In a connectionERI manner...

Wow.  Isn't day three supposed to be the worst?  Like when I got my lovely pain in the butt wisdom teeth out, the nurse said, "Don't worry, the third day is the worst, then you'll be over the hump!" It was a tiring day, I've been on the fence as to what I was going to write to you today, aaannnddd all I can think about is food!  I'm not hungry, I just want to eat because I know I shouldn't.  So please, nurse from my dentistry past, please be right when you said the third day was the worst!  I guess past precedence is at work here, because in all honesty, that third day with the wisdom teeth truly was mouth misery...

Why was I unsure of what to write today you ask?  Well, even if you didn't ask, I'll tell you anyways!!!  You know how I'm doing the whole mind, body, soul improvement theme right?  Here's the thing.  I've been having a hell of a time deciding what the mind vs. body means to me.  According to http://www.dictionary.com/, the mind is intellect or understanding, as distinguished from the faculties of feeling and willing; intelligence; whereas the soul is the emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or sentiments.  To me, that for the most part makes sense.  But isn't it all entwined?  The more I thought about it, the more mixed my opinions were.  For example, couldn't the way you feel about something influence your desire to understand something more?  And what if our intelligences become to define our human nature?  For example, where would morals fit into this scheme?  When I was little, my mom made me say please and thank you and excuse me.  I was ignorant of them until I was taught.  But now, when someone doesn't say thank you or your welcome in return to me, it evokes a small rebellion inside that they are mean rather than unknowing, a bad person instead of, oh I don't know, a dumb one.  See the blur, people?

So here's what I decided.  They are related.  The mind feeds off the soul feeds off the mind, get it?  And for the record, the body is probably mixed in there too!  For the purpose of simplicity, we'll say the mind deals with intelligence, the body with health, while the soul deals with feelings and spirituality.  This week, I already hit the body with meal planning - which by the way, even though it's tough, reduces stress because I already know what I'm making and how much time I need, and actually makes me proud because at the end of each day I check my log (at http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ -hint, hint - you should get one, too) and feel accomplished!  I'm working on my mind by reading some classical literature (read along and tell me what you think: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen free on Kindle here).  So all that's left is my soul, which finally brings us to today's blog!


If the soul pertains to our feelings and our spirituality, what are some ways that you would improve yours?  This week, I met for a movie and some late night drinks with a good friend of mine.  First I asked him about my whole mind vs. soul conflict, and then I remembered he has a degree in Philosophy!  So after a little explanational existential perspective blah blah blah (just kidding!) I was able to form my opinion on the whole situation.  Then I thought, well wait, I don't do this enough.  Make plans, set time aside, and go meet a friend!  I feel like we get so bogged down with everyday responsibilities, that we forget that we are social creatures.  So here is my proposal for soul improvement.  Each week, I am going to set aside some time to connect with someone in my life.  A friendly, "How you doin'?" Wendy style phone call, a message on Facebook, some coffee, or a lunch.  Something - anything!  Just to sit and talk with my friend the other day was so rewarding.  It rejuvenates you.  It makes you a compassionate and caring person, and spending time on another person will invariably pay it forward to you in the long run.  So, won't you join me in this step of reconnecting with the true idea of people and friendship?  Call someone you haven't talked to in a while just to hear their voice, and genuinely wonder about their life. 


Remember, the story of each of our lives is really just a thread in the blanket of humanity.


Did you like that?  I came up with it all by myself!