  Spiritual
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What do you believe? Did you adopt the faith of your parents, or did you go on a journey to find it? This week's Spiritual Newsletter is about finding your faith.
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How did you first grow into your faith? Was it part of your childhood and upbringing, or did you find it later in life?
For me, it was a bit of both. My grandmother is a Christian, and in my younger years she'd sometimes take me with her to the Salvation Army. Her sister, and her sister's husband attended the Salvation Army as well, though they lived in another part of the country and I'd only see them on holidays. It meant that I was introduced to God and Jesus early on. Even at that age I could see the differences in my grandmother's faith and that of her sister. My gran was rather cheerful and easy-going about it, her sister was more about the fire and brimstone, and the concept of sin.
Like many children, I was always full of questions. I'm certain it must have worn people out at times. Especially when I asked questions like "What's beyond the universe, and what's beyond that, and what's beyond that..." or "Where did God come from, and who made Him?" My great-aunt was not impressed by such questions. My grandmother was honest enough to admit that she didn't have the answer to everything.
Although my primary school was officially a Christian one, in practice the children came from a mixture of faiths. This was celebrated, and infinitely interesting to me. Not only did I learn about different cultures, but also about the various belief systems. Perhaps children tend to be more open about the differences between their beliefs and that of others. Your friends are your friends, and everything about them is as it should be. I've mentioned this before in my Newsletters, but I still think this experience has been of value to me throughout my life.
In high school, one of my best friends was a Muslim. I remember being a bit more consciously aware of the differences between our faiths. For example, we both liked the same boyband, but where I had my room plastered with posters, she was not allowed to do the same. Her father was very much against it, and from what I recall it had to do with false idols. I remember thinking that that was really unfair for my friend, and she should be allowed her Jordan Knight posters, but teenagers generally think a lot in life is unfair. My friend was happy in her faith, however, posters or not.
I think I began my search for what I truly believed in around that time. My mother has only a vague belief in God. Her partner is of the Catholic faith, which is what he had been raised in, but he isn't practicing. So back then, when I still lived at home, that situation didn't provide me with many answers.
There was a lovely, elderly lady who lived in the same appartment block as us. I'd stop by every week, for a cup of tea and a chat. She was a Jehovah's Witness, and very open about her faith. I was fascinated, even though it wasn't for me. I did admire the strength of her faith, and her unwavering knowledge that God was watching over her.
I also spent quite some time with our Maroccan friends in our appartment block. They were a lovely, warm and friendly family. I really enjoyed their company and I think they enjoyed mine. Sometimes the daughters would try to teach me different dances, and they'd burst out laughing because I'd always get them wrong. It was great fun. The family was of the Muslim faith, and again I saw a true beauty in this, but I knew it wasn't for me.
During my time online, I have spent time talking with people from many different backgrounds and faiths, and I feel blessed to have made some wonderful friends. It's taught me that despite the differences between the various faiths, there's beauty and truth in all of them.
I still haven't figured out my own faith. Not exactly. Those who have read my Newsletters over the years know that I've pondered about it for a long time now. I believe in God and that Jesus is the Son of God. I am not quite sure why I believe this - I've never experienced a revelation, nor been filled with the fire of the Holy Spirit that some people mention. It's just a faith that's there, that I cannot explain, nor reason about. Maybe that's how it should be, for me.
And maybe the rest of it doesn't matter. Maybe it's good enough to have the faith that I have, and to simply try to be the best person I can be. After some 20 years of searching I still haven't been fully drawn to a certain religion, as much as I enjoy learning about them. Maybe this is what is right for me.
Still, I am always interested in finding out more. What do you believe? 
kittiara
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The Spiritual Newsletter Team welcomes any and all questions, suggestions, thoughts and feedback, so please don't hesitate to write in .
andiprescott - I read each and every word of this and it rings so true in so many ways. Wonderful thought provoking newsletter.
I also loved your comments to those that wrote in and that poem that Unicornstar wrote is beautiful!
 Andi
Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the newsletter, and I am sure Unicornstar will be happy you enjoyed her poem as well!
I appreciate you writing in, thank you. You gave me a smile, and those are always welcome .
~~~
THANKFUL SONALI Library Class!  - Thanks for this NL! I'm lucky -- with supportive parents, I've done a whole round of careers, from Chartered Accountant to Advertising Copywriter to School Librarian to where I am now -- Educational Resource Person. It's not easy to explain to people why I gave up a steady paycheck to go into the uncertain world of freelance teaching (which is a tough concept to grasp!) but hey -- I'm so happy!
I'm really glad you spoke about this issue, and I hope readers who dislike their current careers will get thinking!
Thanks,
Sonali
Thanks so much for your feedback, Sonali! I truly admire your courage and strength. I'm glad that you decided to take that step further, and that you've found happiness in doing so! Your example just goes to show that sometimes it's good to take that bit of risk, to go for what you really want to. Life's too short to be left wondering about what could have been. Thanks for sharing your experiences
~~~
Zeke  - Once you are over the hill, your speed picks up dramatically. Thanks to God's guidance, I have found that writing for my own enjoyment is a great addition to my life, after forty years in the business world. Thanks for the great thought.
Zeke
Thank you for your feedback . I'm glad you're finding joy in your writing. I can imagine that the business world is a tough one, going at such a fast pace. I can understand it's a good thing to be doing something different than that, more focussed on what is within .
~~~
monty31802 - Great newsletter, enjoyed the points made and the
the picks.
Monty
Thanks so much, Monty . I'm glad you enjoyed the newsletter.
~~~
Elaine's Beary Limited*~  - I don't really have anything I want to highlight right now but I would like to say that since I've been on WDC I have felt so much better because I was actually doing something I enjoyed and am working toward something thats good for me.
I'm so happy to hear that. I felt the same way when I joined this site. At first I was really nervous, and insecure about my writing. I wasn't certain that it was for me. As time passed, with the help of reviews and the support of other writers, I began to feel that maybe I do have some tiny talent in this field. That made me happy.
I won't ever be a J.K. Rowling or Anne Rice, but so long as there are people who enjoy my work, so long as I can make them smile, or laugh, or stir any type of emotion, well, that makes it all worthwhile.
I hope you're finding the same happiness in your writing . And who knows, I might be writing this note to an upcoming bestselling author...
~~~
weeowl flying free! - Amazing newsletter! I recently got back from an awakening conference...TAKE THE RISK! You don't choose what you're gifted at, it chooses you. Trust the Universe will see it through! HUGS! Weeowl
Thanks for the enthusiastic feedback! I couldn't agree more .
~~~
Wishing you a week filled with inspiration,
The Spiritual Newsletter Team:
SophyBells  , larryp, kittiara
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Spiritual: April 01, 2009 Issue [#2982]
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