Sunday, June 17, 2012

Paul's Calling

Recently I've been contemplating what it means to have a calling.
Since I was 12 years old I've had a job - bailing hay, roofing, mechanic, selling women's shoes, managing retail shops, opening raw food restaurants/smoothie/ juice bars, personal training, life coaching, menu director, raw food chef and many others. Each of these jobs taught me something of value, and most of them positioned me in the middle of interacting with people of all ages and races. It's been a blessing that I had the ability to work hard to make a living, learning the systems and skills necessary to perform each job I had the opportunity to experience.
 
My first experience with losing a close family member was when my mother died of complications of a heart attack and stroke at the young age of 55. It was a huge game changer, and it was just after that time that I started looking at the systems and people around me differently. It became clear that many Americans were in a similar health situation as my mother had been in, and they too were in critical need of a wake up call. I believe there is still time for us to be proactive as a nation and turn our collective health around. If enough individuals change the state of their personal health, our nation will naturally start developing new systems to meet the demand. I envision a new paradigm shift as our buying power begins to support local and non-GMO farmers, permaculture, compost systems, renewable energy sources and all that goes along with creating truly healthy families.
 
I feel called to be a teacher, sensing that God has called me to lead the mission of Cleanse America.
 
My mother was a wise and humble woman. One day I was sharing information about raw foods and healing with her. She just sat and listened to me and I saw tears welling up in her eyes. I asked her what was wrong, as I didn't think I had said anything to offend her. She told me how proud she was of me for wanting to help people with their health. She then asked a question that has stayed in my mind until this moment. She said "What about their souls?"
 
I can still feel the power and weight of that question with me now.
 
I have lived quite a bit of life in my 36 years. I've been involved with people who think that there is a direct correlation between the foods they eat and how spiritually enlightened they are. I have seen how the vast majority of people who claimed that seemed to also be judgmental and unhappy deep down. I have also been around some of the most spiritually sound people who also seem to have unhealthy eating habits, and I've seen how this physically unhealthy state impairs their ability to share their spirituality.
 
I surrendered my life to God about 6 years ago. Since then I have had a peace that permeates every part of my life. It was around that same time that I began a cleansing diet, eating 100% raw foods while  I was also living without electricity - all by choice. My personal experience showed me how often matters of the spirit come up in our lives and how frequently we cover them up with food, drink, TV, radio, internet and the many other numbing devices we have created. When I took away all the things that would normally distract me, there was only me left there - alone with myself, my thoughts and God. It was one of the most intense things I had ever done and experienced. There came a point where I was so spiritually afflicted, I couldn't sleep for 3 days. At the end of the 3 days, a good friend came over and prayed with me and it was the first time in my life I felt the true power of prayer. Shortly thereafter I realized that I could no longer do things in my own power and I humbled myself before God and surrendered completely to His will.

My whole life I had sought out spiritual teachers, studied philosophy, world religions and done many different things to explore the temporary alignment with one could have with spirit. From what I can see many have had the dogma/religion of God without having the direct experience. It is my hope that Cleanse America will awaken people not only to new levels of health but also to into a deeper relationship with God.
 
We invite you to join us in a 10 day cleanse.  Each individual can be a catalyst for the Transformation of a Nation.
 
Have a blessed week,
Paul

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing, Paul. You are an inspiration. I look forward to my first cleanse and so happy to be doing it with Cleanse America 2.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you Paul for your story. I can relate to it. I'm also looking forward to my first cleanse and getting the support I need to make it happen.

    ReplyDelete
  3. One Day at a Time, Paul.
    Beautiful posting...it really is a spiritual journey

    ReplyDelete