When I first started doing the Rosary beads over twenty years ago I had no idea what I was doing, it was just a daily discipline that kept me focused. Every morning if possible I would do it and if not in the morning, I would do it in my car on the way to work or on the way home. Then things would happen in my life that were not going my way and the Rosary was there daily helping me through the process.
This daily discipline started to transition into a commitment for myself. It was working, I really enjoyed doing this and would get agitated when I would miss it. It would be the same feeling like when I would miss one of my physical fitness workouts. This became a meaningful ritual that mostly lasted 20 minutes but could turn into a form of prayer or meditation that sometimes would last an hour. When this happens I view I need this right now.
It took about five years of doing this of bringing God daily in my life. What I mean by that is total devotion to God. Love. This devotion over time has been fueled by faith that even in the darkest moments its having the inner awareness there will be light.
We all have problems, we all go through the darkness at times. It’s having daily fitness spiritual practices like the Rosary that help us through these storms. It’s training for life. It’s making a habit of doing little things each day whereby we are doing the inner work. See it’s the inner work that is the real work to be done. We have been conditioned that work means we go to a place work a bunch of hours get paid and go home. That my friend is the outer work, the outer world.
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The inner work looks within and this takes time. It is lifetime work. This work will extend beyond yourself. My children know how important this is to me. They see Rosary beads all over the house. I don’t put any of this on them but they see Dad in action. They see Dad go to yoga, write, read and meditate. They also have seen Dad fall down with the breakup of a marriage, downsizing houses, vacations, etc. They are experiencing life. Shit happens. It’s how we respond that makes the difference. It’s my hope that I show them through Devotion to God, having faith, taking action that we experience together a family comeback. I’m teaching spiritual fitness daily to them without saying a word.
Many times I’ve been asked is this a religious practice for me. My answer is simple I’m not a religious person, I’m a spiritual one. God is non-denominational and Jesus is my mentor & best friend, aka my secret weapon.
If you’ve been looking for something to help with your spiritual practice or get closer to God give the Rosary a try. Like anything give it a little time. Commit to doing it for one month, 20 minutes a day. Who knows could be something you do for the rest of your life.
Live Brave,
Chris
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This article originally appeared on Chris Forte
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The post Spiritual Fitness Practice One: Discipline, Commitment, Devotion appeared first on The Good Men Project.