We as adults often make life so much more complicated for ourselves than it has to be. Being more open gives us the opportunity to release some of the unnessecary complications.
Moments of Connections
By Stacy Ruttan
S
piritual moments do not have to be brimming with ceremony and ritual. They can be as simple as a dance or a song. All you truly need is to allow yourself to feel connected to something greater. Whether you feel connected to nature, the people around you or the universe does not matter. It is the feeling of being part of the web of life that matters. There are many different ways to experience this connectedness, and I will illustrate some examples here. However, please also find your own spiritual moments in ways that work for you.
Look deep into the eyes of a child and you often sense that you know their soul. You feel the connection buried deep in your heart and it can be piercingly beautiful. We are all conneceted in that way if we only choose to look hard enough. Children are much easier to relate to because they don't wear masks or hide behind walls as we adults often do.
Learning to be more childlike in our lives gives us an opportunity to see things from a fresh perspective. Look at the world with a dash of wonder and it will open up to you in new ways. You may feel more connected to the earth and the life that surrounds you. Throw in a sprinkle of love and you can see the true wonder of the miracles that are everywhere. All you need to do is look with unguarded eyes and heart.
We as adults often make life so much more complicated for ourselves than it has to be. Being more open gives us the opportunity to release some of the unnessecary complications. Take the time to watch a spider weaving a web of gossamer silk, or an ant rushing across your path on one of it's hurried missions. Listen to the birds singing joyfully right outside your window or the wind rustling in the trees. Watching in awe as a butterfly emerges from it's cocoon is witnessing a miracle. Seeing the tides come and go is beholding nature's rhythmic marking of time. Observe a kitten or puppy romp and play and feel the joy in your heart expand beyond it's normal boundaries. Experience the ache of a lovely sunset in your soul, knowing that you will never see that exact same combination of colours again.
Listen with open mind and heart to a concerto written by Bach or Beethoven. They truly know how to lift the soul to the heavens with their music. Pop in your favourite relaxing music while you make supper in the kitchen. The music often has a way of spicing up your cooking! Relax to soft jazz or some classical guitar while you meditate or recline in the bathtub. Music is the language of soul. Let it envelop you with warmth and love.
Give yourself time away from the pressures of work and family. Sit and meditate, or take a relaxing bubble bath with soothing aromatherapy candles burning. We all need time by ourselves to unwind and listen to the quiet voice of peace in our hearts. Try to take the time even when there is no time for you because that is usually when you need it the most. Even just ten minutes often makes the difference between being stressed out, and being able to handle a situation with calm strength.
Also allow time for close, meaningful moments with your loved ones. They are the people who make life worthwhile. Give them your undivided attention and appreciate the time they give to you as well. Nothing is more precious than holding your child on your lap and reading them their favourite story. Hold your partner's hand or sit snuggled on the couch watching a movie with your teenaged children. All of you will go away from the time together ready to face greater challenges in life.
The world around us is full of spiritual moments. All we need to do is slow down enough to appreciate them and give thanks that we are graced with them. You know that saying "it was as if time stood still"? I know I have experienced that often enough in my life. And when it happens I savour it - making it last as long as possible. So, the next time it happens to you, open yourself up to the moment. It is one of the best ways of feeling connected to the Divine Presence surrounding us all.
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