What is spirit?  What is your spirit?  Do you care?

Spirit is both a psych term and a mystical term.

In psychology, “spirit” is about “the non-physical core of a person—the vital force, moral character, a transcendent essence beyond the body, connected to meaning, purpose, and wholeness.

Spiritual principles are useful, practical, and profitable.  A strategy.

What are they?

One list says there are seven.  (“Advanced” students can use more).

Gratitude.  (See our Thanksgiving blogs).  The practice of gratitude helps with mental health, the immune system, sleep, and to connection, openness and authenticity to others.  ACTION  FOUNDATION

Humility.  The twelve-step programs say it is “knowing who and what you really are, followed by an attempt to become that which you might be.”  This requires a willingness to look at self.  INVENTORY

Optimism.  This is a proactive state of mind, per Karl Albrecht.  It can be quite simple.  Prepare and be prepared for opportunities when they arise.  It is “a way of capitalizing on luck.”

Generosity.  I see this as more of a state of mind, rather than giving things away.  It says “selfishness, self-centeredness, is the root of our problems.[i]  People respond to this spirit, more so than to the actual receiving of physical gifts or loans.  Typically, the good will returns to you in multiple forms.

Forgiveness.  Forgive even the jerks!  This is not about them.  It is about you.  Resentment means “re-feeling” the anger or even rage.  The terrible offender gets to live inside your head rent-free!  Resentment can cause us to do stupid things, creates even greater outrage, and distracts us from more fun things.

Intention.  A plan.  The world changes.  Appraisal changes.  Customers change.  Technology changes.  If you fear making wrong choices, the fear may be worse than the bite.  A failure is just one less thing you have to try, to be successful.  Intention starts with small, conscious decisions.  Try something of the future.

Expectation. The human brain and nervous system carry preparedness.  We constantly “program” ourselves.  If you don’t expect to swing and hit the ball, you probably won’t swing and hit the ball.

I have often said “I do some of my best work at night!”  If I fall asleep with a challenge or problem on my mind, my mind will continue working on it undisturbed by my own judgment.  When I expect a result, I get a result.  “My brain has a mind of its own.”  Expectation guides my mind and my spirit.

You have talents and skills and gifts that no one else in the world has. 

They are given to you freely.  It is your job to use them for self, and for others.  These principles provide a guide.

These spiritual principles (and others), once habituated, form the basis of a good life, a fun life, a life of satisfaction in how we connect and give to our family, our community, our profession, and most of all – as a gift to ourselves.

[i] Taken from Alcoholics Anonymous, and Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc, 1989.