Last week an elderly, self employed man asked me what I did for a living. I explained I help people get more out of life by feeling better within themselves.
He then asked, “Has that anything to do with this Mental Health ‘thing’ I keep hearing about?” I replied, ‘Basically yes’. His next comment was interesting; he explained that while he constantly heard the term Mental Health in the media, he didn’t really understand what it was all about. It seemed to him that in his younger days there was no such thing as Mental Health issues. People, especially men, didn’t talk about their feelings or need to take time out to address their Mental Health.
I explained that life is different for society now, much more pressurised and faster moving than before. The need for a quiet and confidential space where people can express how they really feel has become much more needed than before.
I believe that not so long ago, large percentages of the population attended Church on a Sunday and some still do. This was a rest from the working week, where the congregation could find a space to gain better understanding on how to live their lives rewardingly. Now, with church attendance dwindling, a shortage of clergymen to lead the services, more and more people are turning to celebrants for traditional services. In so doing, they seem to be looking for a more personal spiritually based service rather than a religious one.
By spiritual I mean in the Mind Body Spirit sense. We humans have always had our Spirit or Spiritual aspect to life. Where the Religious Church may have guided or nurtured the human spirit, or not as the case may be; clearly this situation is now changing.
In the 60s and 70s hippies allowed their spirit to run more freely from Religious constraints, as they followed a path of peace and love to all. This also led to a freeing up of sexual restraint when’ open love’ became their philosophy for a happier way to live. It could be called a new form of Spiritualism, as they followed a more self satisfying happiness rather than the religious teachings of a God fearing culture. Indeed many associate God with Spiritualism rather than with Religion.
In today’s faster and technological pace of life, how we think and feel, our self esteem and sense of purpose have become more scrambled. It has become more difficult to stay in touch with our Spiritualside which is so important for our Mental Health. Because our Spirituality is natural to us (as created by nature) it needs to be looked after. The alternative is that our Mind (our thoughts) result in feelings and emotions becoming so stressed that we develop Mental Health issues. It can happen to anyone, from Olympic champions to leaders in society, politicians to celebrities, royalty, to you and me.
I help people get to know their Spiritual side more comfortably, which keeps their mind healthy, thus looking after their Mental Health. This helps them to stay focused on their goals, enjoy a positive outlook on life and feel happy.
And the old man who asked me what I do for a living? Well let’s just say he left with a contented smile on his face!