Life Pillar – Spirituality. What is it?
Spirituality is a term very often misunderstood. Initially, many people associate spirituality with religion. Others relate it to altars, rituals, and/or meditation. We are each free to define the word in the way that best suits us. That said, for me, spirituality is simply an ongoing practice of becoming the person we were meant to be. It’s the process of developing into a new a better you. It is the daily work of aligning your actions with your values, your truth, and your highest self. Becoming spiritual is not about reaching a state of perfection. It is about direction. It is about cultivating a way of living that expands your heart, deepens your compassion, and strengthens your connection to yourself, to others, and to something greater than you—whatever you choose to call it.
Spirituality matters because it shapes how each of us moves through the world. It influences how we respond to challenges, how we treat people, how we treat ourselves, and how we make decisions. When you are spiritually grounded, you are more intentional, more compassionate, and more open to growth. Spirituality gives you a foundation to stand on when life becomes seemingly hard to handle. It helps you see beyond the moment and stay connected to what truly matters. Here is the Life Pillar: Spirituality Worksheet.
Life Pillar – Spirituality. How it Shows Up in Daily Life.
There are many ways we show up as spiritual beings. These practices are not abstract concepts; they are daily choices that shape who we become.
- It shows up as forgiveness. Forgiveness is not about excusing harm or pretending something didn’t hurt. It is about releasing the emotional grip that keeps you tied to the past; it releases you from being tied to the pain Forgiveness frees your energy. It creates space for clarity, compassion, and forward movement. Some days forgiveness comes easily; other days it is a choice you make again and again. But each time you choose forgiveness, you strengthen your spiritual core.
- Spirituality shows up when we suspend judgment. In my book, 52 Weeks of Esteemable Acts: A Guide to Right Living, I write, “Without even being conscious of my behavior, much of my day is spent judging others.” In addition, “When I’m judging other people, it feeds into an existing belief I have about myself: that I’m better than you or worse than you.” In being aware of my own behavior, I discovered that judgment shrinks my world. In observing others I realize, too, that judgment limits our relationships and keeps us prisoners to our assumptions. When you pause and choose curiosity over certainty, you open yourself to connection, empathy, and shared humanity. That is spirituality in action.
- It shows up as gratitude. One of my mentors was a man named Hal Marley. I met him when I was in law school and learned so much from him. He constantly reminded me to develop an “Attitude of gratitude.” He constantly reminded me that there was always something to be grateful for. I often thougt of gratitude as a noun, but he reminded me that it was a verb, an action word. That if I was grateful that was demonstrated by how I showed up. What I did, not what I felt. Gratitude is not a mood; it is a muscle. It strengthens with use. It softens the heart and shifts your focus from scarcity to abundance. Gratitude improves relationships, reduces stress, increases resilience, and helps you see yourself and others with compassion. A spiritual life without gratitude is like a garden without water. It may survive, but it will not thrive.
- Spirituality shows up through connection and community. A spiritual community does not have to be religious. It can be a recovery group, a meditation circle, a book club, a yoga class, a hiking group, a creative community, or a group of friends committed to honest conversation. What matters is not the label but the alignment. A spiritual community is one where you feel safe, seen, encouraged, accountable, and inspired to be your best self. We are not meant to practice spirituality alone. We grow in community. We heal in community. We change in community.
- Finally, spirituality shows up through behavior change. Spirituality becomes real when it shapes how you live. Forgiveness changes how you respond to hurt. Suspending judgment changes how you see others. Gratitude changes how you see yourself and your circumstances. Community changes how you stay accountable and supported. Behavior change is the outward expression of inner transformation. Spirituality is not something you believe; it is something you practice. It shows up in the pause before reacting, the apology you didn’t want to make, the gratitude list you write even when you’re tired, the decision to see the good, the willingness to try again, and the courage to grow.
Spirituality is not about being perfect. It is about being willing—willing to forgive, willing to suspend judgment, willing to be grateful, willing to grow, willing to connect, and willing to change. A spiritual life is a full life, one rooted in truth, compassion, and intentional action. And, you do not have to do it all at once. You just have to make a beginning.
Call to Action.
If you are ready to deepen your spiritual practice, begin with one small Esteemable Act today. Download the
Life Pillar Spiritualty Worksheet. Forgive someone. Write a gratitude list. Pause before judging. Reach out to someone who lifts your spirit. Explore more Life Pillar blogs. Read additional Esteemable Acts material. To stay connected, join my Facebook Vison and Values Group. If you want to schedule a call with me click here.
Francine D. Ward
Attorney-at-Law, Author, Speaker
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