Spirituality is defined in several ways across a broad spectrum of personal views. For most seekers, it simply comes down to connecting with something larger than yourself.

Maybe you call it God, nature, or the Universe, but regardless of the words you choose to describe it, at its core, it’s simply about a connection and experiences that give more profound meaning to your daily life.

While actively seeking the sacred in life can produce breathtaking results, the process doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t require intensive therapy sessions or taking a year’s sabbatical to roam Tibet. It’s more about mindset and shifting perspective than it is about grand plans and huge gestures.

Try these 13 ways to live a more magical and spiritually connected life, starting exactly where you are right now.

Living a more magical and spiritually connected life has to first begin with turning inwardly and examining how you view yourself, as well as how you speak to yourself.

Accept yourself.   It is important for you to acknowledge that you are worthy and deserving of happiness and love.  Embrace not only your strengths, but your weaknesses as well, giving yourself credit for the efforts you make.  Learn to enjoy your own company.

Cultivate compassion for yourself.  Forgive yourself for mistakes you’ve made and move on from them.  Holding on to the past changes nothing, it only serves to hold you back from living your fullest life now and moving forward.

Think positive.  So much of finding magic and spiritual connection is about mindset.  Choose to see the bright side of things rather than focusing on the negative.

Set intentions.  Setting strong intentions in your mind and holding to them are part of the necessary mindset shift required to find magic and spiritual connection in daily life.  Pinpoint the types of things you want more of and set the intention to seek them out.

Use affirmations.  Self-talk and mindset, again, are key.  Come up with statements to use as affirmations that are empowering and that strengthen your motivation.  They should be written like they’re already reality rather than you’re working towards them.  Think “I am…” rather than “I will be…”.   They should be precise and positive. If you need help creating affirmations, turn to the web.  There are tons of resources and ideas that can help you craft the perfect affirmations.

Make conscious choices and be mindful.  Rather than just going through the motions of life everyday, take stock of your normal reactions to things.  Stop and ask yourself if there are better ways you could handle certain situations.  For example, try praising a loved one for something positive they’ve accomplished, rather than nagging at them for something they didn’t get done.

Create daily rituals.  Starting and ending your day on a positive note is more conducive to having better days overall.  Spend the first and last parts of your day tending to your spiritual side.  Maybe you want to start your day with prayer or meditation, and end the day with journaling a bit about the things you’re grateful for.

Just as addressing our inner workings is important to living a more magical and spiritually connected life, so is how we interact with the world around us.

Slow down.  How can you possibly appreciate life when you’re constantly in a rush, focused on the next thing rather than where you are right this minute? If you’re feeling rushed or hectic, take a moment to pause for a deep breath, imagining any feelings of agitation or tension leaving your body with your breath as you exhale.  Slow down and focus on one thing at a time.  Being present in the moment is a key part of finding magic and spiritual connection in everyday life.

Make time for self care. What can you take off your plate so that you’re not spread so thin?  Do it.  You should also get plenty of quality sleep, manage your stress levels, and work time into your schedule for down time, relaxation, or hobbies.  I promise the world will keep turning even if you slow down and take care of yourself.

Reduce distractions.  Pay attention to how much time you’re spending watching TV or scrolling mindlessly through social media.  These are things that drain your time and energy without providing you anything positive in return.

Laugh!  Yes, laugh!  Smiling and laughing even in the face of adversity are conducive to feeling more relaxed and less troubled.  Try to find the humor even in difficult situations and always be willing to laugh at yourself.  Remember, mindset is a key component to all of this.  We can’t control everything that happens, but we can control our response and reaction to it.

Don’t be afraid to take risks.  Being on a spiritual journey and open to the magic all around you involves challenging the limitations you’ve placed on yourself.  It can be difficult to look more deeply within, to question your personal beliefs or assumptions about the world around you, but at the end of the day, the rewards outweigh the fear of uncertainty.

Create a community of like-minded individuals.  Seek out others who share similar spiritual values or interests.  If you’re part of an organized religion, take the time to participate in events.  If you’re trying to find new friends who share your spiritual values or views, seek out events that embrace your spiritual views.  There are Meetup groups, retreats, and drum circles.  Book signings at a local bookstore by a favorite author in the area of your spiritual views can be an opportunity to meet new people and make friends.

Seeking the magic in everyday life can be as simple as shifting your perspective, while welcoming a greater sense of spirituality into your life can help you find deeper purpose and meaning.  Simply changing daily habits can alter the way you see the world around you.  These shifts  will no doubt help you find more bliss and, I’m going to say it again, MAGIC in your daily life. ♥