A Little Thursday This and That

I've not mentioned this before, but I agreed to be interviewed on the blog You, Me & Religion.  Ironically, my interview will be presented on March 23rd, which just happens to be my birthday.  You can find the interview here:  You, Me & Religion  I've followed this blog for awhile now and have enjoyed reading the interviews of people from all different faiths.  I feel honored to be a part of this.

Speaking of religion, I've also come to a decision.  A few months back I spoke about The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help and the strong feelings I have each time I am near that church, not so much about the church itself, although it certainly is a special place, it is our Our Lady who seems to be beckoning me. So, I have made a plan that, even thought I'm not a Catholic, I plan to attend on Easter...or should I say I hope to attend.  I'm always too tired to do anything on the weekends.

It's my opinion that spirituality knows no boundaries. This is why I chose to become an Interfaith minister. All religions have their good in them as well as well as  tenets I don't believe in. I remember when I was studying for my ordination, I chose to get some extra credit not by writing an essay, but experiencing a religious experience first hand by attending  services at various religious institutions.  I went to a Methodist Church, a storefront Church, a Catholic Church, and a Mosque.

The day I went to the Mosque I was feeling a bit anxious.  After all, I knew I would stick out like a sore thumb, and I wondered if I would be accepted, but I really needn't have worried.  Never had I met such warm and wonderful people. They greeted me as if they had known me forever. I explained that this was my first visit and why I was there. One woman ran to get me a beautiful new scarf to cover my head while another took me to the ladies room and showed me how to cleanse myself for the service. Then, they led me to the upper floor where the women congregated.  I'll never forget the shiver that went down my spine when I heard the call to prayer.  Never had I heard anything so mystical, so magical, so beautiful.  I returned there several more times.  If only we could accept and love each other on a larger order, world peace would finally come.

Before closing, I'd like to share something with you.  It happened on my way to work yesterday.  They say that 'karma is a bitch', and I guess it is.  It may take a lifetime, a number of lifetimes, or even a few minutes, but it always gets you in the end.  So, the train was  fairly crowded yesterday and I stood near the door holding onto pole.  The man sitting on the outer seat saw me and kindly got up to offer me a seat.  Just as I was about to sit, the man who had been sitting next to him scooted over and took the seat right out from under me, almost tripping me.  Now, don't forget, I am on a cane, and the trains are wobbly at best, so, although there was a seat for me, I'd have to let go of the pole and balance myself to get there...so, I ended up standing until we got to the next stop.  The man saw this, but didn't move an inch.  

Needless to say, and to get to the gist of the story, at the next stop I took the seat.  Maybe two minutes after I sat, his MP3 player went on the blink.  I watched as he frantically pushed buttons, but the darned thing wouldn't go on.  "Hmm," I thought.  "Karma really is a bitch."

Thanks for listening to me today. Have a wonderful Thursday.  Remember, the weekend is right around the corner.