Spirituality & The City
What you appreciate in life…
Our Spirituality in the City series celebrates the moments of connection and transformation that can happen in the most unexpected places. This time, we explore how Appreciation can completely transform challenges or seemingly mundane moments.
Carol Lopez
When I think about a place I truly appreciate, my heart goes straight to our greenhouse.
It is much more than a place where we grow microgreens. It is a place that grew with us.
Years ago, this greenhouse was empty and abandoned, waiting for a new purpose. At the same time, our family was also beginning a new chapter. My husband left his career as a chef, I was rebuilding my path after moving to Ireland, and together we decided to bring this space back to life.
Little by little, with care, patience and a lot of learning, the greenhouse started growing again—and so did we.
Our son has grown up surrounded by seeds, plants and nature. He has seen that beautiful things take time, that mistakes are part of learning, and that with love and dedication something tiny can become something amazing.
Every tray we grow is a reminder of transformation. A tiny seed becoming food, an abandoned greenhouse becoming full of life, and a family creating something meaningful together.
I am grateful for this little glass house in Dublin—the place where plants grow, dreams grow, and where our family continues to grow too.
Patrick-joseph
For years, I searched for something more through different spiritual paths. Meditation, manifestation, energy work and the language of the universe all gave me moments of insight, but none quietened the deeper longing within me. Then, unexpectedly, I encountered Jesus Christ.
His name can be difficult to mention in many spiritual spaces. Some carry understandable wounds because of the abuse, corruption and crimes committed by people within the Church. Those wounds deserve compassion, but Christ is not the same as those who have failed in His name.
What drew me to Jesus wasn’t religion. It was the man He revealed Himself to be: unwavering in truth, rich in mercy, courageous in love and deeply compassionate towards the broken. He asks not for perfection, but surrender and an honest relationship with Him.
Following Christ hasn’t removed suffering or answered every question, but it has transformed where I place my hope. Instead of carrying life through my own understanding, I’ve found peace in trusting the One who knows me completely. I’ve met many sincere people searching within the holistic space. I know that search because I lived it. Perhaps the answer isn’t another path to discover but allowing Jesus Christ to search your heart and lead you.
Joanne King
When I think about the things that have shaped my life, I think of three: yoga, the sea, and my beautiful son. They are very different, yet they have all quietly taught me some of life’s most important lessons.
Living and teaching yoga by the sea has given me a deep appreciation for the healing power of nature. Some days the waves are gentle; other days they’re wild, but they always invite me to let go of what I can’t control and trust the flow of life. Whether I’m swimming in the sea or teaching a class to the sound of the waves, I feel deeply grateful for the perspective, connection, and peace the ocean brings.
My son has been my greatest teacher. He has shown me that the most meaningful lessons don’t come from having all the answers, but from being fully present. Through him, I have learned patience, resilience, and the quiet strength that comes with unconditional love. He has encouraged me to see the world with fresh eyes, to slow down, and to appreciate the small moments that are so easily overlooked.
When I reflect on these relationships, I realise they are all connected in the way they have shaped me. They have taught me to be more present, more accepting, and more open to life’s constant changes. They remind me that happiness isn’t found in striving or certainty, but in connection—to nature, to the people we love, and ultimately, to ourselves. To me, that is the true meaning of yoga, and for all of these gifts, I feel deeply grateful.
Hal Warren
As a kid, I learned that to do the right thing, one must be cautious, one step ahead, analytical and in tune. In rock climbing, we learn “sequencing”. The act of reading and rehearsing the movements in a climb before you even step on the wall. It kinda looks like a mime dance if you were imitating someone doing a really bad Macarena.
After 8 years of competitive climbing, 3 National Championships, and close to 5,000 hours of practice, being worried was something I learned to manage, not relinquish. This analytical side of my brain flourished and was given freedom to sprint, to be wild. But it always needed to be tamed.
The climbing gym ultimately taught me how to just be. I learned how to achieve high things, but slowing down is hard for me. Not moving for longer than 5 minutes is hard. Existing is hard. But you don’t have to “be” anything at this refuge. I’m so grateful to be under the trees, smell the coffee and hear laughter that welcomes me and the strongest-hearted people who embrace me. My identity was built around doing, but my attempt is to shape it by rest. The climbing gym asks that you show up for both. My recommendation: stay a little longer.
The Power of Appreciation
Each reflection reminds us that a perspective of Appreciation can completely transform our relationship to the present moment for the better.
It’s a real-life superpower giving us the ability to see the beauty in the ordinary and the blessing in the struggle. What can you transform using the power of appreciation today?
Subscribe to Positive Life Magazine
Love stories like this? You’ll find Spirituality in the City and more uplifting features in every issue of Positive Life Magazine.
Subscribe now to receive inspiration, community stories, and conscious living insights delivered straight to your door!