As most of you already know I love ghost hunting shows. My favourite is Ghost Hunters followed by Ghost Hunters International. They use a scientific logical approach to investigate supposed haunted locations to determine if 'ghosts' really have taken up residence. The investigators use EMF detectors (electro-magnetic field) EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) to record disembodied voices and infa-red cameras to see images beyond what the naked eye can see.
If you are wondering why I watch these shows the answer is simply 'I WANT to believe'. Like most people on this planet I want to believe that if my loved ones pass they are watching over me like guardian angels. I want to believe if I pass before my time I will be able to stick around in spirit form and watch out for my kids. Watching these shows gives me a shred to hang onto that my logical brain can rationalize into reality. I figure if I hear that disembodied voice or see that ghostly apparition in a photo I can honestly say to my self that, yes indeed, spirits exist and I will be comforted by that knowledge.
Oddly enough I don't know if I believe in places like Heaven or Hell. I know that it seems like an odd observation since I seem to be willing to believe in disembodied entities but I don't see them as the same thing. I believe that we are all made up of energy. Perhaps ghosts are just residual energy left behind. I am even willing to believe that my soul continues on in some form but not in the 'religious' way I was brought up to believe. My 'soul' lives on in the people I leave behind. They carry pieces of me because I touched their lives in some way. We also create positive or negative energy through our actions. I believe that if I am positive both in my behaviour and my intentions, that energy is left to my family and loved ones and hopefully they can carry that with them and continue to be positive themselves.
I know all of this sound hokey (especially to my husband who I know will read this) but it really makes complete sense. We all influence those around us both positive and negatively. If we choose to be a positive force we will leave a positive legacy. This is true of how we treat others and our planet. I believe that we leave an imprint on the people we meet and the world. Most call it our global footprint I suppose but I think it is more than just tracking your car's emissions and how much electricity you consume. It's not just how much you take from the land but also what you give back.
I suppose like many of my friends I cannot describe my beliefs in religious terms because I cannot relate to the concept of religion. Throughout my childhood I was taught that I would be 'judged' by God and I would go to hell if I am bad. I know people talk about seeing 'their life flash before their eyes' in a near death situation but I think this is just a friendly reminder that you just received a second chance so don't screw it up. You see in that moment how you lived your life and that dictates whether or not your 'flash' is good or bad. I Know people have also seen the white light and loved ones waiting for them. This I believe but I don't think it is 'heaven' in the terms defined to us. I say this because I don't believe in hell either. I was always taught that one comes with the other so I guess that's where I lose faith. I don't believe God judges everyone in such black and white terms. I think life should be lived to help your fellow man, do well unto one another and love ourselves and the world around us. I can't seem to fit this definition in terms of the religion I was raised to believe.
I realize that there are many people out there who whole heartedly disagree with me but I also believe to each his own. I don't believe it is up to us to judge each other's beliefs. I am a spiritual person and believe we should embrace each other in culture, person and beliefs regardless of what they are. I have only chosen to share what I believe because I need to say it to the world. I am living my life as a spiritual person with good intentions which will hopefully lead to good actions. And in the end when I 'meet my maker' I will be comforted in the knowledge that I have chosen to live a good life by my own terms and that is good enough for me.
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