Following the Spiritual Soul
     Finding the spiritual in our everyday lives...
                 
- ABOUT MY COLUMN -

I had the opportunity to write a weekly column for a small South Carolina newspaper for about a
year.   When Julie Belchner, the editor of Oconee Today (a Scripps Howard Publication) gave me
the opportunity to write, Following the Spiritual Soul, I was thrilled.  It was the opportunity that I
had hoped and prayed for.  
At first I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough to write about.  However, that was never a
problem.  I was amazed each time as I sat down to write my weekly column that the words just
seemed to flow, the words come from my heart and soul, and there were times that I felt that
the words were given to me to help me to fully understand the complex and elusive subject of
spirit in my life and the lives of all of us.  Sadly, Scripps stopped the publication of  Oconee Today.  
But, it didn't take long before I was able to write for two online publications.  I know in my heart
that writing that column is what I was meant to do and that my voice was meant to be heard
once again.  My heart has been filled with joy, hope, and love!
Following The Spiritual Soul
Can be found at:
Celebrating the Success of the Modern Woman
Esteem Yourself













                                Photo by Brooke L. Ezop

Following the Spiritual Soul
by
Paula M. Ezop


Spiritual Success

  It seems like spirit is trying to tell me something, because the word “success” just
seems to keep popping into my world. Ever since I found out that the theme for
Esteem Yourself this month was “March Into Success” – I’ve seen that word
everywhere, in promotional emails, in inspirational quotes, and in titles of magazines.
I found myself mumbling to myself, “There’s that word ‘success’ again.” Originally I
planned on writing about how we are almost three months into the year, and I thought
that I would focus my writing on where we are with our New Year’s Resolutions. You
know have we been successful in reaching our goals. Hmmm…are our resolutions a
part of our so called, “success?” Why does spirit keep showing that word to me,
drawing my attention to it?
  Perhaps it is because I am so focused, so intent, on succeeding with my writing,
making my mark, becoming a well known published author. No, maybe spirit is trying
to tell me that my writing is already a success, after all I have come a long way, and I
have accomplished many of my goals. But, then again, maybe spirit is telling me that
success is measured in other ways. Maybe success isn’t what we do, or what we have,
but who we are, and who we have touched on our life’s journey. And, most importantly
how we show, “love” to all those we meet. Whether our meeting is but a brief smile to
someone we don’t know, or whether it is the love that we just exude everyday, every
moment of our lives. Maybe that’s what success is all about.
  Spirit succeeded (no pun intended) in getting my attention, and I think I’ve got it.
Success and love walk hand in hand. Success in life is becoming a loving and caring
person. Success in life isn’t measured by what we do, or what we have. Success is who
we are inside. Success is how we touch everyone in this world. Wow! We are all
extremely successful! And, if we concentrate more on exuding love every day for the
rest of our lives, and if we grow that love, then we will have succeeded… I can hear a
soft whisper saying, “Yes, now you understand…”
  This doesn’t mean that our goals and dreams aren’t something that we should strive
for. This doesn’t mean that we can’t be successful in our careers, or that we can’t seek
fame and fortune. No, what it means is that spiritual success is measured differently
than earthly success. Spiritual success isn’t measured in dollars and cents, or in the
make and model of the car that we drive. Nor, is it measured by how well we dress, or
how well we are known, or what kind of house we live in. No, spiritual success is
measure by how much love we have, how we share that love, and by how we show our
love to everyone we meet. It is how we show our love to strangers, how we go that
extra mile to help someone.  Spiritual success is being a caring and compassionate
person.
  So, when you think of success, think of your spiritual success. Remember all of the
lives that you have touched every day, your friends and family, your neighbors, people
you work with, strangers you meet on the bus or the train, senior citizens you paused
to help in the grocery store; the list goes on and on… Lives touched, love given, hugs
and kisses, laughter and giggles, and tears and heartfelt understanding. Yes, we must
all remember our spiritual successes for they are what will warm our hearts and make
us smile as we journey towards the earthly successes that we all seek.




                                                                 ...A smile is a gift to a stranger...