[SeptemberMorn]

Like I've said before, I have trouble differentiating the spirit from the soul, so I'm going to take the freedom to use both words as meaning the same thing. In my case, what goes through my spirit usually affects my soul.

Reading "What Makes You Feel Spiritual?" has given me food for thought. How often do I realize that I need to go to my "spiritual self"? Not too often is it a conscious thought with me.

When I'm depressed, angry, annoyed, how often do I try to put those feelings aside and input something positive or spiritual... like meditating on nature or listening to music that brings peace to my spirit/soul? Not often enough, I'm afraid.

Would you believe that self-help books were being written 500 yrs ago? There was an author named Marsilio Ficino who placed emphasis on carefully choosing, colors, spices, oils, places to walk and countries to visit.

Haven't we all heard of Aromatherapy? There you have your spices and oils. I plan to keep a supply of these spices and oils from now on... and use them more often. I've always been a visual person so I made an inventory of the colors around me and for the time being, they're good.

From now on, I think I'm gonna suggest to hubby that we take rides out to the country more often. It used to be on Sundays with the family, but the family is grown and gone, we're both retired and we can go any time we want.

What do you think? Is this something you would like to start doing for yourself more often and take better care of your spirit/soul? I certainly think it's worth a try. Doing something positive always helps lift depression and other yechy feelings. At least, it works for me.

[biwi]

Dear septembermorn,
What makes me at paece is to try to do everything with love to a higher goal. It makes me quite inside. Alltough I get distracted a lot by my daily activities. I guess it doesn't matter what you do exactly, but it is perhaps a training.

Lots of love biwi

[SeptemberMorn]

I agree with you, biwi. It IS a training. It's a whole lot easier to allow ourselves to get distracted than it is to concentrate on any one thing. "Nothing worth having comes easily" has always been my motto when it becomes difficult and sometimes, almost impossible, to reach a goal. It's especially hard when one is trying to find quiet in one's soul.

[nothemama8]

I tend to try to read a good book to get away from it all, haven't had the chance to go for a car ride in awhile , everytime i want to go someone else wants to come along, want it to be just me & hubby that would be peace

[SeptemberMorn]

Angie... "just say 'no'." Tell 'em it Ma n Pa time. Boundaries, Hon, boundaries.

[SeptemberMorn]

To take care and nurture our spirituality will lead to healing of our spirit as well as our mind. To care for our spirit/soul means that we have to do several things. We need to give it our attention, devotion, husbandry, adorning our body, healing, managing and being concerned for the spirit's well being. We also need to recognize a higher power and give worship to it. For me, it is God.

Our soul is not a thing, but a quality or a dimension of experiencing life and ourselves. It has to do with depth, value, relatedness, heart and personal substance. When I read this just last week, I decided that I need to get to know my soul/spirit a whole lot better. Maybe then I'll be able to see the difference between the two. It will inevitably lead to healing of the mind as well.

[recluse1]

(((((September))))))

Glad to see this new thread! I agree that feeding the spirit also brings healing within other parts of our lives. I feel like our heart, mind, and soul are all connected. Every aspect of our "self", each one effects the other.

I look forward to seeing and discussing more here!

recluse1

[kimmydawn]

I also believe that the body/mind/spirit are all connected.

If one is unhealthy, it affects the others for sure, I believe.

For instance, any physical illness lasting more than a few days can affect the mind (depression, frustration,etc.), which then affects the spirit (hopelessness, despair). Even short term illness with pain can immediately affect the mind, then the spirit.

On the opposite, the mind can affect the body...oh my gosh, I can't list all the physical effects of anxiety and depression alone.

Our spirits can do the same with both our minds and bodies when in a negative or desperate state.

The great thing is that just as the negative can cause negative responses with the other, so can the positive!

Sometimes looking to improve all can be so mind-boggling, can't it? But if we just work on one that does feel possible, the same domino affect, but on the positive end can apply itself!

For instance, the year of extreme difficulty with my daughter and firstborn grandson affected every part of me, and after so long, it affected every part of me tremendously.

I knew that I couldn't eradicate and immediately change the physical and mental coping effects in place for so long...it would take time for those to heal and re-direct. However, I immediately DID begin working on my spirit...concentrating on the massive blessings, working on fortifying my weary spirit...gifting it with fuel for a good fire.

That alone has greatly reduced the many physical (insomnia, poor appetite, etc.) and mental (depression, extreme anxiety, racing thoughts, etc.) symptoms.

So, just by working on getting to where I felt I could go spiritually automatically help the "whole of me" in a short amount of time.

I still have more work to do, but I'm well on my way.

KD

[coralproper]

Hi, september

In my dictonary for spiritual, it says: > of the spirit or soul

So I quess they are connected

[coralproper]

For soul :> an entity without material reality, regarded as the spiritual part of a person

or:> spiritual or emotional warmth, force, etc

[Perna]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
SeptemberMorn said:
Haven't we all heard of Aromatherapy? There you have your spices and oils. I plan to keep a supply of these spices and oils from now on... and use them more often. I've always been a visual person so I made an inventory of the colors around me and for the time being, they're good.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> I bought a great lavender shampoo at my health food store that I use (alternate with my regular shampoo) for occasions when I'm more anxious than usual or feeling like I'd like some extra care from myself.

