Connecting With Your Spirituality

Okay, so how do we go about connecting with our spirituality? First of all as in all eight areas of our lives, we must realize that this 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 believe we begin an even greater journey. Also, as with any personal growth we have to want it, desire it, yearn for it. This intense motivation drives 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.

Practice Forgiveness:

Practice Gratitude: Daily we come into contact with many people: at work, shopping, at the doctors office, family, at church, everywhere. Expressing appreciation and being thankful to the people in your life not only helps you on your spiritual journey it also strengthens the bond between you and the other person and helps them on their own path.

Be Generous: 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 out he was not rich, in fact he had just lost his job. However when he died Larry he was a successful business person. More importantly his acts of charity touched thousands, inspired millions and will live beyond his death as others continue his work. There is a quote from the bible that says By giving we open ourselves up to receiving many blessings. The good news is 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.

Practice Compassion:

Honor the Sacredness of Life: As Gary Zukov, author of "The Seat of the Soul" has written The Dali Lama is quoted as saying: Practice charity to others, give of yourself and be gracious 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. All of us have many reason to be thankful. For some it may be good health, good friends, a loving family, food on the table, or just getting up in the morning and going to work. Look at the abundance that fills all our lives. Being thankful acknowledges the role God plays in our lives. A simple thank you (grace/blessing) before a meal is an easy way of opening ourselves up to receiving daily blessings. Better yet, start the day with a short prayer of thankfulness and end the day with another prayer. Holding grudges, harboring hate and/or anger creates bitterness within ourselves and generates negative energy. Forgiving past wrongs opens us up to the positive forces of the Universe and connects us with God. Forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean we forget the wrong or in the case of someone being a victim of a violent crime, loving the criminal. What it does mean is you make a decision not to let this person have control over you. You refuse to allow anger and hatred to chain you to the past.

"Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thy shall find it after many(Ecclesiastes XI.1). "Compassion makes one see the picture. Being compassionate means seeking to alleviate the suffering in others. Most cultures and religions consider being compassionate a virtue. Practice compassion towards others, especially those who are suffering: a friend grieving over the death of a love one, a family member dying of cancer or stranger whose home has just burned down. One can practice being compassionate by prayer for those less fortunate, by volunteering perhaps at the hospital, animal shelter or soup kitchen. "As you acquire a sense of reverence you develop a capacity to think more deeply about the value of life."

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