Faith

I awoke this Easter morning to the early sun streaming through the window. For a split second I was sad as I realized I’d missed sunrise. I remember fondly the once-a-year mornings when my parents would wake my sisters and me and hustle us off to a designated field — often chilly, mist-shrouded, and dew-covered — for Easter Sunrise service.

We always went home afterwards and spent some time getting all “cleaned up” for the traditional service. We would don new dresses and shiny shoes. For Easter, a hat and little white gloves were de rigueur.

I laid in bed this morning and thought about my faith. I haven’t been to church in a long time, but my faith is strong. I pray regularly, albeit not traditionally. The Sunday School teachings of my youth linger in my memory, but lessons learned since childhood have altered my views considerably. 

I believe that all the world’s religions have similar, nearly identical even, basic tenets: Treat others as you want to be treated being the fundamental cornerstone.

I have come to realize that God, as an entity, is renamed time and time again as Allah, Buddha, even Zeus. Yes … even Zeus. If you think about it, the ancient Greeks praying to Athena for wisdom or Poseidon for calm seas is strikingly similar to Catholics praying to the saints for help and guidance. 

I believe in helping others. I believe in spreading joy and encouraging gratitude. I believe the Bible’s teachings are contradictory and hard to interpret. Take for instance the dichotomy of “turn the other cheek” vs “an eye for an eye.” Which you apply to any situation is a matter of where your heart is. I believe walking away from conflict doesn’t make you weak. More often than not, it brings you peace. I also believe there are times when walking away is untenable. In those instances you fight for what is right and accept the consequences. 

The overwhelming commercialization of Easter (and Christmas for that matter) brings those religious beliefs to the forefront of my mind today and encourages me to share love, to remember that inner peace is a blessing that is difficult to find and a valuable gift to treasure once it is secured. 

I eschew things that cause me strife. I seek those that strengthen my serenity. I believe others’ opinions of me are more a reflection of their mindset than mine. I trust in my heart and try very hard to do what I believe is right and just. 

There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. Believe in it.