In today’s blog I am asking the question: How important is spirituality to a rich, juicy life?
Now most of my readership is made up of women and it is not too difficult, as a general rule, to get a good discussion going about spirituality and explore the impact it has on us girls.
In this day and age however, I might lean toward thinking that our male population might benefit more from exploring this topic than our female population, but whether you are a male or a female, it is definitely something worth exploring if you want to know what it’s like to live a richer, juicier life.
Why? Because a rich, juicy life has depth and it has purpose or meaning. While spirituality, on the other hand, answers the age old question we seem to ask in our darkest hours which is ‘what’s it all about’?
And, because in the words of Socrates, ‘the unexplored life is not worth living’.
So today’s blog is all about getting you thinking and helping you to find the right answer to this question for yourself.
When I mention spirituality, so many people I know go straight to thoughts of religion and church. And while the various religions around the world offer the opportunity, the space and the community in which to develop ourselves spiritually, spirituality is quite independent of religion and going to church.
I absolutely believe that there is something bigger than us and I love that the word spirituality apparently comes from root words in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek that all mean wind, breath, or air or that which gives life.
According to the University of Minnesota, spirituality is defined as “a broad concept with room for many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to something bigger than us and it typically involves a search for meaning in life. As such, it is a universal human experience—something that touches us all.”
For me, spirituality a lifelong journey within and an inner searching – even a yearning – for wholeness through self-awareness and self-acceptance, and it is definitely a journey that brings depth and purpose to my life, day in and day out.
It is probably true to say that the spiritual aspect of my life is more important than any other aspect and it influences my experience of every other area of my life. I also find that when I am working with clients it is a topic that often comes up and has a significant impact on their lives as they seek to understand how they have arrived at their present situation.
Religions endeavour to help us to develop spiritually through the use of rituals, most of which are symbolic, but all of which are intended to bring us a greater sense of connection to something bigger than us.
I encourage the use of rituals, which are simply repeated actions or habits that are performed meaningfully and purposefully, as a means to develop ourselves, especially spiritually, but they must be rituals that are meaningful to the individual carrying them out.
Meditation is a very important ritual for me and has been for over 25 years now. Further to that, I read a lot of books about spirituality and personal development and I believe that ritually feeding my brain thoughtful and meaningful material is key to developing a rich, juicy life. I also spend a lot of time journalling and I listen to inspirational music as much as possible. These things all feed my soul and help me to move forward from a place of love and fulfilment rather than a place of fear and emptiness.
Following are 5 key questions to explore in order to find out what spirituality means and just how important spirituality is to you as you endeavour to live a rich, juicy life.
- What does spirituality mean to you?
- Do you believe there is something bigger than us and if so how would you define it?
- How happy are you with the spiritual aspect of your life?
- What rituals or habits do you believe would help you grow spiritually?
- What is something you could start putting into practice today that would help you develop your spirituality – something for yourself that would bring you a deeper, more spiritual sense of connection?
The answer to these questions may or may not come to you straight away. The important thing is to ask the questions. Know that on this occasion, it is all about you, and allow the answers to come from within the depths of your soul. You will recognise them when you hear them and you will be inspired to explore them further.
This is the essence of a rich, juicy life.
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I look forward to working with you and alongside you while you create your very own Juicy Life in 2016