The Mirage of Religion

Religion is considered different things by many people. There are those who are devoted believers apply faith and God to every facet of their existence. There are those who although acknowledge the divinity of the universe-creating entity, do not adhere to a strict code of conduct for His sake or in His honor. Some people dismiss God outright and appeal to the secular theories that explain creation of nature. Between each of these classifications there are tribal groups which have varying levels of belief and intensity attached to their personal agendas. Religion is not going to a place of worship, kneeling and paying homage to a martyr, saint, or idol. It's not donating money earned through unscrupulous endeavours in the hope some profit used in God's name will cleanse the guilt. It's not believing when something is at stake and preparing a list of reasons for why He that reigns supreme over all must oblige your requests.

Describing religion is not very easy since it's an unknown entity. There are a series of theories and hypotheses which are the root of every religious debate. There is no guarantee that the edicts of age old scriptures is the appropriate way to live. There is no way of knowing for sure what the outcome of living a pious live entails. No matter which faith we discuss, there are a lot more questions than there are answers.

It's far more productive to explain where religion can be found. Though I do not know what it is, I can tell you that I believe it's found in the oncology department at hospitals. I also think Religion can be found at shelters where homeless, hungry, and abuse victims gather to avoid having to brave another blistering winter night on the streets. Religion can be found in Kindergarten classrooms.

All of these instances and examples of where religion can be found revolve around the premise of humanity. It's through my eyes that I've seen religion within the scope of these locales. Oncology wings are a testament to the brave patients and resourceful medical communities. The patients have to undergo intense, debilitating medical treatment just to perhaps have a chance at beating the cancer. The medical communities have invested billions of dollars in research to develop better treatment and care for patients with cancer. The brilliant minds that have spent countless hours involved with this research has contributed to the advanced level of care we are able to provide these days. The lesson here is that there are times in a person's life when life is not the most important detail. Simply breathing becomes a religious experience. Simply being able to exist and be part of the scenery becomes a good day. The many people involved with the fight against cancer fosters an environment of togetherness and camaraderie. There is a unified vision and collective understanding that improving the quality of life for another human being is paramount.

Shelters across the city serve the needs of the homeless, hungry, and abused. These shelters are where some people go to work everyday. Some people rely on these shelters to keep their families warm, fed, safe or all three. Witnessing how those who live on the lower rungs of our very tall economic ladder is an incredibly humbling experience. There are criminals and unsavory characters amongst the masses which convene at these shelters. There are harmless and innocent bystanders to the economic struggles facing us today also in the group. There amidst a mix of many types of people is a system which is predicated on serving others. The notion that a fellow human being may have to sleep on the street, or be hungry, or need protection from someone else causes enough disturbance that this service is offered. There are people who live to serve others. Regardless of their scruples or lack thereof, they are humans and they need food. No one should be hungry. No one should have to sleep on frozen concrete. People care about one another and try to help others without any expectations. No thanks necessary, just providing a service that will improve other people's lives. Religion is found in the bitter, angry souls that frequent the shelters. It's in the grateful, appreciative hearts savoring every drop of soup as it heads down to their stomachs.

Dealing with kids can be described as a religious experience by some inexperienced parents. Teaching a motley-crew of rugrats their ABC's and 123's while incorporating "sharing-is-caring" and "say please & thank you" lessons is an entirely different category. The kids evolve from their initial fear of being away from home to getting acclimated to their new playpen. Missing Mom evolves into a playtime and fun in a myriad of ways. Teachers demonstrate extreme patience with these children who are no relation to them. They accept a great amount of responsibility and receive very little compensation. Their spirit and enthusiasm contributes greatly to the foundation of these children. There is religion in this unselfish, humanitarian function. Loving and teaching children is a way of making the world a better place.

Religion is something that can only be described when found. Once that moment of discovery passes, the definition of religion fades away. Religion can't be remembered as a memory. It can't be foretold like a fortune. Religion is in every step we take and every breath we breathe. It's found in the eyes of the careless, but remorseful. It's in the tears of a scared, lonely child. Religion is found in the elated shrieks of new parents. Religion is found, and then it's lost and then it's found again. It's the most beautiful mirage because it constantly remains elusive.

