Spiritual Journey…
Let’s take a few minutes of our day and think about a spiritual journey. Although the journey lasts a lifetime, it starts with one single thought that evolves into many. We hear a lot of people speak about their experiences but are never given a “how to” or a step by step. The reason is because it is different for everyone. The motion it takes to move into the action to find deeper meaning. The amazing thing is that this journey can heal you along the way. It gives brings awareness to things we may have forgotten or situations you think aren’t a stumbling block. Mindfulness awakens, shifts in your emotions and possibly a new way of thinking as well as a release of old habits and thought patterns.
If that sounds scary then it is very possible this is exactly what the spiritual doctor has ordered for you. A spiritual journey is an active practice to delve deeper than what is on the surface in order to have a better understanding of yourself, the world and your higher power. As your awareness increases you begin to realize how special we are by seeing the beauty and wisdom in yourself. It is a reflection back through fears, traumas and beliefs. Things come to the surface that you didn’t realize about yourself. It can help you see your place in the world. Open up to find deeper meaning. Find your purpose and help connect with someone, something greater than yourself - your higher self, the universe, collective, God. It can bring inner peace, mindfulness and the art of practicing gratitude. Heavy, right?! Well all this can actually lighten the stresses that life hands us as you heal and grow. You expand awareness and your actually thought process can shift. Incorporating daily practices and disciplines like journaling, meditating, praying, forgiving, releasing are some of the actions that become habits. As all things change, some things stay the same. The difference will be, how you respond to them. During the course of the journey do not get discouraged if you feel there are set backs. This is just another opportunity to examine why it is a set back. This is all part of growth.
As I said in the beginning, everyone’s journey is different and unique. We are all individuals with different situations and life lessons we have experienced. Often times, it begins with a personal crisis or trauma that triggers questions about how and why. It could be an illness, a death, loss of a job, a divorce etc. It is that moment in time where something clicks in our innermost soul and we think: this needs to change, I need more for my life, I want peace and understanding, I need to change a habit or why do I spin out of control. Any of those statements resonate with you? Have you felt or said any of those questionable statements? I know I have. Sometimes on a daily basis I’ve mumbled a few or all of these questions. Therapy and counseling can also help when your mind is in a state of confusion from hurt and anger. I always recommend speaking with someone if you feel it is beyond self help.
If you are seeking a new perspective and don’t know where to start this blog may help open your mind to the possibilities that you can find peace within yourself. Educate yourself on things that interest you. Focus on one thing at a time. Slow your mind down. I read a lot of books, journaled, meditated and prayed and then I journaled again. To me, writing about the problem then reading my response brought on solutions. Meditating on the solutions, praying for clarity helped get my chain reaction started. However, what really kicked it in gear was to then writing down all the thoughts and visions that come to me while meditating. I would write without really thinking about the words. The words just came, like someone else was writing to me. I was amazed at some of the things that my pencil in my hand wrote on the paper. Answers came out of no where. Or to me, God and my Guides where helping me problem solve.
Things to think and meditate on are; your values and beliefs. What were you taught as a child and do you still believe it? What do you believe? Think about what truth, integrity, loyalty and God mean to you? How has it changed through situations you’ve gone through? Really think about what is important to you and what it means to you. How do they look in your world and in the world you want to grow into? This is all part of the practice of mindfulness. Don’t just think about what these things are but how do they look and feel in your energy? Focus on this moment in time. Get still and quiet. Meditate, go for a hike, yoga, whatever quiets your mind and connects you with you. Pay attention to where your mind goes, ask and look for clarity. It was challenging to get my mind to slow down. When I first started to meditate my mind would go all over the place. I learned a trick from a book I read that said to concentrate on one word. I would say peace with every breath, and it helped me stay focused. I would say orange when I wanted to visualize the outcome. I’ve learned not to disregard thoughts, I would place them on hold. My thought process is, these things need clarity. When you have a busy day ahead of you, meditate before your day gets started. Just take 5 to 10 minutes to clear your mind before starting your day. Get out of your head and into your heart. What I mean by that is go to a place in your heart where you find the deepest of love within yourself. Offer that love to yourself and allow it to enter. Practice kindness and compassion to others as well as yourself. If you are able to do this is will pave the way to share it with the world around you.
Connect with nature. Connecting to nature helps you get centered, grounded and refreshed. Really look at the world outside your home. Feel it and experience it. Look for a deeper appreciation of nature itself. What does the sun on your face feel like, what does it make you think about? If you are walking by water, listen to how it sounds. When it rains, don’t be in a hurry to not get wet. Allow the raindrops to fall on your face, to soak into your skin, to your energy. What does it smell of and what does it bring to mind? Look for peace and tranquility in all things.
Be aware of who you surround yourself with, are they part of your tribe? Have deep meaningful conversations. Avoid judgement, listen and share your beliefs and values with those who will really listen. No need to change their opinion or yours. Look for insight from the way they view things. Search for a better understanding in the thought process of others. Be open to grow and learn as well as set an example of who you are deep within. Cultivate a positive outlook. Show gratitude. Build a more spiritual connection with the world around you. Say thank you, I appreciate you and I love you often. Keep a gratitude journal. Send thank you notes and texts for no reason at all, just because. Reflect everyday on the things that give you thankfulness and a warmth in your soul.
In doing these things you will notice how you start to respond to situations differently. You sleep better and feel better. And maybe just maybe you smile more, love more and heal more.
There are spiritual mentors available if needed. Read books, join classes, watch podcasts and YouTube channels that interest you. They can help you seek answers to: Who am I? Where do I find my purpose? What am I drawn to? Why do things happen to me? Why do I worry? How do I handle my thoughts? Where can I make a difference? How do I find peace?
Every experience we have brings the questions of, why did this happen and how can I learn from this? If you are prepared to see, hear and feel these “download” epiphanies from meditation or lessons, you will grow. You may stumble, so do not give up. This is a personal unique journey that is designed especially for you.
Be open, curious and explore what resonates with you. Let the journey begin.
Blessings for a wonderful spiritual adventure.
Stacey
To watch the full episode go to https://fb.watch/tHw2pPpHYk/
