4 Ways Meditation Can Calm Your Anxious Mind

Life is busy, stressful, and complex. No matter what season of life you are in. It's always something, as I used to tell my mom. Our minds are on overdrive trying to process everything that comes at us in a day. And then there is the nightly news. 

The result? Racing thoughts. Sleepless nights. Overeating, pill popping or drinking alcohol to relax. Sound familiar? This week I'm sharing a spiritual practice that can help you tame your monkey racing mind and stay more present and peaceful during your day. 

An Ancient Practice 

Archaeologists and scholars believe meditation has been around for over 5,000 years. In this information-over-loaded culture we live in, it is critical that we make time to not only rest our bodies, but our minds as well so this week I'm sharing on the ancient practice of meditation. 

No matter what beliefs you have, you should know that meditation practices have been part of both eastern and western religious practices for ages. The earliest documentation of meditation is found in the Hindu sacred text known as the Vedas from ancient India but it has its own place in Western religions as well. St. Ignatius of Loyola is famous for his book, Spiritual Exercises. The Bible continually exhorts believers to "meditate on things above", meditate on the Word of God day and night and to "Be still and know that I am God". Also we are exhorted to "take every thought captive." That is meditation. 

Can You Please Sit Still? 

In the same way the body needs a good amount of rest to restore and renew itself, so too does the mind.  Often, even when the body is asleep, the mind continues to churn away on the problems and issues of the day. No wonder we wake up feeling unrefreshed. The mind didn't know it was bedtime.

So, how often do you sit down during the course of the day, close your eyes and just observe your thoughts? Most people are so tired that when they do sit down and close their eyes, they fall asleep. Others find it difficult or even uncomfortable to sit still and do nothing. I know, because I used to be this way. 

As a single mom of two boys working at a mentally exhausting career while balancing the demands of home, health, & child-rearing plus trying to fit in a social life, I wish someone would have suggested meditation to me years ago. Sit down and rest my weary mind. 

The rapid advancement of technology has dramatically increased the pace of life and the hurry up, get-it-done-yesterday mindset has side-lined this important discipline. As the rate of stress-related illnesses soar, many are realizing this non-stop physical and mental freneticism is not only unhealthy but unprofitable as well. So how can meditation benefit you?

Benefit #1: Meditation calms our minds and our bodies. 

In the same way the body needs a good amount of rest to restore and renew itself, so too, does the mind. Often, even when the body is asleep, the mind continues to churn away on the problems and issues of the day. No wonder we wake up feeling unrefreshed. The mind didn't know it was bedtime.

When we sit down to meditate, we allow the "mental clutter" to settle. The breath and the heart rate slow which reduces blood pressure naturally. Meditation allows confusion to dissipate and clarity and creativity to spark so we can find answers to our problems and creative solutions. 

There are different forms of meditation so whether your spiritual path is eastern, western or a combination of both, you can benefit from this ancient practice. In eastern religions, there are several different meditation styles. One of them is to focus the mind on something constant such as the breath, a candle flame, or a mantra, which is a word or a phrase such as "peace', "be still", or "I am calm". The basic premise is that by focusing the mind, the practitioner becomes increasingly aware of the flow of thoughts as they occur and is able to disengage and enter the place of rest where the mind is calmer. I practice what is called Vipassana meditation which focuses on finding clarity and insight in addition to calm. 

Benefit #2: Helps us to connect with ourselves and with God. 
When we still our bodies, the thoughts that jump around like monkeys in our minds settle down as well. This allows us to see what is going on with our feelings and emotions and to get in touch with our inner selves. When we are moving so fast all day, we ignore that still small voice and our deep thoughts and emotions rarely get noticed or even attended to.

The practice of meditation in Christian religions is similar in that one of the goals is to focus and calm the mind. In addition, Christian practitioners also have the goal of calming the spirit and connecting more deeply with God which is done by reading or repeating phrases or words of Holy Scripture or Christian devotions. Early proponents of Christian meditation are St. Teresa of Avila, St. Ignatius of Loyola and St. John of the Cross.

