If you’re like me, every year as the holiday season rolls around (like November-ish), you may tend to do some reflecting.
And it’s during this time of year when I like to stoke my spiritual fire.
THE 3 MOST SPIRITUALLY PROFOUND THINGS YOU CAN DO
#1 HAVE GRATITUDE
Study after study reveals that “gratitude” is the thing that “happy” people have in common. It’s like the fairy dust that instantly connects us with God and our spirit, producing a feeling of peace/happiness.
WHAT TO DO:
We always have a choice to see the abundance in our life.
Remember how sacred it is just to be alive.
Have gratitude for exactly what you have right now (avoid fixating on the things you lack).
Gratitude for the smallest of things; a beating heart, a safe home, the water we drink, the food we eat, the breeze on our face, the stars in the sky, laughter, & joy.
Find gratitude even in the ordinary, while doing chores, cooking dinner, etc.
And as difficult as it is, have gratitude for even the most difficult of circumstances (remember, EVERYTHING is a blessing).
TRY THIS:
1. START YOUR DAY WITH A PRAYER OF GRATITUDE:
I like to begin each day with a prayer of gratitude from New York Times best-selling author Kris Carr, which begins “Dear God, thank you for another day on this glorious planet”-- and I instantly feel calm and happy. Those words are profound, reminding me that one more day on planet earth is a gift that should not be overlooked.
2. SAY “THANK YOU” TO EVERYONE
Say ”thank you” to everyone and for everything. “Thank you” for all the ups, all of the downs, and all the in-betweens. Thank you for the privilege of life.
GRATITUDE IS the fairy dust that STOKES OUR SPIRITUAL FIRE
#2 LIVE IN THE PRESENT
One of the most spiritually profound things we can do is to live in the moment and be completely present. We live in a chaotic world, and it is easy to get bogged down with thoughts about the past, fears about the future, and petty dramas. But, when we do this, we miss the beauty in the present moment.
When I am feeling out of sorts, it is generally because I am flailing around in the past (that pesky grudge) or future (fear of unknown). But as soon as I become present—it’s generally all good.
After our diagnosis and treatment, it was easy to worry about the future. Was it really gone? Would it come back? But in consuming myself with these thoughts, I was missing the current, healthy, precious, beautiful moment. I knew that I didn’t want to sit down 20 years in the future, healthy and well, and look back with regret over the fact that I missed the beauty in those years because I was stuck in fear. I didn’t want to allow fear of the future to prevent me from enjoying the “here and now”.
WHAT TO DO:
God inhabits all living things, and if we take notice, we will always find God in the present moment. Stop spinning the old stories in your head and playing reels that anticipate the future, as this only causes negative feelings, worry, anxiety, and disease. Instead, bring your focus to the here and now. Love the moment; take in every detail & feel the peace/joy this brings.
TRY THIS:
1. GO ON A WALK/HIKE
Be totally present (this means, do NOT think about that “to do” list).
Enjoy the sights of the landscape, the feel of the breeze, the smells of the season, the sounds of the birds, insects, & water.
2. ENJOY THE MUNDANE
You have been blessed with one brilliant life & even those seemingly mundane things are totally amazing!
Be present in all that you do, even ordinary tasks. Enjoy cleaning the house, cooking dinner, cutting the grass, doing laundry, etc.
Even enjoy & feel blessed to be on "poop scooper' duty! Feel gratitude for your furry friends that are part of the family. Animals are Devine!
3. DEEPEN A RELATIONSHIP
“Be present” by giving someone your full attention. In a world where multi-tasking has become the norm, it is rare that we actually give someone 100% of our focus.
No tv, no computer, no other people, no phones.
Sit face to face, eye to eye—and feel the magic, as you connect on a different level.
4. SAY A PRAYER
“Dear God, help me to live fully in the present. Help me to realize that fear separates me from you, God. Rid my fear & give me faith. Thank you for all of my blessings (list them here for God to hear)………”
#3 SERVE OTHERS/IMPACT THE WORLD
We are here to impact the world and service is part of any noteworthy journey. Show gratitude for your blessings by serving others who can never repay you & with no recognition (no “thank you”, no applause, no brick with your name on it). And if you have children, engage them in acts of service early on in their life to cultivate gratitude and a connection to humanity, God, and their best self.
You haven’t truly lived, until you serve someone who can never (ever) pay you back.
TRY THIS:
Gather some family/friends (or do it solo!) and think of a mission that calls your name--& go for it!
Serve at a homeless shelter/soup kitchen.
Volunteer at a pregnancy center, school, church, hospital, nursing home, etc.
Write an encouraging note, affirmation or bible verse & leave it for someone (a friend or even that waitress you don’t know).
-You matter!
-Your Smile is contagious!
-Enjoy today! You only get to do it once!
-”I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength” -Phil 4:13
-Live the life you dream of!
-You are here to Impact the World!
Use your individual talents to help others (Computer skills, building, gardening, finances, sewing, working on vehicles, etc.).
Donate old clothes, books & games to a shelter or big brother organization
Mow the grass, shovel snow, or provide a meal for a sick or elderly neighbor.
Organize a yard sale & give profits to charity.
Be a mentor.
Teach Sunday school.
Champion others by promoting their idea.
Send an anonymous donation to someone who is struggling financially
Rock babies in the NICU at your local hospital.
Go on a mission trip (contact a local church for info).
Pray for others.
Send a care package to deployed soldiers.
On garbage day, pull the neighbors garbage cans back to their houses.
Call a mom and offer to babysit for free.
Adopt a grandma or grandpa at your local nursing home and visit regularly.
Provide chemo care packages to the hospital.
Place a goody bag on someone’s doorstep; Ring the bell & run! (AKA Ding dong ditch!).
Call someone who is lonely & make plans.