THREE FOR SEVEN
Welcome to the June issue of ‘Three for Seven’. An interactive column whereby we ask 3 diverse personalities 7 of the same questions. May it be a celebration of our ‘differences’ while showing us in our hearts that we are more alike than we are different. And may we learn to express in gratitude that we are not automatons punched out of the same cookie-cutter existence. Enjoy! And as Sark so lovingly encourages.. ‘Live Juicy!’
This month’s 3 individuals include Leola, “I am 55, soon to be 56 years old. I have been a mother since I was 16 and a grandmother since I was 32, now I am a great-grandmother. I accepted Christ into my heart in a little Pentecostal church when I was 14 years old. In the early days, I served God more out of fear than love, there were so many ‘Don’ts’ and things that were ‘sin’. It seemed I could never attain the goal. It took many years to realize that God loves me just as I am. He’s not so concerned with the outward things I do, as the attitude of my heart; it’s not about the rules, it’s about loving Him. My priorities are to love God, love my family, love people, and love my church and nation. I have worked for the past 12 years for a Christian organization that rehabilitates drug addicts and alcoholics through the power of love, discipline and structure, and Biblical principles. I have seen lives transformed by simple Biblical truths, where other programs failed. I love my job, I love seeing lives changed and families restored. I have a wonderful husband, great kids and grandkids, although we have had our share of struggles. I stand in awe that the God who had the power to speak the worlds into existence desires an intimacy with me; knows my every thought, my every action, yet loves me completely and unconditionally.”
Also Dan, who is a 56 year old software developer, building his own business in health information management systems. He is married to the love of his life for three years now and between them shares eight children and nine grandchildren.
And finally, Angela, who is co-creator of Spirit-Works.net and peaceandcompassion.com. She is a mother of 2 and wife of 1. A former speech pathologist, she is now following her passion for spirituality and encouraging peaceful relations.
Question #1) What is it that excites you to the core… that thing that gets you motivated to get up in the morning… that something that you would do ‘for free’, just because it feels so good and so right… that Passion that lights up your life?
Leola- “Love of life, a freedom to be who I am, to like myself; to know that the God who created the universe cares about the most minute detail of my life and loves me with a far greater love than I can comprehend. Every day is a gift from Him.”
Dan- “What really gets my juices flowing is developing software. It’s like a video game for adults. The challenge is to make a program look like you want it to look and do the things you want it to do. Sometimes this is more difficult because you don’t have knowledge or a full understanding of how to do it, how to write internet server programs, for example. It’s a new learning experience every day and the reward is walking into an office and seeing people using the programs you built from scratch. I used to get up at 4:30 AM to work on a side project. I hardly ever needed an alarm. I was rearin’ to go.”
Angela- “For me, I don’t think there is any one thing. I live and breathe for my children. So being a mother is definitely a passion for me. There are no words to adequately describe how they have changed my life, and yes, I do it every day for free without question. I also enjoy all things philosophical and spiritual, so reviewing these types of books, makes me giddy!!”
Question #2) Is anything in your life driven by fear? If so, what is it? If not, why not?
Leola- “I pondered on this for awhile, because I can’t think of anything that I FEAR. I mean we all have typical fears… loss of a child, being raped, dying a slow, painful, lingering death. But I am not consumed by any of these fears. I have lived a long time (55 years) and have come to trust in the sovereignty of an Almighty God, whose hand is over my life.”
Dan- “I don’t think I’m driven by fear in any way. Fear is such a negative. It consumes energy that could otherwise be used to either resolve what you fear, or make your life better in some way. Worry is pretty much the same thing. I’ve found worry to be a self-generating type of thing. When you worry about something, you’re not taking steps to resolve what you’re worrying about so you worry more. I’ve found that somehow, every miracle I’ve ever needed has come to me. Not necessarily by itself- I’ve always worked hard to make the right things happen, but somehow, I’ve always met the right person, gotten the right job… So I guess I don’t fear, I look forward to the challenge.”
Angela- “Sometimes my perspective can be fear-based when I get frustrated, but I do my best to counteract that reaction into one of faith and love. I do my best to see things through a spiritual perspective, since I believe that is more who I naturally am. I do the best I can to see clearly and that can change from day to day.”
Question #3) What does God, Divinity, or your Spiritual Beliefs mean to you?
Leola- “My life!!!! Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Dan- “ I was raised in a Southern Baptist household. Church at least three times a week and most of the social activity involving the church or the people. I was even the youth pastor for many years. I guess around 16, I began to question some of the dogma and wonder why everyone else was going to Hell. Even though my parents continued, I left the church and have never returned. I don’t know if there is a deity- a higher being. I do know that there is a spirit in all of us that, given reign, brings out our goodness. (Godness?)”
