Once a week I drag my butt of of bed and drive down to the local beach to watch the sun rise over the ocean. In that moment when the sun’s brilliance peeks over the water I think of all the people, all over the world, who watch that same sun rise over their ocean. I feel a connection to everyone and everything. My spirit and soul is revitalized.
Church cathedrals are beautiful places. At the end of my daily walk around town I make two stops. Because I am 65 one stop is the restroom in the Town Hall. 
The other is at a local church. They have a beautiful little chapel which is always open. I sit back, clear my mind, and just let my thoughts flow freely across my brain. That also restores my soul. I always have a smile on my face when I leave.
The other is at a local church. They have a beautiful little chapel which is always open. I sit back, clear my mind, and just let my thoughts flow freely across my brain. That also restores my soul. I always have a smile on my face when I leave.I go to two church services a year, at Christmas and Easter. I get to share in the love express by my neighbors as they honor their God. That restores my spirit.
Question – When was the last time you could really feel your soul and spirit soaring?
Another thing that restores my spirit and soul is music. I’ll leave you with my favorite uplifting song, “Wonder” by Natalie Merchant. I have posted this video several times. I just can’t hear this song enough.
19 comments
Comments feed for this article
July 17, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Indian Lake Papa
i love the sunrise – but here in Michigan the sunsets are as spectacular as you watch them go down over the lake. A nice way to end a day. Mama always makes my spirit soar! You need to find a “mama” to watch those sunrises with!
July 18, 2008 at 3:01 am
danielle
Ed,
That is a great ritual.
I have a little bit of spirit soaring everyday when I hear my Emma say “I love you, Momma” or my Anna say her favorite word over and over “uh-oh”.
July 18, 2008 at 3:01 am
danielle
That and listening to Alece and Niel talk about Thrive Africa. mmmm
July 18, 2008 at 12:23 pm
edfromct
Papa, I haven’t found any “Mama” like you have to join me in my dawn ritual, yet.
I often stay at the beach all day and watch the sunset as well. It’s always spectacular. I guess I might be part reptile, some days I could just sight on a park bench all day and drawn in all that warm energy from the sun. I just have to remember to wear my hat and use plenty of sun-block.
July 18, 2008 at 12:30 pm
edfromct
danielle, children do certainly make our spirit soar, at least not when they are pooping, crying ot throwing up on us.
I also find Alece’s blogs very inspiring. Knowing there are people who devout their lives to helping others makes my spirit soar as well.
July 18, 2008 at 1:16 pm
ric booth
I attended an open house of the Gospel Rescue Ministries in DC and Lawrence, a recovering cocaine user, gave his testimony. His story made my heart soar. Big time.
July 18, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Deborah
“When was the last time you could really feel your soul and spirit soaring?”
Just now when I read the things that made your sould and spirit soar. We are so similar you and I. The beach is my favorite place to be.
Other things would be the presence of God, an awesome worship song, the first cry of a newborn, my Dad when he holds my hand, my husband when he tells me I’m beautiful to him, my kids laughter and memories of growing up, a shooting star that goes from one side to the other, and awesome thunderstorm and good friends who never let you down.
Love you Ed, you are special to me.
July 18, 2008 at 1:34 pm
edfromct
ric, someone who finds the courage to overcome an addiction is a great testimony to faith. I agree that these words of overcoming feed our spirit and make our hearts soar.
July 18, 2008 at 1:35 pm
danielle
Ed,
That is the truth! I was thinking about this blog post and their ability to make spirits soar in the midst of tantrums today! It brought some perspective, so thanks.
July 18, 2008 at 1:40 pm
edfromct
Deb, just being around the people we love is the best way to gain the inspiration we all need to lift our spirits. It is simple things like holding the hand of a loved on that feeds our the soul the best.
If I can’t get to the beach I can just log onto the Internet and share in the love of my blogging community of friends like you.
July 18, 2008 at 5:50 pm
1godsgal
“If I can’t get to the beach I can just log onto the Internet and share in the love of my blogging community of friends like you.”
I’m glad you feel this way Ed, I feel the same. I don’t even know where you live…I get everyone mixed up
But I hope one day in our travels we are able to meet….hey, why not hitch a ride with Mama and Papa…there’s plenty of room!!! 
AND I won’t make you take care of our cats… 
July 18, 2008 at 6:17 pm
tam
like you, music sends everything in me soaring! and, like you, also the beach. i dont think there is anything in creation i enjoy more than the beach. when i stand on the shore all i can do is weep. its all so big, so majestic, so beyond me yet i am so connected, so drawn to the wonder, ya know? if i ever make it to your coast…you and i are definitely taking a beach stroll together, deal? dont break my heart on the world wide web now Ed
July 18, 2008 at 6:33 pm
edfromct
Deb, with the current state of my finances hitchhiking is the only way I could travel anywhere this year.
It’s kind of interesting that I have been reading a book about a road trip in 1947, “On The Road” by Jack Kerouac. With just a few dollars in his pocket he puts his thumb out and starts hitchhiking to San Francisco. Back in the 1960’s a lot of my friends did hitchhike across the US. I was always to afraid to take rides from strangers.
At least I have a goal now of saving up to visit my blogging buddies. Maybe like the Who I’ll take a “Magic Bus”.
July 18, 2008 at 6:35 pm
edfromct
Tam, I would never break you heart.
Whether you come to the East Coast or I go to the West Coast, some day we will take that walk on a beach.
July 18, 2008 at 6:41 pm
1godsgal
I think as far East as we’re getting this year is through Texas and into Louisianna…but I do have alot of family in Minnesota, South Dakota and New York…so hopefully one day…we will meet, walk and talk. I would love to go to that little church with you that you talk about. Think I could get you to go between holidays?
July 18, 2008 at 6:54 pm
edfromct
Deb, my last step on my daily walk around town is a chapel in a local church. Beautiful, quiet place to rest my mind and relax.
July 18, 2008 at 8:46 pm
therealstorie
“In that moment when the sun’s brilliance peeks over the water I think of all the people, all over the world, who watch that same sun rise over their ocean. I feel a connection to everyone and everything. My spirit and soul is revitalized.
I have thought this thought a bizillion times while looking at MY sun set, or MY moon hovering……..
really, I know it belongs to us all…..but it is very personal for me as well…..
The first time I thought this thought was when my dad moved us to Oregon……away from my mom.
While going to sleep at night, me in Oregon, and her in California, I was comforted knowing that the moon I was looking at was the EXACT same moon she was looking at.
Thought attending a church at the time,
my moon experience was my Cathedral.
July 18, 2008 at 9:01 pm
edfromct
Yes Storie, the sun, moon, stars, mountains, oceans are things we all share. That connect everyone in the whole wide world, like hopefully love will some day.
In that moment that you were looking at it the moon was your own personal moon.
I am sure your mother thought of you when she looked at the moon you two shared.
Yes the moon does weave a magical spell over us, especially if our “hair is perfect” (reference to the Warren Zevon song “Werewolves of London).
July 18, 2008 at 9:10 pm
therealstorie
I’m sure my hair was perfect….ha!
I can only hope that my mom had those same thoughts….
I spent magical summers on the beach with her…..and the remainder of the year with my dad. I was only allowed to talk with her on my birthday and Christmas.
I so looked forward to those days.