S
ome folks on the Internet are re-posting the list I’ve copied below as “Evidence of Spiritual Growth.” That’s an interesting title because it sets the reader up to judge oneself or others against the list. Interesting because sitting in that seat of judgment is not spiritual.

That title doesn’t indicate the original intention of the blogger who posted the list as an example of the payoff that comes from doing the work of spiritual growth. Their concern was to address the 40% that attend Al-Anon meetings who never return. It was meant as an encouragement to keep coming back, keep doing the work.

The original blog is found at http://recoverytradepublications.com/blog.html?entry=12-symptoms-of-a-spiritual.
(I would post the author but as it comes from the recovery community, his full name isn’t available.)

I love this list! I believe that those who “Like” the renamed version on Facebook mostly love it because they either see themselves there or see what they hope to become. It is an encouraging list for those on an intentional spiritual path as well as an eye-opener and encouragement for those who are growing spiritually as a by-product of living.

Life does grow us up even if sometimes in spite of ourselves.

Here’s the list of the payoffs for doing the work of spiritual growth:

1. An increased tendency to let things happen rather than make them happen.

2. Frequent attacks of smiling.

3. Feelings of being connected with others and nature.

4. Frequent overwhelming episodes of appreciation.

5. A tendency to think and act spontaneously rather than from fears based on past experience.

6. An unmistakable ability to enjoy each moment.

7. A loss of ability to worry.

8. A loss of interest in conflict.

9. A loss of interest in interpreting the actions of others.

10. A loss of interest in judging others.

11. A loss of interest in judging self.

12. Gaining the ability to love without expecting anything in return.

You see? Isn’t that an amazing list? It makes me want to go through my days being more of all of THAT!

By the way, every other one on the list is in bold just to make the list easier to read…no hidden agenda to highlight some over others intended. 🙂

Lately I’ve posted some heavy blog entries ~ so today I wanted to offer up something lighter yet deeply profound and…encouraging!