Golden Nuggets

There’s A ‘Hole’ in My Wholeness

As we assess our progress toward wholeness, or wellness, we often find our emotional dipstick measuring less than full. Wholeness is our goal, and that balance between the spiritual, the emotional, and the physical does not occur by happenstance. It takes effort to reach the level of three-dimensional homeostasis. When the meter does not read “full,” we need to take dramatic steps to correct that imbalance of our system.

Since I deal with the emotional/spiritual dynamics of our residents, I want to focus this article on the subject of Love. In the Greek language, there are at least four words to describe or define love. One is agapao and refers to unselfish love. Another is eros and refers to romantic love. A third word is phileo and it connotes brotherly love. The last is stergo and is translated as natural affection. In our lifetime, we probably have experienced each one of these dimensions of love at some point.

As our life changes through aging, there may be circumstances that reveal we have a hole in our “love bucket.” However, if we are to live a useful, helpful, contributing life to our friends, family, or neighbors, we must make sure that we pursue the qualities and quantities of love that wholeness requires. Why should we care about the depth of our love for others? Because love is a seed that, when planted, reaps a bountiful harvest for the person who sowed the love. It is a classic example of The Golden Rule in action.

How can you sow the feeling of love? The answer is simple. Love is not a “feeling-first” emotion. Love is an action that expresses our feelings for a person. Because God loved, He gave. That is the paradigm given for us to follow. Because we care, we do for others. The most powerful expression of love does not emanate from the romantic, the brotherly, or the affectionate forms of love. It is the outgrowth of our unselfish care and concern for others. We do not love because we give; we give because we love.

Someone around you today needs to see an expression of care and concern. Are you willing to be that person that reaches out to help, go the extra mile, and put someone else’s needs above your own comforts? I assure you, your wellness dipstick will take a quantum leap forward in your quality and quantity of love.

If you need someone to talk with, I am here for you.

****A Personal Word to Our Readers from Dr. Frazier****
I would like to encourage you to tune into http://www.thegospelword.com for our radio program, “Adventures in Faith.” It is available On Demand 24/7 through their website.
Please feel free to share your questions, observations, or insights with our readers and me. Website: http://www.donfrazier.com