Enhancing Your Spiritual Wellness with Dr. MargiAnne Isaia, MD MPH

1. www.enthusiasticlife.net with Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH Spiritual Wellness…

2. Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH www.enthusiasticlife.net SPIRITUAL WELLNESS questionnaire What meaning does religion/spirituality have for you in your everyday life? Did you change the spiritual rituals or beliefs you grew up with? Are your religious/spiritual beliefs a source of connection between you and other family members? Do you participate regularly in religious services or other religious practices? Do you have a source of hope? Have the religious beliefs related to gender roles, ethnicity and sexual orientation affected your family life? Have you felt disillusioned about religion? Did you ever feel the intervention of supernatural on your behalf? Have you dealt with transgression that violates your conscience? Can you offer forgiveness for people who abused you? If you answered "NO" to any of the questions, it may indicate an area where you need to improve the state of your spiritual wellness

3. Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH www.enthusiasticlife.net SPIRITUAL WELLNESS Includes: The innate and continual process of finding meaning and purpose in life, while accepting and transcending one’s place in the complex and interrelated universe; Shared connection or community with others, nature, the universe, and a higher power; The development of values and a personal belief system; Worldview that gives unity and goals to thoughts and actions, as well as the process of seeking meaning, purpose in existence, and understanding of one’s place in the universe; The appreciation of the depth and vastness of life and of the universe along with the acceptance and recognition of the transcendence of the unknown; Inner and relational harmony with others and the universe, as well as the search for a universal value system;

4. Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH www.enthusiasticlife.net SPIRITUAL WELLNESS Includes: The ability to give and receive love, joy, and peace; and one’s willingness to help others The ability to ponder the meaning of life and to be tolerant of the beliefs of others and not being close minded or intolerant. The ability to be involved in the process of questioning all that is around him/her and have an appreciation for that which cannot be completely understood. The capacity to find harmony between that which lies within and the social and physical forces that come from outside.

5. Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH www.enthusiasticlife.net SPIRITUAL WELLNESS Spirituality emphasizes learning to accept oneself, forgiving others and one, admitting one’s shortcomings, accepting personal responsibility, letting go of hurts and resentments, dealing with guilt, and learning to let go of self-destructive patterns of thinking, feeling and acting. Spiritual values have a major part to play in human life and struggles. Exploring these values means finding solutions for present struggles and promoting mental wellbeing.

6. Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH www.enthusiasticlife.net SPIRITUAL WELLNESS Spirituality helps peoples answer the questions “Who am I?” and “What is the meaning of my life?” It is able to promote healing through an exploration of the role of shame and guilt in human behavior, understanding the difference between blame and responsibility, healthy and unhealthy guilt, and the power of sharing deeply human concerns.

7. Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH www.enthusiasticlife.net SPIRITUAL WELLNESS • Spiritual Wellness is: • Having a sense of purpose, direction, and awareness • Developing values by first examining one’s own values • Being comfortable talking about your spirituality • Values include: • respecthonestyhuman lifefamilyeducationreligionhealth wealthcommunity servicediversity… • Feelings that accompany this quest include: • doubtdespairfeardisappointmentdislocationfeelings of pleasure joyeagernessdiscovery….

8. Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH www.enthusiasticlife.net SPIRITUAL WELLNESS In a Nutshell Spiritually well people seek a universal value system and take time out of their day for spiritual growth and learning. They have a sense of right and wrong, and they act accordingly. The spiritual dimension recognizes our search for meaning and purpose, while appreciating that which cannot be completely known. Being spiritually well does not mean being religious; it refers to pondering the meaning of life and being tolerant of the beliefs of others and not being close minded or intolerant.

9. Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH www.enthusiasticlife.net SPIRITUAL WELLNESS Bible references… “For physical training is of some value but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both: for present life and the life to come.” 1Timothy 4:8 (Contemporary English Version)

10. Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH www.enthusiasticlife.net SPIRITUAL WELLNESS CLASSIC QUOTATION “We must educate, educate, educate, pleasantly and intelligently. We must preach the truth, pray the truth, and live the truth, bringing it, with its gracious, health-giving influences within the reach of those who know it not.” EGW Medical Ministry, p. 262. {CME 30.3} “If we would elevate the moral standard in any country where we may be called to go, we must begin by correcting their physical habits. Virtue of character depends upon the right action of the powers of the mind and body.” EGW Counsels on Health, p. 505. {CME 31.1}

11. Dr MargiAnne Isaia,MD MPH www.enthusiasticlife.net REFERENCES: Granello, D. H., & Young, M., Counseling Today, Foundations of Professional Identity (2012) Roscoe, L.J., Wellness: A Review of Theory and Measurement for Counselors, Journal of Counseling & Development ■ Spring 2009 ■ Volume 87 Corey, G., Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 8th edition (2009)