whole person soul care

In his bestselling book, the Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen Covey describes in detail seven central principles for personal and professional effectiveness and success. He emphasizes that before they can be incorporated as “habits” and begin to bear fruit, individuals will need to become aware of their own underlying assumptions about themselves and the world and make a change, or a paradigm shift. This kind of change takes place when our usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new or different way. The invitation to examine our perspectives before we try to make a change to our lives is a valuable notion. What are the underlying assumptions that guide us and if they are operating without our awareness how do we recognize them? What is the story you have been telling yourself about you? Exploring potential pathways that help us release self-limiting patterns and learning to expand our view of how we see ourselves, God, and the situations we are facing in life, is what whole person soul care is about. I want to turn to habit #2 from Covey’s book- begin with the end in mind, to tell you more about this. 

 

Habit #2, begin with the end in mind, encourages us to be clearly aware of our destination before we set out on a journey. Many people seek out a helping relationship to find relief, support and guidance which are all a part of the soul care relationship.  But the ultimate end to keep in mind here is something that encompasses a more expansive view of our situation. The focus and intent (the end to have in mind) of whole person soul care is to engage with the process of rediscovering our wholeness through psychospiritual growth and transformation.  When we look at the word psychospiritual, we can see that there is no separation between the psychological and the spiritual. Likewise, it is important to note that there are no boundaried areas inside of us separating our spiritual and psychological concerns. They do not exist. Our psychological and spiritual concerns are a part of the whole that make up the whole person that we are recovering awareness of – a person who is body, mind, and spirit. If one part of us is affected by a life circumstance then all parts are affected, even if the impact is outside of our awareness. 

 

If you are considering whole person soul care as a means of personal transformation, here are a few helpful things to keep in mind: 

 

• Whole person soul care is an invitation to nurture growth and awareness of our whole selves – body, mind, and spirit in our everyday experiences, including but not limited to time of personal trial and crisis.  

• Whole person soul care includes the practice of willingly and compassionately inquiring about the condition of our own inner world and developing a curiosity about the inner world of others. 

• Whole person soul care holds an invitational space for listening with you for the movement of the Holy Spirit, pondering how God may be working in and through the circumstances of your life and relationships.

• Whole person soul care encourages the learning and incorporating a variety of spiritual disciplines into one’s life, providing encouragement and support for living a life with greater awareness, purpose, and intention. 

 

Interested in learning more? I would be glad to connect with you! Contact me for a free 15 - minute consultation.