I like Ted Grant’s comment in the above photo and I have to agree that I have (as this new blog site emphasizes) always loved black and white photography. There are nuances that are brought out in a black and white photo, an “essence” that seems to be more something you sense rather than see.

Maybe a spiritual or ethereal nature.

It is safe to say that I am a deeply spiritual person. Yes, much of that has been steeped in Christianity, but I have also studied other religions. Additionally, I consider myself nondenominational. My other endeavors in life have lead me to places where I must be open to others beliefs and only show my “Christianity” through my presence and my actions.

Some who come here this may immediately turn off. However, hear me out before you judge. I think what you will find is while I have a value system I adhere to and a spirituality I embrace there is room in my theology for your views.

I may not sway you, you may not sway me, but we can learn from one another.

Religion is too often used in a divisive way. Spirituality too can be used as a negation of religion. However, there is much to learn one from the other.

Due to my love and study of Martial Arts I was introduced to Zen. There is much to learn in the Christian realms about the value of Zen meditation. Additionally, I am a voracious reader. The nature of my spiritual reading has spanned from Apologetics to Zen (yes, I found an easy A to Z reference, Go Me!).

The spirit is an integral part of who we are. Make no mistake about it, there is a spirit and while it does not require the exercise our minds and bodies need, it can be a fuel source for both.

The spirit can be a small thing or an enormous thing. Thus, as a fuel source it can either add only a small spark or power up what can be an entire city within us.

It may seem odd to use the fuel analogy, but if you have ever been in someone’s presence who needs to plug into you to gain strength you will know what I mean. You will also know what it means to be drained by another’s emotional needs.

Having the spiritual fortitude to be that emotional conduit for others is a great gift. Maintaining your own strength during trying times for others can be challenging but can also be very rewarding. You just have to be aware of your limits. I have seen many exhaust themselves continually recharging others without breaking away to rest and allow that energy to replenish.

The spirit of a strong individual can be a truly inspiring and daunting thing. I have met a few of these people and have been fascinated by their strength and endurance. I, for one, get spiritually drained very quickly and need time alone to recharge.

Today, many view spiritual matters as very grey. For them spirituality, religion or conviction needs to be a very quiet background thing. There is no black and white, there is only grey.

Now, when I talk about black and white when it comes to this topic I am not putting any ones beliefs into a good or bad category. That is not mine to decide. I am using the analogy to emphasize that this “grey” ideology leads to a very anemic sense of the spiritual.

We were not meant to live this way. We have a soul and a spiritual side that should be fostered and helped to grow within us. Furthermore, when we allow it to be a thing that is turned off or on based on who we are with or where we are, then we are not being true to who we really are.

What I believe is that when we are not true to that spiritual side and do not allow it to grow within us, there is an integral part lost. I truly believe this is where so many get to a point in life and decide that they don’t know who they are or get disillusioned with what is ahead of them.

Then you hear, “Is this all there is?”

No, this is not all there is. There are worlds more, an eternity’s worth.

I will endeavor to explore what more there is in these pages.