For the past several months while writing this column, I have been trying to offer methods of finding a way to inner peace. I think that it is important, regardless of our path (or feeling that we lack one), to be at peace with ourselves and our surroundings. This serves as part of living authentically. Although many people find their source of salvation by walking into a place of worship or calling upon a higher power, others may feel isolated because of their non-belief in a supreme being or due to not fitting in any particular spiritual "thought pool."
In a world where spirituality is tied so closely with religion, it can be difficult to define oneself as "spiritual," especially if our experiences with organized religion are negative, or if we simply don't believe. Then there's the idea of "faith." The deep belief in something that cannot be proven can be a problem for many of us. By questioning the existence of God or a spiritual world, we have certainly taken on the role of the thinkers of our society. But can we find inner peace?
My answer is yes. I think part of living authentically and "as we are" mean that we have to redefine what has been defined for us for far too long. This includes our place in the universe. It's funny how many women I talk to who identify as "atheists" are some of the most spiritual people I know, but denying a supreme being is a way of rebelling against the status quo of organized religions -- religions whose worship of a father figure whose tough love (i.e., "obey me or burn in hell") leaves a bad taste in their mouths.
Faith does not have to tie into God. Faith can be about believing that we are going to survive a difficult time or that "everything happens for a reason." It can be about feeling better when we listen to a favorite song or read something that helps us get through the day. Faith, simply put, is feeling that the universe is our home, and our presence is not by accident. We belong somewhere. And that's pretty much the basis for organized religion, isn't it?
Feeling that connection to all that is brings a feeling of peace -- a feeling of "I'm okay with who I am." We don't have to find a church or a guru to get there. Sometimes just looking around at the path we're already walking down and noticing something we haven't seen before is all we need.
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Kristie Vullo |
| About the author: |
| Kristie Vullo is a South Florida native and writes poetry, short story, and creative non-fiction that focus on women’s issues and spirituality. Currently, she is co-authoring a novel with her writing partner and long time friend. She has been part of the feminist movement for sixteen years and has studied reiki and various religious paths during her physical existence on earth. Believing that we are here to make a difference, she works at a vocational charter school that recovers young adults who have dropped out of high school and wish to obtain their GEDs and a better future. She lives in Boynton Beach, Florida with her husband, young daughter, and two cats |
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