Never forget that once upon a time .in an unguarded moment, you recognized yourself as a friend
Elizabeth Gilbert
We all get very busy at points in our life, our day, our week etc. Sometimes it feels like we feel we are meeting ourselves going backwards. Modern life style seems to compel us to rush.
We often feel pressured to make the most of all our time each day, to fill it to the brim, to achieve and do many things at once and at times be super human. However what then happens, when our lives are so busy is that the activities that sustain us, rejuvenate us, make us feel better/ good / happy etc are usually the first to be sacrificed when we are in a hurry or faced with a new obligation. It is important we remember that there is more to life than achieving success, making money, being superhuman, indispensible and even always caring for others. Your spiritual needs should occupy an important spot on your list of priorities.
Each task or job you undertake and each relationship you nurture, draws from the well of your spiritual vitality. Taking the time to engage in spiritually fulfilling activities replenishes that well and enables you to face another day, and helps you to be more clear headed and more aware of what is going on around you . Making time for the activities that contribute to your spiritual well being and growth is not selfish in anyway because it is all about your well-being and health. That then helps you to help others and do your work and meet your responsibilities in a much more fulfilling way.
Regularly taking the time to focus on your soul’s needs ensures that you are able to nurture yourself, spend time with your thoughts, experience tranquility, and expand your spiritual boundaries and growth.
It is easy to avoid using our free moments for spiritual growth /enrichment. There is always something seemingly more pressing that needs to be done. In fact many people feel guilty when they use their free time to engage in pursuits where they are focusing on themselves because they feel as if they are neglecting their family or their work. When actually it is causes exactly the opposite to happen. When you are fully nurtured you are then able to give so much more, so much easily and less stressfully.
To make time for yourself, it may be necessary to say no to people’s requests or refuse to take on extra responsibilities. Scheduling 15-30 minutes of time each day to spend in silence or quiet time with yourself can make you feel tranquil, give you more energy and allows you to feel more in touch with the universe and the planet you live on. If 30 minutes is really pushing the boat out for you and the thought stresses you then start with 15 minutes a day it is easy to find 15 minutes maybe even in the bathroom! It is possible! Those 15 or 30 minutes of ‘you’ time, does not mean playing on your smart phone, texting messages, face book, twitter or on the computer etc, It means time to sit quietly and connect to the world around you and the inner essence of you. Maybe meditate, sit in nature, or just close your eyes and feel and sense the world around you, feel the peace inside, being present! It brings you to your centre and your very essence and it is very nurturing.
Making time to nurture your spirit may require that you sacrifice other, less vital activities. The more time you commit to soul-nurturing activities, the happier and more relaxed you will become. The time you devote to enriching your spirit will rejuvenate you and help you create a more restful life. It will make you able to deal with lives more stressful situations. It will help you to be more clear headed and connected, no longer scattered and possibly confused. You will be able to get a whole lot more done without feeling the stress and busyness of everyday life.
You can start today, you do not need any special tools you just need you!
Step in to Action
- Schedule 15 – 30 minutes a day for yourself. This may even be in the bathroom
- In that time switch off from the world of technology, the TV the media. Just sit in peace a quiet, stillness or in nature.
- Do not use this time to catch up on FB, emails, telephone calls etc. This time is for ‘you’ the inner you. To nurture yourself.
- If you start to feel guilty about taking this time, write in your journal why you do! analyze why you are thinking as you are.
- Ask yourself why ‘you’ do not feel ‘you’ are worth 15 to 30 minutes a day for nurturing yourself.
- If you find this hard and cannot reason with yourself, book an appointment with a life /spiritual coach.
- Read my book ‘Comfy Slippers and a Cup of Tea’ to gain some useful tips on the subjects you are struggling on.
- Join a meditation or spiritual development group
