In my work of Applied Spirituality™ I am always looking for spirituality applied action – in the actual living of a life. I know it when I see it, because it is authentic and genuine. My parents inspired my work in Applied Spirituality™ as I observed them and experienced them as a daughter. However, since it is Father’s Day, I will focus on Dad. He is 86 years old; still going strong, allowing Life to flow through him expressing his unique, humble and invaluable contribution to the planet. The dictionary defines fatherhood - father·hood (-ho?od′) noun

1. the state of being a father; paternity

2. the qualities or character of a father

Etymology: paternity 1449, "condition of being a father," from M.Fr. paternité (12c.), from L.L. paternitatem (nom. paternitas) "fatherly care, fatherhood," from L. paternus "of a father," from pater (see father). Originally in the ecclesiastical sense; literal sense first recorded 1582.

The second definition is the heart of the matter: the qualities and character of a father. Anyone can be a biological father, but it is the quality and character of the man that bring into focus the full meaning of fatherhood. He taught me by his example not just with his words. He was congruent; he was the same man at work as he was at home or at play. He never said one thing and another. Later in life this became a measure for me of an individual’s authenticity.

My earliest memory is his carrying me into the hospital to have my tonsils removed. I was about three or four years old, wrapped up in a blanket and held close to his heart in his arms. The feeling was safe and secure. I could have stayed there forever. Now I recall that day and relive that feeling of safety and security. The words, “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” (Hebrew13: 5) come readily to my mind, as the earthly fulfillment of God’s own words manifested through my human father. This is applied spirituality.

Dad always welcomed and included us in his life. In his garden he would let me ‘help’ him, giving me an old coffee tin with a wee bit of gasoline in the bottom, so I could pick off the Japanese Beetles and tomato worms. This was my introduction into organic gardening and the mysteries of a seed which have captivated me for a lifetime.

When it came to household chores, there, too, he welcomed me as his helper. He readily taught me the fundamentals of applying myself to a project. “There are three parts to every job,” he said, “the preparation, the doing, and the cleaning up. No part is more important than another.” In project after project, I learned carpentry, plumbing, some engineering, woodworking, but most valuable of all, problem solving – all of which served me profoundly throughout my life whether I was approaching a term paper or building my home. I had the foundation of focus, enjoying the process, and being in the moment fully and completely absorbed in the task. I also learned possibility thinking and optimism: how can we do this? If I’d learned nothing else, that alone would have stood me in good stead. Everything is possible, let’s apply our attention to it; and so we did and received inspiration after inspiration. Pure applied spirituality.

I watched him follow his bliss, although he wouldn’t have called it that. On a beautiful day he would say, “I think I’ll get 9 holes of golf in today.” He said this summer, winter, fall or spring. He knew to enjoy his passions and fill up his own basket first, and from there he could overflow his Good to others.

He was the youngest child of immigrant parents from Serbia. Neither of his parents had much formal education, but both were so grateful to be in America, they never bemoaned the long hours of work or how little they had materially. Their dream was fulfilled to just be in the USA. This humble spirit of gratitude for life and every good thing was probably their greatest gift to my Father. Thus, he is a naturally grateful and appreciative man. He sees and appreciates the blessings, no matter how small. I’ve never known him to be envious or jealous of anyone; his cup is always full.

He loved school and enjoyed learning. Because of this, a recruiter for Case University in Cleveland offered him a college scholarship if he would play football. No one in his family had ever gone to college, let alone dreamed of it. Case was an engineering school. Dad didn’t doubt, instead, he accepted and eagerly received his Good and then instantly, realized not only would he get a college degree but he would be able to play football, as well. Could it get any better than that?

He served in World War II as a B-17 pilot. As a young boy growing up in Cleveland, he wanted to fly. He didn’t ‘go after’ the Army Air Corp. In fact, he tried first tried to enlist in the Marines, but they told him he had ‘too many fillings’ in his teeth. So he tried again with the Army, who then sent him to the Army Air Corp, thus fulfilling his boyhood fantasy of flying. Pure applied spirituality: ask and it is answered when you follow and allow your Good.

