Summary

The article discusses the author's personal journey with faith, from a secular upbringing to a conscious awakening, emphasizing the importance of personal growth and the redefinition of spiritual concepts.

Abstract

The author reflects on their evolving relationship with faith, initially rejecting religious labels due to family experiences and societal influences. The transformation begins with a life crisis around the age of forty, leading to a reevaluation of beliefs and the embrace of a more personal, intuitive spirituality. The article highlights the significance of self-discovery, the impact of meaningful encounters, and the role of writing and self-help in the author's spiritual awakening. It concludes with the author's gratitude towards the Medium community for contributing to their understanding and expansion of faith, beyond traditional religious connotations.

Opinions

The author initially viewed religious terms like 'God' and 'faith' with skepticism, influenced by negative family experiences with religious institutions.
Despite a comfortable upbringing, the author felt constrained by societal, familial, and traditional expectations, which obscured their true self and spiritual goals.
A significant personal crisis served as a catalyst for the author's spiritual awakening, prompting a period of introspection and growth.
The author's journey involved shedding preconceived labels and definitions, focusing instead on personal feelings and experiences to guide their path.
Writing and engagement with self-help resources played a crucial role in the author's self-discovery and spiritual development.
The Medium platform and its community of writers are acknowledged as instrumental in the author's ongoing exploration of faith, providing support and guidance.
The author expresses a shift in perspective, where once-heavy terms like 'God' and 'faith' are becoming lighter as their awareness expands.
The article conveys a message of gratitude and interconnectedness, recognizing the individual's power to define their spiritual journey and the value of collective support.

PROMPTED WRITING | POETRY

Faith

“We don’t like labels and boxes, right?” 𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘊.

The weight of a word Use it To sail To sink To have the freedom to think To be You Me The sea That tree Or even a buzzing bee

Synchronicity building trust Rainbow of emotions a must Feel each lesson to the core Appreciate the horror and the gore

Never said it would be smooth Discovering your inner groove

Meaning unknown or known Belief that a greater good will be shown

Comfort when you're naked and raw Tears flooding upon the floor Faith in the universal law Gifts strength to get up and open a door

What was the first thought that popped into your mind when you saw the subtitle of this article? — All things faith — Diana C.

This Week’s Prompt: 05.-11.10

All things faith.

medium.com

You got me. Again. Thanks, 𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘊. for this week’s prompt.

Faith. God. Whatever word you use, wasn’t even in my verbal vocabulary two years ago as I started to awaken consciously.

I was christened as a Roman Catholic, but we were not a family that went to church. Stories of religious institutions turning their back on my Nana during her time of need or denying my Grandparents loving relationship tainted the perspective.

My ears remained deaf to anything religious. The use of words like GOD and faith were not often heard within the social circles I grew up in without some scoffing remark. If you can’t see it, it isn’t real-right?!

I was fortunate. Growing up, for the most part, I had an environment with all my basic needs met. I felt supported. I felt loved.

I read. I learned. I lived—all unknowingly within the walls of expectations belonging to society, family and tradition.

The words, feelings, experiences all there. Filters blurring my senses and leaving me deaf, numb and blind to my soul’s goals.

There were glimpses of light, but it dimmed as the years progressed.

“Life is pain” became a driving motto. Grit will get you through. Just keep going. Work harder, do more, be more.

Until BANG! Crash. Slap across the face time.

I was almost forty when my wake up call was served: pain and misguided grief for unmet expectations the trigger for growth.

Each step I have taken since has gifted me clarity as to who I am, how I fit or don’t fit. I didn’t rely on any labels. I didn’t want to be defined. I just felt and moved based on my feelings. Eyes, ears, mind, heart — wide open. Everything became new again.

Writing found me.

Learning about self-help consumed me.

People, words, things — all of them showing up at the exact time I needed them. Taking my hand, guiding me to the next step. And then the next. And the next.

Many of the writers on the Medium platform have been that hand — knowingly or unknowingly. If you are reading this, then it is most likely you own one of the hands. I am eternally grateful to each and every one of you.

Each time, building my faith.

Labels. If I needed to utilise them, have been; — the universe, higher power, source energy. The words God and Faith still felt heavy — they are becoming lighter and lighter as my awareness expands.

The label is only that—a label. The meaning is mine to define. As it is yours.

Thanks for reading

Thanks for being you