Looking Beyond Religion to Find Spiritual Well-Being

    

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                                                                                I tell everyone I've been a Catholic before I was even born. My parents had me going to church with them at a very young age and most of my education has taken place in a Catholic school. I've always enjoyed Mass and religious holidays - a chance to be with my family, reflecting, contemplating and appreciating all God has given us. But lately, I've been noticing my faith waver. Tragedies, upsets and unexpected events have made me question my beliefs - if it holds any truth and meaning and whether praying actually works. As I try to answer these questions, I have found that faith happens to be much more than just religion and the practices that go along with it.
     Now, this won't be a preachy post, I promise. I'm not here to convert you or to make you feel uncomfortable or pressured - spirituality, faith, beliefs, etc are what you make of them. You make it your own, so I am not one to tell you what the best choice is because it's different for all of us.
     I'm going to go as far as to say let's look past religion for this post. While many people, myself included, have found religion to be a defining force in their lives, some do not find the spiritual fulfillment from religious practices, and I think we all find a little bit of spiritual well-being outside the confines of textbook religions.
     In simple terms, spiritual well-being involves finding purpose and fulfillment in your life. Some people might find it through religion, family or other things they hold dear. But basically, everyone is searching for the same thing - a purpose in life, the reason they are here on this earth - which happens to be why spiritual well-being is important. It's something to help us define our lives, to make decisions, to follow a certain way of life - to fulfill your spiritual well-being, to find your purpose and carry it out.
     The question, though, seems deep - daunting even. What is our purpose in life? While figuring life out might not seem that easy, figuring out your purpose in life, and ultimately improving your spiritual well-being, can be done.
     Although I'm still trying to work on my own spiritual well-being, many people have given me advice on what to do to improve it. So here are some tips ...

     Sacred List

     I've always been told a good way to begin your spiritual well-being journey is by looking within yourself. What makes you happy? What do you hold close to your heart? Find the people, places, things, etc. that mean something to you and figure out why you chose those things. Keep a list of those sacred things so you can constantly look at it as a reminder during the hard times.

     Meditate

 

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I'm not very good at it, but I hear it works wonders. Meditating gives a person a chance to break from the busy, crazy world that surrounds him or her to take a moment to be at peace and to center himself or herself. That peace and inner stability makes for an easier time when contemplating your purpose or staying rooted in your spiritual beliefs.

     Religious Examination

     For those who consider their religious practices as part of their spiritual well-being, I would recommend taking a good look at those practices. Why did you choose that religion, and what is keeping you with that religion? If your religion was something forced upon you or you go through the motions only for fear of guilt, those aren't the right reasons. Don't be scared to question your faith and religion and consider looking at other religions - you'll grow in your faith and have a stronger spiritual well-being by taking the time to figure out what really works for you.
     These tips will begin to help you on your way to spiritual well-being. But again, the process differs for each person because not only are we not all the same, but we don't all consider the same things to be important.
     Regardless of one's thoughts, though, take the time to contemplate and consider who you are, what you believe in and why you believe those things. Having a truthful conversation with yourself and really identify those things will only help you grow as a person, live a more fulfilling life and find spiritual well-being.