I am not a religious person. In fact, I grew up in a home where religion was considered Taboo.
My father was an outright atheist, and so, amongst other things, if this was something we brought into the house, we were shunned, and even humiliated in front of friends and family. So naturally, you just didn’t.
There was a time in my life though, that I feel religion did play an important role for me. That was the time that I worked as a telemarketer for a national phone sales company.
It was a great place to work. The hours were amazing, and my colleagues were so much fun. It was a high pressure area though, because if you didn’t make your quota, you were quickly out on your ear.
I was one of the few superstars of the team. There were three of us in fact, and we were known as the dream team. The powers that be, sat us together, so we could “feed” off one another, and they used to throw little incentives our way, simply to see us go for gold.
Now these weren’t great incentives, I’m talking a T-shirt for one of them. But it was so much fun! Out of all the places I’ve worked I honestly feel this was the best one ever. It was exciting, it was exhilarating, it was energised, and it was really challenging as well.
The hours were short, the incentives were great, and the bonuses, well! I mean who doesn’t want a cool T-Shirt, right? Ha ha. Moreover, it was the encouragement, the acknowledgement, and the feeling that you were really making a mark that made each day, super exciting.
Kind of like how I can imagine the girls from Coyote Ugly felt after a shift each night. However, I didn’t need to dance on a bar to get that feeling. It sure felt like I was sometimes though.
I can recall having a very solid routine. The hours were only from 3:30pm until 8:30pm, but with bonuses, it equated to a full time wage. So, I would leave my house around 2:30pm, and head on into town, which was just a 10 minute bus ride away.
The very first thing I would do was go to the local cathedral. This was a magnificent place. So beautifully crafted, so beautiful inside and out, and an absolute icon in Christchurch New Zealand, where all this took place. The cathedral was pretty much known as the number 1 place to see, and it truly was magnificent.
Before my shift would start, I’d go into the main area. I’d sit in one of the pews, and I’d close my eyes. I’d visualise the shift ahead of me, my targets, the task ahead of me, and I’d feel all the feels. The joy, the excitement, the thrill of the chase.
I would sit there for a good 20-30 minutes and just take it all in. The sights, the smells, the beauty I was surrounded by. And I would truly feel all the feelings in every fibre of my being. I’d be truly present, and just soak it all in.
Was this praying? Perhaps it was, perhaps it wasn’t. In my mind though, it was probably the closest I’ve come to it, if it wasn’t, just that. Funnily enough… Back then, I hadn’t discovered the personal development I have now. I didn’t “meditate” or do anything spiritual, and seriously who had even heard of the “universe” and all its wonders at this stage? Certainly not this chick.
So, it’s ironic, that even before the “Universe” became a real thing, or that I went on my long journey down the self development path, that I would take part in this activity.
I am not sure if my father would have been turning over in his grave watching me, but I guess that’s not my problem is it?
I can tell you, that I think this made a massive difference for me in my performance. I think it was a way I could ground myself before I let the magic out. This to me was so very important, because, I feel that without this “prayer” practice, or whatever you wish to call it, I may not have been able to be the best version of myself, when it truly mattered.