Spiritual fitness for the real world: With a 1, 2 punch.
Rev. Nicole Von Atzingen, Sr. Minister
The topic? A pause for guidance
“If only it were that simple,” I thought to myself when I contemplated the topic, a pause for guidance. And no, the irony is not lost on me. We humans know how to make things complicated. We’ve probably all hear this idea stated in different ways. One of the most popular being, “be still and know that I am God”.
Our human urge to make things complicated is a great indicator that something might be up for us. It reminds us to ADDRESS ourselves to ADDRESS our mind, to address our HEART, TO ADDRESS our own lives. Today, I’m going to walk us through the one-two punch of spiritual living.
Let’s start with the hard stuff… (it’s like eating our veggies first)
Here are two questions to get clear on
How often are you making things harder on yourself than they need to be?
Why?
Take as long as you need. I’ll wait. But remember, we are uncomplicating things, so don’t strain your brain.
SIMPLICITY IS THE ULTIMATE SOPHISTICATION. -LEONARDO DAVINCI
IF I HAD TO GUESS, I DON’T THINK ANY OF US ARE INTENTIONALLY MAKING LIFE MORE DIFFICULT FOR OURSELVES. I love simple. I like when people speak how they feel, so I don’t have to guess. I like honesty and clarity. I love clean lines, soft linens, the idea of minimalism, having time and space to be and breathe.
What’s also true for me is that there are times when I am not implementing simple spirituality in my everyday life. all of the above seems to disappear. For me, it happens when I’m either trying to compensate for something, not being fully honest with myself, or there is something I was taught and never took the time to question.
Ask yourself in every moment, “Is this necessary”? – Marcus Aurelius
That, what I just did right there, and what you did before me, that is what I like to call the one-two punch of Spiritual Awareness. in boxing, the one-two combo are the first two fundamental moves one learns. We get close enough to jab with the left then cross with the right. Similarly, here we have our first two basic steps of Living simple spirituality. It begins with punch #1 awareness and then #2 motive or #1 attention and #2 false belief. They might be Different words, but they hold the same meaning.
Spiritual living is the activity and practice of finding meaning, finding the sacred in our everyday lives. I have this picture hanging on my wall in the living room. It reminds me that life takes courage, consistency, honesty, and lots of love, but it doesn’t need to be one of the things that we’re making harder on ourselves. Let’s let go of strenuous and any idea that it’s something we can get wrong.
My life’s work is to create safe spaces like this one. to inspire and motivate that divine God/Goddess within you to come out and play. to live from a place of simple, profound truths which keep us in integrity, peace, and the Mystery. Without criticism, without judgment, Without exhaustion.
What are you making more complicated than necessary? Where can you start implementing the one-two punch? Share your thoughts and comments below.