Category: Grateful Heart Monday

Welcome to another Grateful Heart Monday, which for today is for having a spiritual belief system that doesn’t conform to what the masses say and one that accepts everyone on their own uniquely tailored spiritual path.

Having grown up in a Christian family that didn’t practice good Christian values whatsoever behind the scenes, who put on more of a persona that they were good Christians when out and about, made me despise for the longest time the Christian faith. Thankfully, I no longer feel that way about Christianity, nor about any other religion either. And while I do believe and follow in the teachings of Christ, I no longer label myself as a Christian because I felt it was too conforming, leaving people out more than welcoming them in.

I’m definitely not a conformer. as I tend to go against the masses in my life more than not, so much so that it often gets me in trouble, sometimes even unfriended because of it. While I’m not against any specific religious path, including Christianity, I do believe there are an infinite number of paths to the same Source, or God if you will. I also believe that everyone’s spiritual path is specifically tailored in a way that’s unique to them, one that helps them communicate to Source in a way they’ll understand, even if they haven’t become aware of it yet.

Nevertheless, if I was to label myself spiritually, I’d say I carry both Christian values and Buddhist beliefs. Yet, I also relate much to Quakerism for their freeform style of worship and Wiccans mostly for their love of nature. But ultimately, I don’t think it matters what I or anyone else defines themselves as when it comes to their spiritual side. So long as one isn’t trying to play God themselves or purposely trying to hurt others in the name of whatever their Higher Power is, I do my best to accept everyone as they are on their spiritual walks, no matter what spiritual path looks like.

The fact is, I accept everyone at their core for whatever their spiritual beliefs are and am grateful I feel that way today. Ironically, I once was a guy who would only associate myself to fellow Christians and would scoff at anyone of other religions and faith systems different than mine, even going so far as to let them know I felt they were wrong and misguided. Sometimes I even said they wouldn’t ever enter the gates of Heaven because they weren’t accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior. I’m grateful to say I don’t say things like that anymore and believe now it’s my purpose to accept each person as they are, which comes from my love of Christ’s teachings. It’s precisely how I embrace people of all faiths now. I know plenty of people from many different walks of faith who are incredibly wonderful and beautiful souls who quite probably are more worthy and deserving of being in a place like Heaven than I would have been in many years of my life, especially during my active addiction days.

To have arrived at where I am with my spiritual belief system now, one where I still follow the Trinity but believe I’ve lived many lives before this one as well, and one where I also respect others on their own individual spiritual walks, is something that didn’t come easily. Honestly, it took me being judged by a vast number of ultra-religious people throughout my life due to my sexuality to arrive at my open acceptance now of others when it comes to spirituality. I’m also grateful that my 12 Step recovery work has helped me to meet so many from different spiritual backgrounds, as each who accepted me just as I am, contributed to developing the very open faith system I have now.

So on this Grateful Heart Monday, I am thankful for the spiritual belief system I have nowadays. One that doesn’t conform to what the masses say, and one that accepts everyone on their own uniquely tailored spiritual path, paths I believe forged by Source in ways meant for each of us to individually find our own way Home, even when it seems far different from my own…

Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson

Welcome to another Grateful Heart Monday, where the week always begins with an expression of gratitude from my life. Today’s piece of gratefulness is for not being a barfly anymore, something that many of those long sober from a former drinking addiction will probably agree with, and something I was greatly reminded of when I briefly stopped into a local saloon just recently solely to use their bathroom.

A few Fridays ago I opted to pick up a pizza at one of my favorite joints here in the Toledo area, that being Mama Mary’s, for dinner for my partner and I. While I waited for it to be made, I asked if they had a bathroom as I had consumed a large coffee that seemed to have gone right through me. Unfortunately, the pizza shop did not have one for its customers, so I was directed a few doors down to a bar to use their facilities. I’m really not a big fan of walking into bars unless I have a specific reason for being there, which these days is generally never. The last time I stepped foot in a bar was for a fraternity alumni event back in April in Rochester, where I felt like a fish out of water.

