Spirituality and Wellness

 'Lent is a time to renew wherever we are in that process that I call the divine therapy. It's a time to look what our instinctual needs are, look at what the dynamics of our unconscious are.'                                                            - Thomas Keating

Truth is, I haven't always been spiritual. I have always been Catholic, but not always spiritual. I went to a Catholic School, didn't always enjoy mass, didn't always GO to mass, and haven't been that model Christian that would soar past the Pearly Gates and be welcomed with a red carpet by St. Peter.

Perhaps it was because I was young and didn't much think about it. Somewhere, however, it was lying dormant inside of me. As I was climbing the corporate ladder as fast as I could, I was so sure I was in charge of my destiny that I put more faith in me than Him. I travelled around the country doing what I needed to do to be promoted.

In Ann Arbor, MI one day, my world would change. I received a call from my sister saying that Jack (someone I will forever refer to as my brother - more in spirit than in blood,) was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer at 38 years old. He was given less than 6 months to live.

I had amassed a wonderful collection of close friends in Ann Arbor, but at that moment I needed God. I drove to St. Thomas' and knocked on every door that afternoon. I walked around the entire block looking for a sign of life to let me in. I needed to talk to God at that moment. I sat on the steps of the church in tears. No one saw me. 

Had God turned his back on me as I had Him these past years? Why wasn't He there when I needed Him? 

I had just assumed He would be.

Perhaps He was. That weekend I went to church. I prayed that my sister who was in a horrible relationship would find a reason to really stay away from him this time. I prayed I would be able to transfer home before Jack passed. I prayed that my sister would find someone wonderful to help her through her grief. I prayed that Jack would find peace.

God answered every prayer that day.

10 years later, He has answered it again. When I was lost and feeling as though I needed to be able to find my way to give, He put it in my lap. He pretty much knocked me over with it, actually. The day I decided I would share everything I learned from Corporate America to help Small Businesses, He presented EVERY thing and person to me within a 5 day period.

Truthfully, I didn't realize it at the moment. At our first Board of Directors meeting I started to realize it. As we were busy building our team, I realized He put every person ( a very well-rounded, genuine, talented, faith-filled, altruistic, brilliant collection of leaders) in front of me within the period of 5 days. He also put the tools in front of me in a similar way. Months and months of planning, and when I looked back, every critical piece of my business was collected in the same 5 day period.

Miraculous.

Perhaps this feels or sounds over the top for some of you? That's OK. Spirituality comes in all shapes and forms. The challenge is to find yours. It can feel selfish, fulfilling, and moving when you do. Whether you practice Buddhism, Catholicism or Judaism... taking that time to find Someone higher than right here can bring you great peace.

What I do know, is when you act every day in God's spirit by doing what's best for those around you, you are rewarded beyond your imagination in more ways than you can imagine. We live that belief at Small Business CT and we're rewarded by it every day.

Whether this blog fuels your desire to quit smoking or to investigate your spirituality, I hope it finds you well. Peace.

                                   Posted by Colleen Ferrary, Small Business Connecticut