Soul Food

Last week I talked about having a spiritual connection, soul food is what helps increase our spiritual connection.

Soul food is spiritual nourishment, it is anything that simply uplifts or inspires us.  One universal source of spiritual uplift is to bring more beauty into life, whether this is through exploring nature, being creative or simply appreciating art.  Beautifying your home or garden is an easy way to feel more spiritually nourished.  Other common soul foods include enjoying the wonder of children or exquisite music.  Making time to catch the sunrise or sunset can seem like a huge challenge in our busy lives yet it never fails to leave is feeling more uplifted.  Similarly climbing to the top of a hill or mountain is worth the effort to see the view which can often uplift us.   Another, key spiritual nourishment is to simply stop, and remember you are a “human being” not a “human doing”, so stop and take the time and space to simply be.

We often feel down in the dumps or depleted when we have gotten to bogged down with responsibility, and “doing” while forgetting how to play, sing, dance and make things with our own hands.  That is when its time to stop and nourish yourself with soul food.   Remember soul food can literally be  anything that nurtures us and makes life feel it’s worth living.

Identifying your soul food and feeding it to yourself increases your spiritual connection which is profoundly healing and nurturing and probably one of the best form of preventative medicine you can give yourself.

If you would like to improve your spiritual connection try exploring the following

  • What lifts my spirit and inspires me?  Can I spend more time doing what inspires me?
  • Who lifts my spirit and inspires me?  Can I spend more time with people like this?
  • Are there any places that inspire me?  How often would I like to visit them?

 

 

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