Touch is to perceive by the sense of feeling; to lay hands on; to affect; and/or to arouse an emotion.
“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch,
a smile, a kind word, a listening ear,
an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring,
all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”
~Leo Buscaglia
“There is a mysterious healing power in Touch
that is beyond words and
beyond our ideas about it.”
~Aileen Crow
Nourishment Definition: 1. something that helps a feeling, idea, or belief to grow stronger; 2. food and other substances that people and other living things need to live, grow, and stay healthy.
The editors of Spirituality & Health Magazine asked Rosemary Cunningham to help organize and invite the magazine’s readers to reflect on their daily lives and share the simple actions that nourished their souls. The following excerpts are from a wonderful collection of their practices included in the author’s book, Fifty Ways to Feed Your Soul:
1. Stand SOUL to SOUL with nature
2. Create beauty at work
3. Carry a spirit rock in your pocket
4. See the world through your pet’s eyes
5. Sense the love that surrounds you
6. Sing out
7, Slow down
8. Feast on soul food
9. Whistle as you walk
How will you nourish your soul during this holiday seasonr
Tolerance is being patient, understanding and accepting of anything different.
It frees us from being judgmental,
recognizing that all people have feelings, needs, hopes, and dreams.
In the practice of tolerance,
one’s enemy is the best teacher.
~Dalai Lama
The Practice of Tolerance:
Appreciate differences,
Forgive mistakes,
Balance acceptance with justice.
Respect is the willingness to show consideration
or appreciation to others and self.
Letting go of interference, judgment, and control,
is respecting others enough to let them make their own decisions.
Earning and giving respect is both essential and desirable for healing.
Patience is the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. This is something I will strive continually to achieve. It was suggested I pick a strong healing word today. I thought about it and realized it takes a great deal of strength to trust and practice the following:
1. We are not hasty and wait without complaining.
2. We respond to mistakes or delays with gentleness not judgment.
3. We recognize the lessons that come through waiting and receive them as gifts.
4. We endure things we cannot control with a peaceful heart.
5. We do not rush or allow ourselves to be overcome by pressure.
6. We remind ourselves patience is quiet hope.
7. We know patience brings acceptance and soothes our souls.
Positive thoughts are mini-affirmations. In Louise L. Hay’s book Experience Your Good Now! she writes: “Affirmations are like planting seeds in the ground. First they germinate, then they sprout roots, and then they shoot up through the ground. It takes some time to go from a seed to a full-grown plant. And so it is with affirmations—it takes some time from the first declaration to the final demonstration. Be patient.”
”Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.”
~Willie Nelson
“If you have good thoughts,
they will shine out of your face like sunbeams
and you will always look lovely.”
~Roald Dahl
Gentleness is an attitude of tenderness and love toward people and the world around us. It takes strength to call on the self-control that gentleness requires, particularly when we feel hurt or angry.
“Gentleness towards self and others makes life a little lighter.”
― Deborah Day, BE HAPPY NOW!
Being gentle with ourselves
helps us to be more forgiving
and kind to others.
Gentleness trades control for an embrace.
Gentleness is moving wisely,
touching softly,
speaking quietly,
and thinking kindly.
Taking time for gentle activities
nurtures our souls.
DEFINITION OF ACTION: The fact or process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim or an act of will.
How can you make ACTION a healing word for you?
Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act!
Action will delineate and define you.
~Thomas Jefferson
When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached,
don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps.
~Confucius
In order to carry a positive action,
we must develop here a positive vision.
~Dalai Lama
Contentment is an awareness of sufficiency, a sense that we have enough and we are enough. It is appreciating the simple gifts of life – friendship, books, a good laugh, a moment of beauty, a cool drink on a hot day, and a hot drink on a cold day.
Being contented, we are free from the pull of greed and longing. We trust that life provides what we need when we need it.
Being Contented doesn’t obstruct our dreams. It is a place view the future with a peaceful heart and gratitude for all that is and all that is to come.
Enthusiasm is being filled with spirit. When we live with enthusiasm, we are excited about life and are open to the wonders each day holds.
Enthusiasm helps us to imagine what is possible. We do things wholeheartedly, with zeal and eagerness, holding nothing back. We are cheerful and optimistic about what is to come.
Enthusiasm helps us to imagine what is possible. We follow our dreams with true joy.
