Currently listening to: The Promise – When In Rome
I’m sorry but I’m just thinking of the right words to say(I promise you)I know they don’t sound the way I planned them to be(I promise you)But if you wait around a while I’ll make you fall for me(I promise you)I promise, I promise you, I will
Are you less religious than your parents?
Prompt snagged from: NY Times
Yep.
My mother was a church elder and my father was a deacon, so faith was a central part of my upbringing. My parents were hardcore Protestant Christians. We were at church every Sunday, dressed to the nines without fail.
I started off strong: playing keyboard and piano for the church band, teaching Sunday school to elementary students, even going on mission trips to México. I wasn’t just going through the motions either — at the time, I genuinely believed in what I was doing. Church was a huge part of my identity and my community.
But as I got older, my spiritual path began to shift. Now? I wouldn’t say I’m religious in the traditional sense. I still have deep respect for all faiths, including the one I was raised in. I understand how much comfort and structure religion can offer — I’ve lived that experience.
But at this point in my life, I’d describe myself as more spiritual than religious. I believe in a higher being, in a force that’s greater than all of us. But I don’t feel tied to a single doctrine. If anything, I’ve found myself leaning more toward the philosophies of Buddhism — its focus on mindfulness, compassion, impermanence, and inner peace resonates deeply with me. Not to mention, Buddhism has profoundly influenced Korean culture and values, so there’s also a quiet familiarity in it.
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