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The 7 Habits Of Highly Spiritual People

 


The headline might be a little misleading. This list isn't a comprehensive guide to unlocking eternal spiritual bliss, but more of an introductory starter set. And let's be real: what's so mystical about the number 7, other than its commercial appeal in the self-help world? (It certainly helps with book sales.) As someone who’s unofficially crowned themselves the “Stephen Covey of spirituality,” I’ll add this helpful caveat: just like bad habits are hard to break, good habits can become deeply ingrained too. Try some of these spiritual practices, and you’ll start to see the rewards — love for others, love from others, love for yourself, and love in general — and soon these habits will become so addictive that they’ll spark an ever-growing collection of random acts of kindness, compassion, and spiritual goodness that will transform your life. Here’s to embracing the holy days ahead.


#1: Highly Spiritual People Give Rather Than Take.

Giving is truly divine. There’s research on altruism that suggests people often commit selfless acts because they feel good doing so, which some argue means that these acts aren’t purely selfless. This, of course, challenges the idea of giving without expecting anything in return. But that perspective misses the bigger picture. Consider this: is breathing selfish? Of course not. If we didn’t give, we would cease to thrive — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Giving is not just a moral choice, it’s a human necessity. We forget our inherent Spirit-Nature and our role in the greater web of life when we stop giving. Giving doesn’t always mean material possessions. Sometimes, the most powerful gift you can offer someone is your full attention, a listening ear, or a heartfelt smile. Every moment of connection is a gift in itself, and when you start giving from a place of love, the return is exponential — both for you and the people you touch.


#2: They Say Yes More Than They Say No.

Saying “no” all the time can create barriers and drain the energy from life. It closes us off, like cholesterol blocking our arteries, preventing the free flow of love, creativity, and possibility. (Naturally, this doesn’t apply to situations where “no” is essential, like turning down drugs or avoiding harmful, self-destructive behaviors.) Saying “yes,” on the other hand, opens the heart to the flow of life, new experiences, and new opportunities. People love hearing “yes” because it affirms their existence and their worth. "Yes" is an expression of trust, openness, and love — it’s an invitation to engage and grow. Of course, there are moments when “no” is the right choice, especially when it comes to protecting your well-being, but spiritually attuned people instinctively say “yes” to life, to others, and to themselves, opening up endless possibilities. After all, when you ask a friend, “Do you want to go on an adventure?” most people will respond with a resounding “yes!” — unless, of course, you ask your doctor, “Do I have herpes?” In that case, "no" is definitely preferred.


#3: They See Possibilities, Not Problems.

In the words of Shunryu Suzuki, “In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind, there are few.” This idea is rooted in the concept of keeping an open, fresh perspective, and allowing new opportunities to emerge from every situation. Spiritual people understand this deeply. They don’t get bogged down by problems; instead, they see them as challenges to grow from and opportunities to learn. Even in the face of adversity, they find a way to believe in the potential for positive change. Norman Vincent Peale, a proponent of positive thinking, famously said, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” It’s true: the spiritually awakened mind doesn’t just think positively but believes in the power of belief itself. They are the ones who turn lemons into lemonade, who see challenges as opportunities, and who remain hopeful even when the path ahead is uncertain. Spirituality, for them, isn’t about denying life’s struggles, but about framing those struggles in a way that promotes growth, healing, and transformation. The spiritually minded are optimistic by nature, believing that every hardship holds a lesson and that every setback is simply a set-up for a comeback.


#4: They Walk A Mile in Your Shoes.

Empathy is the key to understanding and connecting with others on a deep, spiritual level. Spiritual people understand that empathy isn’t about taking on someone else’s pain but feeling it alongside them, with compassion, and then helping them find their way through it. They can feel your sorrow without absorbing it into themselves. They understand the power of simply being present, of holding space for others without judgment. When someone in pain turns to them, they instinctively know what to say or do to make that person feel seen, heard, and understood. In times of grief or struggle, a spiritually centered person has the uncanny ability to offer words or actions that bring comfort. And when we express gratitude for their support, we might call them a "saint" — not just out of appreciation, but because in those moments, they truly embody the essence of saintliness. It’s not about perfection; it’s about the heart — a heart that understands, accepts, and seeks to help others rise. In those moments, the spiritually attuned person reflects a divine energy that feels nothing short of sacred.


 They Count Blessings in Small Wonders.

