The thought above is by our guest this week, Paola Asturiano Martins (photo), a lawyer with post-graduation in Social Security Legislation. She was born and brought up in the city of Londrina, in the Brazilian state of Paraná. She is a third generation Spiritist from her mother’s side. She joined the youth groups at Nosso Lar Spiritist Centre at a very young age and now works there as a volunteer teacher. She is also the coordinator of Nosso Lar Youth Wing, a group of young people dedicated to the study of Spiritism and the practice of charity. They keep an instablog called Canal Visão Espírita, which shares contents, debates and events related to Spiritism.

In the following interview, Paola speaks about her experience in the Spiritist Movement.

Tell us about your experience in Spiritism since your childhood.

I could say I was brought up inside a Spiritist Centre. I attended all the courses, from the age of two to the age of 21. When I finished the evangelisation course, I became an assistant teacher and I have never left the department. My mother, by the way, became a teacher at the study groups because I was very young and refused to be in the classroom unless she stayed with me.

How important in your life was attending the Spiritist study groups as a child?

I think it was crucial for my whole life. The importance of attending those courses became clearer when I became a teenager. That’s a period when we go through many transformations, which go beyond the physical aspect of things. Spiritism is the foundation that guides us through these challenges we face in our youth. By understanding the law of cause and effect and reincarnation we develop an incredible sense of responsibility and think ten times before we do something we might regret. That’s why I am so in love with the study groups and why I always emphasize the role they play in the development of our character.

How do you conciliate your work in Spiritism with your professional activities?

I find it amazing, because as a lawyer, I read, I write and I reason all the time. And there’s no difference in Spiritism! I love to read and talk about Spiritism. I don’t believe in faith unless it is reasoned faith. So, I manage to conciliate my profession with Spiritism very well and I feel that one helps and complements the other.

Taking into account the fact that you are so young, what is your vision for the future of Spiritism and the Spiritist Movement?

I believe the conditions are right for the development and growth of the Spiritist Movement. I have a lot of belief in the young and the new generations. After all the new Spirits are coming with a warmer heart, a more open mind and less prejudice. They also question things more, which can give a boost for the dissemination of the Teachings. But sometimes I worry about the older and even the current generation, as they often curtail the space that should be occupied by younger people and the children in Spiritist Centres. That often leads to younger people going elsewhere, which has a negative impact on the future development of the Spiritist Movement.

Tell us about the Spiritist Movement in the city of Londrina.

The Spiritist Movement is strong in our city. What really stands out is the number of social and charity programmes. There is plenty of choice for those who live in Londrina to practice charity. We have many beautiful initiatives. There’s good coordination with the Paraná state federation and the Brazilian Spiritist Federation. People in the Spiritist Movement here are organised and dedicated. That gives me even more strength and determination to carry on working for Jesus Christ.

What would you like to say to our young readers to help them live a true Christian life?

Respect is essential in any experience or relationship. It’s obvious that different generations are entitled to hold different opinions. That is normal. But we need to respect one another, as nothing positive happens and nothing goes ahead when we lack respect. It’s also important to stress that respect is the base of love. We need respect in order to be able to love one another in the future.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I would like to stress the crucial role that Spiritist Gospel studies, in conjunction with the parents’ education, play in the good formation of future adults. It is essential that we grow up on those two strong foundations: our parents’ education and religiosity. I would like to make an appeal to all young people, to ask them to persevere on the pathway of good and to try to keep strong with the help of Spiritism. That will do a great deal of good for them, for the people around them and for the future generations.