The Strength of the Human Spirit

Each of us could look at our own lives or the lives of people we know and identify times of crisis and sorrow. We can look through history and find periods of great strife and injustice. Just as readily, we can think of instances where people have persevered and survived the harshest of conditions. We are touched by those who have endured catastrophic life experiences and emerged stronger, with grace and humility.

When you ask these survivors, “What got you through your crisis?” the responses are similar. One by one, they describe inner resources that enabled them to survive. Brian Luke Seaward, author of Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, calls those qualities “the muscles of the soul.” Courage, faith, humour, patience, compassion, imagination, humbleness, forgiveness, intuition, creativity, optimism, honesty, and love.

The human spirit has incredible strength. But like any living entity, it needs to be cared for and nurtured. It is in exercising the muscles of the soul that the health of the human spirit is maintained. And the fitness of the spirit is vital to our very existence.

Following are seven suggestions Seaward offers to enhance the health and strength of the human spirit.

1. The Art of Self-renewalSelf-renewal is a continual process. Typically it begins with a centering process, going within to calm and replenish. It requires dedicating time to reconnect with your inner peace and strength on a regular basis. Mediation, conscious breathing, visualization are excellent tools for self-renewal.

2. The Practice of Sacred Rituals
Every culture through time has practiced sacred rituals. We establish habits and customs to remind ourselves that life is sacred and we are a part of that sacredness. Special readings or prayers, witnessing the beauty of nature, sharing our blessings with others, giving thanks—all serve as a reminder that we are connected to something greater, something divine.

3. Sweet Forgiveness
Every act of forgiveness is an act of unconditional love—for others and for yourself. For forgiveness to be unconditional, you must be willing to let go of all feelings of anger and resentment. When you forgive others, you forgive yourself. You set yourself free to love and live unfettered.

4. Embrace the Shadow
Each of us has an inner shadow where negative, judgmental thoughts and feelings originate. Embracing the shadow means to acknowledge that part of yourself, and greet it with acceptance and compassion. Just as you strive to have patience and understanding for others, you must show that to yourself.

5. Keep the Faith
To keep the faith is to believe in the divine when there seems to be no evidence or even counter-evidence before you. If you honour and exercise your faith during times of abundance and peace, it will be strong for you when you face times of turbulence and challenge. Faith helps you remember that “We are given no task too great to bear.”

6. Live Your Joy
Living your joy is seeking and appreciating life’s beautiful side. When you practice the habit of looking for reasons to be joyful, you get very good at finding them. Living your joy reminds you to live in the present moment, to drink in the miracles all around you.

7. Compassion in Action
Compassion in action can be explained in one word — service. Service offers a dividend of love to all parties involved. When we do for others in a spirit of sincerity and kindness, we fulfill our purpose, our role in the web of humanity. And we, as well as others, are richer for it.

We have been given a wondrous gift in the human spirit. Like any precious gift, it must be cared for and nurtured. When you do that with grace and gratitude, your spirit will carry you through joy and sorrow, through peace and turmoil. And always it will be there as an unwavering source of strength for you.

How do you nurture your spirit? I invite you to share your thoughts and perspective on the article. To join the discussion, simply leave a comment.