“The spiritual is not one dimension among many in life; rather, it permeates and gives meaning to all life. The term spiritual well-being, therefore, indicates wholeness in contrast to fragmentation and isolation.”
—Thorson and Cook, 1980, National Interfaith Coalition on Aging
In balancing our time, energy, work, recreation, family responsibilities, community commitments, and daily tasks, sometimes the last priority is the nurture and care of our spiritual selves. In fact, sometimes we run out of day before we run out of “have-tos” that are all outside the domain of spiritual nurturing.
How important is it for us to nurture our spiritual selves? According to David Moberg and other prestigious researchers who are part of the National Interfaith Council on Aging (NICA), “spiritual well-being is the affirmation of life in a relationship with God, self, community, and environment.”
How is it that we don’t quite get around to the self-support of that important leg of the mind, body, spirit triangle? For many, it is simply too difficult to schedule personal spiritual enrichment as a “must.”
In all research conducted in the area of spiritual well-being and healthy aging, the results show less isolation, loneliness, despair, hopelessness, sadness, and unresolved grief in individuals who self-report they have a spiritual connection. Overall, they also report better health and daily function. Depressive disorders are less prevalent in this same population.
During this busy holiday season when commitments and activities often accelerate, Touchmark encourages you to nurture and care for your spiritual self and join us for any and all of our spiritual events and offerings. For more information on scheduled classes, services, and special events, contact a member of the Life Enrichment/Wellness team.
Bill Warner’s story: