What Do You Believe?

I met with an older gentleman the other morning at a nearby coffee shop. He hosts a talk radio program that features local guests to help provide information about available resources and programs. I've been on his show twice to talk about the benefits of life coaching and how this process works.

After my last appearance, he and I were talking about a new project I was about to launch: a book study group based on the work of Napoleon Hill's book Think and Grow Rich. I had just found a workbook that Joel Fotinos and August Gold created when they were conducting their own study group called The Think and Grow Rich Workbook. Thumbing through this workbook, I thought it would be a great framework to begin a new group.

Don and I each ordered our own workbooks and planned to meet and talk about how this could work. We plan to start in a couple of months, which gives us time to invite just the right people, look through the materials ourselves and get the logistics in place.

We are both very excited.

Don had an idea to hold the weekly meetings at a local religious center recently built right next to the college. In the course of our conversation he jumped from the topic of holding our meetings at the Christ Center to the questions, "How do you practice your faith and what church do you go to?"

When people ask me these types of questions, I feel tightness in my chest. The "right" answer should be a strong "I go to such-and-such church." But I don't say that because it's not true. Although I am technically a member of a church, I am not a practicing member. Big difference.

It's hard for me to put my spirituality into words because I'm not sure I even know what I believe. There are times I feel I should know this information so I can pass it on to my kids. But again, I haven't clearly defined it...yet.

I guess the answer would be something like, "I am a very spiritual person who is in tune with God and the Universe through my intuitive voice. I use tarot cards, meditation, channeling, writing and yoga to help me tap into my higher source. I believe we are all expressions of God and the Divine; and as such, we are here to fulfill our own spiritual journeys and serve a Higher Power."

And even though that may sound like metaphysical gobble-de-gook to some, it is the clearest way to express the answer to his questions...MY answers (for now). I believe these beliefs changes and become more focused as I change and grow.

But wouldn't it just be easier to say, "I'm a Lutheran?"