Positively Charged

Opposites may attract, but that doesn't mean you want to attract a negative attitude to complement a refreshing outlook on life. A positive disposition is likely going to be the impetus for great accomplishments. I hesitate to believe a champion of any sort charted their pursuit along a pessimistic route. It's incumbent on individuals to see the beauty of their dreams before they set out to achieve them.
Obstacles will appear and how we handle those challenges will not determine our success, but it will gauge our strength. The strength needed to be successful. The many challenges we face in life are going to leave us disappointed at times. We may not be strong enough and we have to continue to move forward. Negativity will only serve to hinder your forward progress. It's key to be able to understand before the journey begins that there will be moments fear and trepidation will be shadows following every step. Accepting this will eliminate the surprise and therefore they can be welcome guests. Though they won't be asked to stay awhile. The hurdles we can leap over heighten our sense of worth, and the ones which cause us to stumble hurt our ego core. It's the hurdles that hurt us that we will benefit from. We will learn a lesson. We know to train harder. We know that we are not where we need to be to be at the level we expect from ourselves.
Lessons are good. Without the lessons in life, we would not have the satisfaction of redemption. Being perfect would just be too boring. The excitement in life is found in the wrinkles. Fun can definitely lead to many wrinkles! It's about the charge that we apply to the socket in our soul. Insert a negative cell and it's going to shock your mind how long it will take to repair the damage. Be consumed with positive thoughts and aspirations, the results will be shatter any image of happiness you may have ever dreamt. The sadness that accompanies disappointment will subside. The hope for a bright future will be restored. It's in the moment that we realize we are born to be happy. Our souls are chasing destiny which has no limits, so do not set any. Positivity is the means by which we survive and thrive. Thrust yourself into it. Allow positivity to manifest itself through your eyes and smile. Let your ears hear the optimism that resonates in the wind. The rain brings with it rainbows. The snow brings with it blankets of heat. It's in the perspective of our mind that our heart is led. Direct it towards a destination marked with an 'X' underneath which lays greatness.

Love is not Enough

The recommended daily allowance of nutritional ingredients helps guide individuals concerned with their health towards a balanced diet. There is no recommended daily allowance for love in a relationship though. It's evident to me that love is not enough, therefore there are many other ingredients which are essential for a balanced relationship.

Among those ingredients is communication. I'm a guy and I would testify under oath that I do not want to know everything on my girl's mind. However, I do want to know enough so I can understand why she's being irrational and moody. Perhaps it's just her hormones, or her way of craving attention. Maybe she's frustrated at the simplest thing but has tortured the thought to death and it's not magnified to 100x beyond reason. Communication would amount to fiber in the diet. Fiber satisfies an appetite, but not the taste buds. It's key for parties in a relationship to understand one another. Making the effort to get to know the other person would in effect enlighten each person about important details. It's not a clinical, rest-on-a-sofa exchange of ideas that equals communication. It's in the simplest question being answered honestly. It's not what you say, but how you say it.

Another essential nutrient for a balanced relationship is spice. No one likes a boring lover. Integrating communication into the bedroom is vital for a passionate love affair to evolve. Relationships tend to transform from exciting adventures to the great beyond with unknown dangers into uneventful kayaking on a quiet, shallow stream. Spice it up but do not overdo it. Too much anything is not good for you. Sprinkle it on and savor the taste. Be one with the experience and do not let the fear of a little fire keep you from feeling the heat.

Love is not enough. You need to talk to your girl and love her. Be good to her and respect her. Be gentle because she's fragile. She's unwilling to show her weaknesses, but accept her as such. She'll be firm and strong in her opinions. But it's her heart that needs to be comforted all the time. There is no recommended daily allowance for this. It's an on-call, full-time, no-limit type of matter. Patience and compassion must shoulder some of the load so love's reach is greater.