The Spiritual Discipline of Showing Up
Learning the Value of Showing Up
There was a time in my life when I believed that every spiritual moment had to be hard-won. I thought I needed to climb mountains, sit in silence for hours, or wrestle with myself until I “broke through.” Over the years, I’ve discovered something gentler and truer: the real discipline isn’t necessarily about heroic effort. It’s frequently about showing up, again and again, in the ordinary rhythm of life.
Each morning, I light a candle, spend some time in meditation, attend Mass with my husband, or take a walk outside. None of these actions are flashy. Most of the time, they feel simple. But here’s the miracle: each time I show up, the threshold between me and Spirit gets thinner. I no longer have to cross a canyon to find my center; I only need to step across a doorway.
The Threshold, Not the Canyon
What shifted for me was realizing that spiritual practice is less about intensity and more about consistency. When we tend the relationship daily, Spirit isn’t far away. God, the Divine, the Great Goodness could be right here, waiting. By showing up, I keep the connection warm, like tending a fire that never goes out.
And of course, I don’t always feel like it. Some mornings I’m tired, restless, or irritable. But I’ve learned that the discipline of showing up matters even more on those days. Showing up imperfectly is still showing up. It says to Spirit: I’m here, I’m willing, I’m yours.
Keep It Simple
Maybe for you, showing up doesn’t look like prayers at dawn or attending Mass. Maybe it looks like sitting quietly with your coffee, journaling a page, reading from an inspirational book or sacred text, or simply taking three deep breaths before opening your laptop. Maybe it is committing to keeping your mornings scroll-free until you have had some time in silence. Maybe it is taking a few moments to consider what is really good about your life as your day begins.
The point isn’t what you do -it’s that you do it. Regular, small acts of showing up will, over time, make Spirit feel close, trustworthy, and steady.
So here’s your invitation:
Choose one small practice.
Commit to it for a week.
Notice how the threshold begins to shift - how the canyon between you and Spirit starts to shrink into a doorway you can step across anytime.
Closing Blessing
Showing up is an act of love both for yourself and for the Divine. May your practice, however simple, remind you that you are never alone. Spirit is always near and ready for your invitation.