I Don't Make Scalloped Potatoes For Just Anybody

For me, there is a distinct difference between spirituality and religion.  In fact, I'm a little scared of the latter.  Organized religion just messes everything up.  It's the root of nearly all national conflict and war.  It separates lovers--as it has for centuries.  It even makes it harder to board an airplane.  Sometimes I think the Big Guy/Girl upstairs is just looking down shaking his/her head saying, "Ummm . . . people, that's not what I meant".  I think spirituality is so personal and if everyone just started minding their own business about religion, there may not be a need to organize it any longer--because it would just be within the individual radiating out to others.  (Whoa that was deep . . .)

That is not to say that I don't appreciate a church service every now and then, I just don't think it is necessary.  Anyway, this entry isn't a ploy to change your views . . . just an observation of my own, really.

I had a pretty solid church setting growing up, until about high school and then other things just started being prioritized over Sunday service.  Now, almost 11 years living away from home, I've tried out churches but always feel pressured to attend the "pot luck" dinner following the service or some other gathering.  These are important for a church family, however that's not really what I'm looking for.  I mean, I loved our pot luck dinners at my home church, but I'm really not about to make scalloped potatoes for a bunch of people I don't know.  I'm looking for a connection with the heavens other than praying, singing, and preaching with the distraction of little Tommy crashing his Matchbox cars in the pew ahead of me.

I get this connection, this feeling, when I am driving. This is my church.  I take my car out and just drive with no particular destination in mind.  It is easy to do this in Montana.  There is this stretch of road outside of town where there are hardly any cars and I can just be free.  It relaxes me and I have time to just . . . be.  I crank the tunes and work shit out with a higher power.  Sometimes I sing really loud, or cry a little, or even raise my hand to the sky, revival style. (yes. i really do this.)  It feels so good to get it out, to commune with that higher power.

What makes you feel spiritual and closer to the big blue sky?  Is it a cotton candy colored sunset?  Fly fishing in the solitude of a Fall morning?  Running?  Watching your children sleep?  PS:  It can totally be church too ;-)

Peace & Love,
Nik