I wouldn’t normally have thought of buying groceries as a spiritually uplifting activity, but this one was!

I’ve always appreciated the farmers on the outskirts of the cities I’ve lived in. I’m so glad they raise grass-fed meat and chickens, and bring it to the indoor farmer’s market.

But like an immense enclosed grocery store, any conversation was short, with a quick transaction then rush rush rush, time to move on.

Well, I guess sometimes you don’t even know what you’re missing until you get out of your comfort zone and jump into another culture!

This duck even came along!

Aside from being colorful, which always lifts my spirits, this “grocery shopping” trip felt like a community gathering, full of conversation, laughter, family, and nature.

(This puppy stole the show!)

I could thank each one personally as I admired their homemade food and talents.

Paying more attention to the spiritual side of life

When I bought a jar of completely sugar-free apple butter at a small booth, I also chatted with a woman about her family. As we talked I could imagine their challenges in tending the apple trees, collecting and coring the apples, canning them and loading heavy boxes of glass jars into the back of a truck.

Needless to say, I was more than delighted to pay her family, and help them keep growing their business!

Watch and listen here for the full effect!

Her grandson took part in the process, too. He was relaxed, keeping Grandma company in the hot sun, lining up the jars neatly on the table, and giving customer his smiling thanks.

I think one reason I enjoyed such a simple visit to a farmer’s market is because it satisfied me spiritually.

According to some, we all have spiritual needs, such as the need to have meaning and direction, and the need to belong to community. Good spiritual habits can also include things like walking in nature, gardening, creating art, and listening to music.

I had experienced–in myself or in the vendors–almost every one of the above, in just about an hour.

That simple experience inspires me to pay more attention to the spiritual side of life. It doesn’t come naturally to me, I admit. But it’s worth working on.

Here is a short, simple paragraph that talks about our physical and spiritual needs.

What about you?

I’m sure I’m not the only one discovering this truth. I’d love to hear your stories!