Nevertheless, as soon as I walked in through the doors of this tavern, it didn’t take long to feel incredibly grateful for no longer hanging out in places like it. Grateful for not having to regularly smell that stale beer smell always implanted upon sticky floors. Grateful for not being that first guy I saw at the bar totally immersed in his phone trying to pass the time or his life by, as he most certainly didn’t look happy. Grateful for not being the second guy I saw who was desperately trying to be the center of attention in front of a bunch of people he was obviously attracted to by telling jokes that weren’t funny. Grateful for not being the third guy I saw who was noticeably buzzed or drunk, talking exceptionally loudly. Grateful for not buying a ton of scratch tickets or playing any keno hoping to win big. And grateful for not trying to play games of pool or darts under the influence where skills drastically disappear with each drink.

It’s funny how I saw my old self so easily in the brief moments I remained in this bar only to use the restroom there. The energy I felt in that place immediately upon entering was certainly not an uplifting one, but the energy I felt upon leaving and re-emerging outside was most certainly elevating.

So, I truly have an immense amount of appreciation on this Grateful Heart Monday for no longer being a barfly, for not being a guy who spends any of his weekends or free time in general anymore at bars or clubs or anything of the sort. While I never cultivated much gratitude hanging out in them during my drunken years or even in many of my sober years, I have been able to cultivate it hanging out at plenty of other healthier places, which yes, for those who know me, includes Starbucks! LOL!

Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson

Time for another Grateful Heart Monday entry, where gratitude remains the sole focus of my writing at the start of each week, which for today is for the Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon, Ohio, a park that’s become a favorite over all the years I’ve lived in the Toledo community.

One of the best things about living in Ohio is that all their state parks are free, something many other places I lived didn’t have as an amenity. Currently Ohio touts 75 of them and Maumee Bay State Park is on that list. It was the first place in nature I visited when I began getting to know my partner Chris and was still living in Massachusetts.

I’ve always been drawn to nature and living in Massachusetts had no shortage of parks nearby with countless beaches, forests, mountains, lakes, and oceanside places to visit within an hour or less. I spent much of my free time there during all my years of residence driving around to so many of them, which made moving to Toledo a big adjustment. One of the hardest parts of that move was being away from the abundance of so many different ways to experience nature. Having spent countless hours at unique parks all across the New England area made it challenging for me to find similar escapes here. But, when my partner brought us to Maumee Bay State Park, it immediately became my favorite escape from city living.

Situated approximately 10 miles or so from downtown Toledo, you wouldn’t know how close the city actually was once you enter the grounds of Maumee Bay State Park, as it truly feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere. The park itself sits on the edge of Lake Erie and has a beach to sit on if you want. But I’ve been more drawn there to the grounds themselves, as there’s been no shortage of spotting wildlife on them whenever I’ve visited the park.

Deer, raccoons, rabbits, muskrats, over 300 species of birds, otters, beavers, and much more have been on the regular list of things to look for with each visit. Quite often my partner and I will drive over to the park at dusk, as many of them come out during that time of the day. I’ve snapped a number of great pictures there of a lot of its wildlife, especially its deer that never really seemed bothered by park guests.

One of the nicest parts of this park is the Boardwalk Trail that covers several miles through the marsh that borders the lake. At sunset, it’s nice to walk this planked trail situated only a few feet up above the marsh, as I normally never come across anyone else during that time. It’s a wonderful place to take a meditative walk for that very reason. On my last visit there, I silently observed a muskrat eating marsh grass and with it being so quiet that night, I could hear it’s every chew, which brought a smile to my face on a day that I had been really struggling to find any joy at all.

Sometimes I also visit the lodge that’s part of Maumee Bay State Park. While Chris and I have never stayed there, we’ve spent time in its lobby many times, especially during the winter, as they always have huge hearths rocking big crackling fires. They welcome visitors, even those not staying there, to sit down on the rocking chairs and take in the serenity of it all. A few times I’ve eaten in the restaurant there as well as the view of Lake Erie from your table is amazing.

Nevertheless, there is no shortage of places to visit at Maumee Bay State Park given it’s 1,336-acre size. I’ve walked most of its trails and continue to find serenity within the parks boundaries every time I have a visit there whether alone, with Chris, or with visitors from out-of-town who I usually tend to bring there. By far this park has become my favorite go-to-place in nature in the Toledo vicinity and has given me plenty to be grateful for whenever I’m there.

So, I’m very thankful for the peace and joy I’ve cultivated whenever I’ve visited Maumee Bay State Park and because of it, I’ve dedicated today’s Grateful Heart Monday entry to a park that has become a wonderful place to get away and feel just a little bit closer to God, something I tend to feel every time I’m there.

Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson