Nourish my soul

What is the meaning of life ... your life? I admit, it's not a light-hearted lead-in. You might be thinking, "I thought this was supposed to be about stress management, not awakening the existential angst within!" But stress management and spirituality are related! Spirituality is a core component of human nature. It includes a sense of meaning and purpose, hope and faith. Whether due to an explicit belief in God, a more diffuse sense of connectedness with nature or a life force, or a belief in human nature and solidarity, most people believe that to be fully human involves more than simply the physical dimensions of existence. Therefore, if we want to get the most out of life we have to pay attention to more than the physical dimensions. We must feed our souls.

Those who are "actively spiritual" are more able to cope effectively with stressful events. Active spirituality means engaging with spiritual issues, grappling with questions of meaning and purpose, being open to beauty and other things that stir and inspire us. It means understanding how our spirituality provides the central basis for our important values, the values that inform our ideas and actions regarding morality, personal growth, and service to others. Active spirituality, nourishing our souls, helps us deal with the stress of the present and strengthens our capacity to deal with future stress.

So how can we nourish our souls? One way is by seeking out things that make us feel whole, alive, joyful, and connected with something beyond ourselves. Some common sources of soul food are prayer, reading scriptural texts, meditation, yoga, deep relationships, nature, art and music. Soul food tends to shift the way we view our life and the life around us. It connects with us in a way that moves us beyond simple appreciation of the action or object.

Another very important way of nourishing our souls is to seek a clearer understanding of what we value in life and why. Facing issues of poverty, violence, and suffering is demanding. Profound challenges to spirituality and worldview are some of the most significant tests that humanitarian workers face during their careers. John Fawcett puts it well. "There will come a time, if you pursue this career for long, when a profound lack of understanding will threaten to sweep away your actions, beliefs, achievements and even reason for being. Knowing this challenge will come, and ensuring that there are close friends who can hear your questions without harming you, is an essential component to preventative stress management" (Fawcett, 2003, 154).

Today, why not ... Think about your own spirituality. What do you put your faith in? Where do you find meaning, purpose, and a sense of connection? Define honor. What does that tell you about your values? Why are you involved in this work? What are some different types of soul food that nourish you?

This month, why not ... Write out answers to the questions above. Go back and add to these answers as new thoughts occur to you. Pay particular attention to things that feed your soul. Note one different thing every day and write them down so that you can re-read your list when you're feeling flat and lost.

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