Hey There Soos! #1

Author’s Note: Over the past couple of years I have been on a kind of “spiritual journey” that has led me to grow deeper in my faith traditions and grow in my understanding of the world and people around me. For most of my life I have been a “Christian”, though I definitely have not been the poster child of a traditional Christian life. And even though at first I felt some shame around that, now I can look back and be thankful that I was able to think for myself and continue my path of uniqueness.

I have always held the belief that there is no one religion that is 100% correct while all others are 100% wrong. To me, that’s just ignorant. And when I was taught in Sunday School that I had to evangelize and convert others to Christianity, I was always uncomfortable. I believed (and still do), that one of the best things you can do for someone is to remind them of hope and love. It doesn’t matter what they believe or don’t believe. We are all humans on our own unique journeys trying to find joy and purpose.

Religion is not what I’m searching for. I’m searching for hope, love, compassion and so much more. With “Hey There Soos!”, I am writing letters to a Being that I believe understands and accepts me without any prerequisites. Soos is my correspondent who I can trust with anything.

I hope that you enjoy my letters and take something out of them. I don’t believe that you necessarily have to be spiritual or have faith to appreciate these. Sometimes a simple read to escape the world can be enough. My plan is to compile many of these letters into ebooks that people can have. I’ll keep you guys updated when that happens!

See you soon!

-Uele Nayo

October 7, 2020

Hey There Soos!

I haven’t written to you in a long time. Actually, I don’t think I’ve sent you anything since I was around 18 years old. Seven years have passed, and now I’m a 25 year old woman trying to find a way through this world. When I was ;younger, you were the one I talked to the most. I always believed that you were the only one who could stand to hear the sound of my voice. As a longer with very few friends, the belief that an omniscient being who loved and care for me was a comfort thought that I believed I could trust. You were my closest friend—the one that I could turn to when I had no one else. 

Our relationship today isn’t as clear cut and simple as it was back then. Maybe it’s because I’ve been through a lot of shit and have my doubts. Or maybe it’s the simple fact that I’m older and have changed as a person. Nevertheless, things between us are different than they were back then. And I can’t quite figure out if that is a good or bad thing.

The church (building) used to be like a home to me. Now, I’d rather get on a crowded city bus than step foot in one. Well, not all churches. Really, just the one I used to go to. Yes, that seems unfair and over dramatic, but that’s how I feel. For the past few years I have been trying to find my way back to you. But having little guidance and support has made that journey feel impossible. I want to reconnect with that spiritual side of myself, but something is blocking my way. I want to say that it’s the people who I no longer see as family. But if I’m being honest, the one who is blocking my growth is probably myself.