Spiritual Literacy

Respond to classmates’ posts in 100-150 words:

Post 1) “To be spiritually literate, we need to embrace the world, believing that it is full of meaning which we can discover. But we cannot experience the full wonder, mystery, and healing power of the world if we hold a totally negative image of it.” (Brussat, F., & Brussat, M. A., 1998 pg. 33) This makes me think of the part of this chapter that describes spirituality as an attitude. Wherever we come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual. There is no doubt that our world is chaotic and messy. I have conversations often with people about how we are either living in the past or trying to predict the future. To be present in moments is a task that is often not sought-after enough. This year, we hung six of the most beautiful fuchsia plants on our porch. I learned through YouTube how to care for them and took time each day to snip, prune, feed, water, weed, and clean. This attention to the flowers proved to be therapeutic “in the now” periods of reflection. As I tended, my thoughts moved to the parts of myself that needed to be pruned, sniped, and cleansed. Just like an untilled soil from a plant can become hard and dry, our unnurtured hearts can be rigid and withered. We must plow and prepare the soil to receive the newness. Eliminate anything that hinders growth. This process helped me feel so intimately connected with my Creator. He is the true Potter. The ideas about spirituality have changed for me much this year. What makes us glow?

Last night, I got to dance with my boyfriend at our first wedding after four years of dating. He works 70 hours a week and we struggle to find time. A few slow songs combined with a super cute photo booth session and we were awakened!

Listening to my dog breathing. My heart was cold towards animals for 40 years. (selfish). In May, we got a miniature schnauzer and she stole my heart. Awakened my maternal instincts.

Recently, I started a new job. Laughing with my coworkers is my favorite. It is a fast-paced environment with many tasks. When we can connect for just an instant, we are awakened.

The spiritual is in the now. To be vital, awake, aware, in all areas of our lives, is the task that is never accomplished, but it remains the goal. (pg. 29)

Brussat, F., & Brussat, M. A. (1998). Spiritual literacy: Reading the sacred in everyday life. Touchstone.

Post 2)Reading this book was interesting and had many different sections that caught my attention. It was refreshing and gave perspectives of wisdom from other individuals. It was helpful to read Spiritual Literacy: Reading the Sacred in Everyday Life, it aided in the way that look at life. The word Hope has always been something that had significant meaning to me. Understanding that there is always a brighter side to certain situations that I go through helps to continue my belief in the word. I feel that in life there are going to be struggles that make me stronger with the hope that I will learn from it and make a greater difference in my life.

In the book it mentioned “Everything that is done in the world is done by hope”. “We get up, we give it our finest effort, and then we hope for the best” (Brussat & Brussat, 1998, P. 194). I find it to be meaningful to my life and can relate to this. Each day that I wake up I do give it my all and hope that what I have done makes a difference. The biggest thing is that I hope what I do and the guidance that I give my children will provide a solid foundation for them. Knowing that what I have hoped for and worked towards will let me be at peace. I often find myself getting stuck gazing into certain directions and imagining for what I give my children brings them happiness and that makes me put forth much more effort in everything that I do.

~Reference~

Brussat, F., & Brussat, M. A. (1998). Spiritual literacy: Reading the sacred in everyday life. Touchstone

Post 3)The book nicely described on page 31 how programs of recovery to overcome substance or relationship addictions are roads to spirituality. It is with a recovery program that I finally allowed the positive force of spirituality to potentially help me in my day to day life. Considering the profound, immediate and long-term impact that this experience has had on my life, it naturally is what I can read the world through (Brussat & Brussat, 1998).

Through this experience I learned that spirit does not need to be scientifically proven. Spirit can be found most often through simply having a willingness and an open mind. When my willingness and mind were weak or closed, I was able to find support in the willingness of others. They had learned through their own experiences the benefits of having and recognizing spirit. Therefore, I learned that spirit can be shared.

When I began reading the world for what it taught me about the meaning of life, I gained such a greater perspective on how I am connected to it. Rather than reflecting on moments of my past with regret or guilt, I was able to see how those moments made me who I am. Whether I am facing current difficulties, or I’m thinking ahead to future ones, I can have confidence that I will handle them. I can be hopeful that positive outcomes will occur, lessons will be learned, and meaning will inevitably be found.

The program of recovery gave me the necessary perspective that some answers can not be found, won’t be found, and don’t need to be known. It is more therapeutic to just be accepting of circumstances, relationships, and events than it is to understand them. Although self-knowledge is an asset, it often is not enough to create desired outcomes, or to find inner-peace. Better yet, I learned it was shockingly more satisfying not to try and control outcomes whatsoever. I don’t have control over the changing seasons, the rising sun, nor the waves of the ocean. With that in mind, I consider how I truly do not have the power to control people, places or things, either. Life is 1000 times more manageable when I surrender the will to control such things, and instead accept the world for how it is, or is going to be.

References:

Brussat, F., & Brussat, M. A. (1998). Spiritual literacy: Reading the sacred in everyday life. Touchstone.

Post 4)What I have chosen to read is my change in career fields. I was in the medical field for 9 years. Initially, I wanted to become an RN but unfortunately my resources for college were out of my reach. I then decided to become a Medical Assistant since that was the next best thing that I had access too. I have always had a caring soul and wanted to be able to provide care to those that needed it. Recently, I have decided to switch careers and work towards becoming a Social Worker. Spiritually I thought that being in the medical field as a Medical Assistant was something that fit with me. Being able to provide care to those that are in need, but this was not the case. It ended up not being fulfilling to me.

As I spent years working in the medical field I did not feel that I was putting myself to use in the best way possible. The impact that I wanted to achieve was very limited. Advocating for individuals was what resonated the most with me and making sure individuals voices are being heard. What I learned is that the community that I wanted to reach could not be done with me being a Medical Assistant. Working toward becoming a Social Worker I am able to interact with the community in a better way by providing outreach and connective services to individuals. At times I feel like I want to rush and complete my courses, but I have to stop myself and take it for what it is. Over working myself is not going to be beneficial nor will it provide any type of achievement. It can cause me not to work at my best ability, so I ultimately have to take the degree process for what it is.

Spiritual Literacy

Get 20% Discount on This Paper

Essay Writing Services