Mark Wenz, Unity Church of Sun Lakes
For those of you who grew up on classic rock, the Beatles’ “The Long and Winding Road” and the Who’s “Amazing Journey” both look at life symbolically as a road or journey with many stops, roadblocks, mishaps, and obstacles–yet also with wonders, surprises, revelations, and freedom. Isn’t life a lot like that?
I invite each of you to envision a place along your own road, one where you may have felt challenges, heartbreak, elation, confusion, or any other strong emotion. How did that place on your personal journey change you?
When I look back on my own “Amazing Journey,” I feel joy and gratitude because I realize that even the difficult spots on my journey taught me something that helped me evolve. I can only feel gratitude for the lessons that both painful and joyful times have taught me. If it’s true that we’re here at the “Earth School” to learn valuable lessons, isn’t it then a fruitful exercise to return to previous events on our journey and clarify the impact of those lessons?
One personal example involves the many moves my family made when I was a child. By the time I entered the eighth grade, I was attending my sixth different school in six different communities. Each of these moves was difficult as they thrust me into a new and unknown environment. At times I was lonely and missed my old friends.
However, there was an upside to this. I became friendlier, more extroverted, more confident in approaching people I didn’t know and forging bonds with them. These skills eventually served me well when I made new friends, started dating, and chose my profession as a teacher.
My first marriage was difficult. I married too young and for the wrong reasons into a relationship that was inequitable with a partner who, like all of us, had issues and baggage of her own. Those were difficult years, but I had lessons to learn from her and she had lessons to learn from me before we could each move on.
Now that I’m pushing 70, I have learned who I am, what I want, and the kind of person with whom I can share my life joyfully. I live life in peace and with gratitude. When a conflict arises, I find the quiet place inside myself where God resides and ask for guidance. When I listen to my intuition during these times, I almost always find a positive solution. My life’s journey has brought me to a wonderful place, and for that I am eternally blessed
I encourage each of you to ponder your own “Amazing Journey.” You may be astonished by how much the Earth School has taught you!
If you’re looking for an accepting and loving spiritual environment, consider joining us at Unity Church of Sun Lakes in the Arts and Crafts Room at Sun Lakes Country Club on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. All are welcome!