Embracing your passions, accepting yourself wholly & celebrating one's spirit brings about a sense of self and connectedness. We asked women about the ways in which they celebrate their spirit - the things they do to honor themselves and nurture their spirit. What makes them feel connected.•

graphics: bonesigharts.com Every day I jog to keep my body healthy and strong. I celebrate my life and living in the moment with every labored breath and stride. Every defined muscle tells a story. It is a race with myself to see how far I can go and everyday I go a little bit further--tina jones - runner for life ••• I dance - although I have two left feet with a mind of their own. I fancy myself a graceful dancer who moves effortlessly and in my mind for that moment I am. Jessica Arnold, world's worst dancer ••• I meditate daily. I share sacred union with my partner. I spend time hiking and exercising in nature. I do what I love. I appreciate the abundance in my life. - karinna kittles - writer, former model ••• The way you treat people in life is a reflection of how happy you are with yourself. A great smile for a stranger gives me a bigger one in return and in a sense celebrates a recognition of our connectedness. I always try to smile or make eye contact, say thank you, and sometimes,even a wink. - gale martin- people person ••• I seek to celebrate my spirit through gratitude and humility which leads me to joy. I sense my spirit seeking joy as the prime expression of God through me. Joy leads me back to myself filling my heart which overflows to others thus completing the circle of life - aimea saul, artist ••• [My breast cancer journey] has taught me to cherish the moment, to stress less, to put family first, to really do only what makes me happy and comfortable. - jacki donaldson, writer -

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I celebrate my spirit by leading each day at a time, doing as much good for the world as possible and sharing a positive outlook and pure spirit. -- jackie kallen - Inspiration for the Meg Ryan move, "Against The Ropes"

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I seek to celebrate my spirit through gratitude and humility which leads me to joy. I sense my spirit seeking joy as the prime expression of God through me. Joy leads me back to myself filling my heart which overflows to others thus completing the circle of life. - aimea, artist

••• I celebrate my self by being present with who I am – an attitude of gratitude. - sandra schrift - belly dance teacher ••• I try to make my home a haven. I like good smells and soft music. We tread lightly and never say “stupid.” Walking into my home is like walking into my spirit...Yoga and a sunrise is spiritual for me. Coffee is pretty good oo.-heidi matonis - artist •••

I am a portrait artist and abstract painter and enjoy creating hemp jewellery designs using gem stones, feathers and other found objects. Occasionally you can find me at an open mic night singing Joni Mitchell or reading my poetry. I strive to be a true Renaissance Woman. - amandha dawn vollmer - renaissance woman

Honoring
Our
Friendships

I sit down with a close friend, grab their hands and share my guts with them! that when i'm really feeling stuff on the inside and really feeling who i think i am, that my way of celebrating it, is sharing it with someone i love. my eyes usually get wide and i get real enthusiastic, spill my guts about it all........and then sit back and laugh.i've come to believe that we can't really know ourselves without relationships. that we need relationships in our lives to learn about who we are.
terri st. cloud, artist

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I celebrate my spirit by being open to new places and people and experiences wherever I go. By going to the Boston Symphony and the Pops, regardless of how much they cost. By having a FABULOUS cushion-topped king-sized bed with tons of pillows and sleeping in the middle. By getting chicken piccatta (no mushrooms, plus lots of extra sauce) at The Cheescake Factory and eating the whole thing! (Not too often, though.) By making time for my Wednesday morning women's Bible study. And by trying to see each day as a miraculous gift that will never be duplicated. - haywood smith, author of the red hat club books •••

Once you reach a certain age, you realize the abundance of your own life. I volunteer in my community. The spirit of giving something back is a celebration that we're all in this together.marilyn hager, crone

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I just decided on the days that I am feeling very sexy that I would wear a short skirt or my heels or both. I would wear my button down blouse one button lower and wear it in pink or red--if I so choose. I would enjoy the fact that I'm feeling beautiful and sexy that day, and I'm going to let it show and just radiate throughout. As I pass men and women on that day, they will look at me and smile because they know--just by the look on my face, those heels, my hair being down or that pink shirt or red lipstick--that I'm feeling sexy and loving it.~ carolyn chapelle ~ domestic abuse survivor

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~Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel as if I should be doing something else.~ Gloria Steinmen I live to write. Writing is like therapy for me. A chance to get lost in a pool of words. I celebrate life by doing the things that I love the most - getting in touch with my creative side. I make handmade journals and cards. I create an atmosphere with lit candles, soothing music such as the sound of ocean waves and the cry of dolphins. When I am not being creative, I indulge in a box of chocolate covered cherries. I also enjoy reading and crawling into cold sheets watching lifetime movies. Each and everyday I renew my spirit by being the best person I could be and fulfilling my mission in life, and being proud of who I am. tery - author, writer, and artist.
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Alone time is essential to my being and well-being. Shutting the door and immersing myself in the beautifulness that is Van Morrison's music. He heals me. In order to soothe the soul and regenerate, I need to disengage myself from the distractions that is life - loud and wonderful as it is. And so, Solitude suits me just fine for the times I need to tear off the outside world. I also enjoy taking long walks where I can be alone with my thoughts.. And of course, I write, therefore I am...it may not be the total definition of me, but writing is my way of bringing things back into perspective when I feel them slipping away. It's as necessary as breathing. I think that I celebrate my spirit in just the way I see life - which is seeing the glass as always half full and always trying to live authentically.- dawn prince, surewoman founder

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I have several ways of celebrating spirit. Meditation is one. The Joy Diet (Martha Beck has a book by this title that suggests, among other things, to daily ask yourself "What is my heart's desire?) is another. I also celebrate my spirit with gratitude. I try every day to thank God for all that She has given me. Each night before I fall asleep, I think of specific things I was grateful for through the day. Yoga also nourishes my spirit. There is nothing like taking an hour to get in touch with your body and let go of the outer world. And I love to read spiritual self-help books like Beck's. Finally, I think writing my blogs celebrates my writer's spirit at least as much as the other writing I do. Especially my "In the Pink" page. - cindy harrison, writer, creative writing teacher

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Let’s just say that art and writing to me are like breathing. I cannot live without them. Without them, I will be like that flower which wilts when it has been deprived of water and sun. Art and writing, in fact the whole creative process are my therapy, my meditative process. You know, I am a workaholic. I am only learning now to take the time to celebrate my spirit. I do that by resting, going to a spa, spending more time with my favorite person-my husband, reading, taking walks in parks and by the lakeshore, listening to music, drinking wine, soaking in our tub and hanging out with my best friend Shantal who is a writer too. Interestingly the art and writing are a continuous celebration of my spirit-jane neteyafas, writer, artist

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