Adapting to a changing world

On World Mental Health Day – Commit to caring for yourself

Spirit of place… Such an emotive phrase.  The notion that certain places are special to particular people for different reasons. A place that affects the soul.  Spirit of place is about belonging somewhere.  It is about traveling far from home and always feeling the pull back to where you started.  Some of us have been lucky to feel that attachment.  To have known a place that nurtures us, feeds us and protects us.  It is a powerful force and even healing at times.

So much is changing too fast.  Technology and development swallow up huge swathes of history in the blink of a very young eye. If you are wealthy and powerful enough, you can have anything you desire or do anything you want.  No one dares question you, but a select, toothless few.  People’s history, people’s memories and people’s spirit of place bulldozed over for a quick buck.  I wonder whether or not my children will feel that connection to place, growing up as they do in a disposable world where nothing is sacred?

Some places become a part of you, almost  by osmosis.  They seep into your bones over years and years of shared history.  You grow to expect them to always remain the same, even if you don’t go there often anymore.  You just know they will be waiting for you the next time you visit.

Everything changes

Then one day, for whatever reason, that place is gone.  Sold, changed and unavailable.  It is the way of things I suppose.  We all do what we have to do to get by.  It is just so sad to lose that part of yourself. It is a death of sorts. When everything changes like this, it is important to look after your inner world, to protect your soul.

The world is a very large place when we are young.  Everything is overwhelming and confronting.  On the rarest of occasions we find a place that is safe. A place where we can hide away.  A place where we can launch ourselves from. Over time, though, people die, buildings get torn down, parks get concreted over and the safe places in our world shrink in  number just that little bit.  

I have met a number of old people, who over time, have lost so much.  They have outlived almost everyone they knew.  Sometimes in weak moments they will ask when their turn is coming, because they feel that they no longer belong.  Maybe change and loss is essential for the very simple reason that it prepares us for that great goodbye.  Maybe loss is just the soul breaking connection with a spiritual place, so that it can fly away to a better tomorrow.

The inner spirit

I have the sneaking suspicion, that feeling connection to a place or thing, is just a reminder that the place we need to have connection with is our own soul.  The place we need to nurture is ourselves. To have a safe place within us to run to, that others cannot have, sell or bulldoze over.

Instead of mowing lawns and building fences, maybe we should be meditating and praying.  Instead of building bigger barns, we could be building inner resilience, kindness and self compassion.  In this way, the place we run to for safety will be within.  An impenetrable, warm and safe garden overflowing with milk and honey.

With this Sunday being World Mental Health Day, let us all remember to look after what really counts. Let us look after the only place that others cannot destroy. Let us grow a beautiful, resilient inner world. Lets develop true spirit of place.

If we commit to looking after ourselves, to adding at least one positive mental health habit to our routine, then maybe we can all grow stronger. With strong, impenetrable souls, we will have enough strength left at the end of the day to look after each other as well. I have listed below, links to topic specific posts from my Blog in the hope that they might lead you to the beginnings of a better life.

Five links to build a resilient soul

Mindfulness meditation

Balance – Mindfulness is the key » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated

Mindfulness – A safe place » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated

Mindfulness and a strained metaphor » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated

Journaling

A Journal helps – The examined life » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated

Knowing your values

Freedom – A highly valued thing » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated

Redefining success » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated

Kindness

Five ways to be kinder to yourself » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated

Kindness and other acts of rebellion » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated %

Friendship

The truth in friendship » The Good The Bad and The Unrelated

World Mental Health day

World Mental Health Day 2021 – National Mental Health Commission