Grounding This Season
I'll be honest with you—Halloween isn't really my thing. The candy overload, the horror movies, the creepy porch decor I pass on my evening walks... it just doesn't resonate with me (I know, I’m no fun!) But what this season does bring up for me is something much deeper: spirituality and its vital role in staying grounded and feeling our best.
There's No One Right Answer
Spirituality means different things to different people, and that's not just okay—it's beautiful. I grew up Lutheran, but during my confirmation our church introduced us to other religions so we could understand and respect different practices. In college, I took a world religions course, and I still have that textbook sitting on my shelf to this day. I loved learning all these different spiritual paths, each with their own practices and beliefs, yet all sharing one common thread: something greater than ourselves, a force tying it all together. There was such comfort in knowing this benevolent presence exists—something guiding us, looking out for us, something we could trust.
These past few months, I've been studying Kabbalah, and I've found so much insight and peace in its teachings. The idea that we can have total certainty and trust that we're being guided and held. That we can be a source of light for ourself and others. That our challenges aren't punishments but our greatest lessons, bringing more blessings and abundance when we recognize them for what they are.
What Spirituality Really Means to Me
I’ve always been curious about spirituality. I love learning about different beliefs, traditions, and ways of understanding the world. That exploration feels endless—and that’s part of what makes it so fulfilling.
But over time, I’ve realized that spirituality, at its core, isn’t about rituals, rules, or the right practice. It’s about connection—to something greater than myself, to the people around me, and to the deeper purpose that gives life meaning.
For me, spiritual wellness looks like this:
Faith and trust — Believing there’s a greater order at play, even when I can’t see it.
Alignment — Living in a way that reflects my values, not just my goals.
Reverence — Seeing beauty and wisdom in the ordinary moments of life.
Surrender — Letting go of control and trusting that I’m being guided.
Presence — Creating space for stillness, prayer, or quiet reflection.
Gratitude — Recognizing that even the smallest moments can be sacred.
Service — Extending kindness, compassion, and light wherever I can.
Those practices are what anchor me. They remind me that spirituality isn’t separate from daily life—it is daily life. It’s how we show up in the world, how we make meaning out of uncertainty, and how we stay connected to love, truth, and peace when things feel chaotic.
So while I’ll probably never stop learning about different paths and teachings, the deeper lesson for me is this: spirituality isn’t found in seeking something outside myself—it’s in remembering what’s already within.
Why This Matters for Wellness
In my previous post on the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, I talked about how true well-being means tending to every part of ourselves — mind, body, and spirit. When we think of “health,” we often focus on the tangible pieces: nutrition, movement, sleep, mental balance. All of these matter deeply. But spiritual wellness is what connects them all together.
It’s the why behind the what.
Research shows that spiritual practices — whether that’s prayer, meditation, or simply spending time in nature — are linked to lower stress levels, better immune function, and improved mental health. When we nurture our spiritual side, we’re literally supporting our physical and emotional well-being. It’s not separate from our health; it’s foundational to it.
Spiritual wellness is about having a sense of meaning, belonging, and purpose that gives context to everything else you do. It’s what allows you to stay centered when life feels uncertain, and to find gratitude and perspective even when things don’t go as planned.
In a holistic wellness approach, spirituality shows up in subtle but powerful ways:
Mental wellness is supported by faith — the trust that your thoughts don’t define you, and that you can surrender worry to something greater.
Emotional wellness is nurtured by compassion — the ability to forgive yourself and others through a lens of grace.
Physical wellness deepens when you see your body as sacred — a vessel for experiencing life, not a problem to fix.
Social wellness expands when you connect to others through empathy, love, and shared humanity.
Environmental wellness becomes more meaningful when you feel reverence for the earth as a living, breathing part of your existence.
When your spiritual health is strong, it infuses every part of your well-being with light and intention. You move through life with more calm, clarity, and connection.
At its heart, spirituality isn’t about dogma or doctrine — it’s about alignment. It’s living in tune with your values, guided by your inner compass, and trusting that you’re being led toward something good.
Action Step: If you don't have a spiritual practice currently, I encourage you to start small. Spend just five minutes with yourself today. Sit quietly and breathe. See what comes through. You might be surprised by what you will hear when you create that space.
Your spiritual practice doesn't need to look like anyone else's. It just needs to feel true to you. 🤍
Beautiful Fall Scene at Banning Park, Minnesota
