Some Thoughts on Heaven

Yesterday was stressful, but it didn’t need to be.  I got worried unnecessarily.  Experience has shown me that there are several helpful responses to worry.  Action is the best response.  Yesterday I did a radio show and I felt amazing for the next couple of hours.  When the fear started returning, I tapped, prayed and drank a lot of water.  As panic attacks go, yesterday’s was fairly mild, but that’s about as pleasant as a slight fever.  It still feels bad.

I’m aware that I have to take preventive measures as well.  I take vitamins, fish oil, that I have been told will keep me calmer and I think I have noticed a difference.  I have also been drinking a lot more water and I’ve been walking for 20 – 30 minutes almost every day.  I’m still not eating as well as I’d like, but otherwise I’m taking pretty good care of myself. 

I haven’t really thought about this, but I want to live a long life for the following reasons:

I want to help as many people as I can.

I want to make a lot of money to leave to my children.

I want to enjoy the gifts I’ve been given here.

I want to see the fulfillment of my dreams.

I have some studying to do, but I believe there’s a Heaven waiting for me.  I don’t know what that will be like, other than I would be in God’s presence and that it’s for eternity.  What would I do there?  Would I study?  Would I grow spiritually?  Would I continue to write?  Would I dance and sing?  Would I be with people I love?  Would I take naps?   Would I exercise?  Would I have goals?

I’m really not ready to take on this topic without further study, but here’s what I can surmise.  Every good thing in my earthly life is a taste of Heaven, a slice of the presence of God.  When I study or speak or take care of myself, I feel God’s presence.  I feel it when I write.  Others may feel it when they do things that are aligned with their Purpose.  I also feel God’s presence when I am working towards goals.  I feel it when I am helping someone.  I feel it when I am courageous.  I feel it when I have defeated fear.  I feel it when I have disciplined my thoughts.  I have a feeling there will be more of this in Heaven or that these things will be replaced by something better, something I can’t even imagine.

Heaven, some say, is the here and now.  We can make Heaven or Hell here on earth.  I think we can only create a pale image of both.  Hell will be far worse, but Heaven will be infinitely better.  Besides my lack of knowledge of Heaven, my other reason for being hesitant on this subject is that I enjoy life here.  This is what I know and this is what I am responsible for.  All those things I hope for in Heaven are things I should be doing now.  I shouldn’t be waiting for conditions to be perfect.  I should be creating those conditions to the best of my ability.  I should be seeking God’s presence now.

There are those who believe that once we die everything is over.  There’s no consciousness or eternity.  We’re just gone.  I don’t believe this, but let’s assume it’s true for the sake of this writing.  Rather than make an eternal void a call to giving in to my baser needs, I can use this to know that my time is limited and there are certain things I want to accomplish.  I am in a race against time.  I’m competing against the clock and against all the internal and external forces that want to keep me from being happy, healthy and productive.  The fact that there is a battle at all tells me there’s far more to this life than just this life alone.  There will be an accounting at the end of it all.  We’ll all have stories to tell.  I want mine to be interesting.  Working towards my goals is not just a race against time, it’s a story I will get to tell around a campfire in Heaven.  I’m looking forward to it.  That’s why I need to Get Started and Keep Going…for now and for eternity.