Soul Notes

I've been struggling lately with the concept of spiritual growth, or daily "sharpening the saw" of the spirit, so I thought a review was in order.

Spiritual growth is the basis for a better and more harmonious life, a life of calmness, clarity, courage, and inner strength. It has (at least) four parts: 

-Awareness practices, such as meditation or journaling, or any practice that keeps you in the present moment or brings greater clarity to your daily life.

-Virtue habits, those little and big behaviors and characteristics of your personality that can improve with practice.

-Soul searching, which is the ongoing quest to understand your purpose and intentions.

-and opening to God or a higher power;  open to the possibility that there is something outside yourself that might love you.

1. Read "Focus on the Good Stuff":

I'm reading this book by Mike Robbins (2007), with the sub-title "The Power of Appreciation". In the introduction he says, "Underneath every dream or goal we have is a desire for appreciation. We want to feel good about ourselves and our lives." He's not talking about being appreciated, but about appreciating ourselves, our own lives, and everyone and everything that surrounds us. Along with appreciation he uses words like empowerment, effectiveness, confidence, clarity, and success.

Chapter Two is What's Wrong with Me?, about self-criticism. If I believe that I create my own reality - the script of my life - then I must know that the negativity I hold for others is actually a lack of appreciation for myself. 

Am I focused on my perceived weaknesses? A bit. I feel that fall short of being the perfect person I aim for. I obsess about any criticism. I doubt my abilities. I deflect or deny compliments.

Transforming negativity: Use this practice when I'm worried about something.

1. Acknowledge negative thoughts and feelings: Just say what presents itself at this time - dissatisfaction with my weight, annoyance with my slothfulness, worry about how I talk to my grandkids... 
2. Create a clean slate: Read these thoughts back until they lose their strength, then let them go.
3. Change my state of mind: Sing a loud song and dance around.
4. Visualize what I want: Ask, "How do I want this experience or day to go?" See and feel it exactly like I want it to go.

Then let it all go, and allow things to unfold as they will.

2. Spiritual growth practices:

My spiritual practices this month:

• Autumn Awareness - Daily time in my garden or neighborhood for a look at the seasonal changes - take 3 photos and note 3 changes.
• Soul Notes journal -  making note of the themes that spring up with my reading and my Ongo group.

3. Soul Notes Journal:

The theme has been forgiveness, and especially self-forgiveness. Last night we did a meditation that took me back to the 12-year old me, trying to get attention and approval, and right on the cusp of making some big mistakes. I can forgive that child for needing love.