Benefit #3: Brings awareness of our thoughts, feelings and actions.
Whatever your spiritual path, meditation is an important skill that helps us bring more awareness to our daily lives.  Often we go through the day on auto-pilot, barely noticing anything inside us or around us until we plop into bed at night, exhausted. And then we spend the night processing what happened during the day. 

When we deliberately calm our minds, we are more able to identify our thoughts on a moment to moment basis. I've read that the average person thinks 60,000 - 70,000 thoughts per day, and being the deep reflective thinker I am, I probably process a lot more. Yikes!

Meditation helps us become more aware of our thoughts and the type of thoughts. Is this thought positive or negative, anxious, or angry? Thoughts are energy and negative thoughts bring us down and lower our energy and steal our joy. Notice whenever you have left the present moment - today - and wandered either into the past or the future. Meditation helps us to stay in the present moment which helps alleviate anxiety. It also helps us to stay focused and pay attention to what we are doing, rather than be unaware and easily distracted. 

Unawareness of negative, anxious and angry thoughts lead to a vicious downward spiral which often leads to depression and reactivity. Becoming more aware of our thoughts and emotions is a tool to stop this cycle and keep us grounded and calm.

Benefit #4: Breaks the vicious activity cycle.
Many of us run around all day frenetically going from one thing to another. As a single parent, this pace was my norm. Since retiring, I have made a conscious effort to slow down, do less and take more breaks. I have a sticky note that says "Take the pressure off." Continuous activity is akin to an addiction, something that makes us crave more and more. Meditation helps break this cycle as well. 

When I feel like I'm moving too fast, an alarm goes off in my mind "Break time!" and I make myself sit down and meditate for 15 - 20 minutes. If I fall asleep, then that means I'm tired but I don't berate myself for falling asleep. This stopping to meditate breaks the "to do" cycle and mentality. We are human beings not human doings! As meditation becomes a daily practice, we realize stillness is a gift and we will look forward to our times of being still. 

For reflection:

Have you considered incorporating meditation into your daily routine? How might it benefit you, personally? Meditation is not difficult. All it takes is a few minutes a day, start by closing your eyes and taking 3 deep breaths a few times a day. Here are some more posts on meditation to help. 

If you enjoyed this post, join our blog community by entering your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts plus a copy my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". 

If you are interested in furthering your spiritual growth, you might enjoy my newest book, "Ignite the Power Within: 10 steps to Supercharge your spiritual growth" available at your favorite booksellers here. 

Follow me on Pinterest and enjoy the collection I've curated on a variety of topics from healthy recipes, to diet and exercise, to fashion and beauty to mindfulness and meditation and more.   

If you 

Until next time, I wish you peace and stillness and remember...

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

How to Strengthen Your Spiritual Muscle

Where is your peace level today on a scale of 1 - 10? Afraid to go out of the house? Anxious about the nightly news? Conflicted about the election, the stock market, the wars? The list of things that can steal our peace is endless. Yet, there is a better way to live than allowing these negative thought patterns to cripple you and steal your peace and joy. You have more power available to you than you may realize.These are all opportunities to strengthen what I call our spiritual muscle, otherwise known as the power of Faith. 

You Have Supernatural Power 

Each of us has been given a special power, a measure of faith, if you will. It starts off small, like a mustard seed, but by exercising it in tough situations, it becomes mighty like a tall cedar tree. When life presents us with difficult situations, these are opportunities to exercise our spiritual muscle. Just as we work out to strengthen our physical muscles, in the same way we need to "work out" to strengthen our spiritual muscle. Life and circumstances provide plenty of ways to get one.  

Personal Story 

So when I was a little girl, my mother relates that I was afraid of .....my shadow. Yup, my shadow. My family moved 31 times and each time I had to go to a new school, it was anxiety-provoking. Plus my mom always got me to school late and I would be so embarrassed to slip into class, hoping the other kids wouldn't notice. People described me as "shy" and "timid". Thankfully, as a young adult, I began to learn about God. I took a theology course in college and read the Bible end to end. I believe God was preparing me for what lie ahead.

Through many challenges such as an abusive marriage, a bitter divorce and financial ruin, several critical health crises, becoming a single parent, and raising two boys on my own, I learned about the power of God and the power of Faith. I can honestly say I've walked thru Hell and come out alive. 

