Do you feel like you don't have the time to develop a genuine spiritual practice? In our busy lives, self-care is often neglected. But what if you could do things that don't take up much time and still bring about a great return for your spirit and energy? Here are eight easy action steps for a quick spiritual practice that will help you connect with the love of Spirit and engage in living in the present moment.
Start your day with intention: Before getting out of bed, think of a word that describes how you want your day to go. Take a moment to think about how you want to feel before you get up and get going. Those few moments of connecting to that word can make all the difference in your day!
Find daily inspiration: Many spiritual thought leaders put out daily readings, whether they be quotes, blogs, letters, or teachings. Find what resonates with you and take five minutes each day to read it.
Practice gratitude: Notice how many things you can appreciate on your way to work, whether you are in a car, on a bus or train, or working from home. Simply look around and ask yourself what can be appreciated. A beautiful clear blue sky, minimal traffic, someone reading something and simply smiling over it. There is always something if you look for it.
Count your breath: Sit down in as peaceful a place as you can find, close your eyes, and take 15 deep, slow breaths as you count each one to yourself. Hold each in-breath for a full three counts before you exhale.
Pay a compliment: Find at least one person you don't know that well and pay them a heartfelt compliment. Maybe you really like someone's shoes that you see on the street or someone you work with did a really great job with something. A little compliment goes a long way!
Focus on the positive: After you finish eating dinner, name three things you loved about your day. Sometimes we can fall into the trap of focusing on what we don't like. So use those later moments of the day to consciously focus on what you DO like. What we focus on expands.
Send love: As you get ready for bed, think of someone who might need some extra love and send it. Our energy is much more powerful than we realize, and love sent from afar can absolutely be felt!
Thank yourself: As you are falling asleep, put one hand on your heart and one hand on your belly and breathe deeply into each area. Quietly thank yourself for anything that was covered that's on this list. And even if nothing was, thank yourself for simply being you and contributing your energy to the day. Because those things are enough!
If time (or anything else) has been a deterrent for you in developing a spiritual practice, let go of preconceived notions of what a spiritual practice "should" look like. Our inner spirit needs to be cared for, and in doing so, we honour Spirit.
As we are all Divine beings created from that divinity, we also keep that connection to Spirit much more open and flowing. Taking this care also puts us in the best place for those around us. It's a win-win-win! Incorporate these easy action steps into your daily routine and watch your spirit soar.
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The information contained above is provided for entertainment purposes only. The contents of this article are not intended to amount to advice on your personal situation and you should not rely on any of the contents of this article. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this article. The Writer and Shoshin Therapies disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this article.
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