Best Of The Aware Show With Polly Campbell: Imperfect Spirituality: Enlightenment in Ordinary Moments

How do we stay centered and grounded when we have to deal with the stress of the day-to-day? We may have moments of clarity and spirituality, but how can we take this connection with us wherever we go? We can easily read an upsetting news story or get stuck in traffic or long lines at the store, and we can lose sight of our spirit. According to our guest today, writer Polly Campbell, it’s a matter of being aware of what triggers us. This is life. Upsets can come into our reality all the time, yet we can learn to move more gracefully and maintain spiritual balance. Polly found herself with major challenges at one point with a diagnosis of cancer. She became angry. She realized she had stepped away from her spiritual practice, but once she noticed that, she could correct it. Having a child, as well as a full-time job, as so many people do, she decided she would find other ways to pray and be more spiritual. She suggests praying in the shower and being mindful while folding laundry. She talks about being silent in the car and experiencing the quiet, rather than listening to music or talking on the phone. She also suggests we go into a state of gratitude as often as we can. When paying bills, rather than getting stressed, be thankful that you can pay. If you see a stain on the carpet, rather than being upset, be grateful for the house and the rug. It’s a matter of not putting thoughts in negative places or going into a heavy mindset. This disconnects us. Rather than going into pain, we can be mindful. When we feel better, we can make a difference that will help to shift us and eventually the world. There are simple practices we can do that connect us to peacefulness and stillness. Mindfulness practices can be done in just a few minutes. We can stop, take a breath, and give ourselves a hug. This small movement helps us release stress. It changes us physically and emotionally. It reconnects us to ourselves and can take us out of negativity. Polly talks about her book, “Imperfect Spirituality: Extraordinary Enlightenment for Ordinary People.” Her articles on personal development topics and spiritual practices appear regularly in national publications and blogs. She is also a professional speaker who inspires and energizes audiences with a blend of wit and wisdom. The spiritual practices and personal development strategies she offers have also helped her cope with chronic illness. Her small tips and easy practices can help us move into a more positive place. Info: www.imperfectspirituality.com.