During times of elevated, relentless state violence and harm, it’s necessary that we continue to prioritize caring for ourselves. And not just in the physical sense, though that’s also important, but by sitting still and asking ourselves, “What does my spirit need right now?”
There is no shortage of ways to care for the spirit. For some, it’s daily prayer and devotional time, while for others, caring for the spirit comes in more active forms — like the Ring Shout — a spiritual, African American cultural dance where participants move counterclockwise in “sacred dance of resistance and spiritual expression.” And though many of us have regular access to practices that nourish the spirit, we might find ourselves feeling unmotivated, stagnant, and in need of inspiration. If that’s where you are at the moment, consider adding the following to your list of spiritual care rituals.
- Gratitude Journaling. A daily practice of gratitude journaling and writing love letters to yourself is a great way to become more grounded in the present and more focused on positive experiences and emotions. Gratitude journaling gives us the opportunity to pause in sacred silence while we write to acknowledge, and keep record of, all the small and the big things in our lives worth remembering.
- Grounding. When the weather permits, find a comfortable spot outdoors where you can press your bare feet against the earth for 10 to 20 minutes. Much like journaling, grounding anchors us in the present moment with the added benefit of connecting us to Mother Earth and is a great way to release excess energy and recharge. (This is wonderful to do under a full moon.)
- Free-flow Dancing. If you are able, go outside where your bare feet can touch the earth, put on your favorite song or playlist, close your eyes, and allow your body to move freely to the music for as long as you need. This practice encourages movement from a place of intuition and is a solid way to move stagnant energy.
- Shower Cry. The energy release and spiritual cleansing that comes with a good, long cry in the shower significantly lifts the spirit. There isn’t much to this practice, which makes it an easy go-to the next time you’re taking a shower or bath.
- Meditation with Visualization. Meditation often brings us closer to our true selves, beyond ego. And when we meditate, we give ourselves a break from the burdens and demands of the physical and material world. The next time you meditate, try this visualization exercise: Take a few deep breaths, then close your eyes and imagine traveling deep within yourself to find an earlier version of you. Grab their hand and guide them to your current self. Bringing a younger version of yourself to meet you here and now is a great reminder of how much you’ve grown. Your spirit will thank you for this nourishing exercise.
A gentle reminder that we offer pastoral care. Please call or text our pastoral care line at 984-219-8710 to arrange a time that works for you. We are grateful for your life and will be honored to be on the journey with you.
