Spirituality is a broad concept of a belief in something beyond the self.  There is not a single path or belief system.   It may involve religious traditions that center on the belief in a higher power.  It can also involve a holistic belief in an individual connection to others and to the world as a whole.

Spirituality offers a worldview that suggests there is more to life than just what people experience on a sensory and physical level.  It proposes that there is something greater that connects all beings to each other and to the universe itself.  It also suggests that there is an ongoing existence after death and attempts to answer questions about the meaning of life.  This includes how people are connected to each other, mysteries of human existence, and even truths about the universe.

Signs of spirituality can include feelings of awe and wonder.  Often it involves seeking happiness beyond material possessions or other external rewards.  It could be an experiencing of compassion and empathy for others, and a deepening of connections with other people.   It could even extend to feelings of interconnectedness and wanting to make the world a better place.

Although spirituality is a personal experience, and paths may differ, research shows that some spiritual stress relief strategies have been helpful to many, regardless of faith.  Worthwhile avenues to exploring  spirituality would include the following practices.  Mindfulness, becoming more mindful, can help you become more aware and appreciative of the present.  This encourages you to be less judgmental and focus more on the moment than dwelling on the past, or future.  Meditation every day will supplement these efforts and increase one’s awareness, as may prayer.  Next, paying attention to your feelings helps you embrace what it means to be human, both good and bad.  Practicing gratitude can also be a great reminder of what is most important to you and what brings you the greatest happiness.  Focusing on others and helping others will open your heart and cause feelings of empathy, all important aspects of spiritually.  Journaling, an increasingly recognized valuable tool, will further open up paths to self-awareness, feelings, and spirituality.

Spiritual work is the labor of a lifetime.  It starts at different times and is experienced a little differently by everyone. …