Spiritual people don’t wait for grand, dramatic signs of the divine, like fire and brimstone or a neon-lit revelation in the sky. They’re not sitting around expecting the Big A-ha moment, nor are they fixated on life’s big goals — such as curing cancer, landing a dream job, or finding “the one.” Instead, they focus on and appreciate the tiny, everyday wonders that others might overlook: the innocent smile of a child, the twinkle in the eyes of an elderly person, the first ray of sunlight breaking through the morning mist. While many advise against worrying over the small, bad things, spiritual people find joy and gratitude in the small, good things. These are the blessings they hold dear — the simple moments that create a deep sense of peace and connection with life.


#6: They Give Compliments Generously, Accept Them with Humility.

People’s need for praise and appreciation is limitless. I’d venture to say that even someone like Donald Trump secretly craves a compliment. Spiritual people don’t see others’ need for validation as a weakness, but as a cry for love and connection, and they respond with compassion. They offer compliments freely, seeing them as a way to lift others up. On the flip side, those who struggle to accept compliments with grace, who deflect or resist them, often do so because they don’t feel worthy of the praise — but they are worthy. Everyone is deserving of recognition and appreciation, even those who seem the least likely to admit it. This is a reminder that we all need acknowledgment, and it’s through grace and humility that we embrace it, accepting our own worth and the worth of others.


#7: They Worship Where and When the Spirit Moves Them.

Spiritual people don’t need a church or a temple to practice their spirituality. They don’t require a scheduled service or a specific religious leader to guide them. For them, the spiritual experience can take place anywhere — in the quiet solitude of a forest, along the expansive shores of a beach, or atop a mountain where the air is thin and the world feels vast. Their spirituality is fluid, bound not by location but by the awareness that the sacred can be found in any moment, in any place. They understand that the true temple lies within them, and this internal sanctuary travels with them wherever they go, allowing them to experience the divine in everyday life.


Bonus: #8 They Laugh a Lot.

Ever notice that Santa Claus ho-ho-ho’s his way through the season? Or that the Dalai Lama can’t help but giggle his way to enlightenment? There’s something inherently spiritual about laughter. Spiritual people are not only outwardly happy — the kind of happy that’s shown through a smile — but they experience a deep, contented joy within themselves. If you find it hard to tap into that happiness, here’s a trick I learned years ago from the musical Bye Bye Birdie: “Just put on a happy face.” Simply smiling can trigger a hormonal shift in the brain, transforming a gloomy mood into one of warmth and positivity. And there’s nothing more spiritual than spreading that kind of sunshine.


The headline might be a little misleading. This list isn't a comprehensive guide to unlocking eternal spiritual bliss, but more of an introductory starter set. And let's be real: what's so mystical about the number 7, other than its commercial appeal in the self-help world? (It certainly helps with book sales.) As someone who’s unofficially crowned themselves the “Stephen Covey of spirituality,” I’ll add this helpful caveat: just like bad habits are hard to break, good habits can become deeply ingrained too. Try some of these spiritual practices, and you’ll start to see the rewards — love for others, love from others, love for yourself, and love in general — and soon these habits will become so addictive that they’ll spark an ever-growing collection of random acts of kindness, compassion, and spiritual goodness that will transform your life. Here’s to embracing the holy days ahead.


#1: Highly Spiritual People Give Rather Than Take.

Giving is truly divine. There’s research on altruism that suggests people often commit selfless acts because they feel good doing so, which some argue means that these acts aren’t purely selfless. This, of course, challenges the idea of giving without expecting anything in return. But that perspective misses the bigger picture. Consider this: is breathing selfish? Of course not. If we didn’t give, we would cease to thrive — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Giving is not just a moral choice, it’s a human necessity. We forget our inherent Spirit-Nature and our role in the greater web of life when we stop giving. Giving doesn’t always mean material possessions. Sometimes, the most powerful gift you can offer someone is your full attention, a listening ear, or a heartfelt smile. Every moment of connection is a gift in itself, and when you start giving from a place of love, the return is exponential — both for you and the people you touch.


#2: They Say Yes More Than They Say No.

Saying “no” all the time can create barriers and drain the energy from life. It closes us off, like cholesterol blocking our arteries, preventing the free flow of love, creativity, and possibility. (Naturally, this doesn’t apply to situations where “no” is essential, like turning down drugs or avoiding harmful, self-destructive behaviors.) Saying “yes,” on the other hand, opens the heart to the flow of life, new experiences, and new opportunities. People love hearing “yes” because it affirms their existence and their worth. "Yes" is an expression of trust, openness, and love — it’s an invitation to engage and grow. Of course, there are moments when “no” is the right choice, especially when it comes to protecting your well-being, but spiritually attuned people instinctively say “yes” to life, to others, and to themselves, opening up endless possibilities. After all, when you ask a friend, “Do you want to go on an adventure?” most people will respond with a resounding “yes!” — unless, of course, you ask your doctor, “Do I have herpes?” In that case, "no" is definitely preferred.


