Defining My Own Spirituality

I’ve recently started thinking about spirituality. Not so much about religion (which I have, but it’s not been a priority for me for some time now), but spirituality, or the connection that a person has to nature, other people, and the Universe.

Around the time that I moved out on my own, I stopped attending church regularly. Some drama happened in the church itself and there was a change in pastor, parishioners, and the overall vibe of the place. I didn’t really feel very comfortable (or comforted) there anymore. This was a church that I had attended since birth, I’d gone to school there through 8th grade and had spent much of my high school years participating in youth group activities. I guess it was just time for me to move on from it.

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As a 19 year old, I didn’t feel the loss of my spirituality very strongly. It was replaced by college, work, relationships, and hardships. I was distracted by life, and I didn’t realize that something was missing. Now that I’m in my mid thirties, I’m starting to realize that spirituality is one of the big things that’s missing in my life, and I’m trying to figure out how to build up that part of my life in a positive and productive way. Returning to church as more than a Christmas/Funerals/Weddings attendee is probably not going to be helpful to me at this time, so what should I do instead?

For me, as an experienced Christian, it’s difficult to think of spirituality outside of organized religion. I was raised to believe that identifying anyone/anything else as “god” was a sin, and a big one. Slowly, I’m reframing my thoughts around this, and I’ve found the easiest thing to do is to think about this: What DO I Believe In?

I believe in Fate, in connections between people that are magnetic and magical.
I believe that someone (God, The Universe, Aliens?) is looking out for me, and is listening to me when I talk to them.
I believe that my thoughts have the power to create things.
I believe that people have souls
I believe that nature, the elements, and the solar system have effects on people.

Does that all sound wacky? Woo woo? I don’t’ know. I just know that these are things that I believe, and having those beliefs is what keeps me connected to the world around me.

As I investigate these beliefs more, I’m learning new traditions and practices that fit with them. The other day I bought some crystals. I organized part my home via Feng Shui and created a prosperity corner in my family room. (My husband has never laughed at me so hard as he did when I tried to explain that one to him!) I’m trying to figure out if I want to burn sage to try to get the negative vibes out of my house. I’m using meditation and affirmations in an attempt to manifest inner peace and outward success.

I’m happy that I’ve started to build up some spiritual practices again. It’s comforting to have a way to connect with my beliefs and work on strengthening my relationship to the universe, and the people in it. My recent focus on spirituality seems to have helped with my mental health and my productivity. I’m calmer. Peaceful. Growing.

There is one more think that I believe. I believe very strongly that a person’s spiritual beliefs are especially personal. I’m not writing this to say that religion is bad, or that any beliefs are better than others. I’m not opening up a discussion about religion vs. whatever. What I am encouraging you to do though, is to think about your own spirituality. Decide if it serves you. Decide if you have enough of it. If you aren’t happy with it, start to do as I have, and list out some of your spiritual beliefs and go from there.