Care and Feeding of the Soul (part 1)

Just as our bodies need to be fed and nurtured, so does our soul or our spiritual side. When it was clear that the religion of my childhood no longer fit, I struggled to find a new way to nurture my spiritual nature. My soul cried out for care, and I enlarged my spiritual world. Since my specific path may not be anyone else’s, I’d wanted to share some general ideas about ways that everyone can feed their soul, regardless of where they are on their spiritual path.

• Release the mainstream; your most fulfilling path may be less obvious.

• Resist the societal push to conform to behavior that isn’t comfortable. Strive to be authentic.

• Considered other points of view, rather than dismissing them out of hand. You may be amazed to discover that you’ve outgrown a habitual way of thinking but hadn’t realized it yet. You don’t have to identify with the perspective of your family, coworkers, peers, or neighbors. Find the way that is consistent with your values and allow your perspective to change as you grow wiser, as you see the world from a place of compassion, and learn new points of view.

• Search for what fulfills you. Don’t be surprised if it isn’t status, money, or consumerism – and that some people won’t understand this.

• Find balance between nurturing your relationships, work, and self.

• What brings you happiness? True comfort? Satisfaction with your place in the world? You have every right engage in activities of this kind. Indeed, you need this place of comfort and self-compassion in order to remember who you really are.

• Find a creative outlet. We are never closer to our spiritual side than when we create.

• Connect with others in a meaningful way. There is a place for polite, courteous interactions, but we yearn for a more meaningful connection. It can be with a stranger, with a long-term friend, or a new acquaintance. But find a way to make connections that nurture you both.

• Rest more. It’s hard to enjoy life with it’s all go, go, go.

Stay tuned for the second half of the list, which I’ll publish later this week.