Mind, Body, Spirit and Soul
Growing up, I identified myself solely as my physical body and mind. We can easily understand ourselves as what we see in the mirror and hear in our heads, however, you’re more than you think. My journey through mental illness showed me who we are beneath the surface; everyone has a spirit and soul, and it’s our mission in life to nourish our needs. That’s how we feel purpose, or like life is worth living. Below I explain the basics of mind, body, spirit, and soul, the foundation for living well. Once I understood the parts of myself, I was able to define my values and take action to support myself fully.
Mind - Sometimes referred to as the “ego”, our mind is the voice narrating our everyday, revealing patterned ways of being. Sometimes it sounds like our voice, sometimes our mother’s or another authority, or a version of ourselves that we’d rather not hear. Mindfulness allows us to separate what’s truly ours from repeated and outdated programming, allowing us to choose differently and create new versions of self.
Body - The physical, both our form and the world around us. We can touch it, shape it, feel it, and easily understand it (seeing is believing). Feeling safe in our physical bodies and homes creates a strong foundation, allowing us to grow and expand in other places of self.
Spirit - The connection to something greater, and other people. Also our sense of intuition, and trust in being guided by life’s adventures. Being able to learn from our experiences helps us develop new ways of being to support our evolution. We want what we want for a reason (our desires), and the more we connect with our spirit and reach toward our dreams, the more we lift the energy of the world.
Soul - Our earthly desires. Unique to each person, it’s what lights us up and helps us feel passionate about living. Soul desires are best demonstrated by who we are as children. Our spunky, energized selves knew exactly what activities or people made us laugh and smile. Slowing down and tuning into the available pleasures in life, fuels us as we move through the often mundane everyday. Bringing a childlike sense of play and curiorisity to your life feeds this part of ourselves.