Revive Your SpiritIt's not surprising, in these uncertain times, that our spirit needs reviving. We yearn to find happiness and the time to pursue the things that matter most. However the willingness, or time to pursue the things that will nourish our inner being may be hard to find. It is especially difficult for
busy moms to carve out time to be renewed and revived in spirit.
I think that I cannot preserve my health and spirits unless I spend four hours a day at least - and it is commonly more than that - sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields, absolutely free from all worldly engagements. ~Henry David Thoreau Daily RitualsEvery day should consist of a balance of work, play, rest and socializing with others. Our spirit needs to be regularly fed and rejuvenated both physically spiritually.Take a NapSometimes we need more than just quiet; we need to sleep! A short nap can work wonders for the chaotic inner self. A warm bath, followed by a short nap, may revive you enough to get through the rest of the day’s schedule.Mini RetreatsWhen the spirit is seriously frayed, more than a few quiet moments, or a short nap, is needed. Declare a “spiritual health” day. At least once, during the long hot summer, I make the 2 hour drive from my home in the city to the North Shore of Lake Superior. I pack a duffle bag with a blanket to sit on, a book, portable CD player and a simple lunch. I listen to my favorite music on the drive up and back. I may read as I listen to the waves of the great lake slap the shore; I may doze a while on my blanket. Mostly I just sit and let the stress ooze out of my core—and it does. Find your own setting where you can be nourished by nature. Discover Your Unique Personality,
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A couple of years later I took a spiritual gifts assessment and found my highest four “gifts” to be: wisdom, knowledge, discernment and counsel. It began to be clear to me that my reputation as a shy, withdrawn person who would rather read a book than have a conversation was not really true. I was living out who I was created to be!
There are many personality profile tools online that you can explore for free. It can be a wonderfully affirming experience to explore the gifts you were born with and how to combine them with the skills you have developed. When we combine the information we gather from these with our job and life style preferences we can discover much about how to identify, explore and find happiness within our life’s purpose.
Improve Your Physical Health
The “tried and true” health enhancers, healthy eating and regular physical activity, not only revitalize the body, they revive the spirit as well.From what you already know about changes you may need to make in these areas, create a personal wellness plan to encourage new habits. As your body becomes stronger, your spirit will strengthen.
Express Yourself
Create a personal journal and begin to write your thoughts and memories. Write poetry or songs. Don't worry about the "proper" dynamics of writing. This is for you. Add photos or cut pictures from magazines that remind you of things that are meaningful to you. A journal can be created online as well.
Begin to sort through those shoeboxes full of photos. Create some albums or a scrapbook. If, like so many others now, most of your photos are stored in your computer you can now do some amazing projects online.
Draw, paint, sculpt, build a birdhouse, knit, crochet, or arrange flowers. From cooking to music to writing to crafts, there are hundreds of ways to express your creativity daily.
Share your creations with others and experience the joy of affirmation of your talents.
Create Traditions
The rhythm of the year offers multiple opportunities for meaningful times with friends and family. Gather for birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah, and other holidays.Celebrate Earth Day with a neighborhood clean up. Commemorate your heritage by attending a festival to celebrate your ethnicity.
The anticipation of shared traditions can lift the spirit for days in advance and leave lingering joyful memories.
Play
Give yourself permission to take life a little less seriously at times. Sit on the floor and play a game with a child. Take your turn on the swing. Play a board game with a friend. Dance, skip, blow bubbles, tell stories, laugh, pop bubble wrap, sing silly songs, color.Let your inner child bring joy to your heart, a smile to your face and healing to your inner being.
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