We are not merely physical beings, spiritual beings, or emotional beings. We are human beings. And by this, I mean, all aspects of our being make up who we are. They can not be separated from one another.
Our physical being influences our spiritual being… our spiritual being influences our emotional being… our emotional being influences our physical bodies.
Have you ever tried to think straight when you have a terrible cold? It is very difficult. Similarly, emotional wounds can often reveal themselves in unhealthy physical habits. Why? Because all aspects of our being mingle together to form who we are on any given day.
Becoming Minimalist is a website dedicated to helping others discover the life-giving benefits of owning less. It calls each of us to recognize the empty promise of consumerism and live wholly for greater pursuits.
Our lives are short. And all those things we’ve always wanted to accomplish with our lives? We should go do them.
But when we do, it is important to remember the importance of caring for ourselves in all regards.
We need to care for ourselves emotionally and mentally and physically and spiritually. Healthy habits in each area are essential. We are connected beings and one aspect always affects the others—both positively and negatively.
We must care for ourselves physically in both diet and exercise.
We must care for ourselves mentally with both rest and personal development.
We must care for ourselves intellectually by reading and growing and seeking challenge.
We must care for ourselves emotionally with proper self-awareness and healthy relationships—seeking help if necessary.
We must care for ourselves spiritually with solitude and meditation and a worldview that considers the universe bigger than ourselves.
Those who accomplish the most with their lives seek to implement wise and healthy habits in all aspects of their being. (tweet that)
Is there any area you have been neglecting recently? If so, what might be your first, small step in the right direction?
donna says
I need to make the time to calm my mind in the midst of external chaos that I have little control over. My husband was recently diagnosed with {treatable} cancer plus he has a chronic illness that takes him to the hospital sometimes a few times a year, the kids {we have 4, 2 live on their own but come home over the holidays with their significant others}, my in-laws live with us and my father in law is dying of advanced COPD—what a horribly difficult thing to experience: my poor mother in law :( , …add the regular life stuff and one can see….my MIND can reel all through the night.
I am particularly comforted by our choice to live simply. We are not involved in much other than a local church, our teens at home {16 and 17} are only involved in two activities {Boy Scouts and church},and our home is 90% clutter free.
THIS has saved our little family from many self imposed areas of busyness and pressure!
Still, the MIND most definitely can be a place of chaos! So, I am seeking mind-peace..which to me is a bit different than peace of mind :). Grabbing hold of those “YIKES how can I get it all done” moments and replacing them with “Calm down…breathe…most things CAN wait 5 minutes”!
Another wonderful post today :).
LL in Prescott says
Get help. Seriously. Don’t be shy about asking. Most people would love to help, but need concrete direction. When someone asks: “What can I do for you?” Have a list ready. “Is there anything you could do for me on this list?” We are programmed to say, “Thank you, but I’m fine.” No you’re not. Deepak Chopra says that it takes 6 months to reset your life from a tragedy. 6 YEARS has been more my experience. All the things Joshua listed are true for your family. Nap. Eat well. Don’t feel the need to do much outside of your own home. Cultivate life-enhancing relationships that will lift you all up, hopefully within your own neighborhood. This too will pass. Tell your at home children thank you every day with a bear hug. Your letter was so heartfelt and spoke to me. As one of my friends told me: “Sometimes it isn’t a day at a time. Sometimes it’s only a minute at a time.” Breathe.
Daohne says
Physically. I have such a hard time scheduling a gym date, or getting up early to do some yoga. I used to run 3-4 times a week and that went out the window with a hip injury. I’m healing from that now, but just need to take baby steps to get back in the swing of things. Thank you for the reminder of how important it it’s to take care of ourselves.
Kim says
A much needed reminder!
Katie says
Great post, thank you for sharing!
KC Cupp says
I totally agree Joshua! I enjoy taking time to pour in to my spiritual life first thing in the morning. For me, this sets the tone for my day emotionally and physically.
BrownVagabonder says
I was laid off 2 months ago from a job that I despised (thank you universe), and I have had a lot of time to myself. I have found that without the 10 hours that I would put in commuting, working and recovering, I have so much time to devote to all of the amazing aspects of myself. I meditate in the morning, I do yoga everyday, I have spent lots of time with my family and friends, and I have been reading and writing a lot.
This has made me feel so much better as a whole, as I have been taking care of all the different aspects of myself. Thank you for the post!
Tamara says
I need to focus on the physical / healthy aspects now. Thank you for this reminder. My small steps are in fact small steps: begin a daily walking routine. Work is a five minute commute. Why not walk it?
Always timely, always applicable. Thank you Joshua.
Amen! And amen!
Cynthia says
I would add socially. We need to surround ourselves with people and relationships that help us care for our whole self.
Jeanneke says
So so true!!
A valuable addition I’d say.
Sharlene says
“”Is there any area you have been neglecting recently?”” All of the above.
What am I going to begin to do, right now, to begin this next journey? Sit quietly within myself, watch the moon and feel the warmth off the glowing candles next to me. Breathe. Its going to be ok. I am learning to accept baby steps, that they are more than ok, that they are enough, that I am enough xx
Thankyou for a great article and a gentle reminder
Stacey says
Babysteps are more than okay, Sharlene. For many people, they are the only way to sustainable change. For me, babysteps are the way. And it’s amazing how far you can get if you just put one foot in front of the other. This is one of the best lessons I’ve learned in the past few years.
Sharlene says
Logically I know they are the way, I know they are more than ok..Getting that through to my heart and then putting into action, is a different matter xxx
Aleen Smith says
I’m learning right now that baby steps are good. I have two rooms to empty. They’ve sat for more than two years, because I seemed paralyzed, unable to tackle them. But the other day, I went into one and took out a few framed art prints, dusted them off, hung them up. And the next day, I did the same — just one or two. And today I will again do that. It is infant steps — neonatal, not “baby”! People kept saying, “Just one box a day…” No, no. One whole box was way too much for me to tackle. One “thing” a day is better!
Lois Smallwood says
That’s fantastic!!! It’s horrible when in your head you really know/ want to do things but you feel kind of paralyzed…thankyou I’ve never read anyone else saying this before…I thought it was just me!!:) ….here’s to baby steps….good luck x
Phil Pogson says
So profound – thank you!