How’s That Cynicism Working for You?
I went to law school. I got not one, but two law degrees – one at Yale. Yippee for me, right? Actually, my entire life since then has been a recovery from legal thinking. Not that I don’t value logic, clarity, causation and an understanding of what it means to think as oppose to entirely emote.
However, I have spent too long amongst cynics and sceptics. Not that I don’t flirt with these energies on occasion. But here’s what I’ve noticed. I am usually cynical and sceptical when my vibration is low. When I’m not focused. When things aren’t going my way. When I allow my ego to be my boss.
I ‘came out’ on social media as a spiritualist – as someone who believes in a higher force, in ‘spirit’ or ‘God’ or whatever name you want to give the mystery. I’ve finally owned that my work is overtly ‘spiritual.’ I risk mockery, not only out there, but in my own family in which my teenagers have said, not so kindly, ‘Mum, we’re just not into all that spiritual shit.’
Spiritual people talk funny. We speak about invisible forces that cannot be measured. We pray -which to the cynic, looks like ‘talking to yourself.’ We don’t know all the answers. We believe in things. Like the power of intention, surrender, service, abundance and other such fluff. We risk being misunderstood as ‘religious.’ Which perhaps some of us are – but I am not.
So here’s my question: where does cynicism and scepticism get you?
Joanne Fedler
Author, writing mentor, retreat leader. I’m an internationally bestselling author of nine books, inspirational speaker and writing mentor. I’ve had books published in just about every genre- fiction, non-fiction, self-help, memoir – by some of the top publishing houses in the world. My books have sold over 650 000 copies and have been translated in a range of languages. Two of my books have been #1 Amazon bestsellers, and at one point the German edition of Secret Mothers’ Business outsold Harry Potter- crazy, right?
Let’s think for a moment about the energies of both of these states: they’re ‘I don’t believe in… (God, magic, homeopathy, fairies, angels, life-after-death, organic food… just pick your favourites.) ‘ And that’s fine – we shouldn’t just ‘believe in stuff,’ but by the same measure, we shouldn’t diss everything too.
Scepticism’s synonyms are doubt, uncertainty, distrust, disbelief. Cynicism’s are pessimism, sarcasm, contempt, suspicion, disparagement, scorn.
Yikes.
I, for one, am completely over those energies in my life. And since I’ve given them up, my heart is light, my work feels meaningful, and as a bonus, many of the ‘dreams’ I had when my ego was my boss, have come to fruition. It’s just that I recognize now, that ‘I’ didn’t make it happen. The mystery did. Maybe even Spirit had a hand in it. Who knows?
Not me. And I bow my head and say ‘thank you.’
Ask the universe for help. Give thanks for the blessings in your life. Stay attuned to the wonder around you.
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Thank you so much-Just what I needed to read!
Welcome, we spiritualist’s need more down to earth messengers such as yourself. My kids used to say similar until they got a little older and discovered their friends where into some aspects of it all and then mum the medium became cool.
Took me years, and some one to teach me the history of the bible, to recognise God and see that religion is man made. I learnt that his intention was for us to see one God, one faith. Jesus said that. I learnt we are here to love him. To find him. He gave us free will, because who can force love? I learnt the Angels aren’t freelancers, just believing in them and not for whom they work, is folly. The Universe? God created that. Planets don’t rule our lives. Planets don’t love us unconditionally. Growing up I thought reading the Bible was hard, from people who wanted me to believe that I needed them to,’ interpret,’ it for me. It’s not hard to read. Read it and don’t misinterpret the words and your mind is blown. When I had breast cancer as a single Mum, I was never scared because I had learnt that love of God which can’t disappear, or be taken away from me, as the love I thought I knew had been.
God is right there, with everyone, he knows your heart and he knows what great things we are all capable of. And that is amazing.
Cynicism and skepticism are often, probably the result of disillusion. And spiritual people also need the gift of discernment. Rubbish and misleading lies can exist in any world or belief system. “Truth” is a whole lot bigger than anything anyone can conceive, and it’s incredibly beautiful. The problem with the cynics and skeptics is that truth has to be “ nothing but….” and their lives are limited as a result. Spiritual wisdom catches glimpses of the “other” but should also see where the esoteric is being hi-jacked to cover a need or a lack. Truth is an integral part of living our lives well, and with an ultimate source of our existence, there are no limits as to what is real (and lawyers and other professionals see reality in its ugliness too, but also in what things might become) and beautiful and fulfilling and in an odd way, secure.
Thanks for reminding us of this. Spirituality is a gift which life and experience gives us the ability to unwrap.
At some point in our lives most of us probably question our beliefs and our spirituality.Our experiences shape us and we arrive at a conclusion that we are most comfortable with.I love that people have their faith,traditions and rituals and I respect and embrace that.For me it is a combination of all sorts of things and I find peace in yoga,meditation and mindfulness.And Karma…I try to live as authentically as possible and as compassionately as I can.People have been through all kinds of heaven and hell and if I can make a positive difference to those around me with a kind word or deed,I feel at peace.As though we are bobbing along a giant ocean with all the up swells and down troughs; and gentle, harmonious ripples in between.