Over the past several months, I have been acutely aware of how busy and intense daily life is. It is as if we are in a ball pit of relentless chaos. We are flailing around, trying to land on a sliver of solid ground and meaning. We quickly lose track of time and what day it is. The daily hours seem to click at a rapid pace, whereas the week often feels at the cadence of a slug. Amid the cacophony, I am also aware of a more profound longing and ache to connect in life. That ache, that longing, that desire for connection is a part of spirituality. What does that look like in ordinary life? Where do you even begin to practice spirituality within current daily living?
What is Spirituality?
I recently shared one of my favorite definitions of spirituality that comes from the Spirituality of AA (God defined as “Good Orderly Direction”) – having all your energy move in the direction toward your higher power (however you name this higher power).
Brene Brown has another definition of spirituality that is also one of my favorites:
Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are inextricably connected to one another by a power greater than all of us, and our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and belonging.
Brene Brown, Rising Strong as a Spiritual Practice.
Spirituality is about connection, love, belonging, and all our energy moving in the same direction, toward the power greater than ourselves.
How to Practice Spirituality
First, reflect on the following questions for a moment. How do you encounter your higher power? Where do you find traces of the holy in your daily living? In what ways do you experience a deepening?
Next, what does spirituality look like for you in ordinary life? How do you intentionally cultivate a life of awareness and purpose in daily living where you notice extraordinary moments throughout the mundane?
There are no right or wrong answers. Spirituality has a wide-angle lens of options. You do not have to fit into a narrowly defined box or understanding. Spirituality is about finding what resonates with you.
Begin with Intention
When you begin the day, set your mindset on the desire of your heart. Begin with your intention – what do you want to pay attention to throughout the day? The moment of purpose does not have to be an extended period. It can be as brief as 30 seconds or a minute. Pause long enough to focus on your intention with your higher power and what you desire for the day. Set your mindset in connection with your heart’s desire.
How I Practice Spirituality
Each morning I start my day by taking a deep breath to pause and quiet my mind. I acknowledge my higher power and focus on my inner desire for the day. I do this quietly, either sitting in my bed or sitting in my rocking chair. The time is brief, long enough to feel grounded and ready to start the day. Sometimes I name my intention for the day with a word or phrase. I write that word in my journal or daily notebook to help me pay attention throughout the day.
Here is an example from one of my morning journal reflections on mindset:
God, thank you for the gift of life. I long to show up this day with a mindset of kindness, compassion, and love toward others. Help me pay attention to the traces of your love that point the way in the adventure of life. Just this day. Amen. – Denise Pyles
Here is the key phrase I write in my daily notebook to help me connect my mindset to my everyday experience: Pay attention to the traces of love.
Your Turn
Understand what spirituality means for you and what you are seeking in your spiritual life. How do you want to grow and deepen your becoming whole and belonging in love?
Then, set your mindset to what you desire and seek in the spiritual life. Begin your day with a moment of reflective time between you and your higher power to set your intention for living the day as fully as possible. Keep the reflection time simple – one word or phrase to focus your mindset.
Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement…. get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.
– Abraham Joshua Heschel
Key Takeaways
- Spirituality is about connection, love, belonging, and energy with your higher power
- Set your intention with your higher power at the beginning of your day
- Use a word or phrase to help you center your mindset – keep it simple
How do you practice spirituality? Your thoughts?
I welcome your insights.
Recent Comments