A Life Transformed 

Today, I am writing books on the subject to encourage others. The trials I've been through have made me a stronger person. Now, I speak my mind and stand my ground. I no longer let people walk all over me or disrespect me. I am not afraid of anything that breathes. This is the power of Faith in action. 

People have often said to me "You have a strong faith". It is because I have been through a lot of tough situations and trusted God through them all. I exercised my spiritual muscle. I can assure you when you begin to use the techniques I outline in my new book "Ignite the Power Within: 10 Steps to SuperCharge Your Spiritual Growth", you too will be transformed.  

We are Each on Our Own Journey 

Everyone is on their own journey. I believe that all religions and spiritual paths are connected in some mysterious way since many have common beliefs and values. I also believe in the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ and have experienced first-hand, the miracle-working power of Faith in many dire situations in my life. Situations where something dead and hopeless was resurrected. Health issues resolved that even specialists could not figure out. There is super power we receive when we accept Jesus Christ into our lives but that is a personal choice we each must make. 

If you'd like to read about my true story of faith, miracles, and healing, order a copy of my true story, "The Power of Faith: a journey to healing, wholeness, and harmony" I can promise you, you will be amazed. 

Walking in Faith  

In order to live in peace and keep our joy on a daily basis, it is important we learn to walk by faith and not by sight. In other words, we need to expect good outcomes from difficult situations even before we see them.  This is tough but it is a choice we make to believe that somehow God will work things out. Scripture says "He will make a way, where there seems to be no way." For more on this concept, read this encouraging post. It takes supernatural power to be able to see through the eyes of Faith. 

For Reflection 

Do you have a spiritual practice? Where do you stand with God? Is there a situation that is troubling you right now? Now is the time to strengthen YOUR SPIRITUAL MUSCLE and you, my friend, are in the right place! In the coming weeks, I'll be sharing specific steps to help you develop your own spiritual practice. 

If you enjoyed this post and are interested in becoming more empowered, enter your email address in the box provided. You'll receive my weekly posts on spiritual growth plus I'll also send you out a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path". We're all on this journey together so do share it with a friend or loved one.

Stayed tuned for more on this empowering topic on how to ignite the power within.

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

Why You Need to Journal Daily

A lot happens during the course of the day. And that means a lot of thinking. I've read that the average person has approximately 60,000 thoughts per day. That is the average person. I bet many of these simply float by not even recognized by our conscious minds. That's why we wake up in the middle of the night, our brains are trying to process the events and emotions of the day. So this week, I'm sharing 5 tips on how and why it is important to start a daily journaling practice.  

Why You Should Journal 

Did you keep a diary when you were younger? The keeper of secret thoughts and dreams for no one's eyes but yours to see? Writing in a diary is a form of journaling, which is a key component of a spiritual practice. And it is not just for girls either. We all need to get in touch with our emotions. Men have a particularly hard time doing this because of the way their brains are wired. And we all know how bad accumulated stress is for our brains and our bodies.                                                           

Benefit #1:Reduces Stress

We all have it. Some days more than others, but it important to process stressful events before our head hits the pillow at night. When we journal, we gain clarity about situations. It helps us feel less anxious and helps us get to the root cause of our moods so we don't take it out on an innocent friend or relative. Here's an interesting article that talks about sleep and stress. 

Benefit #2: Helps Process Emotions

Journaling helps us to process the difficult emotions and feelings of our day. Often we brush aside any negative feelings, or ignore them completely but our emotions are messengers and we need to pay attention to what they are trying to tell us. Journaling gives us time to process and see just what is bothering us. I have a sticky note to remind me to check in with my feelings during the day. 

Benefit #3: Helps Us Be More Creative

When we slow down our minds, ideas and solutions surface. We can hear from God and that still small voice inside. Thoughts go by so quickly, if we don't write them down, we may lose them entirely. 

