With 2020 behind us and yet, a very uncertain future ahead in 2021, what does your soul need?
The soul can be defined as the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being. It is the emotional or intellectual energy and intensity of who we are at the core. In light of this definition, and in reflection of this past year, what does your soul truly need?
At the start of a new year, we often find ourselves setting new goals, resolutions, intentions and hopes for the future. It could be as simple as starting each day with, “I’m going to have a great day today,” or “I’m going to learn to ______” or even as lofty as something like writing a book! Whatever intentions we have this year, they are sure to look different than in years past. There most likely won’t be many goals of traveling to X number of countries or attending X number of concerts.
To set intentions of depth and substance, with the end goal being growth, time spent reflecting is required.
What worked for you in 2020? What didn’t? What do you really want in the year ahead? How do you want to grow? What does your soul need?
As I reflected on these questions, a virtue stuck out to me.
Gentleness.
Gentleness can often be confused by our culture and seen as weakness or timidity, but is often, something most people long to receive from others.
Gentleness is not the absence of strength. In fact, it is power and strength under control!
This is an area, an idea, a virtue in which I long to grow in 2021. Gentleness is a theme I want to be marked by.
It is, in fact, what my soul needs!
Have you ever thought about a New Year’s resolution, goal or intention as being a virtue to grow in, a quote to live by or an overarching theme for your year? Have you entertained what your soul needs and purposefully set your intentions and goals for growth, around that need?
CCPC’s Counseling & Wellness Center challenges you to ponder this idea and consider how your outlook, and maybe even your life, could be impacted or drastically changed by doing some soul work.
As a collective team, we will be doing just that in the days ahead and in the next few weeks, we will share our Counseling & Wellness Center’s theme for the year. Until then, we hope you look within, consider what your soul needs and be gentle with yourself, and others, in the process.
Lord, grant that anger or other bitterness does not reign over us, but that your grace, genuine kindness, loyalty, and every kind of friendliness, generosity, and gentleness may reign in us. Amen.
Martin Luther