What do you believe?

Fair warning: this blog post has nothing to do with running, being healthy, or losing weight. It has something to do with me mentally processing my week.

I was asked this week 'what I believe in?' Let me set the stage: I am scrubbed into surgery (captive!), and we start discussing a documentary I have recently watched called "Unbelievers." Essentially it discusses how science (evolutionary biology and physics) contradict or disprove things such as the Holy Bible. Now, I know walking into this discussion who I am dealing with-and that they have rather strong beliefs in their respective faiths.  I go into all of this with a particularly extensive knowledge of religion. I was raised in a very strict religious household. No sex before marriage, no anything sinful or you're going to hell.  So, I know the mentality of "if you do not follow this religion to a "t" then you're a sinner." And I know the exclusivity that I have experienced thus far in organized religion. And I still want nothing to do with it.

Fast forward to me discussing my belief system: not in a particular religion, but in that of humanity. I believe that helping people is the best form of faith and service that one can have. I believe that being a good person, helping one another, and doing nice things for other people is a sufficient way to live one's life. I believe in the good in humans, and that connecting with other humans it the greatest gift we are given.  No one can say anything to convince me that people like Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela, The Dalai Lama etc are going 'to hell' because they did not follow a certain religion. They embodied kindness and service to others.  And as such, I do not feel like I am lacking in any sense by not following a particular religion. The beauty of any religion, even the lack of, is that we all have a genuine choice how to live our lives. Further, there is great beauty in picking what is applicable to you from multiple religions if you see fit. I believe in such a thing as a supreme power, though I am agnostic enough to say believing and not seeking to name them is enough. I believe in karma, and that paying into the universe yields amazing things. I have seen all these things in action. 

Fast forward again to the end of this conversation when more than one person said "I will pray for you." Because, apparently, I need it. What? I just told you how rich and full my life is by connecting to other humans, serving them, and living kindness (most of the time), and you tell me you're going to pray for me? GAH. Ok, I'm still going to respect you, still going to respect your views and love you all regardless.  I am able to see different sides and be open and accepting to all views. But please, don't feel it necessary to pray for me. 

So, the take away message is this (in my opinion): Love, acceptance and kindness to other people are three of the greatest things we have. Please, please spread these things as often as you can no matter who or what you believe in. The world needs more of that. And Lord (or whomever) knows I will continue to do so.