What does spirituality mean to you?

NJ: Spirituality to me means putting my faith, hope, and love in the God who gifted me with those very things. It means orienting myself towards actions, people, and thoughts that will allow me to grow closer to the person who I was made to be, with my unique gifts, talents, and situation, and to help others to grow to be their best selves.

How do you practice your spirituality on a daily basis?

NJ: I pray before every meal, giving thanks for the food I eat, the friends I share my meal with, and the God who provides me with what I need and so much more. I think it's a great way to remind myself of how blessed I am, no matter how happy, sad, stressed, frustrated, or content I am feeling. Praying before meals helps me to remember that this world is so much greater than just me, and that I have a unique part to play to contribute.

Have you learned anything about yourself through this/these practice(s)?

NJ: I think that prayer in general has helped me realize that in a world that seems so broken, there is so much hope. In times when I feel helpless to fix my own problems or to support others, I realize that it's not about me; it's about me stepping aside and letting God work through me. Prayer helps me to realize that we were all made for greatness, all we have to do is listen to the greatness we are called to and serve outward, not inward.

In what ways do you believe practicing spirituality connects us with something greater than ourselves?

NJ: I believe that spirituality is deeply personal, but it also involves community, because we were made to be in communion with others. I think practicing spirituality opens our hearts to the needs of others, and to our own need to be part of something bigger than just ourselves. By serving others, we serve the total community of God on Earth, and we form relationships and bonds that fulfill us in ways that we can't do on our own.