"Where's Your Spirit?" is the fourteenth in my 2022 series of articles based on my real life experiences, professional insights, personal views and fun stories. My hope is that in them you find joy and inspiration.
Where's your spirit? What is it? Let's describe it this way -
My ethos is to do good and have fun. My purpose is to be happy and useful. Joy, purpose and meaning are what matter in life. The most effective way to achieve these and create a better world for yourself and everyone is through kindness and compassion. You need to cultivate awareness of, and responsibility for, your profound self in order to open up a world of love and joyful living. When you act with selflessness and generosity you are engaging your inner being, your spirit.
So far, so good, but spiritual life may seem a rather radical choice in present day society. Current cultural norms entail the constant outsourcing of beliefs to things which have no higher value. People align with 'false gods' and search in deserted places for greater meaning and purpose. Looking externally and materialistically to create happiness or generate value is the key to neither spiritual awareness nor a happy life.
Everything you want is within you. Everything you seek is connected to your conscience which operates both consciously and through your inner subconscious. So it operates semi-automatically; meaning you can access it - provided you choose to. Doing so is a good move. Getting to know your own spirit is the secret to living joyfully in the modern world.
Spirituality is your awareness of both self and of the intangible. Whether you are aware of it or not, there is a spiritual dimension to everything and everybody. It affects your entire act of living - relationships, career, health - and it impacts on how you see yourself in relation to everyone and everything. Spiritual principles in your life are enriching, magical and fun. Don't overlook the fact that laughter is a strong part of it. Life is your playground when you employ a wonderful sense of humour.
You can find beauty, or excuses, in anything. It's better by far to choose beauty. Gratitude, forgiveness and self-acceptance are the most basic ways for you to actively generate a purposeful direction in your life. With it will come fresh perspectives and rewarding experiences. When you practice kindness, compassion and a forgiving nature you improve your mindset, enrich your inner being and empower yourself. These positive attitudes will transform your life. Personal development is not something to be sought in isolation from your spiritual self. Both are part of the one. The two go hand in hand.
Remember that life is a boundless mystery filled with wonder. Be curious. It is good to ask questions. You don't need to know all the answers. Let go of the idea that you need to be perfect. That is a cruel illusion. Rather create the change needed in your life by becoming the change. That is the winning formula.
Make it your number one priority to discover where's your spirit. Embrace it, cherish it. You'll be glad you did.
I am Tom Riach. I live and write in the sunny south of Portugal.
Claim your special copy of my best-selling 'The Road To Joyful Living' by clicking on the image below.
WHERE'S YOUR SPIRIT? is an original copyright Tom Riach feature.
I hope you enjoyed this short article and found it to be of value.
To learn more please visit me on my Author Page.
See you there! Regards, Tom.
Comments
Approach life with joy in every thing you do. This is even in the mundane tasks you do daily. You will find that things you felt were chores no longer feel that way. When you learn to love what you do, it no longer feels like work. For me, four of the businesses I owned required hard phsical labor. I learned to love every task required of each business. My employees rarely saw me without a smile on my face. Before starting any business I asked more questions than my compeitors. The most important one was how can I produce with the least amount of effort possible. Once I remember coming home after spending 8 hours running an electric jack hammer. It weighed close to half of what I weighed. That evening I spent 2 hours with my step children in a pool. Although my muscles ached, I did not feel tired. If I have learned anything through the years it is that attitude determines altitude. When you approach life with joy, you are using the right attitude.
Thanks for the contribution Dennis, insightful and educational. Attitude determines attitude - says it all! Nothing succeeds like success.
Love your post. A heart of gratitude gives the mind, spirit and soul peace. It is then we have the joy so many seek. Laughter is good medicine. I love life and I've learned to embrace its frailties , flaws and strengths. I am bound by love and compassion for others. I've learned to reframe my mindset to see even my failures as an opportunity to grow. For me, come live , live life again is a beautiful concept that I truly embrace.
Thank you so much for adding your thoughts Carolyn. Much appreciated. All the more so given that you are the author of the inspiring 'Facing Adversity Victoriously' which I intend to read shortly. I hear many enthusiastic reports about it!
Excellent post. Thank you for sharing from the heart! Never give up. Never back down!
Hello Chris, how wonderful to hear from you! It's been a while but I take it that all is well and that you are thriving. Are you still working with Genusity? Are the beacons still available? Let me know, let's have a 'chat' and catch-up.
I agree with your words "Everything you want is within you." I am one that believe this part in your blog post "Don't overlook the fact that laughter is a strong part of it. Life is your playground when you employ a wonderful sense of humour." This is another wonderful post Tom Riach and I thank you for always post high quality content here. May God continue to bless you everyday.
I never tire of hearing from you Terri, you are so kind. It's messages such as yours which I'm referring to as being the source of real happiness in life. The only thing that beats dispensing kindness is receiving it!
Become the change. We are on a wonderful journey, let us make the most of it. Your advice and wisdom can help us to find that inner peace and inner joy, thank you, and thank you for saying this so beautifully, Tom.
Thanks for the support George, I especially appreciate it coming from yourself as one who inspires positive change through your articles, online tutorials and YouTube channel.