MINISTER’S BLOG —
Being Present: I live in the now and divine understanding is active in me.
It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing… ~ Galatians 4:18 (KJV)
The poet Pablo Neruda wrote, “I want to do what spring does with the cherry trees.” There is within each of us a similar passion to burst forth with the expression of life, as the earth itself does in spring. Like Neruda, we want to do what spring does with the cherry trees. We want to push out of the stillness of winter renewed and revitalized with vibrant new life. This desire to live fully and to express our greatest possibilities is generated by our God-given gift of zeal or enthusiasm. Charles Fillmore wrote, “Zeal is the affirmative impulse of existence; its command is, ‘Go forward!’”
I want to go forward in life, not dragging my heels and feeling like it is a chore, but with white-hot passion for the next step. How about you? Are you living with excitement for your life or are you “doing time” each day and waiting for the next life to experience joy?
If your enthusiasm has taken a dive or has flat-lined, it’s time for rejuvenation or resuscitation, whichever fits. In reality, our enthusiasm is always alive and well though it may not seem so. It is an inborn spiritual gift that can never be destroyed or lost, though it can be expressed in varying degrees as everything from white-hot passion for life to feeling barely alive and not caring much about anything.
Our passion for life may feel diminished after a great disappointment or loss, such as the breakdown of a relationship, reductions in financial status, health challenges or the death of a loved one. This is a natural response to loss that we must honor, if we are to be authentic. However, there is also a time when we must invite the return of zeal, if we are to fully live and find new joy. There will never be a better time than right now to do it.
Enthusiasm is the electricity of life. How do you get it? You act enthusiastic. Know and honor what makes you feel alive and vital. Be and do that. Affiliate with ideas, people and circumstances that interest and excite you. Think about what you love — what causes you to lose track of time. Check often with your soul to see if you are living your life or someone else’s. Only you can know what you are truly enthusiastic about being and doing. When you know that, you know your divine purpose. And when you live your divine purpose you are passionate about your life. You can hardly wait to get up each day to start again toward fulfilling your goals.
Steve Maraboli, in his book Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience, advises, “Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.” Let’s do that. It will be exciting to see what we can create. Here’s an affirmation written by Charles Fillmore at age 94 to help you get started: “I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm and spring forth with a mighty faith to do the things that ought to be done by me.”
I am excited about the spirit of renewal that is consistently expressing through our spiritual community. Your enthusiastic participation is helping us do what spring does with the cherry trees so that we are blooming and vibrant with new life.
If you have ideas about how you can more fully express your enthusiasm as part of this movement toward growth and change, please let us know by speaking or writing to a member of your leadership team. Your Board Trustees and I want to know what you are excited about doing, being and creating here at UDB.
I am enthusiastic about YOU and the Good we are creating together.
— Rev. Carmen Zappi