Grateful Dad #29: Spiritual Enrichment
One of the greatest lessons that I realized lately is that we need spiritual enrichment to complete us, so to speak. I’m grateful for that realization and I hope to gain the strength to sustain my momentum. You see, the past few months have been really challenging for me. I thought that I could rely on my own will to keep me going but that is not so. In the end, I recognized that aside from physical health, we should also take care of our spiritual health.
Grateful Dad #29: Spiritual Enrichment
I was educated in a Catholic school but I never really grew up to be religious. However, I consider myself to be deeply spiritual. I never really subscribed to the idea of following a ritual to express my spirituality although I used to go to Church in UP Diliman during my college years (Parish of the Holy Sacrifice Church) if I felt that I needed to get upliftment. I didn’t attend Mass though; I’ve never really liked being in a crowd, even if it’s a solemn ceremony. Plus, again, I find it more sincere when I pray alone.
When I got married, I attended Mass regularly but that was because I was with Mommy Khris. I had a companion in a crowded space so I was fine with it. However, because of the pandemic, we were unable to attend Mass anymore. I was still praying so I didn’t see the need to attend Mass anymore, even if there were online celebrations available. I got complacent and it never occurred to me that it wasn’t okay to take spirituality for granted.
Anyway, with the many stumbling blocks that I had to overcome in the last few months, images of being in prayer kept flashing in my mind. I guess it was a way to tell me that I should give time to spiritual enrichment.
Then, about a month ago, a friend invited me to attend a service. I appreciated it and quite enjoyed one hour of music and prayers. That encouraged me to hear Mass again, which I did during the Sunday that followed after that service. Suffice it to say that I found peace and encouragement once again.
I don’t mean this post to be a religious article but I just want to say that if you are feeling down and discouraged, you can try to focus on spiritual enrichment to give you renewed vigor. It need not be a formal service or Mass, you can also pray on your own if you are more comfortable with it.
But do try to make your prayer solemn and personal, you’d find that it can help you lift the burden off your chest and shoulders. In the end, God (Supreme Being) is there to listen to our prayers and He knows exactly what we need. All we have to do is ask.
On another note, I just want to list down the things that I’m grateful for this week:
Getting a job offer from a company that I like. I accepted it, of course.
Miguel’s continued progress. His teacher told me that he is beginning to socialize with his classmates unlike before when he would just sit on his chair. He is almost six months into this occupational therapy class.
The continued freelance job assignments. It has sustained me financially during the months that I don’t have a full-time job.
The brands that continue to trust me for their campaigns.
Learning from Rafa. I’m not perfect and I still lose my patience but I try my best to learn from my slip-ups.
The gift of health. I’m thankful because my loved ones are all healthy.
How about you, what are you grateful for? Feel free to share them in the comment section below.