Our connecting with God and practicing ways to be contemplative aren’t limited to prayer, meditation and writing. While I promote prayer, meditation and journaling as powerful tools, there are many simple ways to feel the love and presence of God every day.

By incorporating mindfulness of the presence of God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or all three, through simple acts we perform, we can bring a sense of peace, wholeness and clarity into our daily living. What do I mean?

Have you ever stopped to think of simple things you do – Preparing a meal, walking your dog, painting, gardening, cleaning your house or apartment, sitting in the presence of a loved one and not speaking, fishing – almost any kind of hobby? All of these activities lend themselves to putting your whole heart into it. We may even call these activities mindless. What these actions represent are contemplative practices.

I put house cleaning on the list because it seems so odd, right? 

Cleaning doesn’t require thought. It is in a moment like cleaning where you can focus thoughts on gratitude for having a place to call home. Or, you can focus on just the process of cleaning and caring for what you have. Instead of focusing on cleaning as a chore, think of it as giving your home love and attention. Many times the most recent music we are singing in choir pops into my head and I hum, sing or just hear the music. Cleaning doesn’t need to be mindless. It can be mindful.

Painting, gardening and cooking are great examples of how to practice contemplation. These simple activities can make us feel childlike as we get lost in the sheer joy of performing them.

If we are not careful, the demands of life will consume all of our time and energy. Not practicing simple contemplative activities such as these steals our joy and corrodes our connection to our Creator.

Stop and consider what simple, mindless activities can translate to adding meaningful peace and joy to your life. Or better yet, go do one of those activities right now.

Want to connect with God on a deeper level? These guided meditations with beautiful music, Be Still, Let it Go, and Trust, were created with that purpose in mind.