Spring cleaning for the soul
One day you open the door of your house and the signs of spring greet you. You notice that the daffodils and crocuses have blossomed. The air around you feels noticeably lighter. The world of nature and all its creatures are stepping forward to begin the process of rebirth. You inhale deeply and you feel exhilarated! Each scent is warm and welcoming. The day emerges from the shadows of winter, lasts longer and projects a green-gold light on everything it touches. Yes, this is the day you realize that spring has come! They may take you back in time, to a memory of a spring day when you were a child. Suddenly you feel energetic, ready to face the days ahead with new enthusiasm and enthusiasm.
Many of us welcome spring with annual rituals. We often feel a strong need to renew, organize and make changes in our living environment … that is, in our homes. I would like to suggest that when you start spring cleaning, whatever that may entail, you seriously consider taking time for yourself and doing a spring soul cleaning. Approaching this annual event on a holistic level will involve your entire body, mind and spirit in the renewal process.
Thomas Moore in Care of the Soul said: “It is impossible to define precisely what the soul is. The soul is not a thing, but a quality or dimension of experiencing life and ourselves. The soul is aligned with love, caring , authenticity, connection, compassion, intimacy and inner communication. Simple gestures that apparently take place on the surface of life can be of central importance to the soul. “
Often times, with the hectic schedules of our modern life, we forget our need to connect with spirit on a very personal level and that is when our problems begin. Very often we are buried under situations, events and emotions. Over time, this little pile of experiences gets bigger and heavier. We started struggling to breathe. Eventually, we may feel a sense of loss, as if a piece is missing. We feel a longing for something, but we cannot name exactly what that something is. The solutions that used to work for us are no longer effective coping strategies. All of these things happen because we lose that connection with our true Self.
It is when we take the time to look deep into our Being and begin to sort through the clutter, that we begin to dig our way back to the surface. Our own image is programmed into our minds and memories, creating a reflection of who we think we are. This image begins to be formulated early in life and is often based on the good intentions of others: parents, spouses, children, friends. As time passes, we grow and develop. What was needed before may be needed more now, and today can hamper real progress in keeping us connected to who we really are. Although it is never an easy task to look closely in the mirror because we may not like what we see, it is an essential task if we want to discover the true meaning and purpose of our existence. Get a clean sweep this season, following some of the spring grooming tips listed below.
Personal tips for spring cleaning
Soul searching is a term that is occasionally referred to when searching for answers. I have heard the terminology used more in conjunction with an individual who has gotten into some kind of trouble and the authority in charge suggests, very forcefully, that the person is better off doing a soul search! The following checklist contains suggestions if you are searching for your true Self that may be deeply buried at the base of who you are. The tips do not contain anything that you are hearing for the first time. The point is not to dazzle you with new ideas, it is simply an opportunity to remind you of some beneficial strategies in reconnecting with Spirit.
Pay attention:
What feelings or emotions are creating stress? The first step in any growth process is to accurately identify the problem. The question to ask yourself: Is there a prolonged emotional or state of mind in which I find myself trapped and for which I cannot find a satisfactory resolution? Without knowing the real cause, he only clings to the straws to find the solution.
Search for meaning:
After identifying the problem, you need to find the meaning attached to it. In this step we must experience the feelings here and learn their meaning, only then will we be able to make changes in our behavior and attitudes.
Revert to obsolete behavior pattern:
As we reflect on the state we are in and the meaning attached to it, we must examine our current responses. Old patterns generally prove ineffective and do little to resolve the troubled states we find ourselves in, so we are forced to redesign. If the old techniques no longer work, then we must stop spinning our wheels. It is through this reflection of past events and opening ourselves to the future that we are empowered with the insights and understanding that we gained through our struggles.
Suggestions to help change old behavior patterns:
1. Appreciate: Be grateful, express appreciation, give thanks.
2. Check your assumptions
3. Get Energized – Take the time to address your needs in a way that helps you connect with
your feelings, emotions, body and spirit
4. Replace negative self-talk: use positive images and affirmations
5. Feel the interconnectedness with everyone and everything in the universe.
6. Visualize what you want
7. Release and let go of what is not serving you in a beneficial way.
Choose your attitude:
Choose to replace feelings of helplessness and doubt with feelings of empowerment and connection to your Higher Self.
The search for who we really are is a journey of discovery that lasts a lifetime. It is a path fraught with many emotions, struggles, and opportunities to learn our own particular lessons from the truth, which resonates within each of us. It is through this continuous process of self-inquiry that we can transform the meaningless into meaningful and find peace, happiness and the Divine in all that surrounds us! So why not prepare for a deep spring spiritual cleanse this time?