The title of this post is a line from Julia Robert’s character in Eat, Pray, Love.  So yes, I am a chick who is obsessed with chick flicks.  And I am a chick who does yoga who likes chick flicks so of course I would like this one, right?  Well my interest in this book and movie goes far deeper than the superficial.  Elizabeth Gilbert’s book spoke to me at a time when I needed hope.  I was desperately seeking someone to co-sign (as we say on the street) my deep longing for adventure, for passion, for love and yes, for a spiritual connection. Gilbert’s book was so widely popular because a lot of people were in the same boat as myself.  My here I am, having claimed my own freedom, and while Gilbert can not be accredited as having done that for me, her book was a part of this journey.

The line in the movie comes when the main character Liz is leaving India where she went to find a spiritual connection.  I have been intrigued with India but haven’t been.  My longing for connection generally comes in the form of old world European countries.  The line resonates with me because it speaks to the idea that spirituality is an inside job not something that a guru or deity can do for you.  I was raised Catholic.  I went to church because that’s what we did.  After high school I stopped attending and have never been a regular member of the church since.   I could share the issues I have with the religion but instead I share with you my gratitude.  I am grateful for having had a faith.  Having been introduced to this at a young age gave me a structure to fill in the blanks and be creative as I developed my own sense of identity.  It may have been more of a challenge to do so if I hadn’t been raised with this structure. I was introduced to the concept of spirituality along my own healing journey and things developed from there.

I believe that a God like presence (and I don’t mean the white man with the beard in the sky, I mean a Universal energy) dwells within everyone it just depends upon whether you choose to develop it, embrace it or not.  Kindness is my religion says the famous quote by the Dali Lama.  This works for me.  I believe in  sharing the energy you would like to receive.  I am not always God like that’s for sure, but I know I am a hell of a lot more at peace when I am.  I tell my clients that spirituality is simply your connection with yourself and your connection to others.  One of my clients told me that she heard someone in a 12 step meeting say that they work spirituality in their life by following this commandment “when I do good, I feel good, when I do bad, I feel bad.”  I love 12 step for it’s simplicity. Nowadays this comes more natural for me. I hold the door open for people most of the time. I let people go in front of me when I’m driving because seriously who cares if it take s a minute longer to get to my destination.  The other day I got to a register at Whole Foods at the same time as another person and it came natural to just let them go.  When I was miserable with my life, there was no way that would have happened.  The God that dwells within me comes out far more often now because I have chosen my own happiness.

So when you are caught in a situation where you could do the kind thing or be right and it’s a struggle…..take a moment to wonder why?  Might you also be caught in a place where you are feeling miserable?  Because letting that person go in front of you may just ease the struggle.  It’s the small things that count….truly.  Small acts of kindness take very little time or money but they are very meaningful.  They are the spice of life that will make others feel good and therefore make you feel even better.  Like energy attracts like.  What you put out you get back and all that jazz is totally true.  Step back and you will see.  People who are cheap are often fearful and miserable.  They may have more money or material things but they are not at peace.  People who rage a lot have toxic relationships in their life.  People who give from an open heart…well they are so much fun to be around. My cup runneth over today so I thought I would share my gratitude and love with you all.  Much love on this beautiful summer morning:)

Cheers!