Feed your Soul on a Budget
Julie's Top 10 Tips

You may be pulling in the purse strings for a while, but this doesn't mean your soul has to suffer. In fact, these are the times you need to nurture yourself more than ever – and send a valuable message to your mind, body and soul that you are worth it!

Here are my top 10 tips on how you can feed your soul right now – without spending a cent.

1. Get out in nature. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that one of the fastest and easiest ways to reconnect with ourselves is to simply go outside and reconnect with the elements. Breathe in the fresh air, take a hike, take the time to observe the trees, the flowers, the birds, the animals, the water, watch a sunrise, a sunset….these are all guaranteed to make you feel better and gain perspective. Weather permitting, take a dip in the ocean, lake, a river or if all else fails, run a bath with flower petals and soak in silence, feeling the sensation of warm water washing all your cares away.

2. Meditate. You don’t have to attend a course, buy a CD or book to learn how to meditate. Sure, there are some terrific ones out there, but it can be as simple as creating a quiet space for 5 minutes and staying focused on observing your breath. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out…allow your thoughts to come and go. Just stay focused on your breathing. You can even find plenty of free meditation resources and tools via the internet, with podcasts and so on - so do a Google search and see what you find!

3. Head to the local library. There are literally thousands of books, audio CDs and DVDs out there and they are easy to access by joining your library. Or, if you have a like minded friend with a healthy, happy bookshelf, swap some titles. And don't forget to read the books you've been meaning to get to that are still sitting un-read on your shelf. It’s been estimated that we have read only 10% of the books in our personal library. I know I am guilty of that…what an opportunity! That leaves dozens of great books literally at your fingertips, just waiting to be read right now! 

4. RE-Read one of the books sitting on your shelf. No this isn't a double-up of the point before. Based on my experience, as I grow and evolve, I find that re-reading a spiritual or personal development book that you have read before can literally be like having an entirely new experience. That’s because we are often in a different space and level of understanding today compared with the first time we experience it. There are many classic books, audio programs or DVDs that you can experience many, many times over and still discover new layers and messages. It is very powerful to be reminded of what you already know, but may have forgotten. Even the most simple stuff.

5. Subscribe to Podcasts. Many of them are free and can easily be found online, as can BlogTalk Radio Shows. Try Podomatic, iTunes, Learn Out Loud, Sounds True’s ‘The Open Door’, and NibbanaRadio.

6. Go on a Silent Meditation Retreat. In October 2008 I attended a Vipassana 10 day silent meditation retreat – a life changing experience. Based on the technique practised and mastered by the Buddha to achieve enlightenment, Vipassana provides a wonderfully powerful opportunity to access yourself on a deep level. While you are not asked to pay for the course, lodging and meals, you are invited to make a donation which will give another future student the opportunity to attend and have this experience. Click here for more information and worldwide locations for Vipassana retreats. Also click here to check out Brahma Kumaris to discover their worldwide locations and programs.

7. Go online. These days you can find just about anything you want online for free - or close to it! With everything from book reviews to video trailers, articles, online courses, and YouTube (click here to visit our nibbanaTV YouTube channel and check out our Playlist selections) - you could get lost for hours!

8. Spend some time with a child. There’s nothing like playing for an hour or two with young kids to be reminded of what’s important in life – laughing, being carefree and being in the present moment. If you don’t have kids of your own, visit your nieces, nephews or your friends’ childre.

9. Write a gratitude list or letter. While this is wonderful as a daily practice, I especially find this a valuable technique when I am feeling most challenged as it never fails to uplift me and help me put things in perspective. TIP - write a gratitude letter to yourself, this is something many of us forget...to be grateful to ourselves and acknowledge our courage, willingness to learn, to show up and simply for taking this time out for your inner self. This is essential to allow more abundance and good things to enter!

10. Reflect, recognise and remember. Take a moment to recognise and embrace that life IS the spiritual journey - in every moment of every day. No matter what is going on around you – whether you are faced with challenge, adversity or stress – you can pause, observe objectively and ask yourself ‘How is this situation helping me to become more of who I really am? How can I grow and become a better person through this?’ 'What is it that I can be learning from this situation?' This will help you hit the 're-set' button and puts things in perspective.

When you remember that every experience is an opportunity for us to appreciate, enjoy and practise some of the simple things in life, you'll start seeing new ways to feed your soul everywhere! Please feel free to send us your suggestions for feeding your soul on a budget.

Have fun with it!