Creating Your Spiritual Toolbox

I’m on the other side of an emotional upset (aren’t we all?), and the Universe has been serving up lots of goodies. What I’m about to share is not all that stuff about being beautiful and perfect, although you are: It’s time for hard-core Universal Truths and Tools to get you through the night.

Edvard Munch, “The Scream,” 1893

In other words, it’s time to create your “Spiritual Toolbox” – healthy actions and practices that you can easily access when the going gets tough. Your Spiritual Toolbox should contain things that soothe, boost and inspire you. They should bring you joy, keep you real and keep you strong. And, there should always be at least one or two goodies in there that truly help clear your mind. Your tools will always be there to help access what you already know, be present, figure out your life, and yes, find gratitude in what’s gone down.

Notice I used the word “create,” because creativity comes in many forms. Our Spiritual Toolboxes may be created with common things, but for the most part, mine is particular to me and yours is particular to you. And, every Spiritual Toolbox evolves over time.

#1 Truth: It Don’t Mean a Thing if you Ain’t Got that Pain.

A wise person once said, “The pain you feel today is the strength you feel tomorrow.” Growing pains are called that for a reason – they hurt. And, in every difficult moment, you have two choices: to retreat or grow. Retreat means pushing the pain down someplace you think you may never see or feel it again, but that never works, unless you don’t mind being haunted by The Ghosts of Experiences Past. “Grow” means moving forward and getting stronger. But that takes nourishment – beginning with Nourishment of Self.

That brings us to the #1 Tool for Your Spiritual Toolbox: YOU.

You already have the answers; you already know the solutions. It’s just that your emotional and spiritual pipes are too clogged to hear. Finding your inner voice when your world is falling apart begins with one simple practice: “Pause and Effect.”

This one is tough, but trust me, it can be done. Whether it’s retreating to another place, holding your breath or a putting a rubber band around your wrist, the high emotions of a painful moment will never serve up a clear answer. And, the effect part of the pause will reveal one of three things: What you are upset about is inconsequential, life changing, or just plain silly. Only time and space will tell.

The easy way to know if you are “hearing” your true inner voice or some garbled emotional version? Your true inner voice is always compassionate and loving. If what you hear is harsh, judgmental, or self-deprecating, change your inner radio station and continue the pause.

Stay tuned in August to continue Creating Your Spiritual Toolbox. Until then, remember to breathe.

Blessings,

About the Author: Elizabeth

Elizabeth Bryan-Jacobs is a nationally known artist, creativity facilitator and bestselling author, currently pursuing a master’s degree in art therapy. Through her own recipe of art-making, mindfulness and nature, she supports individuals in awakening their inborn creativity. Her combination of practices opens a path inward to inner wisdom and insight that helps transform challenge to change. The result is a greater sense of presence, connection and empowerment, as well as the abiding joy that is the core of the creative process. Elizabeth is also the author of bestselling Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings and Soul Models: Transformative Stories of Courage and Compassion. Elizabeth’s passion to share the benefits of creativity, mindfulness and nature inspired her to pioneer Creative Awakenings: Where Spirit Meets Science, a series of innovative, transformational seminars. She has shared Creative Awakenings for nearly two decades, privately and at exclusive venues like Canyon Ranch in Lenox, MA, The Golden Door Spa in San Marcos, CA, the Ojai Valley Spa and Resort as well as with numerous corporations. To support wellness during challenging times, Elizabeth now offers Awakenings Circles. These online, mindfulness-based creativity programs and practices help guests dig deeply on their journey in connecting with what matters most. Elizabeth is a renowned sculptor and artist with works in numerous private and corporate collections, including Dell Children’s Hospital and Healthline Media. Along with her husband, artist Bobby Jacobs, she is also the co-founder of The Spread Your Wings Project, a non-profit devoted to sharing the benefits of community art-making in response to the challenges faced by our nation today. The couple builds massive pairs of angel wings in community with vulnerable populations for fundraising purposes. For more information, visit TheSpreadYourWingsProject.org.