The following is a guest article written by Amy Tori.
In an increasingly unsettled world, it’s important to find anchors in life to help us weather any challenges and times of emotional turmoil. It’s in times of great difficulty that many turn to their faith for extra guidance. Spending more time in the presence of God, or simply communicating with God, can reveal meaning and light in even the darkest of circumstances.
And while turning to Faith and spirituality is a good way of dealing with grief, there are also ways to deepen your spiritual connections in times of prosperity and happiness, as well. Spirituality is fluid; part of the beauty of our relationships with higher power is that it can constantly evolve and become even more fulfilling. Like any other relationship in life, you get out what you put in. For example, if you attend service once in a blue moon and rarely consider your connection to yourself and your religion, you likely won’t feel a strong sense of fulfillment during those moments when you do attempt to connect. But if you spend time daily, or even weekly, deepening your devotion then your relationship with your faith will only strengthen.
Here are a few steps you can take to start deepening your spiritual connections today.
Set aside time for daily devotion. We live in a world that celebrates being busy. We think that the only way to find success and financial stability is by working as hard as possible and packing our schedules. But finding time within your busy schedule to reflect and study each and every day is incredibly beneficial. Cade Lloyd, the founder of ICO Reports, finds time for daily reflections and devotion — even if it’s just five minutes. As the leader of a growing startup organization, Lloyd knows that the more diligent he is about committing time for himself, the more at peace he will feel and the better he will be able to lead his growing team.
Give back. Giving back is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your community. As loving thy neighbor is one of the tenets of Christiantity, devoting yourself to helping neighbors in need is crucial to leading a faith-based life. Additionally, spending time helping others who have fallen on hardships can allow you to see the problems you’re dealing with in your life more clearly.
Join a community. There is no right way to worship or connect with God, however, joining a community that comes together to pray or serve is incredibly helpful –especially if you’re looking for extra spiritual guidance. As society becomes increasingly digital, it is also becoming increasingly disconnected. People spend increasing amounts of time alone, which can evoke feelings of disconnection and isolation. We, as humans, naturally thrive in pack, or group, environments. Joining together with others gives us a sense of security and purpose. So while it is great to have a solitary spiritual practice, it’s more fulfilling to supplement that practice by spending time in prayer, discussion, and service with others.
Forgive yourself. We all make mistakes, and holding on to our past regrets will not make them disappear. People who cannot let go of their “should haves” and “would haves” are only setting themselves up for bitter disappointment in life. Mistakes are part of what makes all of us human, and making the choice to actively forgive ourselves can free up mental and emotional space that can be used toward serving others.
Assess your spirituality and set goals. If you want to grow your spirituality, it is helpful to start with a baseline assessment and set goals for yourself. Some of your goals may be more tangible and easier to track like, attending service once a week. Other goals, like self-forgiveness, are less clear-cut and may require you to proactively check in with yourself once a day. If you create a spiritual roadmap for yourself it will be easier to stay motivated and dedicated.
When it comes to growing your spirituality, there is no better time to start than the present. You have the power to make any change in your life, but you don’t have to go through it alone. By committing yourself to deepening your connection to your religion and yourself, you are inviting community, forgiveness, and love into your life — all of which are essential building blocks to spiritual fulfillment.
~ Amy Tori
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