Benefit #4: Helps Us Get in Touch with our Needs

When we find ourselves easily frustrated or short-fused, there is a good chance we are not getting some need met. Asking "What do I need right now?" is a good starting point. Many of us are really good at taking care of other people's needs, but not so great at taking care of our own. The other day I was journaling and I remembered I wanted to get a massage set up. I haven't had one in years, and had forgotten the visit to the local beauty spa. It is important to recognize our needs and make sure they get met so we are in a better frame of mind to deal with others. It's called self-care. 

Benefit #5: Helps Us to Heal from Painful Events

I am a strong proponent of "getting it out", whether it be to a person or on paper. Verbalizing or writing it down is a healthy way of processing an issue or an event. If you don't feel comfortable talking about a situation with someone else, journal it. I guarantee you will feel so much better. Whatever you do, do not keep it bottled up inside you. That is both physically and mentally unhealthy. 

For Reflection

Are you ready to try journaling? I suggest buying a notebook of some kind. I like the spiral-bound kind, which are easier to flip the pages. Choose a nice writing tool, something that feels good in your hand. And then focus on writing down your thoughts and feelings from the day, not your daily to-do list. If you are angry or overwhelmed, write about it. If you feel depressed or anxious about something, write about it. The key is to get it out of your system and onto paper. There is some sort of spiritual process that releases stress and tension when you put your feelings on paper. You want this to be a sort of clearing process so that when you finish you feel more at peace and calm. 

If you enjoyed this post, do join our blog community by entering your email address in the box on the right. I post weekly on Tuesdays. In addition, you will receive a copy of my FREE eguide "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path"  - a short eguide to get you started on the journey of a lifetime. 

Stay tuned for more on how to ignite the power within so you can DISCOVER YOUR DESTINY!

Until next time, 

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz 

  

The Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness Meditation

Do you find yourself stressing out about the future? Ruminating on some past event? Not staying in the here and now? If any of these are true, then this post is for you. Learning to live in the present moment helps us find more joy because joy is only found in the present moment. So let's learn more about how to do that. 

Mindfulness is non-denominational 

First let's get past some common misconceptions. You don't have to be a yogi or a buddhist to practice mindfulness, and no, meditation is not anti-Christian either. Mindfulness means being "aware" of our thoughts and not letting them control us or run amok like a monkey on a tree that jump from here to there willy nilly. 

First we'll examine what it means to be mindful. Then we'll talk about the many benefits, and finally I'll share some simple steps you can take to implement mindfulness into your day. 

Mindlessness

Unless we make a conscious effort to tame and train our minds, our thoughts can steal our peace and our joy. Did you know our thoughts determine our feelings and our actions, often without us even realizing it? Did you finish off that cake or bag of chips because you were hungry -  or - because you really just weren't paying attention? 

Much of the time we operate on routines, schedules, and habits - kind of like being on auto-pilot. We are so used to moving fast in an endless race to accomplish more, more, we plan -actually overplan -our days to the max, the cellphone our constant companion, and then when our head hits the pillow at night we wonder where did the day go. Did I enjoy it? Was I really present? Did I make choices that are in line with my values? Was I kind? Patient? If the answer to these questions is no, today I am going to share a technique to help us all with this unproductive and stressful way of living.

Personal Story 

I've often been told "You think too much" or "You're a deep thinker" and maybe so, having worked in an analytical career for over 30 years. My job was all about problem solving and finding links, patterns, and root causes. Add to that the added pressure of being a single mom and having to handle everything myself, my mind was on overdrive for decades. It was only until the chronic migraines hit me full force that I realized I needed to give my brain some time off and that's when I discovered meditation.

Mindfulness meditation. 

Now for those who may be new to this technique, there are many different kinds of meditation. This post is going to focus on what is called mindfulness meditation or vipissana meditation.  In other words, we will be discussing a method on how to train our minds to be more attentive to the present moment, with acceptance and without judgment. It is a skill that will serve us well in many areas of our lives and you can learn it right in the comfort of your home. You don't need any special tools or equipment. All you need to start is 15 minutes a day by yourself. That's it. You can carve out 15 minutes a day to live a life more fully engaged, right?

Meditation has Christian Roots.
But first, let's address the common concern many people have about meditation. It seems meditation has gotten a bad rap, especially among Christians, many of whom balk at the very word.

