Originally posted in lifeinthespectrum.com.
I am not one to push my faith on anyone. Simply put, it’s not my style. Furthermore, I believe that we are all given a chance to have our own journey and that includes our walks (stumbles / face-splats) of faith.
However I have no reticence about sharing my belief that you do not have to wait for heaven to experience it. My halo has yet to exit the angelic assembly line nor have all those harp lessons paid off to date (probably because I never attended or signed up for any). But I know when I’m in a moment that is so surreal and spectacular that I can sense I beautiful imprint of that moment on my soul.
This can happen when I see something extremely special to me like watching my husband and children walk onto the same little island that I visited as a child and that my father visited when he was young. More often than not, it will happen in the most insignificant and unlikely of times. Being together for a low rent meal. Laughing hysterically during family game day. Being collectively thrilled at watching the raccoons squabble over peanuts outside our window at night.
It’s the smallest of the small stuff, but the magic is immeasurably great. I want to bottle up those feelings so I can access them whenever I forget. And I do forget. Constantly. By the hour kind of constantly. Probably more often than that.
But when I get out of my way and can see the beauty of the moment, I can recognize that it’s there all the time. Clearly I don’t have the full deets on what will happen once I discard this sweet meat suit o’ mine, but I sincerely believe that any version of heaven would have to incorporate these moments of tremendous wonder and feelings of boundless love.
Feel free to plan to take up permanent residence in heaven after you are gone. Just don’t forget to notice the divine perfection that is all around you while you are here, too. You don’t have to live a life of perfection to be able to find the celestial magnificence that fills every corner of our existence. I’m a prime example of utter imperfection in action yet moments of paradise reveal themselves every day nonetheless.
Notice them. Appreciate them. Allow them to remind you if the spectacular soul who you truly are. And if along the way you do happen to find a way to bottle them up, please drop me a line. We could all use a little more Heaven ready and waiting in the wings. 😇🐆
Much love to you.
Jo
Originally posted in lifeinthespectrum.com.
Momentum of Joy 
Aug 14, 2018 @ 06:53:06
Amazing post. So beautiful and true.
Aug 14, 2018 @ 18:32:59
❤️ Thank you darling! ❤️
Aug 14, 2018 @ 08:36:00
Here’s one of my favorite sayings: “The question isn’t whether there’s life after death. The question is, will there be life before death?”
Aug 14, 2018 @ 18:34:17
YES THAT IS IT!!!!! All the way – yes. I’m going to screenshot that comment now. Love love love!!!
Aug 14, 2018 @ 09:23:57
“Clearly I don’t have the full deets on what will happen once I discard this sweet meat suit o’ mine, but I sincerely believe that any version of heaven would have to incorporate these moments of tremendous wonder and feelings of boundless love.” Perhaps the most delightful sentence I’ve read in the past month!
And this message is so timely for me, Jo. Between work, the death of a family member and our impending move, I am up to my a#@% in alligators at the moment, and am definitely having trouble glancing up from the ‘to-do list’ often enough to delight in life’s simple pleasures. But that’s no excuse, and I know it. Thanks for the reminder, and may you be blessed with a heavenly day….
Aug 14, 2018 @ 18:27:53
Please note that my moments of heavenly clarity tend to be sandwiched in between alternate moments of my screaming in a Wal-Mart kinda tone about how my kids and husband better cut that crap out or else! I am with you 100000% love and I’m so sorry that you have been facing so many tough emotional challenges. The irony is that I think that those rough parts are the ones that make the others shine so brightly. Not that I welcome those dark times either. I’m here if you need a shoulder love. Big big hugs to you. Jo
Aug 14, 2018 @ 16:49:44
I am going to start sharing some of your eloquent words of wisdom in our family fellowship time if that’s okay. We have 12, 13 and 15 year olds who could also benefit from your messages. Your blog is always a pleasure to read and such a wonderful resource.
Aug 14, 2018 @ 18:22:13
You are beyond amazing. If anything I write could ever help anyone, I would be over the moon about being able to maybe make a difference in someone’s life. And if you ever find out that one of those kids is struggling with depression, I’m always always always available. Thank you for your tremendous kindness dear friend. ❤️
Aug 14, 2018 @ 17:27:56
This was perfection. Love it!
Aug 14, 2018 @ 18:16:09
❤️ Thank you lovely! ❤️
Aug 15, 2018 @ 17:47:51
Shocking how often you can find something when you actively look for it. 🙂 That being said, those perfect moments that happen when you aren’t looking for them – oh, those get me. Something about a chaotic situation suddenly standing still is pure magic in my eyes.
Aug 15, 2018 @ 19:38:14
That’s when they strike me, too. 🙂