Free & Free Indeed: Nourishing Your Spiritual Wellbeing
By Esther Siebel
I find the world and all we do in it so interesting. We are born, we grow, we study, we work, we might get rich or maybe we won’t, and then we die. That’s it. Or is it?
As a society, it would seem that we have become better at attending to our outward appearance or physical health, as well as our mental health, but somewhat lacking and in a perpetual drought in regards to our spiritual wellbeing. How often would someone reflect on their own existentialism? Would they even understand the meaning of the term? And yet, there is several studies and evidence to support that focusing and filling the cup of our ‘spirit man’ comes with great benefits and positive health outcomes. Rather than just trudging through our day-to-days, should we be asking the big questions, deep diving into the whole purpose of why we live and what we are living for, and develop a heart for something greater than what we can see with our eyes alone. Something beyond the human experience.
As someone who believes in a great and wonderful God, I ask these questions often. I have come to understand there are three things the every day person requires to function at full capacity; love, hope, and purpose. With only some or none we tend to get a bit lost in what we’re doing and where we’re going. The life journey gets too hard or too lonely, and we want to give up. But when we live a life that is saturated in love and hope and purpose, we thrive and we feel fulfilled.
The core of this, I have found, is thankfulness. When I carry a heart that is grateful, I feel strong and like I can achieve anything. Gratitude for where I am, what I have, and the people in my life. Something so simple, yet so powerful. How I express that is with a heart of prayer and worship.
I worked on a youth mental health ward and there was a young man who had an Islamic faith. They facilitated for him to have time off the ward to attend the prayer room and incorporated his prayer time as therapy. When he would return, he seemed more balanced and regulated. It was astonishing and I didn’t always see such results from other therapies with other children or youth. Studies suggest that when we take our focus off our feelings and pause, we are releasing instead feelings of calmness and peace.
As we go through our lives, there is so much that is out of our control and can become overwhelming. Developing habits in prayer or worship or meditation can help position our hearts in a space of surrender so that we can reach a level of acceptance for disappointments and hardships that we are faced with. This doesn’t mean that what you’re feeling isn’t valid. On the contrary. Validate how you feel, but try not to let your emotions dictate where you go and what you do.
Faith speaks. It holds us up and together when not much else will. It keeps our feeble knees steady in the presence of our fears and the unknown. Walking in such light and nourishing your spiritual wellbeing will empower you to overcome.
Esther Siebel is a Murwillumbah bred and based destination couples and elopement photographer. She is also a registered nurse with a graduate diploma in mental health nursing and works primarily with kids and youth.
You can find more information by following @endsoftheearthimagery or via www.endsoftheearthimagery.mypixieset.com
