Reflection on Spiritual Self

By Hyacinth R. Gulben

LOOKING BACK AND REFLECTING ON YOUR LIFE, HOW WERE YOU WHEN YOU WERE
A TEENAGER AND HOW WAS YOUR FAITH? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF GOD? OF
RELIGION? OF CHURCH? NOW, WHAT IS YOUR SPIRITUALITY AND RELATIONSHIP
WITH GOD AND YOUR "KAPWA"? YOU CAN REFLECT ON THE CURRENT EXPERIENCE
REGARDING COVID-19.

When I reflect on my teenage years, I find them enjoyable because I made many
new friends, especially in high school. I was able to connect and create unexpected
friendships. I had a strong faith in God back then, and as time has passed, that faith has
become even stronger since I have always talked to God and relied on him for help
when I have faced challenges. I think of God as the creator of everything and the
greatest of all beings. He is our savior and our provider. For me, religion consists of a
collection of structured beliefs, rituals, and social systems, and it is important because it
teaches us how to treat other people and ourselves in the right way; it gives us morals,
values, and ethics. I think of the church as both the home of God and the gathering
place for those who worship him.

My spirituality is a blend of faiths and belief systems. I believe in God and have
been praying since I was a child. My relationship with God is not that deep, but that
does not mean that I do not have any problems in my life or that I do not feel sad or
hurt. It's just that my faith helps me get through those times, no matter how tough they
may be. The experience of COVID-19 has brought me closer to my faith and my
"Kapwa" than ever before. It has strengthened my relationship with God and my
connection with fellow Filipinos. Our country is bonded by more than simply geography
or politics; it is also by our shared humanity and moral principles. We learned from
COVID-19 that we are just one community, that we must support one another and our
Kapwa Filipino neighbors, and that there is only one God in whom we may put our faith.
The experience of COVID-19 has brought me closer to my faith and my "Kapwa" than
ever before.