It’s more than a George Michael bop. It’s a tool for navigating life when the fog settles to a thick density and what lay beyond the haze is not so clear.
It’s moving to a new city and not knowing whether you’ll acclimate with success. It’s wriggling out of a comfort zone for a professional challenge or new position. It’s leaving a secure paycheck to start a business or returning to school for an additional degree. It’s taking a calculated nose dive into love after your heart’s been broken.
And as a wise book says, “Faith without works is dead” as the crux of faith requires one to lay their worries at the feet of their work. And faith comes in various fashions in addition to religious dogma. Whether it be Wayne Dyer, Paulo Coelho, Esther Hicks or Jesus, the sentiment is unanimous; ask and ye shall receive because when you want something the whole universe will conspire for you to achieve said goal.
But the labor, the toil, the exertion, the effort, the drudgery, the sweat, the grind all belong to YOU as the Universe works serendipitously to calculate the formula of preparation + opportunity = success.
Here are six ways to ground and connect with faith:
- Exploration + Study: Take time to explore what belief systems are in line with your values be it prayer, mediation, journaling or mindfulness. This exploration can help you gain a deeper understanding of different faith perspectives to find which resonate personally. Read texts for support, immerse yourself in the practice and engage in discussions with others who share similar beliefs to ultimately decide which feels right to you.
- Reflection + Meditation: Set aside time for personal reflection and meditation. Take the opportunity to be quiet and still to connect to yourself. If you have no idea what that looks or feels like, do it with zero expectation and keep showing up for yourself. You can start with five minutes of quiet and gradually increase the time and an understanding or revelation will eventually come to prove the exercise worthwhile. Just keep showing up for yourself.
- Community and Support: Surround yourself with a supportive and like minded community who share your faith or spiritual journey. Intentionality is paramount and important in every aspect of life and achieving goals and whoever has your ear has your future. Participating in religious or spiritual communities can provide encouragement, guidance, and a sense of belonging that can strengthen your faith.
- Practice and Rituals: Engage in spiritual practices and rituals that are meaningful to you. Whether it’s attending religious services, practicing daily prayers or meditation, observing religious holidays and traditions, or performing acts of service and kindness, regular practice can help reinforce your beliefs and deepen your spiritual connection.
- Trust and Surrender: Cultivate trust and surrender to the unknown. Faith often involves letting go of the need for absolute certainty and embracing uncertainty with trust and openness. Accept that there may be aspects of your faith that you can’t fully understand or explain, and be open to the mysteries of life and the universe.
- Seek Guidance and Support: If you’re struggling with doubts or questions about your faith, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from spiritual leaders, mentors, or counselors who can offer support and perspective. Remember that it’s okay to wrestle with doubts and uncertainties as part of your spiritual journey, and seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.