Thank you, Allison! We seem to be on so many similar paths. My coach said spirituality seems to come up a lot for women in their 40s. When did it start happening for you? Was it around the time you started sobriety?
Yes, for me there was a direct correlation between getting sober and landing back into spirit. It wasn't automatic but my spirituality is THE MOST resounding piece of my recovery that grounds me daily.
Thank you, Patricia! I love how you said this. Yes, its shape and feel is much different than the one I was taught as a child. My mom still practices in the faith I grew up in and I think it has done beautifully for her. I get to find my own path and that's beautiful too.
Spirituality and religion .. an interesting one. When I was growing up, there was no religion taught to me, and around 9 or so I got some spiritual crisis and finally reconciled and proudly tell everyone I am a "free thinker". I can't recall where I got that term from but it feels like a good badge. Then during my teens I was introduced to Christ, and then it slipped away from my life. Then I got acquainted with Buddhism via my then boyfriend. After that it also slipped away. Now I am back full circle, but nowadays I just claim the more sophisticated term - agnostic. But like you say, spirituality can be in any form, and prayer too can be in your own means of communication. Funny, when in real trouble and totally out of my control or my understanding, I used to ask Jesus for help, later I chant the Buddhist chant, now I don't know what I'll do, but isn't it interesting that when stretched to the limit, we human instinctively rely on a power outside of ourselves? :)
Rachel, thank you for sharing your experience! Absolutely, I agree with you. Many of us turn to a higher power, whatever that may be, when we are stretched to the limit. Is that a part of us that makes us human? Seems like we've been doing this in some way or form since our species began, there has been evidence for a long time. Honestly, for a long time I was so jaded by religion I refused to think of it but I always knew somewhere in the back of my mind I couldn't accept that there isn't something greater. I wonder why now... my coach tells me spirituality comes up a lot for women in their 40s. Also again in their 60s!
As I've just turned 40, I have this feeling "many things" will come up in our 40s! It's where we choose to focus, that will determine them. Regardless, it's gonna be a fun decade! I know it! :)
Hey Steph! Wow this hit home so much! It’s interesting how our spirituality shifts over time. And I totally relate to your big feelings about cereal… I take my grains seriously. Also you’ve inspired me to try a voice post. Lol love ya grl ❤️
HAHA! The cereal bit has obviously changed the trajectory of my life forever :) Ooh yes! I like doing voice because it allows me to better edit my writing. I just use the feature already in substack to make it easier.
“Whatever this is, it’s real.” 🔥
Yes!!! Trust it, girl.
And I love how you discern that this is YOU showing up differently to prayer.
I’m in a similar dance with my spirit . I’m just trusting it knows where to take me ✨
I’m so happy to read your essays again 💕
Thank you, Allison! We seem to be on so many similar paths. My coach said spirituality seems to come up a lot for women in their 40s. When did it start happening for you? Was it around the time you started sobriety?
Yes, for me there was a direct correlation between getting sober and landing back into spirit. It wasn't automatic but my spirituality is THE MOST resounding piece of my recovery that grounds me daily.
Beautiful is your journey back to connection to Oneness and the sacredness that is you. 💞🧙♀️🧚♂️🐲🦄 Whatever magical shape it takes is perfect.
Thank you, Patricia! I love how you said this. Yes, its shape and feel is much different than the one I was taught as a child. My mom still practices in the faith I grew up in and I think it has done beautifully for her. I get to find my own path and that's beautiful too.
Spirituality and religion .. an interesting one. When I was growing up, there was no religion taught to me, and around 9 or so I got some spiritual crisis and finally reconciled and proudly tell everyone I am a "free thinker". I can't recall where I got that term from but it feels like a good badge. Then during my teens I was introduced to Christ, and then it slipped away from my life. Then I got acquainted with Buddhism via my then boyfriend. After that it also slipped away. Now I am back full circle, but nowadays I just claim the more sophisticated term - agnostic. But like you say, spirituality can be in any form, and prayer too can be in your own means of communication. Funny, when in real trouble and totally out of my control or my understanding, I used to ask Jesus for help, later I chant the Buddhist chant, now I don't know what I'll do, but isn't it interesting that when stretched to the limit, we human instinctively rely on a power outside of ourselves? :)
Rachel, thank you for sharing your experience! Absolutely, I agree with you. Many of us turn to a higher power, whatever that may be, when we are stretched to the limit. Is that a part of us that makes us human? Seems like we've been doing this in some way or form since our species began, there has been evidence for a long time. Honestly, for a long time I was so jaded by religion I refused to think of it but I always knew somewhere in the back of my mind I couldn't accept that there isn't something greater. I wonder why now... my coach tells me spirituality comes up a lot for women in their 40s. Also again in their 60s!
As I've just turned 40, I have this feeling "many things" will come up in our 40s! It's where we choose to focus, that will determine them. Regardless, it's gonna be a fun decade! I know it! :)
Hey Steph! Wow this hit home so much! It’s interesting how our spirituality shifts over time. And I totally relate to your big feelings about cereal… I take my grains seriously. Also you’ve inspired me to try a voice post. Lol love ya grl ❤️
HAHA! The cereal bit has obviously changed the trajectory of my life forever :) Ooh yes! I like doing voice because it allows me to better edit my writing. I just use the feature already in substack to make it easier.
Thank you for the storytelling and the deep thoughts :-)