Meaning, purpose, and direction; some of the many powerful words that can be used to describe the limitless realm of spirituality. Spirituality can not be defined or scientifically measured. It is a qualitative expression of following and living the life that’s true to you. It is deep reflection, introspection, and an ability to truly express oneself.
As it goes, you get out of life what you put into it. Taking time each day to incorporate something into your spiritual practice may be hard at first, but over time it can become a part of your daily routine. The good things in life are never easy for reasons that go way beyond the topic of this post, but we all know that they are well worth the time and effort; we feel more grounded, clearer, healthier, and more connected with ourselves and others.
So where to start? Or where to continue? Consider one of the following ideas to start to incorporate into your days. Set a realistic goal. For example, setting aside 5 minutes a day to do an activity of choice that does not feel like a chore, but something to look forward to because it feels good.
*Start a journal or blog (!!): express dreams, aspirations, fears, questions, beliefs and griefs that you have in life. Sometimes getting thoughts out on paper is all it takes to move forward and/or put them into action (if they are positive) or release them (if they are negative). A healer of mine once told me, when shadows reach the light, they are no longer shadows. Think about that 
*Community Service: Volunteering for others can help you understand how you fit in with the world as well as recognize how other’s circumstances differ from your own. There is much to learn from volunteer experiences.
*Yoga, Meditation, & Qigong: These can all create peace within and around you and clear your mind for worthwhile stimulation… after all, most of the thoughts we think about each day are repetitive and they just inhibit us from unwinding unhealthy patterns and being in the present moment. Your body will physically and emotionally thank you.
*Create a HAPPY list: Writing down all the things that make you happy in life and having it visible, can be a constant reminder of the beautiful and bright side of people and things in your life. Having a list available can be a great reminder on days you may have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. We all know when we get down, the first thing to go is our memory of happy, positive things in our life, so why not do yourself a favor and make that list accessible
*Gratitude Journal: Along with the HAPPY list, a gratitude journal can really start to alter the way you look at life day to day. This can be a wonderful evening ritual to reflect on the day and express gratitude. Some great research around this: UC Davis research shows that people who keep a gratitude journal, in which they write things that they are grateful for, are more likely to exercise regularly, experience fewer physical symptoms, are more optimistic about the future, are more likely to attain their personal, academic, interpersonal and health-related goals, and feel better in general than those who write about negative or neutral life events in their journals.
*Breathe: Take 5 minutes a day to focus solely on your breath. What is your quality of breath? Shallow? Deep? Quick? Slow? Whenever your mind starts to wander, go back to focusing on your breath… breathe in and out. See what happens.
*Ask Questions: Starting a conversation with yourself is where it begins. Sharing your thoughts and questions with others is where the support and growth can really take place. Consider reflecting on some of these questions (provided by a wellness center on spirituality):
- Who are the most important people in my life?
- How have they affected me?
- With whom do I feel most comfortable?
- What is my ideal job? What if the money didn’t matter?
- How important is it that I love my future job?
- Where would I like to be in 10 years?
- What are some goals for this year? The next four years?
- How can I avoid a stagnant life?
- Do things happen for a reason?
- What are my beliefs on life purpose?
- What specific experiences have shaped my spiritual beliefs?
- Am I a good person?
These are some of the many activities that you can consider to become a part of your routine to deepen your spiritual connection to life. If you pick one or two, in the next couple of days, simply reflect on how you feel. This is a lifelong process of discovering who you are as well as who you want to be. It takes time to get through the layers, but you can get there, especially with the support of friends, loved ones, and a community like this. Please share your thoughts and ideas and if you are setting yourself a (realistic) goal for the next few days, weeks, or months. Comment below or e-mail thislittlelark@gmail.com if you would like me to include yours as an anonymous story.
I choose to focus on a gratitude journal. Updates on my progress soon!
Thank you for being you…
