The following is a take on “12 Symptoms of a Spiritual Awakening”, author unknown.
1. A tendency to let things happen rather than force solutions or impose harmony. ASSIGNMENT: Say what you mean, mean what you say, but don’t say it mean. Why? Because truth without compassion is cruelty.
2. Frequent spells of smiling. ASSIGNMENT: Decide to do something childlike (not to be confused with childish). Skip down the sidewalk. Giggle gleefully! Remember, it’s not illegal to be crazy. It’s only illegal to act crazy. Walking the balancing beam between crazy & illegal can be fun!
3. Feelings of being connected with others and nature. ASSIGNMENT: Maybe grab a friend and head down to Minnehaha for a walk in the park.
4. Frequent overwhelming episodes of gratitude. If you don’t tell at least three people a day that you love them, you’ve probably wasted a day of your life. ASSIGNMENT: Tell at least three people (pets and plants count, too) that you love them!
5. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experiences. ASSIGNMENT: Imagine standing between two mirrors. The mirror on your left represents the past, the one on your right, the future. If you want to change your perception of the past, shift your angle of perception NOW. Everything changes!
6. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment. ASSIGNMENT: Look for the good and you’ll find it.
7. A loss of ability to worry. ASSIGNMENT: Don’t worry. Be happy. Why? As the proverb goes, ‘ If you’re going to worry, why pray? If you’re going to pray, why worry?’ “The door to hell is opened only from the inside.” CS Lewis
8. A loss of interest in conflict. ASSIGNMENT: Forgive not because someone deserves forgiveness, but because you deserve peace. “Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you. It would be as rational to knock yourself on the head because you from yourself ten years ago.” Horace Mann
9. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others. ASSIGNMENT: Make your own assignment.
10. A loss of interest in judging others (related to the preceding). ASSIGNMENT: Although the world seems to be addicted to judgment, don’t get into a pissing contest with a skunk over it! Remember that when you point your finger at someone, you have three fingers pointing back at you. “Judging others is easy because it distracts us from the responsibility of judging ourselves.” Charles F. Glassman
11. A loss of interest in judging self. ASSIGNMENT: Give yourself a break. Why? “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” ee cummings
12. Gaining the ability to love without expecting anything in return. ASSIGNMENT: Read the poem “The More Loving One”, a poem by WH Auden. Consider it a gift to your Higher Self.