Hi, Victoria again. I’ve never been what one could call spiritual, but now, at 45, as kids grow up, well, you know. Of all the dimensions of wellness, the spiritual aspect is the most personal piece of your well-being.
To be spiritually well, you must find the right balance and meaning in your life according to your values and beliefs.
Here are some things that I’ve done to become more spiritually well in my life:
Learn something new
Keeping my brain active and consistently learning helps me expand my awareness and perspectives. I have discovered new gifts within myself, and my mind stays healthy and strong.
Plant a garden
Tending a garden can become almost a spiritual ritual. Gardening helps me improve patience. It is therapeutic to spend time outside in the sunshine. And I’ve found that growing a garden helps me relax and listen to my inner feelings. I like to spend time observing the natural beauty and connect with the landscape. There are extraordinary objects that we take for granted in our natural world.
Walk outside
Instead of distracting myself with TV, I try to do something more productive with my body and mind. I go for a walk, do some gardening, and practice my short daily meditation.
When I walk among the trees and under the wide-open sky, I soon feel a shift in my perceptions and outlook for that day and the next day.
Walking is a meditative practice for me. It can provide calm and inner peace and ideas for solutions to whatever I’m currently facing.
Slow down
I try to slow down, learn to take in and appreciate the many details of life and be more mindful in each moment of my day. I stay silent for part of my day when I meditate before bedtime. It helps me to gather my thoughts and feelings.
Cut the clutter
Too much stuff gets me distracted, and causes stress and makes me feel anxious. I try to make our home a peaceful place by getting rid of the excess material and streamlining our spaces. Hopefully, by keeping my area free of clutter, I have more energy to focus on decluttering my mind, as well. But there is still lots of work to do in this area.
Unplug
I try to turn off the electronic devices for at least an hour each day. I enjoy that quiet time, usually in the garden. Let’s see how it goes, but I hope that we can turn off phones at our next family dinner to spend more time connecting with others.
Removing yourself from distractions can help you identify areas where you need to focus and clear the mental and emotional clutter that is holding your spiritual growth back.
Until next time….
—V—