Why are we here? We're all just playing hooky from Heaven for awhile :)

I often fantasize that, if i were a reincarnationist, my story is that I actually had my "last lifetime on earth" awhile back, but i love this place so much that I keep begging to come back.   I'm not personally a reincarnationist, but it's sort of fun to think about. 

Inside of me, I know that nothing but the attachment to more mundane pleasures keeps me from the divine purposes of my life.  This is the Hooky reference - you know -  the Pinnochio thing?  Getting distracted by short-lived worldy gratification - the metephoric "high fructose corn syrup" of life - and neglecting the things that are more meaningful to our spiritual development.  This is what keeps us from becoming the authentic spirit of what's possible.  Each of us knows what these things are - these trappings, and attachments, and addictions - that keep us from doing what we "should" do.

"Should".  What a word, huh?  The dictionary says this word is used to express obligation, or duty - expectations.  Conditionality.  Like Pinocchio, when we invoke "should" we immediately think about how much trouble we're going to get into if we screw up.  This word focuses us outside of ourselves, and actually gives us a cop-out - as if our behavior is subject to a fear of retribution from an outside force.  But in the end, we are kept from asking the most important question of all - how do these decisions I make for priorities in my life effect me?  How do they relate to the goal of fulfilling the wonderful potential of my spirit?  How do these decisions keep me from becoming the "real me", just like Pinnochio looking to become a real boy?

We make decisions every moment about how to prioritize our lives - and EVERYONE looks back at those decisions and has several per day that make them think "why in the hell did i do that?".  Though it's a little cliche to say that life is a series of choices, life is a series of choices.  It is useful to spend enough time reflecting - through prayer, or meditation, or journaling or whatever - to map out our spiritual priorities and at least be aware of those.  A higher prioirty is something that best feeds our spirit, nourishes it and helps it grow, and a lower priority is something that leaves us crashed out  - the sugar crash, or hangover.

Here's the most important thing:  Get rid of the "should"s.  Remember that "should"s keep you focussed externally and not internally.  Focus on your wants, but the deep spiritual wants according to your own priorities.  Remember that the yoga session, or exercise routine, or volunteer gig, or reconnection with a really good friend, or meditation retreat, or bible study are things that you WANT to do - that are honoring the beautiful and wonderful story that is you.  Ask for the help of Jesus, or the Universal Spirit, or Mother Mary, or perhaps even a close friend or other type of spirit guide, to infuse you with the purity of love and give you the strength to access your channel with God.

Here's the next-most important thing:  Accept that unbelievably beautiful and integral human trait of imperfection.  Just love that part of yourself and embrace it.  Laugh about it.  Give yourself a break.  The more you fall prey to fear of failure and self-loathing of judgement, the farther you will be from the loving spirit that will connect you with Spirit and help you to remember what's most important.

Life is a series of choices, and all of them, no matter how far you've strayed, lead us back home to the beauty that is destined for us... Even if sometimes we play hooky from what Heaven had in mind.