Sofia Speaks: The Complex Simplicity of Life

My Spiritual Awakening occurred in Spring 2024 during my Strolls for Well-Being at the Brookside Gardens. During this period in my life, I honestly lost myself, was extremely confused about almost everything, and felt, deep down, that something wasn’t right. But I didn’t know exactly what it was just yet. 

At this time, I was is therapy for a few months or so, and my therapist suggested that I start journaling and going out more. And although her suggestions were great, I didn’t know where to begin. So I started where I had already begun with my regular maintenance appointments such as my waxing, nails, and hair. Okay, that was easy because I already did that still, I found it a bit challenging at times to keep up with it and eventually I ironed out the details. However, in my attempt to go out more, I automatically assumed that in order for me to go out I would need a friend with me. So I reached out to friends and tried to connect regularly. Although it worked the first month, I found that trying to keep a consistent schedule up my friends was harder then it seemed. It was no ones fault it’s just that once everyone is in a couple, working, or has kids its hard to find time for everyone’s schedule to align to hang out. So eventually I failed to go out and spend time outside the house on a regular basis, and I was a bit hopeless. I wanted to get out and explore new things and events, but I really didn’t know how to do it. So I ended up back where I started in the house just doing my regular routine until an email grabbed my attention. 

“Strolls for Well-Being an evidence-based program that promotes emotional healing through connection to nature. Drawing on psychological principles such as mindfulness as well as practices like forest bathing, this 8-week program is a balm for anyone struggling with difficult questions, suffering from stress or trauma, or seeking greater peace and fulfillment.” (Program’s full description here) 

I immediately knew this would be perfect for me based on my current three needs. One its an 8-week commitment that I would have to stick to, and I like structure. Two, it’s outdoors so I would get out of the house regularly. And three, the program came with a journal that would help me figure out what to do there because up until this point in my life I only had a diary in my childhood, and as an adult I kept a goals journal but I didn’t write in it regularly. So I paid the $75 fee and waited for the magic to happen. 

Much to my surprise, during this program, I had my spiritual awakening. Now you might be wondering, what is a spiritual awakening? From my experience, this is my definition a spiritual awakening occurs when a person realizes that who they currently are is not who they were meant to be. Okay, I know it’s confusing but stay with me here. I mean that personally, up until that moment in my life, I allowed all of my trials, tribulations, pain, hurt, and sorrow to shape my current self. I didn’t realize that I was holding on to the baggage of my negative experiences to fester and eventually make me cold. My experience in the program helped me to recognize that by holding on to the pain of my past overtime, I let go of friendships, family, and future friendships and relationships because of a lack of communication, pride and, honestly, fear. 

However, through the program, I was reintroduced to my true self, who God intended for me to be. The light. From that point on, I’ve slowly been shedding my old self and learning my new way of thinking. Luckily for you, I have all of the journal prompts as well as my responses from a year ago and I will be sharing each one along with my updated thoughts for the next 12 posts.