A new year is beginning, along with the opportunity to start over, try new things, expand your interests, and adapt to new outlooks.
You may even have already prepared your long list of New Year’s goals, such as leadership or professional development, career advancement, home improvements, or growing your network of relationships. You may even have begun checking these items off your list.
Does any of this sound familiar?
I used to have a long list of New Year’s resolutions at the end of December and would then work to complete each item during the following year. My addiction to achievement constantly pushed me to be more productive and move myself forward. It also left me feeling that something was missing.
However, I found a new life perspective that has provided me greater success with more significance without sacrificing my health and well-being, a perspective that focuses on the 5 Fs in order to find true balance and fulfillment.
By focusing on these five areas when planning my year, I find that I’m more intentional, balanced, and joyful. And now, I set annual intentions, instead of resolutions.
The 5 Fs, as taught to me by my mentor, Satyen Raja, are Faith, Family, Finance, Fitness, and Fun. However, until several years ago, I was guilty of not prioritizing faith when planning for the year ahead. But I learned why and how to benefit by including faith in planning my new year.
An important part of personal growth comes from your inner perspectives and what you believe in—your faith. However, your faith doesn’t need to be religious, rigid, or worshipping.
A spiritual faith encompasses all religions, appreciates all aspects of life, and gives a positive new perspective by connecting you to something greater than yourself. It can provide the resources to find your purpose and discover the meaning of life. Spirituality is a highly effective path to self-discovery.
As you choose to allot time to connect with your own form of faith, you’ll find that new perspectives become available in all aspects of your life.
Here are 4 ways to help you discover your spirituality:
Practice acceptance
A great way to start your spiritual journey is to accept the things you can’t control. Consciously accepting things to be as they are will help you embrace a spiritual mindset. You can’t expect to control the world around you, what others do or how they act. Accept what is. You will benefit from whatever is meant for you.
So, let yourself make mistakes, forgive yourself for doing so, and move on.
Exercise mindfulness
Spirituality is about awareness. Practicing mindfulness is a great way to enhance your awareness. You can choose mindfulness through meditation, yoga, or journaling. Or simply practice being present in each moment and with each action you take.
Choose to see the positive
Albert Einstein said, “The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe.” Spirituality embraces a positive outlook on life. When you choose to see the good in daily occurrences and the intentions of others, you remain open to the truth.
Choosing to see the positive is a spiritual practice. It allows you to move beyond judgment and see the deeper beauty of your surroundings.
Change your environment
A great way to find a new perspective is to change the scenery around you. It may not be feasible to take a vacation to a new place each time you want to change your environment. However, simply connecting with nature, going for a walk, or exploring a new place in your own city are all great ways to connect with your spirituality.
Seeing and experiencing something different can help feed a fresh mindset and invite a new perspective to your life.
Connecting with your higher Self is a life-long journey. To stay on this path, it’s essential to be consistent with your spiritual practice. This is key to cultivating a more enlightened perspective.
As you unfold your spirituality, you’ll begin to notice certain things, such as:
Flow of creativity
When you engage in mindfulness such as yoga, meditation, or journaling, your creative imagination begins to thrive. Through this connection with your spiritual Self, you’ll also have more original ideas and experience greater clarity of thought.
Physical energy
When you practice spirituality, you’re more apt to see the good and maintain a more positive mindset. As you increasingly see the positive truths of the Universe, there is decreased resistance within and your physical body responds with greater energy.
Calm
Practicing acceptance will give you a sense of calm. Adopt the mindsets of “It is what it is” and “What will be will be,” and you will eliminate the struggle of resistance and the need to control. You will feel at ease despite any challenges that occur, knowing that you’ll be able to move past them.
A new perspective in this New Year might be all you need to shift your relationships, career, well-being, and more. Put spirituality on your list of New Year’s intentions and see what new perspectives come to light!