Some disdain or dismiss it, thinking it is ungodly or against their religious beliefs. I would like to put your fears at rest. There are many verses of Scripture that encourage us to manage our thought life. One of them is 2 Cor 10:5 which exhorts us to "Take every thought captive". Colossians 3:2 says "Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things,".

The Apostle Paul knew the value of controlling our thoughts and not allowing them to control us. We are also encouraged to "Be still and know that I am God". When we sit ourselves down and settle our minds for a few minutes, we release stress and tension and we are able to sift through the cacophony of inner voices that chatter at us during the course of the day. Calming the mind is not the only benefit of meditation.

Many Physical Benefits.
Here are some additional benefits that may interest you:
- Lowers oxygen consumption.
- Decreases respiratory rate.
- Increases blood flow and slows the heart rate.
- Increases exercise tolerance in heart patients.
- Promotes a deeper level of relaxation.
- Reduces blood pressure
- Reduces anxiety attacks by lowering the levels of blood lactate.
- Decreases muscle tension (any pain due to tension) and headaches.
- Enhances the immune system. Research has revealed that meditation increases activity of 'natural-killer cells', which kill bacteria and cancer cells.

There are tons of books and now websites and apps that offer to teach us how to meditate. Some of them can be unnecessarily complicated and confusing. Websites and apps usually involve a fee at some point. Today I am going to share an introduction and some simple steps to help you begin your meditation practice at home and for FREE!

Strengthen Your Spiritual Muscle
Yes, meditation is a practice. It is a spiritual discipline just like reading your favorite sacred text or praying daily. Think of it as sending your mind to the gym.

Just as we train our physical bodies to perform at their optimum level, so our minds need to be trained to perform well. We are constantly barraged by external sensory input: cell phones, noises, traffic, loud music, texting and people talking. No wonder we have trouble hearing from God with so much input coming at us all the time. Just like defragging the memory on our laptops, it is important to clear out the mental clutter and basically do a reboot on our minds.

A Simple Mindfulness Routine 

1. Get alone and quiet.
Find a time of day or night, preferably both, where you can get quiet for 10 - 20 minutes. Make sure the cell phones are off and tell the family you are taking a quiet time break. Encourage them to take one as well.

2. Get comfortable.
Make sure your clothing is loose and comfortable and the room temperature is appropriate. We want to eliminate anything that could distract us from being present.

3. Sit in a comfortable position.
Use a chair or sit on the floor, carpet, or a mat. Use a cushion, pillow, or a folded blanket if you like more support. Make sure you sit up straight with an erect spine. I like to sit in half-lotus which is cross-legged with one foot on top of the other knee.

4. Close your eyes.
Rest your hands either in your lap or on your knees palms up.

5. Begin to focus on your breathing. 
Many of us only breathe very shallowly, thru our upper chest. Start breathing through your lower belly rather than your chest. As you settle, your breathing will get slower and fuller. Place your hands on your belly to make sure it is rising and falling with each breath until you get the hang of deep abdominal breathing as opposed to shallow chest breathing. 

6. Scan your body.
Relax and release any tension or tightness in your muscles. Relax your shoulders, your face, your jaw, your hips, etc.

7. Once you have completed the body scan, continue to focus on your breath.
The breath becomes a focal point of your practice. Observe the air coming in and out through your nostrils. Observe the length of your breaths. Keep your mind focused on your breathing. You will notice many thoughts come into your mind. This is natural at first. Notice the thoughts and let them float by like clouds. As your breathing slows down, so will your thoughts. Continue to bring your attention back to your breath each time it wanders.

8. Resist the urge to keep checking the clock.
If you'd like, set an alarm. The longer you can sit the more relaxed and focused you will become. You will feel refreshed, relaxed, and energized to go about the rest of your day. Meditation is also a great practice to do at night before bedtime. It quiets the mind and prepares it for a restful night's sleep.

As you can see, beginning a meditation practice is not all that difficult. The benefits you will receive are well worth the time you put into it. Like anything else, implementing a regular meditation time means decluttering your life to make room for what is truly valuable and useful. Turn the television off sooner and use that time to meditate.

