Out of Whack!

It can be tricky to find a balance in our life. There are the four corners that comprise the whole. Mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. I believe that spirituality is the glue that holds the  together.

Physical aspects are important as a stronger, fitter body is important as it is our vehicle to move around in, to get around to see the world, accomplish what is on our list. When we are struggling or having difficulty taking care of ourselves, it can add additional stress which also impacts the other three corners.

Our mental capacity is also helpful in meeting our daily needs and wants, to make decisions that affect all aspects, large and small, in our lives. When it is impacted or impaired, it will also add stress and frustration. We also use our mind to learn, retain, imagine, create, find humor, problem solve, help our physical bodies to do what we wish it to do.

Our emotional body is also important. Feelings can add to our quality of life making room for love and healing, being angry can help make changes, sadness and grief to help heal from our losses, fear/scare as a way to protect ourselves and happiness to add a lightness to living. When we are shut down from feelings, become numb or raging, it is stressful on our physical and mental bodies. We can look like robots walking around without the animation that emotions bring us.

Spirituality (not necessarily religion) is the glue that holds our other bodies together. Having a spiritual context can offer peace, hope, grace, love, charity, mercy, forgiveness and more chances to live more fully.

Finding a way to work with all these body aspects can lead to a better quality of life. When we shut down any section of the four corners, it transfers somewhere else. Like squeezing a balloon, the air is displaced somewhere else until it pops. Starting with our emotional body, healing that, defining what the emotions are (rage and numb are behaviors, not feelings), uncovering the source of pain and fear, grieving for losses even when they seem so old or cannot name where it emanates from. For me, when my emotions seem out of whack, I notice how it affects the rest of my life. My body hurts, my mental sags, I am dragging and my spirituality seems disconnected. Being able to say what my feelings are to someone and be honest with myself is very important to get back into balance. When my emotional self is shut down, it is a sign that I am struggling to say what I want and need, what changes need to happen.

There may not be an easy fix to get there. Practice, practice, trying different options, trusting our inner self to finally know, move fear aside, be bold with some trepidation to try out asking. Asking for help is a sign a strength, not weakness. Even if you are turned down the first few times, keep going until you get assistance. If your request is met with resistance, consider rephrasing it. Ask without whining or desperation if possible. Believe you are worthy. I do.