The need for connection and community is primal, as fundamental as the need for air, water, and food.
~ Dean Ornish
I felt a visceral void within me for years. It was growing and becoming more noticeable. Finally, when it became impossible to ignore, I remember weighing my choices and I’m so grateful I chose to go into treatment.
When I became a member of the recovery community, I noticed that the internal void I had experienced for so long began to shrink – literally. I began to feel filled and nurtured by this community and understood that being in community and all that this means was the reason for the beginnings of my transformation. These newly found connections allowed me to realized that I wasn’t living in alignment with my values and disconnection was the result. As I actively participated in my 12-step communities, I discovered that meaningful connection with others was also the path to my innate spirituality and I began to want more. This led me on a search for a spiritually religious community that suited me and, yes, I found them as well.
Spirituality is the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things and is all about seeking a meaningful connection with something bigger than yourself. As I participated in my chosen communities, I discovered my feelings of purposefulness and value returning as I listened, learned, shared and connected with others. I discovered that by being in community, I was practicing self-love as well as love for others. I was realizing that I am a spiritual being living a human life with all of its’ ups and downs.
Discovery is the stage of change where we realize that we’re not alone and that there are others who can help you along the way. It’s that place where you also realize that you can help others, too. The profound exchanges that occur in safe and supportive communities changes the noun, spirituality, into a verb – a beautiful set of actions that literally filled my empty soul.
If you’ve found yourself at this stage, I have a complimentary PDF that will help you identify if you are living a values-based life. Just contact me and I’ll send it your way. This is a wonderful starting point for any life journey. I encourage you to give this self-assessment a try and if you have questions, contact me. I’ll be more than happy to help.
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“Sometimes you have to kind of die inside in order to rise from your own ashes and believe in yourself and love yourself to become a new person.”
~ gerard way
Megan Woodward Moyer 