For Reflection
Are you open to trying meditation? Pause a few times during the day and examine what exactly you are thinking about. Mindfulness practice is particularly helpful especially when having a stressful day. Start by sitting quietly with your eyes closed for 5 minutes and observing your breathing. 

If you enjoyed this post, consider joining our community. Enter your email address in the box provided and receive my weekly newsletter plus a copy of my free guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path".

In the meantime, check out my other books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Apple. Pop on over to Pinterest and enjoy the collection I have curated for you. If you are an Instagram person, follow me there.

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned as we learn more on how to ignite the power within so you can take back your life and discover YOUR destiny!

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

How to Be of Service to Others

 When I was raising my sons as a single mom, I made sure they learned this phrase "What can I do to help?" I wanted them to learn to offer their service and not wait to be asked to help. It was as much out of necessity as it was out of teaching them good values. Service is a gift we give to others and it comes in many forms. It is also a gift we give to ourselves and to God. This week I'm sharing the seventh and last part of our series on developing a spiritual practice. I hope you enjoy this post. 

                                    

What is Service?

Basically, service means reaching out to help others without expecting anything in return. Some examples are volunteering at a church, a shelter, a school, your community, or an organization you relate to. It can mean a job, such as a repair man, a health professional, a nurse, a counselor, a firefighter, a policeman. Of course, people get paid for doing their job, but these are all types of service. 

Finding Your Gift

Some people find their gift early on in life. I remember in high school, this guy had a crush on me and flying airplanes. Years later, we caught up at a reunion and sure enough, he had become a pilot. My gift was foreign languages. Not chemistry or science, but mastering foreign languages. I wanted to become an interpreter but my life took a turn and that was no longer an option. 

I believe that our gifts can lead us to our calling and maybe even to our destinies. If we listen to that still small voice instead of someone else's. I think people are happier and less stressed when they are operating in their calling. Some of the happiest folks I know are teachers. They love the kids, the interactions, and they feel fulfilled. They are serving. 

Hidden Gifts

Not every gift is apparent at a young age. Personally, I believe some of us have healing work to do before we can operate in our gifting. My writing is a gift. Now if you ever told me I would become a writer years ago, I would have told you you were nuts. I remember getting a C- in English in college and I was devasted. English was not my bag but look at me now. 

Gifts can surface at any age and in any season of life. We each have been given different gifts and they are to be used to help the world in some way. I don't believe we are fully our authentic selves until we find and use our gifts in service to others. 

For Reflection

Where could you be more of service? To your family? Your community? What gifts could you employ in this service? What is preventing you from stepping out to serve?

If you'd like to receive my weekly posts PLUS a copy of my free guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path", enter your email address in the box provided. 

In the meantime, check out my other offerings on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Apple. Pop on over to Pinterest and enjoy the collection I have curated for you. And I just recently started posting on Instagram so follow me there too!

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned as we learn more on how to ignite the power within so you can take back your life and discover YOUR destiny!

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

Part 6: Finding Community as the Answer to Loneliness

How often do you feel lonely? Disconnected? Isolated? Single folks can often feel lonely but you can also feel lonely in a marriage. As human beings, we have a deep rooted need to feel like we belong. This is why many people have dogs and cats, to keep them company and make them feel less alone. The good news is there are some things we can do to feel more connected others and to God. Today is part 6 of our series on developing a spiritual practice and we will talk about the importance of community and connection. 

                                                  

Community as a Spiritual Practice

As we defined it early, a spiritual practice involves regular activities that promote personal connection to the Divine, to God, and to others. The early church provided a means for filling this need for community and friendships as well as support, but the "church" has been tainted by the fallibilities of the humans who run it and people have turned away from God because of the actions of people. We no longer have a safe place to find community and God, so where do we look instead?

Finding Community 

Many people have left the organized church, but still the need for community and a sense of belonging exist. Some of us are lucky enough to find community and connection within our families but not everyone has a big, close family. Divorce separates and disconnects many families as do the wounds it inflicts on the members. The pain of divorce can cause us to isolate and disconnect from family members and others, which leaves us with a big hole in our hearts because we are meant for connection. 

Alternately, we gravitate towards hobbies often looking to join others who share our interests. We participate in activities such as football, soccer, dancing, hiking, biking, running, yoga or meditation classes, to name just a few.

