Patience is required. Be kind with yourself and your developing talent. It took weeks for me to observe any new leaves or flower buds budding. I learnt that, like my spiritual gifts, it takes time for them to mature. “However, let patience do her perfect work, so that ye may be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” 4:1 James 1:4
Before You Continue...
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What ways can you nurture the gift of wisdom in your life?
WHERE DO WE GET OUR KNOWLEDGE?
- Make small talk with strangers. Talk to people from different walks of life and from different viewpoints than you, and see what you can learn from them.
How do you nurture your soul?
It's all too easy to overlook your soul. You can't see, smell, hear, taste, or touch it, after all. Nonetheless, it is critical to your overall quality of life.
This is due to the fact that your soul is what makes you human. It motivates you to put forth your best effort. It keeps you alive in good times and bad. It also permits you to perceive others as flawed humans who require empathy, rather than abstract beings. As a result, it's critical to follow these actions to keep your soul strong and healthy.
Jot Down Your Thoughts
Take three sheets of paper every morning. On those papers, jot down everything that comes to mind. Don't be concerned if your words are coherent or if you've ran out of things to say. Fill out the pages entirely, even if it means repeatedly writing “I have nothing to say.” Julia Cameron, an artist, created the phrase “daily practice.” Pages for the Morning.
This activity helps you to clear your mind. If you've been having trouble solving a problem lately, your morning pages might be able to help. Make it a habit, and you might gain a life-changing insight you hadn't considered before.
Take Time to Meditate
Meditation's capacity to help you focus and relax has received a lot of attention. But did you know it's also beneficial to your brain?
Open monitoring meditation, for example, requires you to take in everything around you without focusing on anything in particular. Because your brain tries to make sense of various sources of information, this enhances creativity. In addition, meditation makes you more compassionate, slows down an aging brain, and improves your ability to comprehend information in general.
You don't even have to meditate in the lotus position. Tai chi, also known as “meditation in motion,” has the same advantages as other types of meditation. All you need are some comfortable clothes, a distraction-free environment, and a desire to try something new to reap those benefits.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise does more than just keep you fit. It also lowers your chances of acquiring arthritis, asthma, back pain, diabetes, and heart disease. Exercise can also improve your mood and provide a strong basis for self-confidence.
Even if you're aware of these advantages, sticking to a regular fitness regimen might be challenging. If you're having trouble staying motivated, rethink your goals. Instead of attempting to lose 10 pounds in two weeks, remind yourself, “Every 30-minute jog makes me happy, and that's OK with me.” Continue to repeat that to yourself as a mantra, and you'll come to enjoy exercising for its own sake.
Exercise also does not have to be a solitary activity. You'll get even more benefits from taking a fitness class, such as meeting new people and having more accountability for your health goals. Remember to plan your workout in the way that works best for you, no matter how you choose to exercise.
Go Hiking
Hiking is enjoyable whether you are daring or not. It's a terrific cardiovascular workout as well as bringing you closer to Mother Nature. It's also good for your mood to climb a mountain on your own two feet.
If you're doing it for the first time, make sure you're accompanied by an experienced hiker. Remember to do short treks, get to know the terrain, and only bring what you need. As you gain experience, you can try more adventurous expeditions and perhaps attempt to climb Mt. Everest one day.
Become a Volunteer
Helping others is sometimes the best way to assist yourself. Volunteer activity, for example, may be beneficial if you suffer from depression. Volunteering keeps you busy, strengthens your support system, and offers you a sense of purpose in life all of which are important in coping with your illness.
Consider what important to you when volunteering to get the most out of it. What is it that keeps you up at night? What is the one thing you would most like to change? Use questions like these to help you start looking for volunteer opportunities. It's surprising how much you'll change as a person if you figure out what you're intended to do.
Do Something New Every Week
Variety, as the old adage goes, is the spice of life. Try to carve out an hour or two for something unusual, no matter how hectic your calendar is.
Cross the street to the newly opened museum. Create a funny cartoon about your day at the office. Make a plot outline for the book you've always wanted to read. Make a phone call to old acquaintances you haven't seen in a long time. It makes no difference what you do. If it's enjoyable and something you've never done before, go ahead and do it. These types of activities are good for your soul.
One Last Tip
It's an indication that your soul needs some TLC if you're exhausted or empty. If at all possible, avoid getting to that stage. Make any or all of the suggestions above a habit, and you'll never have to worry about the health of your soul again.
Ann Mulderig is a self-described health geek who loves to write about food, fitness, and overall health. When she's not writing, you'll find her hiking in the mountains or making new foods in her kitchen.
How can I enrich my spiritual life?
Religion brings spirituality to some people, but it does not bring spirituality to others. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to spiritual well-being. Here are a few ideas to get you started if you're not sure where to start.
According to a Gallup poll, 43% of Americans claim to be members of a church or other religious organization. These houses of worship provide a variety of opportunities for those living with mental illnesses to connect with others in their communities.
Reconnect with someone or an organization that shares your ideas and thoughts, whether online, over the phone, or in person. Find ways to connect with like-minded people in your religion community who can support and encourage you by reaching out to a pastor or spiritual leader.
“Many people's support mechanisms were taken away from them during the pandemicchurch, volunteering, support groups,” Wester added. “It was especially difficult for individuals who were already dealing with mental health concerns.” I advise people to reconnect with their religion group as soon as they are physically secure to do so.”
It's fine if you don't have a faith community. Finding a cause that resonates to you and giving back is another way to feel connected to your spirituality and faith. Working in a food pantry, becoming a mentor or tutor, or fostering an animal are all options. As a result, your community will develop and you will be able to meet individuals who share your interests. It will offer you a sense of purpose and thankfulness to serve others.
You don't have to be a yogi to benefit from the practice's spiritual benefits. Yoga is suitable for people of all ages and abilities. It can improve your mind and spirit, as well as strengthen and stretch your body, by lowering stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms.
You don't have to be an expert meditator like you don't have to be an experienced yoga practitioner. Because it takes so little time, meditation is one of the easiest disciplines to keep. “Some people believe you must sit and be silent, but this is not the case,” Wester explained. “You can walk while meditating, paying attention to the sensations of your feet on the ground and the intricacies of your surroundings. Simply slowing down your body can help you calm down your mind.”
Even five minutes of meditation can help you reduce stress, despair, and worry while also increasing your mindfulness. There are numerous fantastic guided meditation applications, such as Calm or Balance, if you need help.
Writing can help you process your emotions, raise your awareness, and provide a nonjudgmental space for you to express your feelings in the present. Start a daily thankfulness notebook with prompts or write down your anxieties and fears.
Spending time in nature, whether you live in the mountains, the desert, or near the ocean, can improve your spiritual health. You can't seem to get away from your phone, your day, and your problems. Even a few minutes spent watching the birds, trees swinging in the breeze, or crashing waves on the shoreline can be relaxing.
Find activities that you enjoy, such as knitting, coloring, cooking, sports, or working out. Focusing on things you enjoy might help you regain a feeling of purpose and stay present in the moment, even if only for a short time.
If you're having trouble connecting with your spiritual side or your mental health, get help from someone who is specially trained or someone you trust.
“Chaplains are specifically equipped to deal with religious issues in a clinical setting,” Wester added. They can assist validate your feelings without sweeping them under the rug. They can help you get back on track spiritually.”
How do you value God's gift of presence within you?
Prayer Request: That you find value in God's presence by praying, studying, and worshiping with Him. “How?” you might wonder. God's presence can be discovered in three ways: