To me spirituality is learning to become a more loving person. My spiritual journey is a process that never ends. It gives my life meaning and purpose beyond the titles of wife, mother, psychologist, writer, speaker, and blogger.
Living from my heart and letting go of fear has taken me from a “me” based life to a “we” based life. I discovered our inner connectedness.
I was in my mid-thirties and miserable when I forged a new path. My four teenagers were driving me crazy. I was out of control. I wanted to abandon everyone. Instead, I made the decision to continue therapy and began attending a support group.
Soon after, I began eating healthy and exercising. It was a natural progression. I replaced my blame and anger with self-love and forgiveness.
I have gained enormous strength, energy, and faith from knowing the answers to any questions or problems in my life come from within.
Leading a life filled with love, meaning, and purpose, involves self acceptance, connecting with others, and appreciating the fullness of each moment.
Knowing and acting from this place has allowed me to manage my power in a way that encourages spiritual growth.
The most important thing I’ve learned is that we’re all here to help each other.
It’s time we begin believing in each other again. My desire is for every person who comes in contact with me to benefit from my energy and light…my presence.
No matter where I am, or what I do, I can influence everyone I come into contact with in a good way. And so can you!
Consider the following insights and bits of wisdom gifts, from me to you, for your journey.
The real voyage of discovery consists of not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. -Marcel Proust
Stop trying to be perfect.
There is nothing wrong with you. Accept who you are in this moment. You are enough. You have enough. You do enough. Nobody else has your purpose, gifts, or talents. Drop your crazy-making expectations of a perfect life. Instead bask in the glory of your imperfection.
Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine. –Budhha
Remain calm.
Stop all longing, craving, and struggling. Drop your agenda. Accept “what is.” Do acts of kindness for the pleasure it brings. Filling your days with trying to get some place or get some thing will steal your joy. Frantic behavior destroys peace of mind. Replace your striving with thriving.
Remember this—very little is needed to make a happy life. -Marcus Aurelius
Delight in the magical moments.
Notice what arouses appreciation in you. It could be the blue sky, the squeaky clean smell of a baby, or the touch of a breeze on your bare skin. Savor these experiences like you would an expensive piece of chocolate. Your whole being craves wonder and joy! The only thing we have to do is become aware of it
Service is the very purpose of life. It is the rent we pay for living on the planet. -Marian Wright Edelman
We all have the power as individuals to make a difference in the life of every single person we meet. Everything we do counts. There is no such thing as a small act of service or kindness.
When we are fearful, we tend to stop giving to others. We stop doing the very thing that will rid us of our fear. Exercising compassion, generosity, and empathy and doing good deeds makes our body, mind, and spirit thrive.
You experience grace and synchronicity. As you learn to give instead of grasp, unexpected miracles happen. You move forward freely and effortlessly.
The everyday kindness of the back roads more than makes up for the acts of greed in the headlines. -Charles Kuralt
Keep your mind and heart open.
Believe in the goodness of the world. Diversity is Divine. Learn to celebrate differences rather than judge them. The loving kindness you offer to others acts as a healing balm that can’t be lost or diminished.
Don’t allow the negativity and fear in the world dictate how you live your life. Even in the darkness we can find a glimmer of light in everyone and everything.
Strong lives are motivated by dynamic purposes. -Kenneth Hildebrand
Focus on the answer.
In the midst of difficult circumstances, we tend to focus on the problem instead of the solution. Worry and anxiety create the exact thing we do not want. Learn to change your focus. Shift your perception. If you don’t believe in obstacles they fail to exist. Learn to create room for a resolution as you relax, breathe, listen, and let go. Release fear thoughts and expect the best in life.
Music has charms to soothe the savage breast, to soften rocks or bend a knotted oak. –Carl Lewis
Learn to soothe yourself in times of trouble.
When we feel overwhelmed by life it’s easy to use self-destructive behaviors like overeating, arguing, or drinking too much. One of the best methods I use to calm myself down is going for a long run. Invest time in discovering what makes you feel good. Try listening to music, hike a new trail, or write in your journal.
I do not think of all the misery, but of the glory that remains. Go outside into the fields, nature, and the sun, go out and seek happiness in …Anne Frank
Don’t believe everything you think.
We terrorize ourselves by listening to, reading, and watching the news. Fear dissipates when we bring dark thoughts into the light. Question what’s happening in the world. Focus on the people doing good and honorable things. Each time you catch yourself frightened by external events, go within and replace your fear thoughts with the memory of a happy place or time. Byron Katie asks, “Who would you be without your thoughts?”
Screw up (often, and boldly), learn from your mistakes, repeat. -Elizabeth Gilbert
Assume the Best
Believe that all is in Divine Order. When you tire of swimming against the current of life you learn to go with the flow. Dwell on what can go right instead of what’s sure to go wrong. Remember infinite possibilities and opportunities exist. Remain open to risk and failure.
And we are put on Earth a little space, that we may learn to bear the beams of love. -Plato
Love everyone.
Let others off the hook. Focus on their loving qualities. Verbally acknowledge their amazing personalities, contributions, and success.
Stephen and Andrea Levine work with death and dying. According to them there are three things we all have in common. We all want to love, be loved, and know that we matter. Tell others they matter.
Imagine everyone with an invisible sign around their neck that says, “Make me feel special.” Doing this never fails to increase your joy, peace, and happiness.
Right now you are one choice away from a new beginning—one that leads you toward becoming the fullest human being you can be. –Oprah Winfrey
Photographer: nuttakit
Farnoosh at Prolific Living has a great discussion going the benefits of being a mother vs choosing not to have children. Don't miss it!
What spiritual gifts would you add to this list?
Hello Tess,
I love how you never stop inspiring me! I can feel your love pouring out of this post Tess, I really can!
Everything you’ve shared here is powerful. I love this statement, “We all have the power as individuals to make a difference in the life of every single person we meet. Everything we do counts. There is no such thing as a small act of service or kindness.”
You have a gift for “boiling it all down” and making things easy to understand.
I’m with you all the way Tess. Let’s allow our love to reshape our world.
Thank you, my dear friend.
.-= Keith´s last post…Should You =-.