do you have any religious routines that you try to do everyday [Spirituality & Religion]

@4meAndyou Like I said in my reply, I talk to "God" on a fairly regular and daily basis...but there is no real formality or ritual to it. I just talk, as if I would talk to anyone in normal and average conversation. I talk about whatever is on my mind or what I am feeling or any problems/troubles I'm having,
I ask for guidance/wisdom/strength/patience/understanding, I even express gratitude and appreciation. Sometimes I do it out loud, sometimes it's in my mind depending on the privacy I have or need. And like I also said, it had always been a source of strength and comfort to me.

@indyjoe I am the same way when I "speak" to God in my heart. IMO, you can't reach God when you are stumbling through some rote prayer. I speak to Him as I would to a Father whom I love dearly...naturally, and without pretense.

@IstillmissEP ❤️

@4meAndyou I do not know nor do I pretend to know who or what exactly "God" is...I do not assume to know exactly if God is individual or a collective...I do know that I have no doubts in my personal mind, heart, and belief that "God" does exist as something bigger than and beyond what I can possibly imagine or comprehend because I have seen and experienced very real things in my personal life that defy explanation and not "supernatural" phenomenon or "miracles" but just things that were too accurate to be just random or chance coincidence. I just know that "God" has been like a "therapist" but also more so like a friend who listens, cares, and has my back.

@indyjoe I have always felt that way, too. Like a wise, understanding Mother, or the kindest Father you can imagine.

@4meAndyou Mother, Father, Brother/Sister, friend, companion...I do not believe in the "god" who rules and controls or performs "magic" the way a lot of religions teach. I believe those images of "god" are conceived in human imagination, fantasy, and myth.

@indyjoe I feel that way, too. The vengeful God of the Old Testament, who gets angry and punishes people, does not seem to be similar in any way, shape or form to the Person of God whom I know in my heart.

@4meAndyou And the concept of "God's plan", "God has a plan for you", "God's will" actually makes no sense at all when you examine it with a completely open mind...it actually leaves us with no choices whatsoever and no hope for us ever having any say or control over our own lives (especially when you add the anger/punishment factor to it).

@indyjoe I think that sounds right. We were supposed to have been given free choice.

@4meAndyou I do believe in free choice/will...it is only limited by the boundaries, limitations, and restrictions (both necessary and repressive) that we humans place upon ourselves and each other. I compare it to our gardening/landscaping...."God" grooms, tends to, and manipulates "his" creation somewhat when necessary, but only to help it along and mostly leaves it alone and doesn't interfere allowing it to survive and thrive as well as reach its own natural and best potential on it's own. God doesn't cause (or "allow") disasters and tragedies like a lot of people question and believe....but I do believe "he" will and does help us help ourselves through them and recover/move on from them.