Seven paths… one life

One cannot travel  seven (7) different paths at once.  Consequently, we must each blaze a single trail that allows us to enjoy a life well-lived.

There are seven (7) dimensions of human wellness– physical, spiritual, emotional, social, educational, vocational, and financial.

Take some time to assess your personal wellness relative to each dimension:

Physical:  Are you in good physical health– do you eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and are you able to enjoy a variety of physical activities?

Spiritual:  Is there meaning and purpose in your life– do you take time regularly to contemplate life’s purpose– does it really all end with a “slow ride in a hearse?” (with due respect to Books & Dunn).

Emotional: Do you respond to events in your life reasonably and rationally– do you feel generally optimistic and positive regarding your future?

Social:  Do you have strong, mutually-beneficial relationships with others– both family and friends– do you have a support network and, at times, provide support to others?

Educational:  Do you have the education that you need and desire to achieve in order to accomplish your personal and professional goals– are you engaged in education as a lifelong process?

Vocational:  Do you enjoy work that you find rewarding and meaningful– does your work leverage your strengths, while positively impacting the lives of others?

Financial:  Are you able to fulfill your current financial obligations and invest for your future– are you on the path to financial freedom?

These seven dimensions of wellness are inter-dependent. For example, it is difficult to build mutually-beneficial relationships if one is not emotionally healthful. And, vocational wellness supports emotional, social, and financial wellness, while a solid spiritual foundation will provide the hope necessary to persevere through virtually any difficulty encountered in life– regardless dimensions of life impacted by the calamity.

Attempting to ‘balance’ these seemingly competing priorities may be counter-productive– packing our calendars with too many activities, never-ending ‘to do’ lists, and filling our lives with stress and feelings of inadequacy. Consequently, we must not merely ‘carve out’ time for activities that contribute to each dimension– rather we must each establish routines that allow us to integrate meaningful activities into our daily lives in order to enjoy a life well-lived.

Please take a moment to share the power-activities in your life– activities integrated into the normal rhythm of your life that simultaneously contribute to multiple dimensions of human wellness.