No matter what your beliefs may be, I feel that everyone can sense that beyond their physical self there is something more. This spiritual self needs to be cared for just like your physical self. How you care for it is up to you, but care for it. It takes balance between caring for the physical and spiritual self to be truly happy and to be capable of supporting the people in your life in a manner that will be a benefit to you (and to them), not a burden.

I have found that uplifting music will calm my body and enrich my spirit. If I start to feel drained I can rely on my music to replenish what is lost. Whether this music is classical, spiritual, or instrumental I can reach the desired result, whatever that result may be at the time. Taking a walk and enjoying nature is about as effective as my music. I feel as if the energy of life soaks into my skin and nourishes my spirit. Reading my scriptures or inspirational books will almost instantly draw me closer to God. This also renews my spirit, along with honest, sincere prayer. We all have our ways to nourish our spirituality, we just need to take the time to do it.

As a child I remember my mother bringing my brother and me to many different churches. Some I remember, some I do not. What I do remember is the time and attention we devoted to seeking for the truth, whatever that may have been. I was a serious child and realized at a rather young age that there were some rather important choices to be made in life. One of those choices would be what church to join, if any. I remember enjoying some of the churches we attended from a social and activity standpoint, but never on a spiritual level. I knew something was missing but couldn't figure out what it was exactly. Apparently my mother did as well since we kept going from church to church until the day we were introduced to a pair of young men who were missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

My memory isn't the greatest, but I do remember my excitement as we were taught by the missionaries. It all made sense to my 11 year old heart and mind. Something just felt right about what they were teaching. The best part was how they invited us to read the scriptures and pray for ourselves if what they were teaching was true. We weren't asked to take their word for it, or follow them blindly into the waters of baptism. It was a serious matter for a serious young girl and it was refreshing to see how careful these young men were to make sure I gained a testimony for myself about the truthfulness of the doctrine they were teaching me. These young men were diligent in their teaching, but I never felt pressured to accept (or afraid to decline) their invitation to be baptized.

The years since my baptism have been full of amazing experiences, both good and bad. By far the most important and significant events revolve around my personal relationship with God. The part that was missing from all of the other churches we attended became so clear as I grew through my teenage years as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Revelation of truth, both personal and through prophets and ordained leaders of Christ's' church, was that missing part. I learned that I could know for myself what was truth, in all things. I learned through personal experience what the gift of the Holy Ghost really was and what it could really do. I learned that how I lived my life every second of every day was vital to my connection to God and my sensitivity to His influence. I learned all of this as a teenager through the choices I made, and what I observed from the choices others made around me. I thank God every day for the gift of His Gospel in my life, for the knowledge and understanding I do have, and the promise that I can continue to learn if I do my part.

We all have our trials that we go through. I believe that our spiritual connection with God will guide us through those trials and give us the tools we need to overcome anything. Even so, I have trials in my life that feel overwhelming and a bit above and beyond my abilities. Through the years I have fallen away from certain habits that brought me close to the Spirit. Motherhood has been rough on me, and my health has not always been the best. Chronic fatigue and frustration with my children has been a major trial in my life. As I reestablish healthy habits of scripture reading and personal prayers, I find I can handle things much better. It's still hard, and I still struggle, but there's a difference that I can feel and see when I am close to my Father in Heaven. As a mother I have the responsibility to teach my children and share my faith with them. I feel the best lesson is that of personal revelation and finding your own truth. I don't want my children to pay lip service to church doctrine, I want them to know and believe it for themselves. If they see through my example that what Christ has taught is what I truly believe, then perhaps they will discover that truth for themselves as they make choices and apply what has been taught in their lives. The Holy Ghost will reveal truth no matter where it is found. If we can live our lives in such a way that His influence is felt, we can be shown all truth and grow to understand what God's will is for us.