Top 10 Spiritual Practices for Busy Leaders. Although extremely active in church my entire life, I craved a deeper connection with God. No matter how often I went to church, volunteered, taught Bible studies, studied the Word, served on mission trips, prepared meals for the needy, or prayed, I couldn’t fill the empty hole in my heart.
After all the work, I still didn’t feel fulfilled or closer to God—or Spirit, Universe, Mother Nature, or Divine—the ONE Universal energy many of us believe in and worship. I struggled to connect.
From the outside-looking-in, I lived the picture perfect life—had a wonderful husband, two great kids, a successful marketing company, took fabulous vacations, had a beautiful home, and was a pillar of the community.
However, on the inside, a storm prepared to blow through me.
I struggled with a deep depression and had a major health crisis. My 25-year marriage ended, leaving in its wake self-hatred. My status went from married with kids to single empty nester, seemingly overnight. I grew increasingly frustrated in my role as CEO of a marketing company as I no longer had the strength or passion for maintaining.
I prayed like my life depended on it. And, it did. God’s answers in return were to develop spiritual practices which would support me in healing and aid in transforming my life.
You may be where I was. Perhaps you’re struggling to find purpose in your day. Maybe you desire a jumpstart to your own spiritual growth. Either way, developing rock-solid spiritual practices will help catapult you to the life of your dreams, creating deep satisfaction from the inside-out.
Before I share the ten powerful practices I used to rise above my darkness, let me first answer a few common questions.
What is Spirituality?
Spirituality is anything that relates to your spirit or soul. We are first and foremost spiritual beings having a human experience. To embrace spirituality in your life means you open your heart, allowing and acknowledging your soul or spirit lives within you. You’re desirous of a consistent connection between your soul and your higher self, God, Angels or Ascended Masters, or other beings living in the spirit realm. This connection provides for a higher vibration than what we normally encounter here on Earth.
What does a Spiritual Practice look like?
A Spiritual Practice isn’t going to a shaman three times a week or praying over your car keys (although if this works for you, no judgment at all!). A Spiritual Practice is a consistent performance of an action or activities solely to cultivate spiritual development. It’s a purposeful habit that allows for an opening within, an acknowledgment your soul and spirit connect you to yourself, God, and others.
My spiritual activities, outlined below, have become an integral part of my daily activities just like taking a shower or brushing my teeth. Aside from providing a respite in my busy life and a necessary life raft for self-preservation, these practices strengthen my resilience for handling life’s roller coaster.
Why should I incorporate a Spiritual Practice?
To know thyself is part of our job. We are 100% responsible for taking care of ourselves and knowing our values and beliefs. No one else can determine our values or beliefs nor should they! This work is ours, and ours alone. This responsibility isn’t limited to just taking care of our minds, bodies, and spirits. It’s also our energy and emotions.
Often though, as life gets busy, we ignore our soul’s desire while stuffing emotions and meeting unmet needs with addictions. Fixated cravings on excess sugar, talking, smoking, drugs, gambling, sex, workaholism, or over-exercising drives others away. These act as your shield against the outside world and block you from feeling your emotions. They especially keep you from loving yourself.
Developing a spiritual practice can help break those addictions while offering undeniable self-love. These practices elevate your self-respect, reminding you to take care of your needs first and to give from the overflow.
Remember: self-love is not self-indulgence, it’s self-preservation.
A dedicated spiritual practice also fulfills your soul’s yearning while giving a powerful and positive edge in life you may have never experienced before.
Executives, CEOs, and leaders worldwide are finding when they personally begin to know themselves,followingtheir guiding inner wisdom, the benefits are immeasurable. They include:
- Finding deeper meaning in their work aligned with their values
- Gaining clarity of their higher purpose
- Obstacles disappearing (unprocessed emotions and non-serving beliefs)
- Getting a heart connection (to themselves, to God, and others)
What is Spiritual Discipline?
To have a spiritual discipline means you are involved in an activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves your spirituality. It’s like training to connect to your soul. Spiritual discipline brings your inner and outer beings together and connects you to your own higher power.
People think that unless they meditate alone for twelve plus hours a day like monks do, they aren’t going to see any improvement. The truth is quite the opposite—even the smallest change in your routine can make the world of a difference.
All of the practices outline here can be done TODAY. No special equipment is needed to get started—only a willingness and intention to look within.
*This is part 1 of a series.
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