The reason “s” is for spiritual when we think about wishing is manifold. First, there is believing in miracles. Second, there is believing in something that is bigger than us. Third, there is trusting in having the resources to thrive in any circumstance.
We’ve been thinking lately about wishes as they pertain to things that might best be categorized as “disasters” - we both live on the east coast of America and it’s hurricane season! It would be next to impossible to think about wishes coming true when one’s house was just flattened by a storm. It would be harder still in the face of a terminal diagnosis or the death of a loved one.
How does a wish practice fit with all that?
This is where the spiritual aspect of wishing comes into play. What we nurture in our wish practice is the powerful human ability to believe, even in the face of disaster, that we can still thrive. And not only the ability to believe, but the reality that good things still come to us, even as we face things we would never say we want.
Because we believe in something greater than our individual selves - a higher power by whatever name - we have a safe harbor in any “storm.” We have something that guides us, comforts us, supports us, and provides for us no matter what. This is what we call “being spiritual.” It isn’t necessary to be “religious” in order to be “spiritual,” although many people find that their religious beliefs and community provide what we are talking about here. For us, it is absolutely unimportant which religious or spiritual practice one follows, as long as it supplies what is needed - guidance, support, comfort, and provision.
We like to talk about life in terms of its various aspects - we have called these aspects “the nine boxes of life,” “the whole life grid,” and “buckets” in other posts. The spiritual aspect of life for us is central to the other aspects like finances, work, education, family, friends, contribution, leisure, and health.
When we first discovered the nine boxes, it was in the context of establishing balance. We were thinking about those occasions when something goes wrong in one aspect of life and, suddenly, all of life seems grim. By reflecting on the other aspects of life, we regain balance, we regain a firm foundation that clarifies the reality that not all of life is bleak. From this, we gain perspective about that one aspect that has not gone according to our highest good, our wishes.
Whenever we hear about adversity, or experience it ourselves, our spiritual beliefs help us continue to breathe, pray, love, and above all, have faith. Our connection to the larger Universal consciousness reminds us of our foundation: the good that has already come to us and will come to us again.
We hope that something in this post has been helpful to you, especially if you are facing adversity right now. Please know that you are in our prayers.
Next week, in our Real Wishes - Real Stories section, Barbara will offer a story she has wanted to write since we began this blog about a baby elephant and a lesson in leaves. Stay tuned!
Until then,
Peace and All Good
Margie and Barbara
The Wish Mavens
Photo Credit
The photo featured in this post was taken by (and is copyrighted by) Margaret A. Herrick.