Sowing the Seeds of Spirituality in Your Children

"Spirit is an invisible force made visible in all life."
~Maya Angelou~

These sobering economic times are enough to make anyone want to stop and smell the roses in a quest for any sign of good news. Truth be told, the "good news" is always there, elusive to all but the most mindful. What is the good news? The world is alive: dawn breaks every morning, the wind blows through the trees, animals roam the earth...and you're still here! When we take stock and reflect on the world outside of ourselves, our spirits are fed. The regular care and feeding of our spirit emboldens our hearts to withstand tough times and, or course, delight in the good times. If we, as parents, find it challenging to see "goodness" right now, imagine how our children feel? We try to shield them from our worries, but it is likely they detect our uncertainty as we cut back on meals out, entertainment, and other purchases. Perhaps, they sense an edge in our voice when they ask for the latest electronic gadgets or other 'non-essentials'. If you never thought about it before, now might be a good time to feed their spirits as well.

Start your child on a path of spiritual awakening by helping them connect with, and appreciate, nature. Walks and hikes are a great start, and talking about what you see along the way alerts them to spirituality in action. Teach your values. Verbalizing them lays your cards on the table because your values aren't always obvious to your children. Take the next step and LIVE your values to convey your courage and conviction about what you believe. If your family practices an organized religion, show your children how to 'walk' in their faith through their words and actions, inside and outside of your place of worship. Seek out volunteer opportunities in the community to foster connections with others. Encourage your children to learn and embrace the tenets of your faith through study and instruction. They may also enjoy writing in a journal as an outlet for their thoughts and feelings. The journals will also chronicle their spiritual growth over time which may prove enlightening for your children as they go back and read them, occasionally. Finally, seize opportunities to talk with your children and point out spirituality at work in everyday situations and through interactions with others. You will be sowing the seeds of mindfulness.

As you nurture spirituality in your children, remember there are so many life-long benefits that go well beyond the current crisis. Their self-esteem increases because they have a sense of power and purpose and, importantly, they see possibilities. A child's spiritual sense can also be a source of comfort when the going gets tough as he is able to look at the world beyond his situation and draw strength and perspective to rise above his own challenges. Having weathered the storm, he can share his strength with others. Ultimately, when children are in touch with their spirits, they feel connected to others and see their place in the world. Embark with them on this spiritual journey and watch them bloom where they are planted -- in mind, body, and spirit.

~~Carol~~