I gather books and sacred item that I use in my daily practice and put them in my line of sight. Then I do something else. My favorite ‘other’ activities are all geared toward getting me moving on on level or another: yoga, tai chi, qi gong, dance and creative arts. Tonight’s something else is writing.

I could just write about looking at a tray full of epsom salt topped with burnt sage leaves sitting on the coffee table next to a lighter and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. I could tell you how I do what I do…or I could write about my process of arriving here, and why I choose to stay in the habit of practicing spiritually. I think that, in the end, we will all be happy with my choice.

I find myself able to remain calm, cool and collected with my trajectory aimed right at my target of manifestation when I do my daily practice DAILY. When it falls by the wayside for too long, I notice how jumbly and out of sorts my energy can get, how disconnected I feel from Spirit, my own body and from those around me. The little things add up to feeling like big things, and the direction I’m headed seems obscured. In those moments of disconnect, I have lost my way and sadly don’t know it yet. When the balance of my days have been spent in harmony with Spirit, I more easily feel the gentle tug to reconnect with my daily practice or better yet, I begin to look forward to it at other points of the day. When the stretches of disconnect span an unusual length of time and are repeated, I’m dulled to Spirit’s calling, and it takes more stubbed toes, spilled milk and stinky litter boxes to get my attention.

Chasing a 2.5 year old energetic sponge around all day is tiring! I love my little man with all my heart–and I have my limit like any other mother. He’s currently exploring what it’s like to contradict everything I say, even if it’s something he wants. “Hey James, let’s go to the park!” “Don’t go to the park!!!” Grrr. I need ample sleep to keep up with him (his legs, his mouth, and his thirsty brain). I don’t have time for fire ceremony tonight. Besides, I can’t think of anything to manifest right now. If I don’t go to sleep right now, I’ll be Crabby McCrabberson in the morning.

Wha wha what did I just type? That a simple yet profound ceremony is going to put me to bed so late that I can’t function in the morning? Am I really going to create that for myself? Get real, Becky! You know you’ve wasted far more time on the internet into the wee hours, and this is nothing compared to that!

Oh yeah, huh.

And Miss Becky, don’t forget how you’re going to feel when you’re done. You know you like that sense of accomplishment. How much more important it is to remain connected than to be well rested? Of course, rest is very important for my overall health including my ability to stay connected. However, I find that the amount of sleep I might lose by doing my practice before bed is totally recouped by how fast I fall asleep once I’ve done it. It’s the struggle that takes so long. The arm-lenght list in my head that goes something like this, “put leftovers away, wash the dishes, feed the cats, pick up the toys, hang the laundry, dust-mop the floor, wipe down the table and the high chair, return emails, pay bills…” I think I’ll save you the pain of reading any more. Trust me, there’s more. If this list gets the best of me and I find myself flitting from one room to the next, I sometimes get the hint that I’m running away. Isn’t that what women have been doing for too long, running from our power? Being connected to Spirit puts me in a position to be the most in control of my reactions to the way in which life unfurls before me, and therefore as much in control of my destiny as I possibly can be. That’s powerful!

I spend a lot of time in the kitchen these days, especially with my newborn dedication to  provide truly nourishing and nurturing meals for my family. So I keep the tools I need to perform my daily practice in the kitchen where I see them throughout the day. And if I’m in an emotional space at the end of the day in which I just might take flight, I’ll take a second thought instead. I’ll grab my gear and set it up, grab water, art supplies, yoga mat, a musical instrument, headphones, you name it, whatever it takes to get inside of me one way or another. Anything that is in my highest and best interest that will get me away from thinking and into feeling. My guides tell me that some people will be able to meditate as a segue into their daily practice. I’m currently more aligned with moving meditations, but you guys and dolls go for it!

I also review the core of my practice as often as I like. I am currently the happiest with my spiritual life as I ever have been–but that doesn’t mean that personal fire ceremony is the only thing putting me there, or that it’s the be-all-end-all of daily practices. I have notes from a plethora of spiritual events, and often will review the practices I learned there. If they’ve been out of rotation for a while I’ll weave them back in again and allow my flow of practicing to evolve.

I like to be gentle with myself.

My spiritual practice does not involve self flagellation. That’s exactly the type of behavior I wish to steer clear of! In that vein, I like to keep it simple. I may pull out a bunch of gear to get me juiced up for Spirit, but that doesn’t mean I use it all! One night a few stretches may be all it takes, another a quick sketch. And the beauty of doing my daily practice DAILY is that when I do it DAILY, it doesn’t feel like a chore nearly as much as the evenings I’m coming back into routine. It’s the intention that matters, just like in all things. When I have correct intention and listen to Spirit whisper in my heart, my daily spiritual practice helps me stay aligned with my purpose more cohesively than any other single aspect of my health.

And on that note, it’s time for my fire ceremony. And then bed!