[Lenny]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
Perna said:

I bought a great lavender shampoo at my health food store that I use (alternate with my regular shampoo) for occasions when I'm more anxious than usual or feeling like I'd like some extra care from myself.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Me too Perna....I have some Lavender oil in the shower which I mix a bit with some liguid soap and wash my face and just breathe...Whatever my displeasure..it fades within the softness of that aroma...

Lenny

[eskielover]

Tomi,

I am sure you know already what I am saying here, but I have to say for myself, it's something exciting that I have come to learn as I have been spending several hours everyday with the bible study I am involved with. The focus of this bible study is "the fruits of the spirit". Galatians 5: 22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control. Against such things there is no law.".

I grew up as a Christian, but this bible study has done more good for me than 1000's of self help books. I have found that the Bible is the best self help book I have ever tried to read. I have found that the key for me is to allow the Holy Spirit to enter into me. Through the Holy Spirit working in me, I am given the ability to understand things that I never dreamed of understanding in ways I never thought I could understand. I am able to do things that are way beyond what I myself am capable of doing, & I can feel things that I had never felt before.

By the Holy Spirit provides us with spiritual truths to live by in providing wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, & also the ability to believe in God. When the Holy Spirit is in us we are enabled to love those who we can't imaging loving (not saying that getting divorced has changed).

I constantly find great joy in discovering God's love for me & how truely involved the whole concept of eternal life really is....way too much to understand without the help of the Holy Spirit & that no matter how much trouble I have in this life, I will be completely restored.....& what a joy that feeling is NOW to realize that.

Peace is something that we all want......How can we feel peace with all the horrible things that are going on in the world around us? There are some peoples lives that look like they are nothing but peace & others of us, it feelis that peace will only come with dying. When we try to control our life, it seems that there is no peace, but once I let God take over.....even with all the tough things going on in life, there is a sense of peace behind it all, knowing that God is in control of my life & I know that he will give me what I need. He cares about all the birds & critters in his world & he says that he cares for us even more so why should be worry when they don't have to worry.

Patience is a tough one for me......cause I'm a very type A personality & want things done NOW or YESTERDAY. I never want to wait for anything.....but knowing that God has everything in his hands, I can endure the challenge that are placed in front of me. Patience with people however is another situation. Patience with people requires mercy which is definitely impossible without the help of the Holy Spirit....the Holy Spirit allows us to keep from judging others, having mercy & patience with their actions & the ability to forgive people for things that seem unforgiveable. It a way, this also provides a peace inside of us because we know it's pleasing to God since he commanded us to forgive others as he forgives us.

Kindness is another action we are well aware of. Knowing how much of a gentle caring heart God has for all of us, we have the desire to treat others kindly......there are things that get in the way of that, but usually it's the other person & our basic desire to to be kind. Goodness towards others is also a quality that is given to us through the Holy Spirit......that doesn't mean that as always being fun, easy, or pleasant, but it means to do what is most beneficial to others, which includes training, correcting, teaching. The purpose is that goodness ultimately brings gladness.....but with this comes the responsibility of using kindness to teach.

The Holy Spirit also allows us to have Faithfulness that fills us with the peaceful feeling of knowing that God is real even with all the ups & down's in our lives. Being able to base faith on How God is & not what he does is the most important part of faith.

Gentleness (not passiveness) & self -control also come from being filled with the Holy Spirit. I have found that all of these things start working together inside of me. I started understanding the reasons why things would happen. Instead of fighting the bad feelings I had about the things that were going on in my life & the mean passive person I was married to, I am able to sit back & listen to the directions God is giving me & what I need to do with my life to make sure I don't continue living the way I was living. That fighting & turmoil that I was constantly feeling has finally calmed down.

I have found that with all the insights that I have come to know, it has also had a good calming effect on my body....or at least it must.....I was able to realize how to control the situation so that I wasn't constantly being pushed into the rage that was happening. I couldn't stop his actions & there was no way even a super kind, gentle, passive, meek person would't have reacted with rage, so I realized that I had to cut that communications that was causing it.......I was provided the insight to handle the situation. I know that allowing the Holy Spirit to finally take an active role in my life (it's been there all along, just not active) has done more for me accepting my life & coming to peace with the things that are going on & have gone on. There are still many things I have a hard time letting go of, but I am also seeing where my experiences can now be used for the good of others rather than just holding onto the anger. I am learning what the meaning & why these things happened in my life rather than just holding onto the anger. There isn't a self help book out there that could have done more for me than this bible study which allowed me to get back in touch with my Christianity & the peace it has brought to my mind, soul, & body.

