mission monday:: make spirituality fun

japanese maple, for sale in my etsy shop

Did you know that today is nirvana day?

I didn't either until I looked in my day planner. Since my first assumption was that they named a day after the band, I decided to do some research.

It turns out that this day commemorates the Buddha's death. It is a time of contemplation, shared meals and meditation.

I am not going to suggest that you do any of those things (unless you want to).

See here's my thing on spirituality and religion: if you get too hung up on the particulars, you disconnect from the real purpose. And I believe no matter what spiritual path you follow that the real purpose is to connect with love and joy.

If meditating brings you to that, awesome.

But what came to me as I was thinking about nirvana day was celebrating the rebel part of spirituality. Jesus, buddha (and others)...they were bucking the norm. They were daring to connect to a larger energy in their own way and letting others know that they could as well.

So your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to embrace the rebellion and fun and joy and love of your particular spiritual path IN YOUR WAY.

Suggestions for spiritual rebellion:
-write a prayer in chalk on the side of the wall
-research the wisdom of your spiritual path. If you don't have a spiritual path, research one that interests you
-dance out your gratitude
-draw, paint or collage a spiritual image to evokes a feeling of joy in you

These are just a start...I know there are a million other ways to connect with love. Please share your unique ways to express spirit...I can't wait to hear them!

As a bonus mission, please share the images that mean spirit to you in the mission mondays flickr group.

Happy missioning joy rebels!