These activities provide not only a sense of community, but also a sense of belonging, and friendships to fill the loneliness that many experience. No one person can fill all our needs, which is why friendships and community are so important. 

Social Media as Community 

In this super frenetic, hyper-activity world of ours, society has turned to technology to fill this need for community. Dating services are wildly popular due to our innate desire for connection. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tik Tok all provide instant gratification and a sense of connection.

I am not here to judge the value of these platforms, but I suggest their popularity is an attempt to connect, to communicate, and to be heard, all of which come from community. 

The Most Important Relationship

Relationships are important. We all know that, but the most important relationship we can have is with ourselves and with God, as we are part of God. It is crucial that we know who we are and whose we are. No matter what has happened to you in life, know that you are a beloved child of God. It doesn't matter who has rejected you, who has left you, or who you are with. God is always with you and he promises to never leave you or forsake you so why not make time to get to know God?

For Reflection 

Where do you find community? Connection? What relationships do you look to for support? What groups do you belong to? Have you considered joining a new community and getting to know other people outside your regular sphere? Sometimes it is healthy to break out of our comfort zone and meet new people. 

If you'd like to join our community and receive my weekly posts PLUS a copy of my free guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path", enter your email address in the box provided. And remember, communication and community is a two-way street so do feel free to connect with me and others on Facebook Twitter, and Instagram @ArielPaz08. 

In the meantime, check out my other offerings on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Apple. Pop on over to Pinterest and enjoy the collection I have curated for you. And I just recently started posting on Instagram so follow me there too!
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned as we learn more on how to ignite the power within so you can take back your life and discover YOUR destiny!

Until next time, keep looking up!

Ariel Paz

Step 3 - Rewire Your Brain and Improve Your Memory

Your brain is your most expensive real estate. Do you realize that? What we think, what we eat, and how we manage our stress all have a HUGE impact on our brain. What's more, scientists now know that we CAN rewire our brain. It is a process called neuroplasticity. How we think and what we think about can reprogram our brains for years to come. Welcome to week 3 on developing a spiritual practice. 

So far we've talked about reading spiritual material and starting the habit of journaling. This week I'm sharing on memorizing positive phrases and verses. 

                                             

Use it or Lose it

These days we don't have to use our memorization skills as much. Educators abandoned memory skills years ago, sadly. Our cell phones store all our phone numbers. We have planners and online calendars that remind of us our schedule and to do's. When was the last time you actually memorized something? And then we wonder why our memory is not so great and we forget things. 

Benefits of Memorization

Memorizing stuff is beneficial at any age, from the very young to the elderly. Remember learning songs in childhood that had little hand gestures to go with them? Like "itsy bitsy spider goes up the water spout"? Here's a cute video.  I remember having to memorize Shakespeare in school and recite it before my class. "Friends, romans, countrymen, lend me your ears...." 

Memorizing things gives your brain a workout. It helps stimulate the neural pathways that help ward off cognitive decline. For more on the benefits, give a read to this article by the Cleveland Clinic. 

Reprogram Your Brain

How we think and what we think determines our outlook on life, be it positive or negative and since you are reading this post, I believe you want to think and be a more positive person. This is where memorizing scripture verses comes in. Scripture is positive data. Faith-filled thoughts that dispel anxiety, fear, loneliness and much more. In times of stress, our brains (via the Holy Spirit) will bring to our consciousness the verses we have memorized which will help keep us grounded and at peace during stressful times. 

Scripture Has Power

Not only is memorizing scripture good for our brains, did you know that speaking out scripture gives us supernatural power? Yes, indeed. God is obligated to fulfill his word. There is power in His Word. So the next time you are in a bind, try speaking out a verse of scripture and see what happens.

For Reflection

What have you memorized lately? What sacred text will you be memorizing? Start small with short verses. Here's one to get you started "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind." (2 Tim 1:7). 

Do write and let me know what you thought of this post. Love hearing from you. Stay tuned for more practice wisdom to help us all become better people and more connected to ourselves and God. 

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Until next time, thanks for reading, and

Keep looking up!

Ariel Paz