A Spiritual Awakening

Before I start this post, I should mention that I am not going to affiliate myself nor promote any sort of organized religion.  Due to the nature of many opinions/beliefs, I feel these things should remain private and are not open for debate/discussion on my blog.  I am, however, going to talk about my own experience and definition of a "spiritual awakening."  This posting is about the experience I encountered.

Perspective gives you many windows to view the world around you.  It is especially good for your heart and soul.  On the journey you find yourself figuring out your own set of beliefs, while forming a solid foundation for your identity.  It is in this formation that you realize things you really enjoy doing, and company you really enjoy spending time with.

In my case, it primarily involves listening to/playing music and working with/being in the presence of people.  Last Friday evening, I had the pleasure of hearing the Maryland Symphony Orchestra perform pieces by Haydn, Sibelius, and Elgar.  Out of all of these, Elgar's Cello Concerto stood out the most, especially with the soloist.  It is during these times of hearing  professional musicians that I so fondly remember what it was like to be one myself.  It is also one of these times I am blessed to be involved in this gift of energy, otherwise known as music.  Music cannot be explained, but experienced.  For any of you who have participated as a musician or audience member, you probably know that there is an exchange of energy that goes on.  In this exchange of energy there is music, but there is also the passion from the musicians.  Maybe I am more of an intuitive person or maybe just a mystic.  Either way, I am elated (maybe some kind of transcendentalism) and become overcome with joy during these events.  This is one such instance of a "spiritual awakening" for me.

Another case of a "spiritual awakening" is when I am helping people.  Even though I am just a volunteer ticket-taker or usher, I take pleasure in meeting new people.  I had the pleasure of talking with an older woman about the music of the program, as well as other mundane topics.  Talking with her and others reminded me that there are good people out there.  Humanity isn't totally doomed.  ;)

Music ties humans together.  It is one of the few things that binds us together without speech or action.  It opens our ears so we listen, instead of just hearing what is around us.

Music and people are gifts.  It is up to us to find the good in people, and it is up to us to surround ourselves with things that make us happy.