Spirituality is not religion, though the two would ideally be friendly. I love Dr. Brené Brown’s definition of spirituality, which is something that connects me to others outside of me. “Others” can be anything-my family, my neighbors, all people in the world, nature, myself, and the Divine. Doing ‘a daily sit’ for even 20 minutes isn’t really possible in my period of life. I’ve experienced its effects, and it is a useful addition to a life infused with spiritual awareness. But it isn’t the only expression of connection out there. My current practice includes stopping and being as often as I can. Most recently, it was this evening after finishing my teaching block for the day. I was down the hallway listening to my children laughing and being silly together, and my husband (obviously the source of it), squished/covered in small children, acting like he was under attack, or something to that effect. It was a beautiful sound, and in just the few brief moments I listened in, I gave thanks for my children and for how our lives have unfolded. I was thankful to hear laughter, at that time of evening, because as anyone who’s been around small people in the evening knows, it’s not a guarantee that they’ll be pleasant after dinner! Bedtime is bedtime for a reason! I was thankful for my husband, and even though I was just standing out of sight listening, I felt a deeper connection to him for our shared adventure of raising two beautiful and spunky kids.
So no, that time wasn’t a full meditation session, but it was a moment to stop and be aware. To feel the awareness, the unspoken knowing, deep within. I knew what was happening between the three of them even without seeing. I knew it was a silly game of pile on dada. That everyone was participating and being gentle with one another (particularly the 6 year old with my almost 2 year old!). I was aware of how grateful I am for my life. Meditation is in part for training yourself to go inward and hear the messages coming up from your intuition. And it’s a powerful process to learn it and practice it, but it’s really OK to do what you can. I run this blog in part to help me go inward but also because another aspect of my spirituality is reaching outward. I don’t think I have any magnificent revelations to bestow, I do think that we can cultivate our inner knowing through communication and connection here. I care about parenting, teaching, and living from a spiritually grounded place. To me, that’s knowing who I am in relation to the Divine, other people, and nature. And it’s about stepping out of my own way to be in better relationship with myself, the Divine, other people, and nature.
Just a sampling of parts of me/things I’ve done that have felt like a spiritual practice
How do you define spirituality?
Actually an Artist 
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