Chill out is a phrase we hear a lot. And it is also something to consider as a spiritual tool during the time of the pandemic.
Chill Out
The phrase chill out is a phrase we often hear when people think we are getting worked up over something that we shouldn’t be all worked up about. We are told to chill out when our fear, anxiety and worry start showing up in ways that are distracting to other people. Sometimes we have to remember to chill out when we find ourselves in a situation that is unexpected and we need to calm down in order to figure out what to do. And certainly, the pandemic has us all on edge. The information and guidelines seem to change daily. Often the logic of it all makes no sense. This alone is enough to cause us to lose our chill. Add that to the already existing pressures and the need to chill out rises quickly.
Spiritual Chill Out
You probably already have some ways to chill out in order to escape the pressures of the day. As you do these things, put a spiritual spin on chilling out by remembering a few things. God (however you understand God) wants you to be fulfilled and happy. So, as you go about your day and as anxiety rises ponder what makes you fulfilled and happy. In order to do that we sometimes have to take a moment to set aside the worries of the day and focus on something else. One way to do that is to think about the things you are thankful for. Another thing is to breathe some peace, cleanse and refresh in joy and feed your soul with some love.
Ponder
Check out previous blog posts for ways to take in peace, love and joy. Ponder how you can be intentional about setting aside some time to chill out. It might be a time of meditation or mindfulness. It might be a walk in the forest or a swim in a pool. Anything you can do to connect to the reality that everything is fine no matter what things might look like in the moment is helpful. And remember God (however you understand God) want you to be fulfilled and happy. If you would like some help in developing a spiritual practice to help you chill out, let me know.
