Honoring the Sacred in Everyday Life

How many of us rush blindly through our days, fall into bed exhausted, and wake up the next morning to do it all over again? For many of us, our lives are composed of millions of meaningless moments, all strung together -- perhaps with a sprinkling of sacred moments mixed in. I'm sure you can think of a few sacred moments in your own life. Maybe your marriage, the birth of your child(ren), or perhaps a heartfelt moment of connection with a good friend. These are the moments when we are consumed with joy and awe. At these moments, we are fully present in the moment. We aren't worrying about tomorrow, or trying to rush through the experience to get to the next. We are in the now, and the now is amazing.

Why do we wait for major events to honor these sacred moments? Why can't every day be sacred? Every moment? Each moment is sacred, if we decide to make it that way. I stated above that our lives are filled with meaningless moments, but those moments are meaningless only because we don't honor them. We are hurrying along, focused on other things, not stopping to notice them at all. They come and go without so much as an acknowledgement from us.

Honoring the sacred means simply choosing to make each moment count. It is a tiny shift in perception that assigns meaning and importance to each moment. It means stopping to notice the beauty and love around us, and within us. It means being fully present in each moment, because only the present moment truly exists. So many of us worry about the future, hold regrets about the past, and completely ignore the present. When we give the now our full attention, even mundane tasks can take on an aura of holiness. Then our lives become millions of meaningful moments. Nothing has changed except our perception, but it makes all the difference.

How do we change our perception to one of sacredness? What does it mean to stay in the present moment? Let's use an example: washing dishes. When most of us wash dishes, we hurry through it, often thinking about the million other things we need to get done that day (or the next day). Our minds are scattered all over the place, focusing on everything but what we are doing. Who can blame us? Washing dishes is not the most exciting experience. However, if we choose to make it a sacred experience, we will want to focus on it. We want to take our time and really pay attention to how the water feels on our hands, how the soap cleanses away the grease and grime, and the sense of satisfaction we get as each dish moves from the dirty pile to the strainer, now clean and shiny.

Maybe that still doesn't sound very thrilling. Let's look at what else is happening. As we give our full attention to washing the dishes, we are not only "doing", we are being. Ah, that is the key. It doesn't matter what we're doing or not doing in each moment of our lives, it matters only that we become aware of our own state of Being. In those moments, we are fully alive and conscious. We are connected to everything, and we are One with everything. We are.

Have you ever embarked on a walking meditation? This can be great practice to help you honor the sacred in your own life. Many of us walk for health or recreation, but we can also walk for spiritual awareness. A walking meditation is a slow, focused walk where you give your full attention to each step you take, the feel of your muscles working, your breathing, and even your surroundings. Especially if you walk someplace in nature, a place with lots of trees and wildlife. The trick is to not let your mind wander, but stay focused on the now. It can take practice, but once you accomplish it, you will return from your walks fully refreshed and revitalized.

Imagine every day of your life holding joy, peace and meaning. Imagine miracles consistently happening all around you. Imagine being filled with awe and gratitude each day, and lying down to sleep each night feeling peaceful and relaxed. You can, if you choose it. All it takes is that tiny shift in perception. Choose to make it so, and it will be so.

Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer and web designer who strives to motivate, uplift, and inspire you to make your dreams a reality. Visit her website, http://www.WingsForTheHeart.com for more positive thoughts to help you on your journey.

---

Willing to Walk with Jesus?

Can two walk together unless they have agreed to do... Read More

Creating Our Own Emotional Chaos

It's amazing how - even when we're working from a... Read More

Honoring the Sacred in Everyday Life

How many of us rush blindly through our days, fall... Read More

The World Revolves Around Me

Lately I have become aware of a new truth that... Read More

A Scary Thought For Some...

What could be a scary thought for some? How bout'... Read More

Do Unto Others Marketing

We've all heard the Golden Rule, "Do unto others as... Read More

Echos Transition

Echo was a flea-bitten gray horse, with brown speckles everywhere,... Read More

Unfinished Business (Part 2)

We know that David did much to stabilize the Kingdom... Read More

A Tale Of Three Essences

Water of Enlightenment, Angel of Peace and Harmony for Nature... Read More

Two Halves Dont Always Make A Whole

... Read More

Where Do You Cast?

"Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for... Read More

Meta-Rational Thought

We, the human species, stand on the threshold of a... Read More

Lectio Divina -- Reading the Bible for Spiritual Growth

Lectio divina is a very useful and practical discipline for... Read More

Attachment - Bondage or Moha - Their Role in Gaining Enlightenment

Attachment... Bondage... Moha... state as we may but the meaning... Read More

Spiritual Awakening

As we proceed further into the 21st century there is... Read More

Allowing Joy

"Ask and it shall be given" is a phrase we... Read More

How To Change Your Attitudes

What type of person grabs your attention and motivates you?... Read More

Abiding in the Word

How many Christian people do you know who are bearing... Read More

Joy Of The Lord

The word means different things to different people. Is it... Read More

The Amazing Possibilities In Your Impossible Dream

There was this TV commercial a couple of years back... Read More

Are You Homeless? Does Your Soul Have a Home?

How do you feel when you see homeless people on... Read More

Life According to Green Principles: SoulBest

Green Principles: SoulBestABeing aware here now My path is progressive.... Read More

The Spirituality of Pigeons!

I was walking down the street the other day, walking... Read More

Am I W.Y.S.I.W.Y.G.? Are you?

If you spend a hundred bucks and buy the right... Read More

Two Simple Ways To Get Anything You Want

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More

Heroes and Heroines - Contemplating Conscious Evolution

The myths of man have been with us throughout time.... Read More

What Is Wrong With Being Common?

The Emmaus Journal What is Wrong With Being Common? This... Read More

The Breath of Life

The earth is wrapped in a thin, loose shell of... Read More

The Divine Throne-Chariot

The following fragment was found in Qumran along with the... Read More

You Must Feel to Heal!

In my work with clients who have physical illnesses there... Read More

10 Interesting Facts about Archangel Michael

1. The name Michael means, "Who is like God". In... Read More

White Sun - Who Are We?

Human beings originally have three forms of existence. The first... Read More

Searchable by Jesus

Some people go to physics and spiritual readers for advice... Read More