Enabling Spirituality
Spirituality, Music, and Inclusiveness. What do these three words have in common? Before we go there, let’s discover the root words of each. Consider the following: Spirituality is simplicity, innocence, and goodness… Music brings melody, tune, and harmony …Inclusiveness is about presence, wholeness, and fullness. Now, what do they have in common? Integrating the three we reveal a complete, innocent, harmonious whole. Keeping with holistic thinking, compartmentalizing these words or concepts is discouraged. Perhaps we can discover ways to integrate them. In other words, if I am seeking or enabling spirituality is it possible that inclusivity is its natural bi-product? Or, if I am listening to my favorite song on the radio am I touching on my own spirituality?
For the purpose of this article, the word-study above relates to enabling spirituality among those with disabilities. From my own personal and professional experience I have discovered a vital connection between people with disabilities and their intuitive sense for spirituality. At some level they obtain an inner ability to enable growth in themselves and in others. Compensating for loss or some inability, whether it be physical, mental, or social, people with disabilities seem to obtain a deeper sense of their own spirituality perhaps more than people without a known disability. For some people with developmental disabilities the ability for non-verbal communication is very present. For example, obtaining a special savant in music comes natural for some. For others, embracing and including others of diversity comes easy. Still for others the ability to accept her/his situation with simplicity, innocence, and goodness is refreshed.
The Enabling Spirituality Conference will open with songs and music by members of the award winning Austin State Supported Living Center (AuSSLC) Choir. The choir is made up of 18 devoted men and women younger and older alike. Collectively they bring musical savants and a loving spirit! Their very goodness is contagious, their voices are harmonious, and their innocence invites everyone to join in with them.
The term, “enable” happens to be the same term the AuSSLC uses in the beginning of our mission statement—“to enable the people we serve to continuously advance the quality and independence of their lives". Enabling the people we serve to experience a high quality of life happens every day at AuSSLC. Part of the reason this is the case, is that we offer several musical venues for them to experience, one of which prepares them for the Annual State Music Festival Competition. In 2013, the AuSSLC hosted the 37th Annual Music Festival that took place at the Embassy Suites North Hotel, located at the intersection of 290 and 183 Austin. Over 150 people competed from across Texas. I am proud to exclaim that The AuSSLC Community Choir won two first place awards: First Place in Vocal Choir Competition, and First Place in the Vocal Duet Competition!
Leaders from the state supported living centers of Texas came together a few years ago, and with the help of the music festival residents, installed an image that will be carried out for as long as these annual music festivals continue. The motto they selected was “FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!” No matter what may stand in their way, they are standing strong in solidarity to excel in their gifts of music as well as all their gifts and abilities because they decided one day, and decide every day, to follow their dreams.
During the Enabling Spirituality Conference in March, it is my hope that the choir members from the AuSSLC will enable you to enable your own spirituality by following your own dreams.
Shalom,
Rev. Dr. Paul D. Kraus