Bella Cannizzo
I would not consider myself an extremely religious person, but I believe in a higher power, being a good person, and serving others. I believe in love and kindness. Today, I went to get my ashes for Ash Wednesday, something I have done every year since I was a kid. One of my friends asked, “What’s the point of the ashes?” I told them, “I think it’s about new beginnings.” That’s how I see it, a fresh start.
The priest at mass today said something that stuck with me. He explained that Ash Wednesday is not really about a self-improvement guilt trip or just cutting out all the bad and adding in all the good. It’s about asking, “What can I do for others?” Lent should be about relationships. It’s about being a better person for others, a better friend, a better teammate, a better person in our communities.
I have had conversations with friends and advisors in my life who have told me that you're never really functioning at 100% unless your mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health are all in balance. Spirituality doesn’t have to look like prayers or a rosary. Spirituality is just about connecting with something deeper. Sometimes, it’s simply about exploring new perspectives on faith. That’s why this Lent, I’m exploring Beyond Worship—a book that offers a fresh, inclusive perspective on spirituality. Beyond Worship encourages readers to think about faith in new ways, and for me, it’s been a valuable tool in reflecting on my own beliefs and how I can serve others through love and kindness. If you are looking for a way to explore spirituality beyond traditional boundaries, I highly recommend Beyond Worship. It’s a great way to rethink what it means to be spiritually fulfilled, and to reflect on how we can make the world a better place, not just for ourselves, but for everyone around us.
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