Introduction

Personal experiences are a critical part of life as they shape individuals’ core beliefs and connection to religious rituals. It follows that sacred spaces play a crucial part in the development of core beliefs and one’s outlook in life. Sacred spaces can be religious or personal and allow one to practice rituals that build their core values effectively.[1] I have undergone different experiences at school and in the workplace that have influenced me to look for sacred spaces to allow for prayer, meditation, and reflection enabling me to become a better person. Sacred spaces are determined a person’s belief system, which establishes the core values that they develop.

Forgiveness

Working in a diverse environment is challenging as I learned during the first internship program that I attended. I worked for a marketing company where the interns were rated based on their performance. At the start of the program, the management promised that it would reward the outstanding intern with the future promise of employment and a favorable recommendation. The situation made the work environment hostile as the interns were determined to outdo each other leading to competition in the workplace. My academic qualifications and competence placed me at the top of the pecking order. I would complete my tasks fast, and the management recognized my work for exemplary performance. My colleagues viewed me as a threat, and it became clear that they were willing to do all it took to sabotage my reputation and future in the company.

I suffered a high level of discrimination from the interns as they would alienate me in group projects. They cited that I was an uncooperative workmate and that I preferred undertaking most projects on my own. I was determined to complete the internship program in spite of the resistance that I faced in the workplace. One of the lowest points during the program was when my computer was hacked into and a crucial assignment that I was working on deleted. I had a rough time explaining to the management the reasons behind my lateness in presenting the project. At this point, my performance in the program was declining, and it became clear that I would not take the leading position. I developed spite towards my colleagues, which had a negative impact on how I perceived the organization and the work environment.

My home was my sacred space as I would ponder about the experiences after work. During this period, I developed a close relationship with God and learned the essence of forgiveness. When I understood how to forgive my fellow interns, I let go and focused on my purpose in the organization, which was to complete the internship program and improve my skills and abilities. It was in sacred space where I learned that forgiveness is personal and is one of the Christian rituals that paves the way for individuals to move on and forget about the past wrongs committed against them. This lesson was based on Biblical teachings that instruct unconditional forgiveness against wrongdoers. I also discovered that it is important to treat one’s oppressors with compassion instead of hostility. Spreading love is one of the best ways I dealt with the harmful competition that I faced in the workplace.

I realized that forgiveness is associated with positive outcomes. To start with, I let go of the anger and bitterness that I felt towards my workmates. Secondly, it was in the sacred space that I acknowledged that my colleagues treated me unfairly due to their insecurities. Thirdly, I accepted that I had to do my part by performing the assigned tasks without complaining. It was through forgiving my fellow interns that I completed the program successfully and was chosen as the top performer. Spending time in my sacred space paved the way for me to overcome the hostility that I faced, treat others with compassion and forgive them. I have applied the forgiveness core belief to date through prayer and meditation as instructed by the Bible that has helped me overcome destructive competition in the workplace.[2]

Fairness and Equality

The school environment taught me the value of justice and equality while dealing with individuals from different backgrounds. While fairness and equality are emphasized in society, they are often overlooked in contexts such as workplaces where people from minority communities are looked down upon and treated unfairly. The same has been observed in the school setting.  It follows that the student population is made up of individuals from various backgrounds and this affects relationships. I developed fairness and equality during my youthful days when I was taught about treating all individuals equally and fighting for the rights of the oppressed. During the adolescent phase, individuals are highly concerned about their appearance ‘s as other people’s opinion affects the teenager’s self-esteem. I observed that individuals from ethnic minorities faced a high level of discrimination and bullying. The maltreatment affected the minorities’ personal relationships, and academic performance and I realized that I had to change this in my friendship circle by spreading the message on fairness and equality. I believed that if I influenced my friends to change, then the message would spread across the school.

I observed discrimination against an Asian student that was often teased due to his physical appearance and accent. My classmates were so mean towards him that he would miss some classes for fear of being ridiculed. He was teased about his inability to speak fluent English, and this has a negative impact on his self-esteem as he was afraid of judgment from the other students. The bullying affected his confidence as he would not ask questions in class, or participate in discussions. One day I defended him when he was confronted by a group of students that taunted him about his accent. I told them that all individuals are equal in spite of their racial and ethnic backgrounds. Bullying was rampant in the institution, and I put my well-being at risk while fighting for his rights. I hoped that I would use my voice to advocate for fairness and equality in the student population. I found that other students shared this core belief and supported my position on the issue.

