To be completely honest, it used to freak me out also…and I am still hesitant to say the “P” word when talking to people for fear of them misunderstanding me.  Unfortunately, there isn’t a better word that I have found to represent my connection to something outside myself.  It doesn’t have to be God or a higher power or any other predefined (or monopolized term) by any other group currently in existence.

 

Spirituality = Religion?

I always associated spirituality and religion as being synonymous.  I never realized you could be spiritual without being religious. That realization has changed my life forever as I now find myself doing self-talk to someone else and waiting for answers – that is what prayer is for me.  That is how I understand spirituality.  It is simply a structured thought thrown to the universe without expectation of an answer (or at least an immediate answer!).

What’s In A Name?

I have chosen to use God as the name to which I pray – and please note – nothing more.  I could replace the word God with the name Sally if I am so inclined – the results would be the same.  The important takeaway is that the name refers to anything but myself!

It’s Not WHAT You Say

I would also like to note that my prayers aren’t structured.  I don’t have a saying like “God please help me / give me / fix me” that I repeat over and over.  It doesn’t make that type of prayer wrong.  As I said earlier, if I had a better word for prayer I would use it.  My prayers are more of a bulleted list of people, places and things that I would like to put out into the universe.

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My prayers today simply allow me to stop the noise in my mind from consuming my every thought.  I am able to gain clarity of thought.  I am able to properly respond to situations that used to confuse and baffle me.  I am able to practice spirituality without expectation or rules.  And for that I am extremely grateful.