Looking back...

Since it's the turn of the year, and we've barely broken in this new one, I've been spending some time reflecting on 2010. Not surprising in that last year was the first one for the new charity I run (Possibilities Journey, Inc - www.possjrny.org) but also it's a good spiritual exercise to review where I've been before moving forward. Think of it like an annual "physical" for your soul.

The marriage of health, wellness and wholeness (HW2) is predicated on one's ability to move peaceably between the world and the spiritual realm. We are taught to "be of the world but not in the world" and that takes a lot of reflection and self-correction. It's been oft stated that those who don't learn history are destined to repeat it, and I've found that this is true spiritually as well. It is quite easy to find oneself in a spiritual "rut" doing the same things mindlessly over-and-over (almost obsessive-compulsively). If we ignore or deny our spiritual selves, we leave a hole where our concept of G-d would be. If the hole stays empty, we feel ill at ease and we try to fill it with worldly distractions.

John Wesley's question of "how is it with your soul?" is a valid one and very instructive here at the change of year. He conducted recommitment services on new year's eve in order to have folks spend time in reflection and thoughtful reconsideration of the role of spirituality in their lives. We've gotten far away from this, not only in the Methodist church, but in the church universal. Is it any wonder that we have such malaise and see major decreases in attendance in all of the "mainline" denominations? Is it any wonder that we have so many unanswered social ills and injustices, once the purview of the church?

So, take a moment (or a few moments) over the next weeks to consider the role of spirituality in your pursuit of health and wellness. Look back over the last bit of time and consider whence you've come and where you're headed. Notice the key persons or events in your life that have shaped you and brought you to this place - notice the G-d narrative in all of it. After all of that, consider where it is that you might be being led.

Peace and blessings,
Dan