Practicing Self-Care- Part 3- Spiritual Needs

Each individual possesses a spirit that is unique and ever-present.  It can be challenging to describe this intangible force inside of us, however, it is beneficial to our overall health to become 'in touch with’ this spirit.  Among the many benefits it offers is a sense of life purpose, a feeling of connection, and an overall sense of peace- that everything is as it should be.  There are many ways to connect with our spiritual self. 

 Here are some examples:

Natural world- Nature can be a source of inspiration for many of us as we experience the beauty of a natural waterfall, the work of a busy ant colony, or the regrowth of spring foliage.  It is important to recognize that nature operates without thought or worry, something that is difficult for many of us.  If we can focus more on our senses (touch, taste, smell, sight, sound) it is then easier to move away from our thoughts, which can be negative, repetitive, and self-defeating.  Experiencing the natural world can help us to do this. It can be as simple as sitting in the park, closing our eyes, and trying to identify the different sounds we hear or watching and listening to the ocean tide as it crashes upon the beach, then moves out again.

Formal religion- Being part of a religious community and participating in the services it offers or just following the traditions on one’s own can help us to feel centered and part of a larger whole.  When we are struggling with some unresolved issue many of us lose our perspective and are no longer able to see the situation clearly or objectively.  When we step outside of ourselves and our situation by connecting to others, we can broaden our perspective and achieve clarity.   In addition to connecting with other individuals who share our beliefs and values, we can connect with a higher power/being.  This can bring a sense of order to the universe and our world.

Contact with an animal- At the turn of the century, the German painter Franz Marc, best known for his inspirational and colorful paintings of blue horses, expressed the spiritual energy of the animal kingdom. Getting in touch with our spirit requires us to be present - in the ‘here and now’.  Animals can be wonderful models for this as they go about their daily activities free of regret for the past and worry about the future.  We are also in a state of spiritual connectedness when we recognize and appreciate what is simple and often taken for granted.  Animals regularly engage in the simplest of pleasures- a cat stretching in a warm patch of sun, a dog picking up the scent of a cool breeze by an open window, or wild birds enjoying a quick bath in a rain puddle.  

We each have our own relationship with a spiritual self that is unique to us.  There is no right or wrong way to connect with it or to express it.  If the activity/situation helps us to feel present, at peace with ourselves, and connected, then we need to continue engaging in it as well as to keep exploring new ways to take care of our spiritual needs.

Practicing self-care requires time and effort in the present with a promise for peace and fulfillment in the future. 

May the ideas of this blog inspire us to become more capable of maintaining healthy relationships and more open to opportunities for building new ones.