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Byline: Justine Michaud For The Register-Guard
It's true. Spirit leads me. I am living in the present moment of now and do what is in front of me to do. It requires living in absolute faith rather than entertaining fear. It is hang-gliding through life and looking at the art of living as a treasure hunt.
I gave up controlling the process of daily life a long time ago. Whatever intelligence is keeping the stars apart and the sun rising daily is better than I am at interweaving the millions of micro-interactions that need to occur for my life to run smoothly and with love.
In 1987, I found myself standing inside a warm hospital shower on a cold winter day, praying to God because I was depressed and desperate. I wanted to know whether I should live or die because I could not continue in the emotional darkness I seemed to be in - walking around like the living dead.
As I stepped out of the shower, I saw that steam had fogged the mirror except for three words: I Love You. I was alone in the bathroom. At least I thought I was.
The divine presence that heard me and wrote that message became like Moses' "burning bush" in my life. It gave me direction. I recovered from the depression (and the drug-induced mania that accompanied it) to find a renewed appreciation for living. I worked hard and I looked deep, praying to find out what my purpose in life was supposed to be.
After a mentor suggested that I write a list of 100 things I was curious about, my life transformed. From that list, I noticed my curiosity about spirituality, sexuality, psychology, sociology, travel, cooking, golf, writing, poetry, health, passion and love. I made a decision to continue my education even though I was 45 years old.
So, in 2000, I went back to graduate school and I am still working on the completion of my doctorate in clinical psychology.
In 2004, after leaving a 24-year relationship, I went to All-Faith's Seminary in New York to become an ordained interfaith minister. We studied all major religions and spiritual traditions, so as ministers we could be the bridge between faiths and cultures.
In 2006, I graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition as a holistic health counselor. Along with my practice of a Japanese energy-healing method called Jin Shin Jyutsu (which means the art of knowing myself), I now felt complete to address the mind, body, spirit and emotions of another.
While at seminary, I met my present business partner. Through listening to Spirit, we were directed to move to Eugene to serve and contribute to the health of this community on all levels.
Once we made the decision to come here, Spirit keeps opening doors and closing others.
Singer/songwriter Lucie Blue Tremblay captures the essence of my life purpose in her song, "It's Got to Be about Love." After all, isn't that why we all came here?
Justine Michaud is an interfaith minister who attends the monthly interfaith services for prayer and reflection. This column is coordinated by Lane Interfaith Alliance, a network of more than 30 religious and spiritual traditions in the Eugene-Springfield area. For more information, visit www.laneinterfaithalliance.org or call 344-5693.
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