Wake Up Call - Insights & Musings to Stir Your Soul

The Greatest Thing in the World (as found in the Bible)

January 16, 2019 By Tom Rapsas

To me, reading the Bible for inspiration can be like panning for gold. I can go hours sifting for insights and meaning only to come up empty. That’s why I prefer to have other, wiser souls point out the golden nuggets to me, because if you know where to look, there is wisdom to be found. I recently uncovered an important Biblical insight in the book The Greatest Thing in the World, which draws it draws its message from the… Read more

The one vital lesson that all religions teach

January 9, 2019 By Tom Rapsas

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Karen Armstrong is a former Catholic nun who left the church to become one of the world’s leading writers on spirituality and faith, penning books on the Bible, Buddhism and Islam, as well as A History of God. Recently, she was interviewed by Oprah and asked the question: “Is there a common thread that ties together all religions?” Leaning on a lifetime of religious study and writing, Armstrong said that there was one theme she found in all religions. She… Read more

Why Resolutions Fail—and What to Do About It

January 2, 2019 By Tom Rapsas

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It’s that time of year, when we again make promises to become a better version of ourselves. Your resolution may involve improving your diet, your health, your relationships or your spiritual well-being. And if you’re like most people, at some point you’ll backslide, reverting back to your old form. The good news is you can take action before trouble starts. In the book Mastery, The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment, George Leonard writes that the experience of backsliding is… Read more

The Top 15 Things Money Can’t Buy

December 30, 2018 By Tom Rapsas

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I stumbled upon a unique list the other day, in a way it’s the spiritual opposite of a to-do list. It’s a reminder that for all the concerns we may have about financial matters, the things that matter most in life have nothing to do with money. The list comes from the inspirational author Roy T. Bennett and it serves as a helpful reminder that while money may be important, it does not equate to happiness or a life well-lived…. Read more

7 Tips for the Spiritual Investor

December 26, 2018 By Tom Rapsas

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I first published this column back in 2015, when the stock market had a few hiccups. Now that the market is going through a particularly tough stretch, I thought it was time to revisit it—both for my own peace-of-mind and that of any readers who have money invested in the market. If you’re like me, and you have money invested in a 401K account, the last few weeks have been more than stressful. The stock market has been moving steadily downward… Read more

Realizing the “Christ Consciousness” Within You

December 19, 2018 By Tom Rapsas

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Have you heard of the phrase “Christ consciousness”? There may be no better time to explore its meaning than right now, during the Christmas season. While Wikipedia lumps the term in with the definition of higher consciousness, a website called The Center for Christ Consciousness may do a better job of explaining its meaning: Christ consciousness is the state of awareness of our true nature, our higher self, and our birthright as children of God…it is the highest state of intellectual… Read more

The untold story of Jesus’ birth—from the Gospel of James

December 12, 2018 By Tom Rapsas

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If you go looking for a story on the birth of Jesus in the Bible, you might come away disappointed. Of the four gospels that talk about the life of Jesus, only Matthew and Luke include the tale of the miraculous virgin birth—and while they agree on some key components, they tell different stories that may not match the simple narrative you’ve known since childhood. That’s where the Gospel of James comes in. Also known as the Infancy Gospel of James, it was purportedly… Read more

Navigating Through Life With Your Spirit Guide

December 5, 2018 By Tom Rapsas

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To navigate through life, most people rely on their five senses: sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch. But if you’re like a lot of spiritual people, you sometimes find yourself relying on a way of knowing that exists beyond the physical senses, using a sixth sense known as intuition. You’ve probably felt the push or pull of intuition. Where does it come from? If you listen to two prominent names in the world of spirituality, author and frequent Oprah show… Read more

Finding your own spiritual mentor (even if they’re deceased)

November 28, 2018 By Tom Rapsas

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Just like you wouldn’t go into the woods without a map or compass, it can be difficult to immerse yourself in the world of spirituality without a guide. I still believe the spiritual path is best navigated as a solo journey and have railed against gurus in the past. But I also realize the importance of having a “mentor,” a guiding force who, when needed, dispenses valuable advice and counsel, ensuring that you, the spiritual journeyer, stays on course. To… Read more

Bedtime Contemplation: 4 Steps to a Better Tomorrow

November 21, 2018 By Tom Rapsas

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If you live an active life with a full-time job, an endless list of errands to run and possibly kids or grandkids care for, it can be difficult to stay spiritually-centered. Hours can go by, heck, the whole day can go by, before you realize you’re not in touch with your spiritual core—or aware of the beauty and small pleasures found in the seemingly ordinary moments of life. I’ve written before about the importance of getting the day off to… Read more