Start each day with an offering.

I just returned from a trip to Bali, Indonesia.  It was my second time visiting Bali, the last time back in 2007.  I went again because my good friends were vacationing there for Chinese New Year.  They live in Beijing and I don’t get to see them often enough.

I had four days to myself before meeting up with my friends and I couldn’t wait to explore.  I hadn’t had an international trip in over a year.  It might not seem like a long time but my feet were itching to travel.  I love international travel.  I love it for what I learn and what it teaches me about the world and myself.  I love how it pushes me out of my comfort zone and requires me to be open.

I’m constantly exploring what I’m learning, my own personal growth, and what various experiences mean for me.  This is why I love to travel.  It brings all of this to the forefront for me.

So, while in Bali, in between a bike ride through rice fields and a glass of rosé on the beach, I asked, “what is Bali teaching me?”

Start each day with an offering.

The Balinese people practice Hinduism (92% are Hindu).   Hindu’s begin and end each day by placing an offering, either in front of a temple, their storefront, or at other various locations.  The offerings are meant to appease gods and keep evil spirits away.

Time is dedicated each day to making the palm baskets that hold the offerings of frangipani flowers, petals, incense, and a small amount of rice.

I loved waking up to the smell of incense each morning and knowing that someone had placed an offering near my hotel room.

I wanted to take this idea home with me.  How can I start (and end) each day with an offering?  Maybe my concern isn’t appeasing gods and keeping away evil spirits but what about the divine within you and appeasing your spirit?

These offerings for the Balinese are a daily mindful intention. What mindful intention can I make each morning?  How do I want to start my day?  It could be as simple as offering up gratitude for all that I have in my life or offering to be as positive with all that came my way that day.  Maybe it’s an intention to pay attention to what I put in my body and be thoughtful about my choices.   Perhaps it’s picking up an extra cup of coffee for that homeless person you see on the corner in the morning.

What am I offering to myself and to the world with my intention?  Is it an offer of abundance?  Love?  Compassion?  Gratitude?

Choose to make a mindful offering each day.  Honor and fill up your spirit.