Passionate Theme of the Day- Spirituality

Good Sunday Passionate people! Spent some time yesterday surfing around the blogosphere. After researching a bit, I have decided to tweak a few things here at the PMP blog. Nothing major, just a few minor shifts in content and style to enhance the already juicy tid-bits I’ve been bringing ya since launching in mid-Feb.

I’m thinking of choosing a “theme” for the day. Example, today being Sunday, I’m choosing spirituality and trying to provide you with something spirit based for your reading pleasure. I’ll be mixing in resources for you along with my usual random ramblings and eclectic essays. Recently, I’ve been looking into info on meditation and stumbled upon this article…

Hands-on Spirituality - People of different faiths are discovering that crafts like knitting can be a form of prayer or meditation

It seems there are groups across the country that have formed crafting-for-charity programs, in this case, knitting for charity. They make “blankets for Afghans, chemo caps for cancer patients, or toys for premature babies, the Shawl Knitting Ministry works to help people in crisis—such as unwed mothers, migrant workers, and victims of domestic violence.”

But there is something else going on here.

“There is another element to it,” said Vicki Galo, co-founder of the ministry, which has needles clicking from Maine to California and in a handful of groups overseas. “Somehow, it benefits the knitter or the crocheter, too.”
The women involved are discovering that in the process of helping others, they are helping themselves—spiritually. Knitters say the click of the needles, the tension of the yarn and the sight of the colors winds them into a meditation-like state. For Galo and many others, the combination of craft with contemplation was an awakening.

“You mean I can pray when I am doing this?” Galo said knitters asked. “It was a very new concept for women. And yet it is an old concept known by Tibetan monks and Native Americans.”

How cool is that? This article reminded me that if we live consciously and increase our awareness, we are actually living our lives as prayer. Everything we do can be a sacred act. It’s like the peaceful feeling that comes over me as I walk my dogs each morning. To some, it just might be a nuisance of a task that they “have” to complete several times a day. I really try and focus my awareness (at least in that first early morning walk) and “tune-in” to all the goodness in my life. I use that walk as an opportunity to connect with myself, with spirit, with the earth and with ALL that is.

I say “thank you” in my head as I walk and take note of the wind, the wet grass, the sound of wind chimes ringing and crickets chirping and birds beginning to sing their songs. I love passing the other early risers walking their dogs and groggily exchanging “morning” as we pass by. For me, walking is meditating and meditating is prayer.

No matter what you call it - God, Spirit, Universe, Jesus, or Buddha – take some time today and give thanks. Connect to that one powerful source that feeds our creativity, passion, and purpose. Whether you’re knitting mittens for your kitty, sitting in easy pose under a tree, fly fishing, kneeling in a church, singing your praise, or simply BEING, trust that your day will be richer for taking notice of that connection and saying THANK YOU.

How do you connect to spirit on a daily basis? What creative ways do you make the everyday sacred?

Namaste,
Kam