The belief on fairness and equality is emphasized on in Christianity, and I reflected on it during the church services addressing the issue. The Bible teaches about the essence of treating all individuals equally.[3] Further, God views all individuals as equals and the Biblical teaching support equal and fair treatment. I consider sermons on fairness and equality to be an eye opener and an important lesson to humanity on how to treat others. The religious lectures that I attended were held in different settings ranging from church to Christian meetings. It can be noted that fairness and equality are core ideas in various religions as they are seen to be an essential part of human relations. I will uphold the core belief in my future to advocate for the rights of the oppressed and urge others to practice equality and fairness.

Faith

I have learned to trust that things will work out in the long-run. I developed this core belief in high school following the realization that worry and panic are a distraction. Instead, I should learn to have faith in God and my capabilities in different trials and undertakings. Asides from facing the pressure to attain good grades in high school, my brother was ill, and I was distracted continuously while learning. I found peace through meditation and prayer that taught me the importance of trusting in God to help me through the challenges that I face in life. I studied these lessons from Biblical teaching in the Old and New Testament based on how God saved those that trusted in him through difficult situations. For instance, I understood that it was the Israelites’ belief in God that resulted in their redemption and journey to the Promised Land. I believed that if I have faith, God will help me through difficult situations.

I developed the core belief following constant prayer and meditation in my room at home. I consider my room to be a peaceful sacred place where I can unwind, read and interpret Biblical teachings. My belief in God helped me to trust that all things in my life would work out. I prayed for my brother constantly and believed that he would get well. My faith in God paid off as my brother got well and I passed my examinations. It was through the peace that I got through meditation that I focused on my studies and maintained balance through different aspects of life. I fasted during prayer and meditation, and this helped me focus on my faith in God. My room has been my sacred place growing up. I spend time praying and meditating in it as I can stay away from distractions and this gives me peace. Additionally, I am not tempted to eat during prayer and meditation, and this has helped me improve my faith over the years. I continue upholding the core belief in life and hope that it will keep me grounded while dealing with challenges.

Conclusion

In summation, sacred spaces are a vital part of life as they help one to deal with the issues and challenges that they face objectively. Individuals encounter diverse problems in their private and public life and need a space where they can think about them and come up with practical solutions. Additionally, the public areas are seen to be a platform where core beliefs develop. For instance, it is through meditation and prayer that one can think critically about the events in life and how they can be handled religiously and ethically. When one is in the sacred space, they are free of judgment and influence from the factors that may cloud their judgment. Sacred spaces should be considered as essential venues for performing rituals and developing core beliefs that are applied throughout an individual’s life.

Bibliography

Dallas, Kelsey. “Why Sacred Spaces Matter in the 21st Century.” DeseretNews.com. September 30, 2016. Accessed March 01, 2019. https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865663619/Why-sacred-spaces-matter-in-the-21st-century.html.

Perriam, Geraldine. “Sacred Spaces, Healing Places: Therapeutic Landscapes of Spiritual Significance.” Journal of Medical Humanities 36, no. 1 (2014): 19-33. doi:10.1007/s10912-014-9318-0.

Tom R. Prayer & Meditation – a Practical Guide to the Life Promised in Step 11. Practically Spiritual Books, 2013.

[1] Kelsey Dallas.  “Why Sacred Spaces Matter in the 21st Century.” DeseretNews.com. September 30, 2016. Accessed March 01, 2019. https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865663619/Why-sacred-spaces-matter-in-the-21st-century.html.

[2] Perriam, Geraldine. “Sacred Spaces, Healing Places: Therapeutic Landscapes of Spiritual Significance.” Journal of Medical Humanities 36, no. 1 (2014): 19-33. doi:10.1007/s10912-014-9318-0.

[3] Tom R. Prayer & Meditation – a Practical Guide to the Life Promised in Step 11. Practically Spiritual Books, 2013.