Originally Published September 15,
2003 -- Your Wellness Guide
Nurture Your Spiritual Side
|
After
9/11 many of us have been re-evaluating our core values,
re-connecting with our families, and taking charge of our faith. In
light of contemplating what is really important with all three of
these areas, spirituality is likely at the center.
While many people will immediately correlate spirituality with
organized religion and as a result be turned off, the fact still
remains that you need something to ground you. Something stable
that doesnt move or change. |
A strong
spiritual foundation provides that grounding, no matter lifes ups or
downs.
Los Angeles
Business Owner Sally Falkow found out just how much spirituality meant to
her after a near-death car accident in September 2002.
Turning onto
the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu, California, Sally was struck by an
oncoming vehicle traveling at freeway speed. Her family was informed,
upon arriving at the UCLA medical center, that Sally would likely not make
it.
|
I was
given a one percent chance of living. Everything was broken on the
left side of my body. I had punctured lungs and a torn aorta, she
told me from her office.
Sally
underwent two immediate surgeries, at one point flatlined, and spent
six weeks in a coma. During that time, her daughter-in-law Tracee
and youngest son Mike came daily to the hospital to offer her
spiritual and emotional support, even while in her coma.
A
devote Scientologist, Sally attributes her unlikely recovery to her
faith and spirituality. |
Photo Courtesy: Sally Falkow
Sally Falkow attributes her remarkable accident recovery to
spirituality. In this picture, Eric her husband, Sally, her
daughter-in-law Tracee, and her youngest son Mike took
a night on the town to celebrate life. |
It was very
real to me that I would not have come out of that accident had it not been
for spiritual assistance. The spirit can heal the body and mind, she
says.
Sally said
she had a strong feeling inside of herself that told her there was much
more to do in her life, including seeing her sons marry and contributing
to her family and several social projects that she had started.
When you
find yourself as a spirit, it will change your life completely, she says.
A
Scottsdale, Arizona licensed psychotherapist and author of the new book
Opening to Life: Reconnecting With Your Internal Source of Energy, Wisdom,
and Joy,
Kimberly Kingsley sees the lack of spirituality in her clients, and what
it does to them, everyday.
What I
think is happening is that things are really moving along much faster
these days. We used to use external landmarks, like our job, family, or
friends, as a sense of security, but that is dissolving, says the
therapist, who sees mostly healthy clients that are instead frustrated
with life and lack a spiritual foundation.
Examples of
the fast life are family that frequently move around, job losses and
company restructuring, education that quickly becomes obsolete, rapid
innovations, and hyperactive media, such as MTVs flash commercials.
Kimberly
says that if we focus on these ever-changing external forces, then we will
be in perpetual distraction and lose the connection with our inner self
and our spirituality. The result is a void.
We need
spirituality in our lives more than ever before. Life is moving so fast
that if we are not grounded in and receive daily nourishment from a
spiritual practice we will crash and burn.
She says
that when her clients start adding spirituality into their lives, they are
more vibrant, fulfilled, and aware. She also notices that they start
realizing patterns of interacting around them and have a desire to move
forward with life planning and finding out who and what they are meant to
be and do.
Here are
ways you can begin to nurture your spiritual side:
Find
Solitude:
Find some quiet and peace each day, without noise and distractions (yes,
turn off the TV). Think about what is important to you. Recognize
thoughts that come into your mind.
Embrace
Practices:
Spirituality is active but individual. Regularly practice spiritual
activities that give you grounding and a good feeling, such as journaling,
scripture reading, spending time in nature, meditating, conscious
breathing, going to church, and giving service.
Terra
Wellington
is a
national authority on creating a wellness lifestyle.
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Wellington