After the war, he married my mother of whom he laughing says, “I played with her in the crib,” because they’ve known each other since infancy. He returned to Case, giving up his scholarship so someone else could use it, because he could finish on the GI Bill. I remember him in his cap and gown getting his Masters Degree when I was about 3 years old.

He never begrudged his role in life, but instead he embraced it. He had 3 daughters, his lifelong sweetheart as his wife, and her mother to support. I think his life with all these women both surprised and pleased him enormously. He is a gentleman. I never, ever, heard him swear or use vulgar language; and I’ve never heard him disparage or belittle anyone. He has that much respect for himself. He listens fully to people when they speak, giving his full attention and regard: his presence with them says, “I see you.” He is ready to laugh or help; but he also has boundaries. He could and does say no, if it doesn’t feel right to him. I never witnessed him do anything out of guilt.

He wanted for us only more of the best. To him, this was education. He encouraged us girls to follow the college prep curriculum and become all that we could be; but most importantly, he bad us to “think for ourselves.”

Of course there were times that we didn’t see eye to eye, especially when we did start thinking for ourselves. Even times when our relationship appeared bleak or at an impasse as I pushed to become who I was while he fervently wanted his dream for me to be fulfilled, his love for me was always his underlying North Star. He could not turn his back nor ever close his heart to me, no matter how much we seemed to be at odds. As I adventured and explored life, he grew and expanded right along with me.

At one of the worst moments we ever had between us, I recall saying, “Dad, I can’t feel your heart.” His head snapped up, his eyes filled with tears and then he said, “I get it. I understand.” From that day we knew that we could discuss anything, because it was Love that sustained our relationship, indeed, our friendship.

Today as I launch a new career of my life’s work in Applied Spirituality™, even though he doesn’t fully understand it with his logical, engineer’s mind – he fully supports me and believes in me, because he understands everything with his heart.

He has grown and expanded with me throughout his entire life, elegantly growing his consciousness. At every turn where he could have shut down his heart, he may have been tempted to step outside the flow of God, but he didn’t because it didn’t feel Good to him. And I wasn’t easy for him. I was called to a spiritual life and spiritual work, which often couldn’t be explained or understood readily. He never made fun or ridiculed, even when he was frustrated; and he never expressed any disappointment in me. To the contrary, he often expresses his feelings of pride. He stretched himself to be able to expand and allow without proof. He did this because of Love – the Love of God flowing through him to just Love.

He expects the best and he is not fearful. He dwells where his joy is to this day, appreciating his nearly 64 years with Mom and heading down to the wood working shop every morning and getting online in the afternoons. He holds no grudges or regrets, but lives right now, excited by new ideas and new projects every day. He appreciates himself. He is proud of his life, he likes himself and he trusts his judgment – his Self.

Dad has been a living example for me of Applied Spirituality™. He is Truth, Beauty and Goodness. He is, my father, a mighty fine example of God, Itself, expressing as Bob Penovich, on Earth.

Kathy Kirk was raised in the Midwest, and has lived in MT, NY and CA. She has a BS degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Cornell University. She is the founder of Applied Spirituality and the author of two books, Well Done, and The Earthling's Quick Start Guide – both scheduled for release June, 2009. Her website is http://www.appliedspirituality.com Her blog, A New View, is at http://www.appliedspirituality.blogspot.com. Kathy is a powerful and inspirational speaker and has spoken to such groups as North Island Naval Air Station, Qualcomm, BAE Systems, SPAWARS, Mensa, the US Post Office, Cornell University, Phoenix House and the San Diego County Libraries. She gives Seminars and Workshops to groups and corporations on Applied Spirituality™. Kathy is also available on a limited basis for private coaching. She can be reached at support@appliedspirituality.com or 619-445-0972.