Life has a way of throwing curveballs. Sometimes it’s the chaos of politics or global crises. Other times, it’s deeply personal challenges—family struggles, career stress, or finding our footing in an ever-shifting world. Yet, in the midst of all this, there’s a wellspring of wisdom inside us, waiting to be tapped.
Stress and Spiritual Practices
During a recent conversation in our weekly Square 3 zoom call, the question was raised: How do you deal with stress when traditional practices like prayer no longer resonate?
For many of us, stepping away from traditional religious frameworks can leave a void. But as one participant shared, what we used to call prayer often resembled meditation—a quieting of the mind, a releasing of stress until something shifted inside us.
Others chimed in, mentioning practices like meditation, journaling, or even singing. These acts don’t necessarily change our external circumstances, but they transform how we respond to them.
Meditation, for example, isn’t just about sitting cross-legged and chanting. It’s about realigning your perspective, finding a moment of peace amidst chaos. Unplugging from social media, taking a walk, or reading a book—these too are forms of self-care that help us connect with our inner stillness.
Mining the Inner Treasure
One of the most profound ideas shared was the notion that we’ve been sold a lie: that the power, wisdom, and love we seek must come from external sources—a preacher, a guru, or a divine being.
But what if all of it already resides within us?
Consider this: if the Kingdom of God is within us, as some ancient texts suggest, then so is everything else we’ve been searching for: Love, wisdom, resilience—it’s all there.
Our challenge is to dig deep, to mine this treasure trove within. This process doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s in the small, consistent practices of self-reflection and intentional living.
Another person likened this to using an “energy bubble” to protect their emotions in challenging environments. It’s not about building walls, but about cultivating awareness of what’s yours and what belongs to others. By staying centered, you can face external turbulence without losing your internal peace.
The Role of Community
Of course, while the journey inward is deeply personal, it’s not meant to be taken alone. Communities like the one I’m talking about here remind us of the power of shared stories. When we gather—whether in person or virtually—we hold space for each other, offering support and insights that illuminate paths we might not have seen on our own.
For example, one woman spoke about her work with immigrant families facing the threat of deportation. Her advocacy came from a place of deep empathy and a desire to empower others. Even as she grappled with her own fears and doubts, she found strength in knowing she wasn’t alone in the fight.
Becoming Co-Creators
What if we stopped looking to external authorities to fix the world and instead took small, consistent actions within our spheres of influence? This doesn’t mean ignoring systemic issues but recognizing that change begins within us.
As one participant put it, “How can you become the answer to your own prayers?”
This isn’t about solving everything at once. It’s about showing up where you are—whether that’s mentoring a child, creating art that uplifts, or simply holding space for someone in pain.
These acts, small as they may seem, are powerful and they ripple outward to touch dozens, maybe even thousands of others around us.
Final Thoughts
The treasure within isn’t some mystical concept reserved for the spiritually elite. It’s the ordinary, everyday wisdom and resilience we all carry. It’s the spark that gets us out of bed on hard days, the love that moves us to care for others, and the creativity that drives us to imagine a better world.
So, take a moment today to pause and listen. What is your inner wisdom telling you? What treasures will you uncover? The answers, my friend, are already within you—just waiting for you to find them.
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Are you an artist, painter, poet, author or just an otherwise creative person? Do you sometimes struggle with inspiration, motivation, or self-doubt?
Or maybe you’re wondering how you can create art that touches people, and makes a difference in our world?
If that’s you, I invite you to join me and my friend Angie Von Slaughter for a FREE one-hour LIVE Webinar this Saturday, Dec. 14, at 9am PST/12pm EST called CREATIVE CATALYSTS where we’ll talk about the power of creativity to change us and our world.
To register and hold your spot for this live webinar, GO HERE>https://www.bk2sq1.com/creative-catalysts
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The newest book from Keith Giles, “The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas” is available now on Amazon. Order HERE>
Keith Giles is the best-selling author of the Jesus Un series. He has appeared on CNN, USA Today, BuzzFeed, and John Fugelsang’s “Tell Me Everything.”
He co-hosts The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast and his solo podcast, Second Cup With Keith which are both available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Podbean or wherever you find your podcast fix.
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