We are spiritual beings living a human life

I have written about this subject before, but for most of us it needs repeating again and again. When we are born again, it means our world is turned upside down.
Most of us are familiar with the idea that we are not human beings having spiritual experiences. Instead, we are spiritual beings having human experiences.
We hear this and even though we may experience a resounding yes in our bodies, we may not take the time to really acknowledge the truth of these statements.
Integrating this idea into how we view ourselves can broaden our sense of who we are and help us appreciate ourselves as brave spirits on an important mission to learn and grow here on Earth. As spiritual beings, we are visitors in this physical realm.
The fact that we came here and lost all memory of what happened to us before we were born is one of the many reasons that it takes so much courage for a soul to incarnate on earth.
This is why spiritual inquiry so often feels like a remembering - because it is. Remembering that we are spiritual beings is part of the work that we are here on earth to do. When we operate from a place of remembering, we tap into the wisdom that our spirit accumulated even before we stepped into this lifetime.
Remembering who we are can give us the patience to persevere when we become overwhelmed or frustrated. It can give us the courage to work through the most daunting challenges and help us trust the ancient wisdom we carry that is offered to us by our intuition. We have chosen to be on earth because there is something we want to learn that can only happen by inhabiting a body. Some of us are here to repay a debt, learn about love, or teach forgiveness. Most of us are here for a combination of reasons, we carry this information in our souls, all we have to do is remember. As you go through your journey, try not to forget how brave you are, being here now. Honor yourself.
On the physical level we have to look for survival methods before we return to the true spiritual plane from which we came.
In our search to define ourselves on Earth, we often look to our job to show us our worth. Society does not judge all professions equally, however, and it is not uncommon for the individuals who hold what others may consider to be ordinary or menial jobs to feel that they themselves are ordinary or menial.
Yet, in truth, many wonderful and wise people throughout history have held what have typically been perceived as ordinary jobs, and this in no way has had any bearing on whether or not they have managed to contribute their skills and talents to the world. Whether you work in business, education, medicine, retail, or another profession, your worth is inherent to who you are and not what you do for a living. A job that you enjoy, lets you meet your needs, and allow you to live in accordance with your values will always be more gratifying than a high-status job that you dislike.
But while experiencing professional satisfaction can be a vital part of being fulfilled by your work, it is important to remember that it is possible to find happiness in any job. This is because what you do is often less important than how you do it.
Your attitude and intention can turn a mediocre job into work that fulfills you because of the way that you approach it. If you do your job well and what you do benefits others, then you are doing work that is making this world a better place. If you are happy in your current line of work and feel that it allows you to be yourself and live authentically while meeting your emotional and physical needs and allowing time for you to enjoy the fruits of your labor, then you have found a job that adds value to your life.
If you are a waitress, then be the best waitress you can, take pride in your work and others will notice your passion. You can contribute your talents and skills to this world while doing any job. It is not the kind of work you do that allows you to be of service. It is you who must choose to be of service through the work that you do.
Just last week, I received my first proof copy of my new novel. I had no idea what the publisher would use to describe me. He chose this as a blurb on the back cover, and I guess it just about sums me up.
“John Wayne Cargile lives in a rural area of Tuscaloosa, Alabama in his dream home with his wife, son and granddaughter. They have three grown children and five grandchildren. The life he lives now is exactly the way he saw his life when he was younger, living out the days in the country and writing novels.”
Remembering what I was meant to do from cradle to grave is what spurs me onward. I must have been a writer in an earlier life.
What else more is there to do, but just to be; love and be loved?

John W. Cargile, Msc.D, D.D. is a licensed pastoral psychology counselor. He is a member of the National Educational Association and Alabama Educational Association. He is the author of a new novel, The Cry of the Cuckoos www.thecryofthecuckoos.com You can contact him at jwcargile@charter.net. All conversations are confidential.