Although I did not advise him that, in Catholicism, Sacraments are generally reserved for those who are members of that faith and followed the necessary steps to receive them, I did take his philosophy and his doubts to heart.
Faith is the cornerstone of spirituality, of course. But, what do you do if you have no real faith?
Likewise, even if you have perfect faith, aren't you likely to follow the examples of each religions spiritual leaders?
No matter how firm (or lacking) your personal spirituality, serving others--especially those in need--is worthwhile. For some, it affirms their religious beliefs and practices. For others, it is a doorway to greater spiritual awareness. Acts of charity can serve both purposes for many people.
You can start small. Here are a few ideas:
- Clean your house and donate your good reusable items to a charity rather than putting them at the curb. You may do this routinely anyway, but by taking time to realize the service this provides, you may find a greater meaning in your housecleaning.
- Spend just one lunch or dinner hour helping at a local soup kitchen. Call ahead to see what kinds of help they need; it would be silly to wear a three-piece suit if they need a dishwasher or someone to help chop onions.
- Help a Scouting group with a merit badge activity. Consultants are almost always needed. You will do the most good if you approach the Scouting group's Council offices first, and then--with their okay and recommendations--contact an overwhelmed Scout leader to help conduct a Scout meeting.
- Donate time to a service project. Call Habitat for Humanity to find out where they're working, and how you can help for a few hours or a few weekends.
There are many other ways that you can serve others, and feel great in the process. By understanding that you are doing something that can improve the world around you--no matter how small or apparently unimportant that act of service--you are doing something profoundly spiritual.
Go To Page: 1 2
