To be or not to be religious

Today is Easter Sunday.

As most holidays are (I think), Easter is rooted in religion. According to my Google search and Britannica.com, because I needed to get my facts straight, Easter is celebrated as the day Jesus resurrected after his first death by crucifixion.  

Now, whether or not you subscribe to the bible's scriptures or believe in this happening, it's still an annual holiday that a large part of the population celebrates. 

I am not religious, but still enjoy celebrating Easter. Truthfully, I celebrate for all the commercially popular aspects: eating jelly beans and chocolate eggs, exploding Peeps in microwaves, hunting eggs, and spending time with family.

This is what Easter has always looked like for me. I wasn’t raised religious and don’t plan to convert in the future. I’ve micro-dosed in spirituality and occasionally live by the acquaintance of fate, but frankly only when it’s a positive outcome. 

With that said, I’m open minded. 

I have friends and family members who believe deeply in a God and higher spirit. I accept prayers from my Catholic grandma when she wishes them on me. I have even prayed a few times on my own, just not to anyone or thing in particular… which may be why I’m still waiting for an answer.

I do think believing in something bigger, or even just outside of ourselves, is an important part of growing as an individual. Especially since we live in what feels like an increasingly disgruntled world, it’s important to have something to turn to and trust in.

That’s what I believe in and choose to stay open-minded about. Not forced beliefs that place limitations on others. Not discrimination, not hate. 

Easter may be a rudimentary holiday for you, your family or your religious beliefs, or it may not. But if nothing else, it may just be the perfect time to learn something new about the holiday itself, or how other people in and around your life choose to celebrate. Or take the time to look introspectively and identify something new about yourself and your beliefs. 

I for one took today to learn the history behind Easter, beyond the commercial traditions that I know (and love). But at the end of the day, I will forever ring in the holiday by indulging in my favorite food: jelly beans.

Happy Easter, my little chicks!!