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A guest post written by Bob Cummings, Committee on Publication for Michigan
Another holiday season is upon us. It’s supposed to be a joyous and festive time. But unfortunately for many, this season may come with feelings of loneliness or depression. There is, however, a spiritual solution for this.
A recent study¹ by the University of Michigan Health System published in Explore: The Journal of Science and Healing found that a nondenominational spiritual retreat could increase hope and reduce depression.
This got me to thinking of how beneficial it would be to have a “mini” spiritual retreat of sorts each day – a time to be calm and to think – to think of something good in our lives, to feel love for family and friends, to look beyond ourselves, focus on the connections we do have and to kindly consider others – a time to be quiet and to listen for inspiration.
I practice this in the form of a quiet period in prayer, usually in the morning. During this time I feel a connection to the divine, and am consciously aware of His great love for me, for my family and friends, and for everyone throughout the world. This heightened feeling of love and expanded sense of family leaves little room for loneliness. It adds to my sense of purpose for the day and I look forward to the good that I can do.
There’s a real temptation sometimes to skip this quiet activity to get a jump on the activities and demands of the day. But I have found that it is helpful to make it a priority. On days when I skip this spiritual activity, I can sure tell the difference.
And I find that my “mini” spiritual retreats are helpful, not just during the holidays, but year-round.
¹ Sara L. Warber,Sandra Ingerman,Vera L. Moura,Jenna Wunder,Alyssa Northrop,Brenda w. Gillespie,Kate Durda,Katherine Smith,Katherine S. Rhodes,Melvyn Rubenfire. “Healing the Heart: A randomized Pilot Study of a Spiritual Retreat for Depresson in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients”; EXPLORE: The Journal of Science and Healing, July-August 2011, Elsevier.
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Thanks Bob, I like that idea of a “mini spiritual retreat” I too find that quiet time first thing makes a difference in my day and when I don’t take that time my day is not the same. Everyone needs quiet time in their life and everyday is a good time to get it.
Thank you for the encouragement to take time to connect with a sense of peace & calmness and to remind ourselves that God is ever present. With all the rushing around at times during the holidays and other times too, I find it fun and refreshing to silently pray for the world. I do this at red lights, while waiting in line at the store, waiting in a traffic snarl or just standing in the back yard looking out at the sunset. The peace of Christ, the “peace be still and know that I am God” thought comes to me to cherish and to lift the thoughts of all mankind. The real gifts of Christmas as we know, are not material but spiritual, uplifting & healing and are there for everyone!
Thanks; someone told of a musician who performed regularly for audiences. The musician said, “If I miss one day of my regular practicing, I notice it. If I miss two days of practicing, my family notices it. If I miss three days of my practicing, my audiences know it.” Keeping up that regular quiet time to pray, read the Bible and its spiritual interpretation in Christian Science, truly is essential practicing — for life.
In your daily spiritual retreats, I love how you spoke of having a “heightened feeling of love and expanded sense of family.” When in grade school, I was riding my bike one day and that exact thought came over me. I couldn’t articulate it then, as you have now, but it was the same sentiment.
When I was little, I enjoyed reading stories about children from other lands, and I remember that day loving each one, even though I’d never met any of them. I felt so happy, as if I’d been connected to the whole world.
Through the faithful, daily prayers of people everywhere, surely that feeling of spiritual rapport will unite us all.
Thank you for sharing your inspiration.
I feel a connection to the divine, and am consciously aware of His great love for me, for my family and friends, and for everyone throughout the world