When life feels too full for one more thing, especially for parents of kids with disabilities, spiritual practices don’t need to be complicated. Here are simple ways to slow down, notice joy, and reconnect with God in the middle of ordinary family life:
1) Practice Gratitude at the Table
Gratitude changes the air in the room. How to practice:
At dinner (or bedtime, in the car, etc) invite everyone to share one good thing from the day. This helps children learn to notice joy, while gently shifting everyone’s attention away from stress.
__
2) Light a Candle to Mark Joy
Small celebrations deserve sacred attention. How to practice:
Light a candle when something meaningful happens. For parents of kids with disabilities especially, some celebrations happen on a different timeline. Marking them matters. A candle can become a way of saying: This joy is worth noticing.
__
3) Take an Immersive Walk
Use your senses to reconnect with the present moment. How to practice:
On a walk, notice:
- one thing you see
- one thing you hear
- one thing you smell
- one thing you can touch
This sensory awareness helps ground your body and opens your eyes to God’s presence in the everyday world.
__
4) Have a Kitchen Dance Party
Joy can be a spiritual practice too. How to practice:
Turn on one favorite song and dance in the kitchen alone, with your kids, or with your partner. Movement helps release stress and reminds your family that celebration belongs in ordinary moments.
__
5) Keep a Joy Journal
You do not need pages of journaling to benefit from reflection. How to practice:
At the end of the day, write down:
- one thing that brought joy
- one thing that drained you
- one thing you may need help with
Over time, patterns emerge. You begin to notice what brings you joy and what drains you. Steer yourself toward joy.
Spiritual practices don’t have to require extra hours every day. Rather, they invite us to slow down and pay attention within the life we already have. Small, intentional moments of attention can change the trajectory of our lives over time.
__
For more simple spiritual practices for parents of kids with disabilities, check out my conversation with Pam Harmon.
SUBSCRIBE to my Substack newsletter: amyjuliabecker.substack.com
JOIN the conversation on Instagram: @amyjuliabecker
LISTEN to my podcasts: amyjuliabecker.com/shows/
CONNECT on YouTube: Amy Julia Becker on YouTube
