Just another silly author who publishes deeply personal literature regarding mental health and the human condition

In the Name: A Spiritual Poem

In the Name: A Spiritual Poem

Adhere to your own convictions

In the Name is a spiritual poem that discusses the possible existence of one or many gods. It stresses that we should empathize with one another for our unique contributions and inherent value as human beings.

I’m not religious but I am spiritual despite that at a younger age, I resented my religious upbringing. I was depressed and had trouble making the right decisions. Now, I believe that we should all adhere to our own convictions.

My thoughts tend to make me uncomfortable, but I don’t usually turn down help from others. When I was younger, I was insecure and ruminated over every mistake. I couldn’t cope with my emotions and could easily forgive others, but never forgave myself.

I still have low self-worth, but I am allowing more love into my life.

In the Name

unsure of the presence
of a supreme being
(or at least as some envision:
the zealots and the scholars),
yet nonetheless determined
to exist in peace,
as we forgive
both ourselves
and our neighbors
in the name of Love.

I Found Faith on My Own (and With Just a Little Guidance)

As a young boy, I was baptized, raised as a Catholic and forced to attend CCD (the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine). I always felt pressured to believe in God, and despite my attempts to resist confirmation and communion, I was formally accepted into the Catholic church. I understand that many others have felt similarly pressured throughout their lives or may even be going through something similar at this exact moment.

Without getting too deeply into religious politics, I admit that it can be easy to see corruption (especially when interacting with individuals who interpret statements from the bible wrongly and who use their religion as a scapegoat to judge others). However, as I’ve aged, I’ve also come to realize (or have at least formed my own, strong opinion) that for some, spirituality and religion can be excellent ways to cope with life’s hardships (or to positively engage with one’s community).

One may believe in neither heaven nor hell, one or the other, both, or something else entirely. Life’s most pressing and debated questions will never be answered because even scientifically, there will always be more questions concerning earth and the universe.

Despite this, and regardless of what one believes, I think it’s important that we all show empathy and respect towards one another – if not for our unique contributions, simply for our inherent value as human beings. By doing so, I believe that the world will be a better place. No matter the nature of one’s religious or spiritual beliefs, or lack thereof, a person can still be an upstanding and honorable human being.

Too often in life, we let prejudice get in the way. And understandably, even those with good intentions can become hyperaware of others different than them. I think this is due to several factors but is in part due to how badly society and the media portray underrepresented groups.

As time has passed, and now that I’m 30 years old, I’ve become a much more spiritual person. While I don’t necessarily adhere to any particular religion, the poem, In the Name, elaborates on my personal belief that God is within every one of us. If there is a God, I think they live in our strength, convictions, and in who we are – in our soul.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that every single member of my family, in my eyes, is an inherently decent person, even if many are suffering while consistently making decisions that I don’t agree with. While being raised, my Catholicism complimented the good moral values that were instilled in me. So, although I hadn’t agreed with the religion years ago (and still don’t necessarily follow it now), I am extremely fortunate to have been raised in an overwhelmingly supportive and unconditionally loving environment.

In “Pull the Thorns From Your Heart,” James Nielson, of the band, Senses Fail, sings:

    • “Give up a little, gain a little peace. Empty yourself, become eternity.

Furthermore, philosopher, Swami Vivekananda has said:

      • “Be not Afraid of anything. You will do Marvelous work. It is Fearlessness that brings Heaven even in a moment.”

Justus Reinhardt

Justus Reinhardt enjoys writing articles, comics, poetry and prose stories. Through his compositions, Justus' goal is to help others by providing awareness to misunderstood topics.

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