now believe Mr. Miyagi had too reasons for doing this. First, he wanted the boy to learn patience and slow, mindful deliberate action. But under it all I believe Mr. Miyagi saw value in doing things that helped others. If the boy began learning how to to fasten his skills before becoming humble he could end up being a dangerous weapon. IF he learned to help others, to mindfully get out of his own space first then he would use his gifts for good.

Allow me to expound a little more.

We live in an age where connection is necessary, easily accessible and a part of everyday life. Yet depression, social anxiety and loneliness beat within the core of almost everyone I have come into contact with during counseling and/or casual conversation. If connection is at an all time high, then why is loneliness driving more people then ever to the brink of insanity with addiction, suicide and mental illness?

I have found that the connection was actually there and ready for me. But, it existed as a one way circuit. My social media portrayed a man social, connected, and joyful- but I wasn’t. In fact, I was more distant than ever.

Two things were limiting me. First, I had to rid myself of my own false beliefs. I thought people would hate me for the things I had done. I thought people would think I was disgusting and therefore ridicule and ostracize me. Second, I had to find a reason to connect back with that which was connecting to me. The whole world around me wanted me to come to. My family loved me and wanted that love back. My friends thought I was worth hanging around and they wanted me to give the same thing back. The people who didn't know me needed to know my story- so they might spread the hope.

Before finding true connection with others I had to clear my past

When I came to purpose I found connection, when I found connection the spiritual life found me. What happened is that when I cleared out some of the things that were holding me back I developed a desire to help others. When I started to help others then the spirit life came to me. Don’t try and rush into it. Don’t try and get baptized and look for miracles. Rather, do what Jesus did- remove the plank from your own eye and then go help your brother. Find out ways you are limiting your output to the world. Find the little inside bits that are holding back the drill from functioning correctly. Trust me they are there. Remove this stuff and start giving back to the world. Open yourself to the greatness you have inside and you will become open to miracles and the spiritual life will find you too.

Think small, think humble. One foot in front of the next.

One of my favorite lessons I have learned through triathlon is that big changes come by making a lot of little small changes. Start building muscle with micro movements, yoga, weight training, hiking, walking, biking and short swims, then build fitness by slowly adding volume to those work outs and finally build true endurance with consistency and persistence.

The best you is found when helping others

When I look at the little small things that built my spiritual acceptance it was small things too. I started doing small chores that my wife would have otherwise done. I started making dinner for her. I started calling my mother once a week. I tried to consciously reach out to another alcoholic once a week. These things built my spiritual muscles. I began seeing the fruits of helping other people out. After this, fitness came around and I was able to do these things without much effort and they felt good rather than task-like. Now they are part of my life and I have decided to shape my life around helping other people out.

This is the endurance part, this is when the spiritual life met me head on. I was confronted with the decision. Seek out material wealth or build upon this thing that makes me feel whole and complete from within? Jess and I have had many discussions about this and know now what the right decision is. No amount of gold can be traded for spiritual health. Ultimately, I believe spiritual living comes through consciously, mindfully and deliberately using action and behaviors to help others while seeking to use your gifts to help make the world become a better place. Before doing this I had to recognize my gifts by first taking the plank out of my eyes, just like the good book says.

Mark TurnipseedJune 5, 2019addiction, spirituality, fearComment

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