How to grow your spiritual side

Okay, so how do we connect with our spirituality? First of all, as in the eight areas of our life, we must realize that it is a journey, a path, a “bike ride”, not a destination. We are all on a journey. This journey ends with our death and then I think we begin an even greater journey. Also, like all personal growth, we have to want it, desire it, yearn for it. This intense motivation propels us along our path.

Connecting with God and beginning our spiritual journey involves taking action, below are some actions that will help you on your journey.

    1. Practice forgiveness:
    2. Practice gratitude:
    3. We come into contact with many people on a daily basis: at work, shopping, at the doctor’s office, family, at church, everywhere. Expressing appreciation and being grateful to the people in your life not only helps you on your spiritual journey, but it also strengthens the bond between you and the other person and helps them on their own path.

    4. Be generous:
    5. Recently the news told the story of Larry Stewart. Larry died on January 12, 2007, but before he died, Mr. Stewart gave away over a million dollars. He would randomly give money during the Christmas season to people he met on the street. Larry did this for 26 years. When he started he was not rich, in fact he had just lost his job. However, when he died, Larry was a successful businessman. More importantly, his acts of charity touched thousands, inspired millions, and will live on beyond his death as others continue his work. There is a quote from the bible that says By giving we open ourselves to receive many blessings. The good news is that we don’t have to give money. We can give of ourselves, our time and talent. We can volunteer at the local food bank or at the elementary school. We can help an elderly neighbor. Or just practice random acts of kindness.

    6. Practice compassion:
    7. Honor the sanctity of life:
    8. As Gary Zukov, author of “The Seat of the Soul”, has written, the Dalí Lama is quoted as saying: Practice charity with others, give of yourself and be kind when receiving gifts. For some, giving may mean writing a check to a favorite charity or giving money to a stranger in need. For others, giving of your time can be very rewarding. We all have many reasons to be grateful. For some it may be good health, good friends, a loving family, food on the table, or simply getting up in the morning and going to work. Look at the abundance that fills all of our lives. Being grateful acknowledges the role that God plays in our lives. A simple thank you (grace/blessing) before a meal is an easy way to open ourselves up to receive daily blessings. Better yet, start the day with a short prayer of thanks and end the day with another prayer. Holding grudges, harboring hatred and/or anger creates bitterness within ourselves and generates negative energy. Forgiving past mistakes opens us up to the positive forces of the Universe and connects us to God. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean that we forget the wrong or, in the case of someone being the victim of a violent crime, love the criminal. What it does mean is that you make the decision not to allow this person to have control over you. You refuse to allow anger and hate to chain you to the past.

“Cast your bread on the waters, because after many you will find it (Ecclesiastes XI.1). “Compassion makes one see the picture. Being compassionate means seeking to alleviate the suffering of others. Most cultures and religions consider being compassionate to be a virtue. Practice compassion toward others, especially those who are grieving: a friend grieving the death of a loved one, a family member dying of cancer, or a stranger whose house just caught fire. One can practice being compassionate by praying for those less fortunate, perhaps as a volunteer at a hospital, animal shelter, or soup kitchen. “As you gain a sense of reverence, you develop the ability to think more deeply about the value of life.”

Take time to appreciate the intricacies of nature. The American Indian believes that there is a spirit or sacredness in all things, not only in living things, but also in innate objects, rocks, mountains, and water. In doing so, he gained an appreciation for all of creation and a deep respect for the things of the earth. Practicing the above will bring you closer to your spiritual side and in doing so will open you up to the power of the universe and unite you with infinity.

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