Last.Damn.Call

We all have a medicine cabinet, right? Whether you have an athlete in the house who needs an occasional ice pack or bandage. Or perhaps, you keep Tylenol on hand for those nagging headaches, toothaches, whatever the case may be. Maybe you have antibiotic ointment or burn cream handy? We all have some kind of kit we keep with us in our home or car or maybe your desk at work. And why? Because you just never know.

Do you keep a spiritual first aid kit handy? I bet you do whether you realize it or not. A trusted friend you call when things go sideways. A “go-to” prayer you whisper in times of need. Maybe it’s an actual, physical Bible that goes with you wherever you go.

Let me ask you this–would you go on a trip or a hike or maybe even just to work without some type of physical first aid kit in reach (even just band-aids or Chapstick or tweezers). Probably not. We prepare. We think ahead. Try to not get caught off guard in a sticky (hopefully easily solvable) situation. We want to have some preparation in place if something unexpected arises. Isn’t that the whole point of having…let’s say a spare tire in our vehicle at all times? Sure, it is.

So, why would our spiritual kit be any different? It’s possibly the most important necessity above all else.

When I looked up spiritual tools, I found crystal healing and forest bathing and clearing rooms with some weird smoke technique, and lots of other craziness. Yeah, I’m not doing any of that. Thanks for the offer, Dr. Google. I am not trying to become some kind of crazy lady who collects weird rocks and scares small children.

Hey, if that works for you, go for it. All day long. Zero judgement. If someone had told me that streaking naked around the town square wearing Indian feathers on my head would have “cured my drinking” I probably would’ve given it a whirl. So, whatever works for you, do that. Just don’t call me for bail money if it involves public nudity or other illegal acts of stupidity.

Honestly, though…even if your prayer in a time of need is a George Costanza “Serenity Now!” type thing or a well thought out conversation with your Higher Power, hold on to that. Remember it. Use what works for you. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Journaling–stay with me, don’t run away just yet. This does not look the same for everyone. It does not mean you have to write a story or even full sentences. Make a list each day of things you did well or that made you happy. This takes your mind of off whatever may not have went well that particular day. At the end of the week or month or when you need a pick-me-up, read all the things that went well (that day, week, whatever). It’s an instant mood booster!

You may have forgotten that you were so excited you found a $5 billl when you did the laundry (finders keepers, suckas!) Maybe you wrote down a moment when you could have said something hurtful to someone, but you refrained. Something simple like how a small child gave you a big, warm hug. Or maybe the crotchety lady who never smiles, smiled and waved that day.

Why wouldn’t remembering and reflecting on that make your heart happy? Those are moments you created and can relive by simply reading the chicken scratches you scribbled down before bed one night. You literally made your day better all by using your own reflections of the day’s events. That’s a God wink right there (dedicated to my friend, Jim who introduced me to the God wink;)

Make post it notes with positive quotes or Bible verses and place them on your bathroom mirror or in your car, so you see them often. Little reminders (spiritual tools) that lift you up or make you smile. Maybe set your phone to receive daily affirmations. Those are the things I am talking about. They aren’t things that cost money or time or energy. Little things can make huge differences. That spiritual first aid kit looks differently for everyone. And that’s amazing.