Spiritual Beliefs In Modern Life
Life is one of the constant busy and distracting parts of… our lives. It encompasses everything from school, work, politics, community, family life, relationships with friends, romantic partnerships and the relationship with ourselves. But while we attempt to keep our heads above water with these categories all attempting to wrestle for top spot seniority and priority, the relationship with ourselves tends to be the first to get kicked down to the bottom of the list. It’s hard to make ourselves a priority when there’s rarely anyone else advocating for it to be a priority. We rarely have a workplace tell us to stop working on this project so hard, because we’re no longer fully rested and energized.” Or a romantic partner telling us to skip a coffee date because we weren’t able to take time the night before to unwind and have our full nighttime routine.
It’s so hard to prioritize ourselves, but the way I am able to find more time for myself is by labeling it as part of my spirituality. The core of my practice is to take care of all parts of me - my heart, my womb, my body, my mind and my soul -- and when I don’t that’s when the wheel start to fall off and I lose my momentum. Spirituality and religion don’t need to exist within a church or temple. Your body can be the temple, and taking care of yourself is worship. I am a strong believer and practicer - because you need to practice it to fully believe it -- that my soul is in direct line with my mind to my body to my heart and womb. When I stop paying attention to the subtle signs that I need rest, then my body will make that message a bit louder. If that doesn’t work, then it trickles down into specific parts of my body.
How can you make the transition from self-care and self-love into a devotional act? You make the decision and give it the reverence it deserves. It became a task on my to-do list to a standing date with myself that cannot be moved and cannot be missed. Here are some of the small and larger acts I do to replenish this store and continue to make myself and my spirituality a priority that life cannot attempt to re-prioritize.
Taking yourself on a date, alone without anyone’s input, for your unique interests.
Walking the farmer’s market.
Going to a new or used bookstore
Sitting on the beach
Taking myself for a walk
Calling a friend or family member who can be a compassionate ear.
Journaling
Reading pleasurable books AND books that challenge my mind.
Investing in a workshop that will deepen my understanding.
Taking a nap
Lighting incense and meditating
Ritualizing my cleansing practices; i.e., chanting mantras while burning either palo santo or sage throughout my home
Preparing a special bath, with oils, salts and flower petals.
Ordering take out from my favorite restaurant.
Spending time outside in the sunshine to reset my nervous system.
There are definitely more than you can add onto your personal list, but these are the ones that I have re-framed my mind to be unselfish and an act of devotion to myself, my body’s temple and in alignment with my higher self. My higher self wants me to take care of myself, deeply love and care for myself. Anything less is a path to further my own devotion to myself and my craft as a priestess of the Goddess of Love.
