Some people find Spirituality in churches, synagogues, or temples.  I think it is extremely important to have spirituality in one's life but I am not sure it has to come from an establishment.  Do we need someone to guide us to spirituality or is it something inside us? Are we born with a sense of our spirit?  Some say children can see angels and spirits or ghosts and then we grow out of it as we age.  If that is the case, could we tap into our spiritual side at any time?

For me, it is about connection to people and things outside myself that brings me to my spiritual awareness.  One of my favorite things to do is walk to the Verrazano Bridge near my house.  It is the bridge that connects Brooklyn to Staten Island.  There is a park that runs along the water that I love to visit and read, listen to music, and even chat online.  The best part about going to this park is that it is right on the water. The sounds and smell of the ocean water make me feel peaceful.  I can clear my head so I can think about important things, or just come up with ideas to write about.  This past weekend I thought it would be great to share my place with you.  One might say I feel a connection to creation among all that nature.  The grass, trees, water, and air are gifts from somewhere.  They are there for us to enjoy.

Another way I feel connected spiritually is through people. My family and a selected few friends can remind me of my spiritual self.  There is a strange feeling you have when you are with your parents that you don't have at any other time. No matter how old you get, there is always that feeling of safety, of belonging.   Even people I have never met in person can bring me spiritual joy when we join together for a good cause.  When I was a part of Aquathon with Kirstie Alley or involved in Charity Water with Alyssa Milano I felt that spiritual awareness.  Anytime I am involved in spreading the word about human trafficking and slavery with Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore I am reminded that we are all connected in spirit. You can say I am too sensitive or it is wishful thinking but it really does effect me in ways I can't explain.   Simple things like playing with my one and a half year old nephew bring me back to my spiritual self.  Reading a letter from a relative is another way to connect.  Yes, I do have an Aunt who writes me and I write her back.  In a world of emails and texts, we take time to make it more personal.   

You never know who you will touch and how you can change some one's life just by being in it.  I have a friend who probably doesn't even realize how much he changed my life.  I call him friend because we have a connection I can't explain.  He came into my life at exactly the time I needed him. We chatted a bit about nothing in particular and everything you could imagine.  We have yet to meet face to face but his spirit changed me in ways I needed desperately and didn't even realize.  I was holding back too much, not being true to myself.  Through his example, he taught me that I have no reason to hold anything back.  This is me, I am good enough and I need to deal with it.  The strength I felt after that realization was amazing.  I thought I was okay, strong enough, but I found I could be even better.  For that I will always be grateful to Jason Dottley, you changed me for the better just by being you.   

Are we all connected in spirit?  I think we are.  Think about what draws you to a person.  Yes, sometimes it is physical but physical wears off.  What attracts you may not keep you.  I think the spiritual connection must be like a magnet, keeping you in each others' circles.  Without the deeper, spiritual connection it could not last long. 

Great conversation can bring me to my spiritual self because I believe all people come into our lives for a reason.  So every truly inspiring conversation must happen to fulfill a purpose.  The feeling you have afterwards is more than just happiness or contentment. It is satisfaction from a great connection, even if only made once. 

Meditation is also a great tool in connecting spiritually.  You would be astonished by the realizations you can come to just by being still, being quiet and listening to what is really going on around you.  Our minds are always working but sometimes our own thoughts get shut out by all the outside noise we face each day.   Focusing on just your breathing or on the flame of a candle can help you to block out all that outside noise and the things put into our heads by others. 

Writing is a way for me to connect too.  I can tap into my thoughts and believe it or not, I feel totally connected to the readers who may be reading my work.  It is especially true when you get feedback and comments.   It is all about the give and take, being brave enough to risk opening yourself up to the world. 

Make plans to have dinner with your parents or other relatives, play with child for a few hours, call a great friend, make a new friend, or get involved in a cause that someone you admire is part of.  Better yet, do them all.  Try mediation, walking among nature, reading a good book, and let yourself truly relax.  You could even try to just free write with no particular point in mind at all.

How do you connect to your spiritual self? What makes you feel more connected to nature and people?