The Journey of Life

I'd say most of the last ten years of my life, in some form or fashion, I have been on a spiritual journey - more so in the last year and a half. Even more recently, I have been able to learn of others that have shared their own journeys in a variety of mediums. None of us share the same origin and not many necessarily envision the same destination, but yet along the way, we do cross paths with others in their journeys. I call it a journey rather than say a trip, because it is more a progression and doesn't really have a return. Whether your journey is one of a spiritual nature, a social (for some cause), or otherwise, I do enjoy meeting, sharing and listening to others - where they have come from and where they are going. Obviously, I get to share more time with some than with others, but that often allows me more time to understand and learn more from a particular person. I will say for the sake of clarity that I am on a spiritual journey, not a religious one and there is a clear and profound difference in my mind.
I am thankful for everyone that has shaped the road of my life and contributed to my further understanding of life and my greater purpose in it. I read a rather interesting article today by a man that started out one day just walking and walked for about 2 1/2 years - kind of like Forrest Gump and his running, to exhaust his own study on life and living. It is a rather unique tale but one that I found very easy to relate to and by reading of his journey, I was able to gain a new perspective on several key things in my own life. The one easiest to point out was his perspective on fear. Fear of any kind makes the body burn more energy and ultimately makes us more hungry than when we are at peace with ourselves and our lives. I know this may sound pretty far fetched but I could immediately relate to the truth in what he was saying from his experience, but that is a topic for another day.
I have begun a new leg of my journey and am amazed that in spite of my lack of financial security and what seems like countless instability in hanging on to a literally shattered life, I have never had such quantity of peace as I do today. Certainly life is no bowl of peaches, but I do all that I can, with all that I have with each new day and find that the things that I can not control, I have no need to fear. No Fear - Know Peace, in short.
So for now, I am beginning a new book and after just a few short chapters, I find so much encouragement from hearing the old classic story in the freshest and most unexpected fashion of words. It has helped me loosen my grip on some fears that have held me back or worn me down needlessly and I look forward to finding even more freedom to just be me. The growing hope that in some big or small way I can be the encouragement that brings a smile to another person or the instrument that leaves a mark of beauty for others that one day pass by where I have been to press on in their own journey and not give in to fear and discouragement.
Life with all of its ups and downs is a very wonderful thing, something I took for granted for too long. Something I am so greatful to still have. That is the essence of Spiritz Yall, kind of like happy hour for me to share my spiritual journey and hopefully hear from others as they travel theirs. That by sharing, we may all be stronger.
Peace, until the journey is done!