Posted: 1/10/2014 | Spiritual Growth	Comments
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I read recently that the most popular New Year’s resolutions are related to physical health. We think about our bodies a lot, especially as we grow older. We all want to lose weight, quit smoking, work out more, drink less and eat better. All this is good, of course, but we often overlook the other aspects of our health – emotional, mental, and spiritual. All of these are important and interdependent, but here we’re focusing on our spiritual health. Nurturing and tending to our spirit supports every area of our life, including our physical experience.

We can usually recognize when our physical health is declining by the way we feel. We experience symptoms like illness, pain or loss of energy. When you start sneezing you know you’ve probably caught a cold and can take steps to remedy that. There are also symptoms associated with the decline of our spiritual health, and this can show up in different ways. We might feel lost and look for direction. It may show up as emotional pain, like depression and anxiety. It very often manifests physically, so if we attend to our physical needs while ignoring our spiritual needs, we won’t heal as well or as quickly.

There are two primary ways to stay spiritually healthy. The first is to develop a prayer or meditation practice. It doesn’t matter what tradition you choose to follow as long as it resonates with you, and as long as you continue your practice over time. In doing so you’ll move closer to the deep, nourishing stillness and silence that Father Thomas Keating calls, “God’s first language.” This practice allows us to steep ourselves in the Wholeness that holds us all.

The next primary aspect of supporting your spiritual health is learning to see the limiting thoughts and feelings that keep you from this deep, nourishing silence. Your mindfulness practice and other means of cultivating self-knowledge helps you to recognize and dismantle whatever stands between you and the happiness, confidence, success and peace you long for. This will improve all aspects of your health.  

This year, support your spiritual vitality as well as your physical wellbeing. Continue to grow your practice of mindfulness and personal development. Take on looking at whatever stands in your way and gently healing whatever comes up for you. Nourish your spirit and your body will glow!

Are you taking steps to nourish your spiritual health? How’s that working for you? Please leave your comment, because it really makes a difference for all of us!

For further information on accessing your wisdom, happiness, fulfillment, and peace you desire, click here to learn about Dr. Howard's Multiple Award Winning Book "Your Ultimate Life Plan: How to Deeply Transform Your Everyday Experience and Create Changes That Last."

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