3 Physical Lessons to Transform Your Spirit
“Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the mastery of it.” -Victor Hugo
Discouraged, divorced, and depressed, James was pounding down the drinks to numb the pain. The fear of leaving the world of “numb” was holding him back. This was not a life he had ever imagined, it was not really him. He wanted to step into the light again, but it all seemed to big to take in one dose. Finally, tired of being pinned down, he took action. He put down the drinks and went to the gym.
After three months in the gym, his physique was restored. Once again, the mirror was his friend. More than that, he had become a people magnet. Like magic, others were drawn in by his positive countenance. Though still in pain, he was doing more than lifting weights, he was lifting people. They wanted what he had. In return others were reflecting positive energy back on him and his restoration.
Do Something
Dreams aren’t free and neither are miracles. Though subject to pain, humans are remarkably resilient, overcoming what would seem to be overwhelming odds against them. The memory of the combined emotions of anticipation and fear from even small experiences leaves a mark throughout our lives.
Looking back at the simple act of being dropped off for our first day of school leaves an impression that most of us retain throughout our life. The details may fade, but the emotional impact endures.
James took action, he got himself to the gym, starting with something physical, something he could identify and measure, something that would inspire him. He was smart, physical fitness of some kind is typically the first or a key step in any major life transformation.
- Take action: You can ponder. You can pray. You can read about and discuss and even philosophize. But change won’t happen until you take some physical action. Until you resolve to take physical steps, nothing changes. Once you make a goal, no matter how small, it is time to follow through. Take overt action; it will put into motion circumstances that will lead you to any destination, while gaining valuable insight and experience.
- Cultivate Yourself: Cultivate yourself and flourish, true, it is easier said than done. This is exactly what we do when we plant a specific crop, in the right soil, in the right climate, and at the correct time of the year. If you have ever planted a garden you realize the importance of experience.
- Live a Physical Life: We are a spiritual beings in a physical world. We interact with people, groups, animals, plants, and our environment. Spiritual or inner self development is accelerated in a physical environment where we see physical results of our efforts and failures. This is why physical activities and challenges are so often prescribed for anxiety and other mental or emotional conditions.
Even though the world and the universe provide in abundance, every time you plant seeds in life, opposing forces immediately let loose, almost out of nowhere. Whether it be weeds and pests, deficient soil, late frost, or plain lack of skill, the challenges will come. You make observations, analyze and research. You reach out to other people for support, feedback, and advice. You do this week after week and season after season. The infestation will cause you to break a sweat, may lead you to shed some tears or worse. In some cases you may even have to resort to moving your garden to a new location. This has happened historically throughout time, as evidenced in recent history by the many ghost towns throughout the western United States.
Even when you miss the mark and your garden fills with weeds, hope is never lost. “Faith is not for overcoming obstacles; it is for experiencing them -all the way through!” -Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
