The importance of a roof

Ok. Ok. I swear this is the last comparison I will be making to that of a house…possibly, maybe. As I sit at my high table, looking out my window into the woods of my back yard (so grateful for our move to the country!), I ponder how to wrap up this entire ‘blueprint and house theme’. I began thinking about the importance of a roof. Silly to some due to how obvious it is, I know….but then I looked up the function of a roof, which is “To provide protection to persons inside of a structure from the elements. This purpose is necessary in every part of the world, as the roof provides shelter against something as basic as bright sunshine; add to that other changes in weather, such as rain, snow, sleet, hail, and high winds (hunker.com). A good roof is just as essential as a safe foundation. As a well designed foundation secures the building against destruction staring at the bottom, simply a good roof affords protection for the building itself and what the building contains and prevents deterioration starting from the top (oreilly.com)”.

Throughout my life, I have always struggled with organized religion. I I was brought up Catholic and the women in my family are unwavering in their faith. During my teenage angst, I began recognizing the hypocrisy in organized religion. I began rebelling. I began drifting. I felt lost. I felt angry. I felt sad. I felt betrayed. I was so confused. All of this lasted for…quite some time. Then I began spiritually searching because I knew a piece of me was missing. I stopped looking at all of the questions I did not know and began looking towards the answers I knew to be true for me…I knew I feel at ease in nature. I knew I feel connected to something bigger when I am connected to others. I knew there are moments that I feel so small in the universe, as well as so big to those people in my life that counted on me (yes…both are true…I won’t get into how paradoxical life is at this moment…). All of these realizations led to me on my spiritual journey…one of quiet contemplation, and sometimes not so quiet contemplation. One of reconnecting with my religion in a very different manner. One of forgiveness of self, others, and the universe. One of connecting with self, others, and the universe.

So…returning to my roof analogy…I have always heard that one’s spiritual belief is their foundation. I have come to find that my spirituality is my roof. My faith protects me from all of the changes in my life. It allows me to move through them with grace (sometimes more gracefully than others…) and ease (again…no such thing as perfection here people!). My faith provides me shelter to weather any storm. It provides me with calm amongst the chaos. it provides me with a sense that I am never fully alone. I am grateful for my journey. I am grateful for my ‘roof’.

To my friends out there who are going through their own spiritual journey, please remember to:

• Keep an open mind
• Be kind to yourself
• Be patient with yourself
• Allow all emotions…without judgement!
• Get and stay curious
• Accept yourself…without judgement!
• Practice self compassion
• And just so I know you really heard me…practice all of this without judgement!

Much love, LJ