Some mornings I wake up just feeling my ‘cheerios’. On those mornings I want to enter conversations that matter, that move the mind and touch the heart, and that just might tick someone off enough to comment! This is one of those mornings!
I make no secret of my belief in God. I speak and write often of the importance of understanding one’s spiritual beliefs. More than just a few scientific studies in Positive Psychology and other fields confirm believing in a good and loving ‘God’ or unifying force impacts an individual’s life satisfaction in a positive way. Am I hedging all my language? Yes, you can’t be concrete about an intangible concept. Yet, you can be clear about what you believe. It does not seem to matter if you believe this focus for good is internal or external. What seems to impact your life satisfaction is the contribution to your belief that you are connected and not dealing with life alone. Having your spirit inspired to acknowledge your connection to a system greater or larger than yourself seems to be a component. For me and my work, it is not so much what you believe but your clarity of what you believe is what this is all about.
Asking a client, “What do you believe relative to ‘God’?” is a standard question in my initial work with someone. The answers continually inform my thinking and I am grateful for each contribution. Recently when I asked that question, I was met with a common response. “I use to believe in God until someone I loved deeply died unexpectedly. I could never understand how a good and loving God could have let that happen.”
To my surprise I answered, “Oh, I can. God did not DO that or any other event – great or horrendous — that occurs in your life. God is just present to comfort and guide you as life and life events unfold. In fact, God is always present. We are the ones who journey in and out of the relationship. For me the question is not where is God when something horrible happens, but why do I forget so rapidly that I am always connected to a great source of comfort when I need it most?”. Once again, Professor Gard Jameson’s insightful response to those who state they do not believe in God came to mind, “Oh, tell me about the God you don’t believe in. I bet I don’t believe in him either.”
I am going to go back to eating my cheerios now. Hope I have given you something to think about. Let me know your thoughts. Thank you.
With appreciation,
Andrea T. Goeglein, PhD
Dr. Success™
DrSuccess@ServingSuccess.com
http://www.YouTube.com/user/ServingSuccess
www.facebook.com/DrSuccessPhD