Angela- “Everything. It is why I am here. I am here to spiritually grow and to evolve into a more mature spirit. I am here to learn the true meaning of love and compassion. In my own life, I have stepped outside of the traditional model of religion, and that takes courage in today’s world. Some accept it and others don’t…and it has made me stronger and happier to live my own truth. I would not be who I am in any way, if I wasn’t aware of my own spirituality.”
Question #4) Do you ‘Walk your Talk’?
Leola- “I like to think that I do. I try my very best to love and please God; and love my fellow man. I can say for a surety that I behave un-Christ-like at least once a day and probably many times a day. If I were perfect, I wouldn’t need Jesus.”
Dan- “Yes, I’m true to myself, which is the basis for being true to others. I’ve known a love of total commitment for the three years I’ve been with my wife. And it’s made me not only walk the talk better, but talk the talk on higher levels.”
Angela- “As everyone else, some days I’m stellar in faith and being authentic, and others I do the best I can, which may not be a lot to brag on. But I do feel I am honest with myself and I do not feel it necessary to put on airs for others. What I have learned is to be gentle with myself when I may not measure up. Self criticism just isn’t helpful and I don’t believe it is in God’s plan for us.”
Question #5) Describe for us where you see yourself in 5 years… where are you living, what are you doing, what goals have been met?
Leola- “Living in the general vicinity I am at now. Hopefully working at the same job I am at now. My goal is to love Jesus and be a blessing to others. To make a difference in my small corner of the world, to somehow, every day of my life impact someone in a positive way, even if it’s just a kind word to the clerk at a store.”
Dan- “In five years, I see myself and my wife spending most of our time enjoying each other and our favorite things to do. We live in Florida now and may yet then, but my objective is more tropical, either the Caribbean or Central America. I’d like to try my hand at being a fishing guide or charter captain since I enjoy the sport so much. I’m looking forward to not working on software to the extent I am now, just doing the fun parts. I’ll probably still be dreaming up software when I’m in the nursing home.”
Angela- “I plan on going with the flow of the river of life. I will be where I am supposed to be, doing what I am supposed to be doing. I try not to be rigid in goal setting, because frankly I find it a waste of time. I have such limited thinking compared to Universal intelligence…I have faith in God to place me where I need to be learning the lessons I am supposed to learn. My job is to be aware and willing. I never thought I would be a co-creator of this site, or encouraging new authors to keep spreading positive messages. I know if I follow this intelligence I will be happy and I will be offering help to those who need it.”
Question #6) If everyone has a Spiritual Path, Life Journey, or Purpose in Life… tell me about yours.
Leola- “I believe that from the foundation of the world, God knew each and every one of us by name. He has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us. Sadly, most of us never know what that is. My purpose is to live each day to be the best reflection of God’s glory and power to others…to share His simple message…that God loves us and He sent His son Jesus to die for our sins, that we might be reconciled to Him.”
Dan- “My life journey has led me to my wife. This is not the end of the journey, but where the journey begins. We are truly the ‘soulmates’ that everyone thinks exists. She is beautiful, spiritual, and truly a good person. I’m looking forward to the next leg of the trip.”
Angela- “This is a question I used to actively search for. Would I be a political activist? Am I a spiritual leader? A mother? A therapist? My path is to live my life living in the moment, aware of everybody and everything around me. My path is to live an ordinary life in an extraordinary way. I had to learn that my career was not who I was…the way I live my life is who I am and it is my spiritual journey.
Question #7) If I could hold a mirror to your soul to see the ‘real’ you, the essence of your persona, the truth of who you are…how would you answer yourself in that mirror, when asked, ‘Who Am I ‘?
Leola- “I am the righteousness of God in Christ, I am the apple of His eye, I am because He is.”
Dan- “I would answer, ‘you’re a pretty good guy. You love your wife, you raised two good kids, and you care for your aged mother. When you’re gone, you won’t leave anyone hating you and there’ll be a few that really miss you’.”
Angela- “Great question. I am a spirit born of God and loved by the Universe. Sometimes I forget who I am and I suffer. Then I begin again and each day I learn a little more. I am a seeker. I am a teacher. I am deeply compassionate for humanity. And eventually I will learn that I am courageous. But most of all, I am supported.”
Thank you panel, for heartfelt answers & soul-searching thoughts! May we all be surrounded by Love, Peace & Joy…
Rev Dr Sandra Gaskin