The third component of health is as vitally important as the first two. Spiritual health is a little more difficult to define and describe than either physical or mental. There are physicians and other practitioners for these but how do you define and receive treatment for spiritual health? Some people are actually afraid to discuss or consider how important our spiritual well-being actually is.
In a secular world that is very focused on political correctness, poeple are very wary of expressing beliefs in the Divine. We have become so conditioned not to offend anyone, that we are no longer sure if it is actually okay to believe in a Divine Creator who loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. I'm sure my upbringing has a lot to do with it, but I have no doubts that each of us was divinely planned and created. How could someone as wonderful and complex as humans, animals, plants or any part of creation, have appeared accidentally?
So spiritual health is connecting with the Divine being that created us, inspires us, and desires a connection with us and other created beings. The first step to spiritual health is getting quiet and letting your subconscious mind connect the spiritual realm with your conscious physical realm. This exercise is known as meditation or prayer. Too often people think prayer is speaking to our creator when it is also being quiet and listening for a spiritual message. This is so important for getting to the essence of our being. This is where we connect with our passions and purpose.
Just like physical and mental illnesses have symptoms, so does spiritual illness. In the Christian tradition, which is where my beliefs center, we often refer to the fruits of the spirit. These "fruits" are very powerful emotions which I hear people describe often. Having them confers spiritual health while lacking any of them leaves one spiritually empty. These "fruits" are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. "There is no law against such as these." Galatians 5:23
As we end this third component of health, think about how each affects the other. The most important emotion I use to bring about health is gratitude. As Andy Andrews says, "The seeds of depression cannot take root in a grateful heart." So to begin developing health, and especially, spiritual health, write down ten things you are grateful for. Didn't that feel good? Being alive and having air to breathe is a gift. May you find ways to improve your health and live happier more fulfilled each day.
To your abundant health,
Sandra Hayes
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