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| Ways to Refresh Your Beliefs Do you yearn, as I do, for the just-right spiritual path that will give you the meaningful life you desire? Perhaps like so many of us you have “realized that religion too often shrinks, starves, cages, and freezes aliveness rather than fostering it.”(McLaren) You want to live life with aliveness. Introduction: Seeking Aliveness What we all want is pretty simple, really. We want to be alive. To feel alive. Not just to exist but to thrive, to live out loud, walk tall, breathe free. We want to be less lonely, less exhausted, less conflicted or afraid. . .more awake, more grateful, more energized and purposeful. We capture this kind of mindful, overbrimming life in terms like well-being shalom, blessedness, wholeness, harmony, life to the full, and aliveness.The quest for aliveness is the best thing about religion, I think. It’s what we’re hoping for when we pray. It’s why we gather, celebrate, eat, abstain, attend, practice, sing, and contemplate.* * * This post is the first I will write and post on my blog, in a series inspired by McLaren’s book. I hope you will follow along each week as I share my thoughts on this challenging subject. |
I hold a degree from Lamar University in Speech and a Master’s from the University of Texas. I was an educator in regular and special education for twenty years, finishing my professional career as a Braille teacher. I am a Certified Professional Coach with Fowler International Academy.
I married Sam after raising three children as a single mother.
In 2007 I founded SMORE for Women. SMORE is a nonprofit whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, & Empowered. My stories have been published in several Christian books and magazines. My book, Living Learning Loving, Insights and Encouragement on the Path of Motherhood is available for purchase on Amazon.
Gail Cawley Showalter 