Our lives are often inspired by people who have endured catastrophic life experiences and emerged the victor, rather than the victim. Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, Viktor Frankel and Mahatma Gandhi are some of the more familiar names, but many of us have personally known individuals who have come through the other side of a gut-wrenching experience with grace and humility.
If we could ask each one-the famous and the familiar-“What got you through your personal crisis?” in all likelihood the responses would be similar. One by one, they would describe inner resources that enable them to survive. These are the qualities Brian Seward, author of Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, calls “the muscles of the soul.” He includes qualities such as courage, faith, humor, patience, compassion, humility, forgiveness, optimism, honesty and love.
It is in exercising these muscles that the health of the human spirit is maintained. And the fitness of the Spirit is vital to our total well-being.
As we understand more that there is a definite link between stress and substance abuse, and a greater appreciation for the healing power of the human spirit, substance abuse counselors are beginning to acknowledge that long-term recovery/Discovery must acknowledge and nurture the human spirit.
Here are six suggestions Seaward and others offer to enhance the health of the human spirit and hence enhance recovery/Discovery.
- The Art of-Self Renewal-Self renewal is a continual process. Remembering who you were before substances became a major problem is an important part of the process. As we learn to be present and attentive to those around us, we must first attend to our own capacity of strength and endurance. Typically this begins with some aspect of learning how to center ourselves through meditation or prayer.
- Don’t Be Afraid To Fail-People who worry about mistakes become paralyzed by that worry, but those who are relaxed in the face of potentially doing badly, soon learn how to do well. Success is often built on near failures. An awful relationship? It’s teaching you what love means. Finding a problems solution is what gives life its gusto.
- The Practice of Sacred Rituals-Specific habits and various customs are often more special than others. When we gravitate towards these activities and make them routine, we are reminded of life’s sacredness. Special readings or meditations in the morning, witnessing the sunset at night, regular meetings of certain groups to which we belong, as well as journaling, provide us all manner of activities that can serve as constant reminders that we are connected to something greater.
- Embracing the Shadow-This means to acknowledge that we have negative, judgmental thoughts and must learn new messages of acceptance and compassion in order to find a new way of living. Eliminate resentments.
- Keep the Faith-The power of faith requires balance. Faith is there to guide us through moments of turbulence. Faith and love are vital for recovery/Discovery.
- Live Your Joy-Living your Joy is seeking and appreciating life’s beautiful side. It reminds us to live in the present moment rather than become immobilized by that which is past or that which is yet to come.
In times of attempting to change a way of living, or when the ebbs and flows of life challenge us, it’s good to remember that our inner resources can be called upon to help us navigate each situation so that we can come through the victor, rather than the victim.
