Comforting

I posted a story about a week after Ruth died about the things I had experienced the night of her accident.  If you want to look it up, it’s called Something More.

Near the end of the story, I wrote this.

I don’t believe in heaven, or hell, but honor the beliefs of those who do. I don’t believe there’s one right way and that’s why I have trouble with the concept of organized religion.  I’ll share more about that down the road.

I’m down the road now.

About a year after writing Something More I flew to California to see my California kids.  I met a psychic on the plane, and we talked during the entire flight.  I’ve never spoken to anyone on a plane for that long.

She’d been pronounced clinically dead about twenty years prior, and after that, discovered her powers.  She “saw” things in me that she readily revealed, and she was spot on. I had questions seeking answers and she offered her input. I asked how she explained the fact that we honor so many different religions.

Simply stated, she believes that we’re all linked.  We want a way to connect so we seek like-minded people as we make our journey.  She compared life to a pool of water.  Each ripple in the pool represents a group that travels together. We’re more comfortable if we’re not alone.  

Her interpretation helped me understand the concept of organized religion.  We’re not in a different place but we are taking different paths.

I’ve been reading a book called The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron.  It’s a look at life through a variety of lenses.  My big take away is there’s no right or wrong way to live one’s life.  You simply do the best you can while you’re able.  You make adjustments as necessary and keep moving forward.  Wallowing in your personal misery gets you nowhere.  If you want your life to change you have to do things differently.  It’s about you, not everyone else in your life.

I learned of the book by joining the Singles New Beginnings Group in The Villages.  I’ve written about the group before.  It’s leader, Barbara, and I have spoken about the curves that life throws at us.   She’s studied the Bible, led a church for twenty years and has a look at life that I like in spite of her organized religious background. Although I don’t buy everything she says, I find most of her insights helpful.

I plan to facilitate a Singles New Beginnings Group when I return to Florida.  I’m hopeful that sharing my journey will help others with theirs.  There are a lot of single people seeking a way to move forward from wherever they are.

Writing helps me figure things out.  It helps me clarify my thoughts even when I don’t like them.  Speaking with people making a similar journey helps even more.  We’re not alone. We need to be willing to accept the help that comes our way. I find that comforting.