Spiritual balance is not seasonal

What could be better in fall than the opportunity to relax at a local fall festival? Apparently, I was not the only one who thought so since the streets of the local Octoberfest were shoulder to shoulder with people enjoying live music, dancing, good food and good friends. Juggling sometimes stressful family demands along with professional and volunteer commitments requires balance if we are to maintain health and happiness in our daily experience.

A vocation particularly challenged by stress is that of care giving which is near and dear to my heart. No, I have never been a “professional” care giver, but I have been a primary care giver twice, each spanning a period of about 4 years. Caring for myself was one of the first lessons I had to learn after realizing that I was of no real assistance to anyone if I could not maintain my own health and happiness.

Rev. Wally Fletcher, an adjunct professor of Pastoral Studies at Neumann University stated it well in his, “twist on the Golden Rule” which went like this, “Do unto self as you would desire to do unto others.”

In response, I set up an internal alert system for myself. When I caught myself thinking about doom and gloom rather than joy and hope, I went to my own place of retreat and spent time praying, quietly reflecting, jotting down new ideas or reading something inspirational. I did whatever it took to find inner peace. With practice, I learned that allowing time for prayer and spiritual inspiration brought expedient and satisfying results. Not only was I able to sustain a level of joy, but I also noticed that my general health improved.

Health researcher and Christian healer Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Our proportionate admission of the claims of good or of evil determines the harmony of our existence”. As a student of the Bible she would have been familiar with what Paul wrote centuries earlier in his letter to the Philippians, “…whatsoever things are true…honest…just…pure…lovely…of good report…think on these things….and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Whether you are giving of yourself to others in response to a specific demand or sharing your moments indiscriminately, you can make time to care for yourself also - to “admit the claims of good” - and bring harmony into your existence. Regularly cultivating a spiritual sense of life through prayer, quiet reflection or in whatever way you connect with the divine builds resilience and provides a balanced foundation where peace, health and happiness can thrive. Spiritual balance is not seasonal. It is attainable and sustainable at any moment.

Debby Kowit blogs on the link between spirituality and wellness and the positive impact of healthy thinking on our lives. She is the media and legislative liaison for Christian Science in Pennsylvania. You can follow her on Twitter @PAComPub

Accompanying photo © GLOW IMAGES

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