When I think about what spiritual wellness means to me, there certainly are a lot of past memories that come to mind. I grew up going to Sunday school and youth group and while I took away a lot of significant beliefs, over the years I also developed an inner drive to be perfect, to be free from making mistakes. The fear over making a mistake and being a disappointment to God and others infiltrated my life for a long time. Truth be told, it is still my knee jerk reaction when I do something that others will have an opinion on.
With maturity came a sense of compassion for the part of me that wants to be perfect. Understanding why that part is there and working with it, reminding myself that the rules of the universe are not different for me and that I am allowed to make mistakes, has freed me to enjoy a different type of spirituality than I had as a child.
One of our best friend’s is a pastor down in Reno,NV. I asked him to weigh in on this blog and share his perspective on why incorporating some sort of spirituality is a step towards wellness. Here are his thoughts:
“I believe any holistic approach to wellness must incorporate spirituality as a vital part. By spirituality I do not mean religion, although active participation in a religion could certainly be an important aspect of it.
Spirituality is how we as humans conceptualize our relationship with the universe or God. In short, it’s a recognition of that which is larger than the self, that there are things beyond our own immediate control. It’s recognizing that I don’t have to carry the weight of the world, but can “cast my cares” on a higher power.
This acknowledgement contributes to a sense of peace, to healthier relationships with others, and to the energy with which we relate to life (in the largest sense of the word). It involves the deeply personal, subjective experiences in our lives that create joy, wonder, and mystery. To nurture not only the body and the mind, but the soul as well, is to pursue the highest level of health. People who are in touch with their own spirituality tend to have less anxiety, better rest, and more peaceful relationships. I think we all could use a little more of that!” Pastor Brett Glanzmann
Joy, wonder and mystery. All of those words are so filled with hope. A hope that I can know myself deeply and find profound meaning in something or someone greater than myself.
What’s your experience with spirituality and wellness? Has it hindered your life or made it more complete? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