#3: They See Possibilities, Not Problems.

In the words of Shunryu Suzuki, “In the beginner’s mind, there are many possibilities; in the expert’s mind, there are few.” This idea is rooted in the concept of keeping an open, fresh perspective, and allowing new opportunities to emerge from every situation. Spiritual people understand this deeply. They don’t get bogged down by problems; instead, they see them as challenges to grow from and opportunities to learn. Even in the face of adversity, they find a way to believe in the potential for positive change. Norman Vincent Peale, a proponent of positive thinking, famously said, “Change your thoughts and you change your world.” It’s true: the spiritually awakened mind doesn’t just think positively but believes in the power of belief itself. They are the ones who turn lemons into lemonade, who see challenges as opportunities, and who remain hopeful even when the path ahead is uncertain. Spirituality, for them, isn’t about denying life’s struggles, but about framing those struggles in a way that promotes growth, healing, and transformation. The spiritually minded are optimistic by nature, believing that every hardship holds a lesson and that every setback is simply a set-up for a comeback.


#4: They Walk A Mile in Your Shoes.

Empathy is the key to understanding and connecting with others on a deep, spiritual level. Spiritual people understand that empathy isn’t about taking on someone else’s pain but feeling it alongside them, with compassion, and then helping them find their way through it. They can feel your sorrow without absorbing it into themselves. They understand the power of simply being present, of holding space for others without judgment. When someone in pain turns to them, they instinctively know what to say or do to make that person feel seen, heard, and understood. In times of grief or struggle, a spiritually centered person has the uncanny ability to offer words or actions that bring comfort. And when we express gratitude for their support, we might call them a "saint" — not just out of appreciation, but because in those moments, they truly embody the essence of saintliness. It’s not about perfection; it’s about the heart — a heart that understands, accepts, and seeks to help others rise. In those moments, the spiritually attuned person reflects a divine energy that feels nothing short of sacred.


 They Count Blessings in Small Wonders.

Spiritual people don’t wait for grand, dramatic signs of the divine, like fire and brimstone or a neon-lit revelation in the sky. They’re not sitting around expecting the Big A-ha moment, nor are they fixated on life’s big goals — such as curing cancer, landing a dream job, or finding “the one.” Instead, they focus on and appreciate the tiny, everyday wonders that others might overlook: the innocent smile of a child, the twinkle in the eyes of an elderly person, the first ray of sunlight breaking through the morning mist. While many advise against worrying over the small, bad things, spiritual people find joy and gratitude in the small, good things. These are the blessings they hold dear — the simple moments that create a deep sense of peace and connection with life.


#6: They Give Compliments Generously, Accept Them with Humility.

People’s need for praise and appreciation is limitless. I’d venture to say that even someone like Donald Trump secretly craves a compliment. Spiritual people don’t see others’ need for validation as a weakness, but as a cry for love and connection, and they respond with compassion. They offer compliments freely, seeing them as a way to lift others up. On the flip side, those who struggle to accept compliments with grace, who deflect or resist them, often do so because they don’t feel worthy of the praise — but they are worthy. Everyone is deserving of recognition and appreciation, even those who seem the least likely to admit it. This is a reminder that we all need acknowledgment, and it’s through grace and humility that we embrace it, accepting our own worth and the worth of others.


#7: They Worship Where and When the Spirit Moves Them.

Spiritual people don’t need a church or a temple to practice their spirituality. They don’t require a scheduled service or a specific religious leader to guide them. For them, the spiritual experience can take place anywhere — in the quiet solitude of a forest, along the expansive shores of a beach, or atop a mountain where the air is thin and the world feels vast. Their spirituality is fluid, bound not by location but by the awareness that the sacred can be found in any moment, in any place. They understand that the true temple lies within them, and this internal sanctuary travels with them wherever they go, allowing them to experience the divine in everyday life.


Bonus: #8 They Laugh a Lot.

Ever notice that Santa Claus ho-ho-ho’s his way through the season? Or that the Dalai Lama can’t help but giggle his way to enlightenment? There’s something inherently spiritual about laughter. Spiritual people are not only outwardly happy — the kind of happy that’s shown through a smile — but they experience a deep, contented joy within themselves. If you find it hard to tap into that happiness, here’s a trick I learned years ago from the musical Bye Bye Birdie: “Just put on a happy face.” Simply smiling can trigger a hormonal shift in the brain, transforming a gloomy mood into one of warmth and positivity. And there’s nothing more spiritual than spreading that kind of sunshine.



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