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I would like to be able to connect to spiritual practices such as meditation and yoga, however, I find I get too distracted and self-conscious to concentrate properly and experience their full potential. Hence, my most spiritual practice would have to be early morning exercise. Every morning of the week, I wake up at 5:30am, and either swim (usually) or go for a run, to start the day. The routine of waking up, getting ready and leaving whilst it is still dark is familiar and peaceful, as the air is still cool and there are very few people. When I set off for a run, I am usually alone for the first half, this is the highpoint of the ritual for me, as I still feel fresh, the air is brisk and I can easily manage a fast pace. Once I arrive at the general track, I come across more people, who are focussed on their own tasks, yet still take the time to nod, or say ‘’Good morning’’. Especially in troubled times, I am always touched by this small ‘moment in time’; that you can have a connection with a complete stranger at five-thirty in the morning through common interests and respect. The last quarter of my run is always the most difficult; the sun has risen, it is getting hot, there is more traffic to manoeuvre and my legs are getting sore, but I always challenge myself to run even faster at this point, as whilst it may hurt now, I will reap the rewards later. To me this section of the run symbolises challenges that I may face throughout my life; they may seem ‘too hard to be worth pushing through’, but when I do manage to overcome them, the satisfaction of completing the task is always worth it. I exit my ritual as I arrive home and go to the kitchen for a glass of water, just as the rest of my family begins to wake up. In a way it feels as though no time has passed while I run -  I have not missed anything exciting at home – so I have ‘’stolen’’ a moment in time. The routine of my runs are comforting, but they are always different and difficult, meaning I am always engaged. During the run, there are sections where I can centre in on my thoughts, or just concentrate on my surrounding, or briefly connect to people, or challenge myself, which is why it is a spiritual practice for me.

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‘’Sweet Disposition’’ is a song about living in the moment, and appreciating things and people for who they are. It is a song that I can connect with. I both lose myself in the melody and find myself in the lyrics. ‘’A dream, a laugh, a kiss, a cry, a right, a wrong, a moment, a love’’, these ‘moments in time’ are small, yet important, and this song reminds me to stop and appreciate them. The melody of the song captivates me, and allows me to stop and concentrate on the simplest of tasks or things to be grateful for, to find clarity in my often hectic life. I can close my eyes and the world’s problems leave me. One of the most profound lines in the song – to me – is; ‘’ Oh, reckless abandon, Like no one's watching you’’. I am very shy, and do not like to express myself around people I am not familiar with, yet this quote reminds me to take a deep breath and ‘’dance like nobody’s watching’’ –so to speak. After hearing this song I come away feeling calmed, centred and refreshed.

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Sweet disposition
Never too soon
Oh, reckless abandon
Like no one's watching you

A moment of love
A dream
A laugh
A kiss
A cry
Our rights
Our wrongs
A moment of love
A dream
A laugh
A moment of love
A dream
A laugh

So stay there
'Cause I'll be coming over
While our blood's still young
It's so young, it runs
Won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop to surrender

Songs of desperation
I played them for you
A moment of love
A dream
A laugh
A kiss
A cry
Our rights
Our wrongs
A moment of love
A dream
A laugh
A moment of love
A dream
A laugh

Stay there
'Cause I'll be coming over
While our blood's still young
It's so young, it runs
Won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop to surrender
Won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop 'til it's over
Won't stop to surrender

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Prayer can be a solemn request for guidance, or expression of thanks addressed to God. The ‘’Prayer for guidance’’ is both. Personally, I do not really connect with prayers that focus on singing praises for God’s ‘mighty feats’, instead I find more value in thanking him for his guidance and love. I do not want to rely on God for everything, nor place my life in his hands; I prefer to live my own life, whilst having God as a gentle presence, whom I can find if I look. In this prayer God is a guiding, reliable presence; we are still free to make our own decisions, but He is always there, should we turn to Him. A God that ‘’encourages forgiveness’’ and ‘’ walks upon each place we tread in sorrow or in joy’’ is a God to whom I would like to pray to when I either retreat into myself, want to reach out to the world, or need to find clarity. So, even when the world goes dark and I am lost, cold or afraid, I know I have a little light inside me to turn to.

