3 Ways You Can Spice Up the Season
Summer has left us, and it’s time to embrace the new season! We here at DP Life wish everyone a fun-filled season, and also one of meaning and growth. As Unificationists, we continuously strive to work on what we call God’s three great blessings, or the three life areas in which we can exercise our greatest potential: being fruitful (becoming people of integrity), multiplying love (loving and inspiring love), and practicing stewardship (taking care of the world in which we live).
Here are some suggestions for spicing up your autumn that can kick-start your season in all three of the great blessings:
Get Centered
Father Moon taught that before experiencing true love and unity with another person, we need to master personal integrity by making sure our mind and body are on the same page through discipline, effort and a continuous mindset of self-improvement. He once said: “The human body is invaded by our environment, and in the process of going against our conscience, we feel anxious. Our mind, or conscience, always tries to direct our body’s actions, but is invaded by the body.” How can we escape this vicious cycle?
Yoga encourages us to be mindful of our inner self with physical exercises that keep us centered and focused. Martial arts is another top-notch practice for physical, mental and spiritual alignment. There are more focused forms of martial arts like tai chi, a Chinese practice that implements defensive training, breathing and moving. If you know any other good centering techniques, leave a comment at the end of this article!
The Divine Principle teaches that our center is, in fact, God, and with God as our center our conscience is aligned with true love.
Start a Public Project You Care About
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Father Moon took the guidance of Jesus to heart, and taught that to become the way, the truth and the life ourselves, we need to embrace the whole universe with love.
The first blessing is something we can practice alone, but the second blessing takes us into the context of relationship. Why does Father Moon phrase the second blessing as “multiplying love” rather than simply “love”? Because it’s one thing to love, but the real test is when we can exemplify and inspire love. When we express love and passion toward a person or a cause, we inspire others to do the same. Think of a World Cup soccer game. What attracts millions of people to watch a single event? The star moments of the game are when respect and healthy competition come into play between players of different nations and backgrounds. Love moves the world.
Consider what activities make you come alive. We all possess interests and curiosities that intrigue and inspire us. Maybe it’s songwriting, or graphic design. Now, find a way to turn that passion into a gift for others.
Take a Service Weekend
In a world of more than seven billion people, there will always be people in need. Consider taking just two days this season to help someone in a small or big way. You might even have enough time to travel somewhere and give back. Father Moon said, “The best way to stimulate the heart of God is to dedicate your sincere heart.”
If a trip is too grand, consider helping in the local community. Search the bulletin boards or online to find volunteer needs in your community.
Fall is a lovely season for turning over a new leaf. It calls for stimulating activities and spending time with those we love. Why not take advantage of these opportunities, and invest in personal growth, relationships and the world around you? As poet Mary Oliver once said, “What will you do with your one wild and precious life?”
The artist featured in this blog’s banner is Taka Sugawara. Check out our interview with Taka and his Facebook page to follow his work.