A Journey of Discovery—Within and Without: Exploring Positive Energy, Spirituality, Mindfulness, and the Stars
This week’s reflection is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and reflect on the commonalities among positive energy, spirituality, mindfulness, and the stars. These four themes may seem quite unrelated, yet they each weave a beautiful tapestry that helps guide us toward an inner self-awareness as well as our connection to the world and the universe that surrounds us.
As our days grow busier, we sometimes forget that there is a deeper connection within us and around us. As we develop our ability to be positive and mindful, we create a pathway to developing a greater level of spiritual awareness that will positively impact how we feel and experience the world around us each day. What better way to cultivate this feeling of connection to something larger than ourselves than by looking up at the stars?
Positive Thinking as the Groundwork
Positive thinking is more than simply smiling through the tough times or ignoring the harsh realities of the darker side of life. Positive thinking is a conscious decision to foster a hope-filled, open-hearted attitude of growth and healing. Positive thinking is like rich soil – the foundation upon which mindfulness and spiritual awareness can begin to grow more deeply. Gratitude journals and simply choosing to shift our negative thoughts into more positive ones can help improve our moods and increase our awareness.
Spirituality & Mindfulness: Finding Yourself
Spirituality is a personal journey, and many people find it difficult to connect with their spirituality because it goes beyond religion. At its core, spirituality is about recognizing the sacred within ourselves and the world around us. This is where mindfulness comes into play as a practical skill of being present and aware of our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in the moment, without judgment. Whether you meditate or walk mindfully beneath a tree covered in leaves, you cultivate an inner space, an area of quiet contemplation that allows you to hear and reconnect with your inner voice.
Through this inner dialogue, we learn compassion, patience and a deep sense of community that is incredibly nourishing.
that is incredibly nourishing. The Stars Up There: Astronomy as a Reflection of Our Place in Existence
Looking up at the starry night sky can be both humbling and thrilling. While astronomy gives us the opportunity to understand and appreciate the planets and stars we see in the night sky, it has the potential to expand our understanding of the very existence of the universe and our place within it. The magnitude of the universe reminds us of the fleeting nature of our time here, and the fact that we are connected to everything else; however, it also inspires awe and wonder, two emotions that have a strong correlation to spiritual contemplation.
Consider how the early astronomers used the stars to tell the stories of the gods, heroes, and the cosmic balance. Today, we use scientific exploration to reveal the mysteries of the universe, and yet, the story telling tradition continues to hold great symbolic value. Simply gazing at the Milky Way, or tracking the cycles of the moon can be a form of mindfulness, grounding you in the present moment, while inspiring your connection to something much bigger than yourself.
Bringing it all Together: An Invitation to Practice
So how do you integrate these ideas into your daily life? Start small. Tomorrow night, go outside and just look up. Let your mind wonder, let your heart soften. Take notice of those quiet moments in between your thoughts. Bring that openness back inward, and spend a few minutes practicing mindfulness breathing, and/or gently expressing gratitude for your breath, for your life, and for the universe that surrounds you.
Remember, this journey is not about finding perfection or the answers – it’s about exploring, being present, and coming to terms with who you are and what the universe offers you.
See you next week!
I’d like to thank you for accompanying me on this journey of discovery of positive energy, spirituality, mindfulness, and the stars. In my next post, I’ll offer some simple and practical mindfulness techniques you can apply wherever and whenever you wish – no matter how busy life becomes. Until then, continue to look upward and turn inward. We’re all taking this journey together.