Body. Mind. Soul.
You are a human being with three parts working together as a whole.
You are also made of three separate parts serving individual purposes.
Here is the wisdom: You must honor each part and you must honor the whole.
This post is intended to give you some examples and questions to ask yourself so that your whole self can grow stronger and more resilient to the glory of God.
Through trial and error, I’ve learned my tendencies which lean toward pushing my mind, tending to my soul and living like my body is invisible. You have your tendencies too.
Not too long ago, I realized that my body has kindly supported my mind and soul for a long time without much gratitude or attention to the heavy load she carries. That means working mentally hard, thinking hard and worrying hard (to be candid) – – without acknowledging the great strength and care my body exerts to keep me moving mentally.
Let’s stop here for a moment and move from the symbolic to the tangible.
Could you, would you, rely on a foundation that does not have an opportunity to grow in strength, does not experience gratitude and has little resources to replenish or restore itself? But all along was expected to be firm and reliable?
No way. That does not make any rational sense.
Hence, I have learned to honor my body. I’ve shared recently that I’ve spent a lot of hours walking at the beach before my day begins. I’ve spent a lot of hours in the darkness of the yoga room allowing my body her own time for expression and for gaining strength. I’ve spent time building her through nutrients; and giving her less of the comfort foods that really only offer brief relief from the day.
Sisters, we are a work in progress.
I ask you, which part of yourself is living invisibly to your other parts? What part of you have you taken for granted for a long, long time?
- Have you focused so much on a strong body that you have forgotten the value of challenging your mind with learning, reading the Word, intellectual hobbies and excelling in the home, workplace or community?
- Have you focused so much on your soul that you have become a bit of a hermit in your own world? Have you forgotten the value of community? Have you forgotten that life is an adventure? It’s not all about our comfort and/or individual growth.
- Have you focused so much on your mind that you have become an expert in areas that may not be as valuable as you think? Have you become so engrossed with gaining information that you have blurred out the needs of your soul or body? Have you forgotten the value of silence or peace? Have you lost touch with living out your expertise by helping others?
Dear sisters, I urge you to create your own questions and explore your own answers.
One of my mantras for the year is
All Parts of Our Lives Matter
In my daily life, this translates into mini goals and habit tracking for the benefit of the body, mind and soul. The end game is a strong body, mind and soul working together for God’s glory. The stronger the whole can grow, the greater you will serve your neighbor and love yourself as God loves you.
Here are some quotes and verses that are blessing me on my journey to honor my whole self. May you take off on your own journey to strengthen your body, mind and soul. Love you dearly, Sasha
The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Isaiah 58:11
I dwell in possibility.
Emily Dickinson
Always remember: The same bravery that found you in the most challenging time of your life is the same bravery that is with you today.
Morgan Harper Nichols
Image Credit to Catherine Holcombe, The Beautiful Brain. See the artist’s work at http://www.displate.com.
