Spirituality Articles

Spirituality is a broad yet personal topic. Although it can vary as much as people do, spirituality is an important part of figuring out how to be happy.

Aha Moment: How a Simple Change in Behavior Can Increase Spiritual Serenity

by Jared Akers

I like routines.

Years ago I was living in a house with six other guys. The house was run by a non-profit organization and served as a transition for guys early in sobriety trying to get back on their feet. Literally. Each house member was assigned chores; one of which was cleaning the living room. As an early riser, I was usually the first one up and to make coffee. While the coffee was brewing, I would prepare my lunch for the day, then enjoy a cup of joe in the living room while reading my morning meditation books. Leaving my coffee on the coffee table, it was off to the shower with the intention of returning to finish my coffee before leaving for work.

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The Secret About: Change and Spiritual Growth

by Jared Akers

I am six years old and shivering as I glare at the freezing water from the edge of a pool. It is 7:30 a.m. and I am supposed to be in the water with the rest of the students… and my mother. Scared and cold, I muster every bit of courage I have, and jump.

A few short minutes later, I am OK. Actually, the water feels good now—not nearly as cold as when I jumped in. Did the water temperature change? Of course not—the water temperature did not change, I did.

“The key to change… is to let go of fear.”
-Rosanne Cash

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Be Like A Tree

by Jared Akers

be like a tree Back in the early 90’s I was as a zookeeper. Each Spring we would transport the Spider Monkeys from the indoor tropical building to a wonderful outdoor enclosure with trees and grass. Yay for the spider monkeys! Since none of us spoke Spider Monkey, we couldn’t really tell them what we were doing. For all they knew we were coming in to eat them so they always freaked out when we came walking towards them with nets. They didn’t know we were just trying to help them, that we were taking them to a great place to frolic in the sun and play in the grass and swing from the trees.

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Make Each Day A Day of Progress

by Jared Akers

Sometimes we fall backwards, or so we think. Everyone makes mistakes right? So why are we sometimes more forgiving of others than we are of ourselves?

“Each day is a day of progress, steady progress forward, if you make it so.”
– Twenty-Four Hours a Day (Hazelden Education Materials) March 31st

Everyone makes mistakes, including myself. By accepting the fact that I make mistakes, and practicing self-forgiveness, I can more easily forgive others.

So the next time we make a mistake, let’s not be so hard on ourselves… OK?

A Thankful Heart

by Jared Akers

thankful heart

I try to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one’s heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know.
–Bill Wilson

photo credit: karenwithak