There are times when I ask myself, what is the point of everything I’m doing? What is the end goal? Do I even have an end goal?
This leads me to wonder about the things that bring me true joy and satisfaction in life. Sure, public health is a great field, but will it sustain me? Will it make me feel complete inside?
Then I begin to consider my body versus my soul, or my brain versus my mind. Yes, food and water keep me going and the thought of being a public health practitioner is exciting. Even so, I find that when I don’t nourish my soul, I feel empty inside. The truth is that the body is nothing without the essence of the soul and spirit. It is important to nourish both. This can be done in many ways.
First comes prayer and/or meditation. While thinking about the deeper meaning of life and the more abstract aspects of life can be confusing, it is worthwhile to muse over these topics. What good does it do to pass through this world and to not even wonder about the deeper meaning of life? I feel that this limited frame of mind greatly impedes the realization of a person’s potential.
Prayer and meditation also help to ease the mind. When the mind is relaxed, the body is also relaxed. This can help lower stress levels. Also, a state of relaxation helps to bring peace within. Who doesn’t want peace?
I am an avid fan of incense as a meditation tool; I have incense sticks from all over the world. Each fragrance takes me to a different place and world in my head. I love meditating while burning incense because it activates all of my senses while relaxing my body and mind.
Next comes worship. Worship can come in the form of uplifting music. Music can make or break you. Sometimes we don’t even realize how the music we listen to affects us. There’s something about melodies and beats, and the way they penetrate the human heart, body, mind, and soul. Ever noticed how quickly your mood can change once you hear a specific song? A song can make or break your day.
Try listening to more uplifting music and see how your demeanor changes. I like listening to gospel artists like Israel Houghton and MaryMary, and I love the lyricist Lauryn Hill. Their lyrics encourage me to think beyond the superficial aspects of life.
Last is the Word. Encouraging texts can be a great start to your week or day. A lot of times they can bring inspiration for your next prayer/meditation session.
Literature can also increase your personal knowledge of the things that satisfy you on the inside. Texts can also help guide you with deeper life decisions. It’s one thing to decide which graduate program to apply to, but it’s another thing to muse about something much deeper, like the reason why you choose to love.
Personally, I enjoy reading the psalms and proverbs in the Bible. Regardless of your faith, these scriptures apply to any situation and are generally good guidelines for life. It would benefit you to expand your horizon if you have yet to experience the messages within the Bible.