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Father,
There is a light that guides us, small and true and bright. Jesus right besides us in the morning, noon and night. He walks upon each place we tread in sorrow or in joy. And goes before and walks behind, to catch us if we fall.
His presence is so gentle, but if we look we'll see So many ways he sprinkles grace into the lives of you and me. Encourages forgiveness, mends our brokenhearts. Helps us choose to do things right, and walk upon his path.
His hope is on our shoulders, lifting us each day. His truth breathes deep within us inspiring us to pray. His love we wear just like a cloak of sonship and praise. His everlasting promises are there for us always.

And even when the world goes dark and we're lost, cold or afraid. This little light inside us keeps us warm and close and safe. It seems Lord such a miracle that you should walk with me.
I choose each day to talk with you,
And hear you speak with me.

Amen.

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Danie Mellor – ''A SuperNatural Landscape''
(2013) – Mixed media on paper.

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Danie Mellor himself says that; “I am interested in the detail in nature, how you can link a clarity of vision to ideas belonging to a particular space and environment.” Which really is a direct link to my spirituality. I admire how a certain practice, auditory or visual artwork can simultaneously centre a person and allow them to connect with their outside environment. Mellor grew up in the Atherton Tablelands and notes that ‘’there is an element of the rainforest in everything I do’’, whilst also placing a great value upon both his Aboriginal and European ancestry. I find beauty in Danie Mellor’s interpretation of his own personal values, attitudes and beliefs melding with the ‘’society from which [he] comes’’. What's more, Danie Mellor’s artwork reminds me of times and places I have spent bushwalking and camping with my closest family and friends. In particular, his 2014 artwork; ‘’A SuperNatural Landscape’’ resounds with me, as the rainforest ceiling is both intricate and familiar. The detail of the natural landscape is captivating and serene, providing a calming respite, yet the artwork also expresses the values of the artist. Hence, I find deep personal, historical and emotional meaning in the piece.

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Of the two scripture passages that I connect with the most, one helps me centre in on myself, whilst the other provides a way to reach out to the community; which is, in essence, my spirituality.

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Ephesians 4:29

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come from your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Sometimes I think we all need a reminder not to be malicious in our thoughts, words or actions, to ensure we remain people of dignity and kindness. This bible passage does this for me. The passage also connects with my spirituality’s emphasis on community. It reminds me to think not only about my own personal needs, but also what is most beneficial ‘’to those who listen’’; the people who serve the most important parts in my life. Furthermore, the scripture specifies to: tell people "only what is helpful for building others up’’, not what they want to hear, or what is damaging in the long run. I am a very empathetic person, and sometimes prefer to tell people what they want to hear, in order to not hurt them. However, this passage teaches and reminds me, that so long as it is constructive and not harsh, it is okay to speak truthfully.

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Psalm 18:33
"He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.’’

This quote from the Catholic Bible really resonates with me, as it inspires me to believe in my own abilities and have courage. The passage gives me a sense of purpose; ‘’He made my feet like the feet of a deer’’ so that I am prepared and capable of overcoming whatever challenges life has coming. It also resounds with my spirituality, as by repeating it to myself in daunting or challenging situations, I can centre in on myself and find peace and self-assurance, before setting out to face the problem. ‘’… And set me secure on the heights’’; these words are meaningful to me, as they are simple, clear and purposeful, and allow me to easily calm down and focus. A similar mantra that I have, comes from Proverbs 31; ‘’She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future’’. This quote also gives me strength and stamina, and reminds me to live in the moment. Being a person who loves to learn and progress, I like to find quotes that I can use in my daily life to briefly centre myself before going out to face the world.

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Just as a candle can not burn without fire, men can not live without a spiritual life.

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My spirituality is a way to centre in on myself, while simultaneously reaching out to connect with the world and its community. It is a way to find an equilibrium in life, in order to clear my vision, find direction or start afresh. I place an emphasis on the importance of learning, so I find that I connect best with pieces of music, artwork or scripture that can teach me something either spiritually or practically. For me personally, the Catholic faith is also an important aspect of my spirituality, especially in terms of the sense of community that it has provided for me throughout my life. Furthermore, I find that I can draw from what I learn in the scriptures to establish my own sets of values, or change my attitude towards different aspects of life.