How Spirituality Can Help Stress

Teresa, I wish I could post 10 likes to your last comment. I appreciate the same! It's so refreshing to see people expressing their thoughts and feelings -- and then there are no attacks by anyone afterwards! Thank you good people!

Christianity, along with most religions, and along with those in the mental health field, believes that every person is a trichotemy. That is, we are made up of 3 parts: body, mind and spirit (or soul). Each part plays an important role. The body without the mind would make a person totally dependent on others, and so on. Each part needs to be attended to. The 3 are interdependent. A sick body has a negative impact on the mind and spirit. Mental illness often affects the body. A person who tends to their spiritual self could find themselves feeling better in body and mind.

There's so much literature about spiritually that it can be hard to know where to start. My starting point is the Bible, a book written by many people over a long period of time, as they learned to listen to and hear from God. They wrote down what they heard, both from God and from what was passed down from generation to generation, which was also originated by God. The focus of the Bible is directing the reader to God, and all that he is, with a culmination in Jesus being sent from heaven to earth as a demonstration of the intensity of God's love for his creation, to show them by Christ's life, death and teaching the way to return to the relationship with him that was enjoyed by man and woman before the relationship was contaminated by sin.

As we all know, volumes have been written about the condensed version I just wrote, and I'm not at all adequate to fully develop the Biblical story. I'm sure that many Christians would take issue with my words. It's kind of like playing 3 notes and calling it Beethoven's fifth Symphony, though if I were to play the right 3 notes, you all would recognize Beethoven's famous composition. I can't summarize any belief system in one paragraph.

All of that to make the simple point that tending our physical health, our mental health and our spiritual health is all important to becoming a balanced person.

Pardon the number of words. I, too, appreciate hearing the different approaches you all take to this question, without feeling it necessary to reject another's viewpoint.

Jim

Here's hoping that the picture I selected comes through! I saw this on Instagram today, Jason Gould posts the most thought provoking photos!!
The picture is how I feel taken care of and also how I care for ones that cross my path.
KISS is a good rule: Keep It Simple Silly!!
I am always taken care of and I know I am never alone. I love to take care of others. Things don't always happen in a nice neat timeframe, but I know there is a scheduled time. Patience is so important.
Spirituality is helping each other through. Simple as can be, only looking to see if my behavior is right and letting others worry about theirs. Thank you everyone for your amazing thoughts!!!

@lighthouseceliac What a great word picture, thanks for sharing! Teresa

@abida You have been through a tragic and significant loss, abida. Would you care to share more about your spirituality and how it helped you through this time? Teresa

Teresa it has been and still is a difficult task like I mentioned I have days of struggle in which I have to muster every ounce of strength that I have left to get up and get going. It's been five years but I still feel as if he is going to say to me mom I am home what have you made for lunch;I smiling laughing teasing his sibling.Yes it has been difficult but I am a believer and God gave me strength to understand and not to question His decision.Besides His calming influence I was and am.an avid reader and a music lover so that has helped also in a way.I just wish that no one ever has to go through what I went through.May God always keep you and your loved ones in the palm of His Hand .Healing takes time but such a wound is always ready to bleed

@abida We all appreciate the very lovely response you provided us. I see that you included many forms of spirituality - faith in God, literature, sweet memories of your son as well as music. You have been blessed with so many strengths! Teresa

Well, I just came home from "overnighting" the papers for sale of my condo in MD, and also wired the money necessary for me to add to sell it. I feel just a bit like I've just given away my dog .... my close friend and companion. Odd, I didn't think I'd feel like this. But, it's over now, and I'm moving on to another apartment too, so it's one of those days you just put one foot in front of the other and move ahead.
abby

@amberpep I appreciate your sharing with us, Abby. It is hard to know how we will feel when we go through the process of selling a home that we have enjoyed - our homes do become part of us with their own memories and experiences. Take it easy today and do something that will make you feel relaxed and continue to "just put one foot in front of the other and move ahead" as you so aptly said! Teresa

Thank you Teresa for understanding .... at times I feel a bit looney! I think I'll take a nap and go to Target and I need to get some new sheets. I'm not pushing it today ..... just sort of going with the speed of the motor, which isn't much! Lots of wonderful memories in that place .... it was my safe haven and nest when I left my husband .... I felt totally at home.
abby