Staying Holistically Well
In a very short period of time our whole world has changed. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly altered our daily lives. We now find ourselves in survival mode. We have been forced to take drastic actions just to stay safe. I hope that you are doing what is necessary to avoid the virus. Washing one’s hands, practicing social distancing and self-quarantining should go a long way in helping one to stay safe. Our goal, however, should not just be staying safe; we should strive for wellness too. Our mental, emotional and spiritual health are just as important as physical health. I hope you are doing what is needed to stay healthy in each of these areas.
For a lot of us getting outdoors and experiencing the beauty and wonders of God’s Creation plays an instrumental role in maintaining holistic health. A couple of weeks ago I did a photo trip to the Everglades and this did wonders for my health. I’m glad I got to go when I did as many national and state parks are now closing as a result of the coronavirus crisis. It may be a while before we are able to find refuge and solace in these places once again.
What are we to do in the meantime? This is a great time to start paying more attention to what we have right around us. From our own yards and neighborhoods we can still observe the sun and moon, the clouds overhead, the birds flying around, the trees budding and the flowers blooming. What we find close to home might not be as dramatic or beautiful as what we find in national and state parks but there is still so much to see, hear, smell and touch. My friend, Rob Sheppard, is currently in the midst of a project where he is using his iPhone to record a picture each day of some natural wonder around him. Even though he is not able to go far right now, he’s still producing beautiful images of nature and posting them daily on Facebook. I think that’s a wonderful idea.
As I continue to take walks in my neighborhood I’m trying to pay closer attention to the natural world around me. Doing so is good for my mental and emotional health. It is also good for my spiritual health. I’m currently reading Richard Rohr’s book, The Universal Christ. Throughout the book are reminders that God reveals Himself through the natural world. At one point he writes, “When you look your dog in the face…I truly believe you are seeing another incarnation of the Divine Presence, the Christ. When you look at any other person, a flower, a honeybee, a mountain—anything—you are seeing the incarnation of God’s love for you and the universe you call home.” Who among us does not need to experience an “incarnation of God’s love” at this time? Well, the truth of the matter is such incarnations are all around us. I urge you to look for them and to find comfort in them. Doing so may just be what we need to get through these trying times.
–Chuck