I am sure that many of you have been at this point for a long time.....& having lived in a Christian home from the time I was born...I would have thought I would have realized this long before now.......but I am blessed that God has given me this experience.

Debbie

[SeptemberMorn]

AMEN! Two hundred percent agreed!

[SeptemberMorn]

ATTENTION to our spirit/soul: This week, I've given my spirit attention by being careful what I let in to my mind. For now, I'll attend to my spirit, the energy that I give out and the energy that keeps me going throughout my day. How am I using my energy? Is it to complain, to be negative or to be angry? These things are not pleasant for me or for those around me.

This past week, I've chosen to listen to music that feeds my soul, that makes me feel good, uplifted, happy, peaceful, grateful, that speaks of the beauty around me.

For me, the music can be Gospel Music which can often have an old Rock n Roll beat to it, classical music, even a CD that has whale sounds on it. I have a very vivid imagination and use it to my advantage to imagine peaceful, happy scenes. Believe it or not, my mind as well as my spirit react to the music and my imaginings in a possitive way.

You could call what I do a meditation, I suppose, because I take myself away from the problems of the day for a while. You all know about my faith. I always end these meditation with a prayer of thankfulness and ask for determination to do it again.

I pray that something... anything that I've said has sparked a little light in you so that you might find some peace, quiet and healing for your spirit/soul and ultimately your mind and body.

[recluse1]

WOW!!! ((((((Eskie)))))).......I found your post breath-taking! Just in reading I was so filled with a peaceful, quiet joyfulness. Thank you so much for sharing this with us all. It has really been a blessing for me and I am sure others as well.

((((September))))) I am loving this thread, no suprise. I think it is wonderful how you reach out and encourage us all to evaluate ourselves and to do good self-care. Very often you lend your experiences and that is invaluable at times. Thank you, yet again.

Blessings to all,
recluse1

[SeptemberMorn]

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
kimmydawn said:
On the opposite, the mind can affect the body...oh my gosh, I can't list all the physical effects of anxiety and depression alone.

Our spirits can do the same with both our minds and bodies when in a negative or desperate state.

The great thing is that just as the negative can cause negative responses with the other, so can the positive!

KD

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post">

Precisely! That's why it's so important to think and experience possitive thoughts. That's one big reason I've stopped reading the newspaper and listening to the newscasts. Anything bad gets sensationalized and blown up bigger than it really is.

It's ever so important to read, think and look at peace, beauty and real love in any form that you can find available. It's good to meditate on these things.

Hubby and I spent the day at our youngest son's place yesterday. They had a meeting for the kids that will be showing goats and lambs at the fair this year and provided a BBQ and pot luck. My son's neice, who is 4, got into some cookies and had quite a few of them. When she was about to take another, he told her to get out of the cookies. Talk about defiance! She didn't get another cookie but she tried to have a stare down with him. The child doesn't have an active father in her life so my son has pretty much taken on that role.

When she wouldn't move away from the table where the cookies were, he took her by the arm and moved her away. It totally broke her heart and she sat on the ground and cried. He let her cry for a couple of minutes then picked her up. That child threw her arms around him and cried even harder. The whole scene made ME cry. The love of my son for this child and the love of the child for my son whom she calls Daddy more often than not. It was awesome! I'll carry that picture with me for a long time.

There was nothing to it but that I had to say a very heartfelt prayer of thanks to God that my son has a soft heart and that this little girl has found the love of a father figure in her life. That prayer of thankfulness led to more. I wound up giving God thanks for bringing my husband into my life and the fact that we produced such a wonderful young man!

[recluse1]

What a beautiful story.......Your son's presence in this little girl's life is great. Thank God for "real men"!

[SeptemberMorn]

You wouldn't be following me around now would you? Or is it I that is following YOU around?

My kids tend to amaze me sometimes, Recluse. Makes me realize I must have done something right after all! Thank God!

[TaintedGoth1]

What I think I should start doing is being more one with nature.

I think we all get caught up in the hurriedness of life today. It's always we have to go here and there and here and there...do this, do that...no time for that special time...no time to get back to what our ancestors once knew.

I live in a very backwards area...you come here and you'd think you stepped back into the 1800s or something...the technology of today really hasn't hit this area much. I mean everything around here shuts down at 5 pm...if you don't get to places before then, then you're out of luck. No 24/7 customer support for any of our utilities...nothing like that. I'm sure it's really hard to believe if you're living anywhere near a bigger city to even comprehend how I'm living...lol.

I live on a nonworking farm. My dad retired years ago and leases the land and the barn to a local dairy farmer to use for farming. But even though I have all this land to go on, I just get so busy with the inside of the house or stuff online that I don't get much quiet time...time to reflect or time to enjoy anything. That's what I'd like to do...

[recluse1]

Sounds like an absolutely peaceful and fulfilling experience...ahhh. We do get so caught up we forget it is the small things we get the most fulfillment out of. Spring is one of the times I am reminded to slow down and enjoy what is freely there to love!

I love spring and the beauty it brings!