Body, Mind & Spirit Connection

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“Good health is not something we can buy. However, it can be an extremely valuable savings account.” – Anne Wilson Schaef

I spent the last four days on the dark side. It started about 10 days ago when my nine-year-old daughter got sick. And then my five-year-old son and I succumbed a week later. Nausea, congestion, achy joints, headache, low energy – the works.

As much as I hate being sick, it always reminds me of how integrated mind, body, and spirit are. When something interferes with my usual blend of energy, optimism and faith, I get a glimpse of the flip side of fatigue, doubt, and cynicism. The foundation of what I believe to be so solid all of a sudden is revealed as a glass floor.

In the fifteen years before he retired, my dad was a pastor of a church in an affluent community. He remarked that it was hard for people who were so successful to see their spiritual needs. Flipping through some of his sermons from that era, that theme emerges again and again. When we are doing well, do we remember to tend to the beliefs and practices that see us through tough times?

It reminds me of people who are hard to help. You know the ones in your life that always have a plan and so much self-sufficiency that they never need a favor? I don’t have to look far because I’ve just described my family, myself included. If people are out of reach for human assistance, is it hard for God to help them too?

At least when I was sick and didn’t feel like eating, I had plenty of food for thought.

(featured photo from Pexels)

You can find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon

I co-host a author, creator and storytelling podcast with the amazing Vicki Atkinson. To tune in, search for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or Pocketcasts (and subscribe) or click here. Or the YouTube channel features videos of our interviews. Please subscribe!

My other projects include work as a CEO (Chief Encouragement Officer), speaking about collaboration and AI through the Chicago Writer’s Association, and my book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.

79 thoughts on “Body, Mind & Spirit Connection”

  1. I have often wondered what the purpose of being sick is. Perhaps that’s it. Being under the weather reminds us to tend to our spiritual needs. I hope you are feeling better. xo

    Liked by 3 people

  2. Being sick can be a humbling reminder of our vulnerabilities. Loved your thoughts, Wynne. Your dad’s insight about spiritual needs is spot on – it’s easy to forget to tend to our souls when life is going smoothly.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. I was so sick back in February, upon my return from vacation (how fun is that? Not) It does leave you with nothing to do but reflect on so many things.

    Hope you and your kids feel better soon!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. It sounds like you must be feeling better now, since you say “was sick”, so that’s good to hear. You make an important point, we should all be open to receiving help from others. Friendship counts in that regard!

    Liked by 2 people

  7. I’m sorry you were down for the count; hopefully you’ve turned a corner and are on the way to feeling better this week. Your observation is spot-on, by the way; it’s a lot easier to coast when things are going well, whereas adversity makes one turn inward and reflect harder. At least that’s how it works for me.

    Liked by 2 people

  9. Oh, I’m so sorry that you are sick, Wynne and the kids too. I hope you are all on the mend and on all your ways to feeling fully well soon!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Sending you all love and healing. 💕💕“If people are out of reach for human assistance, is it hard for God to help them too?” I don’t think it’s hard for God to help anyone, anywhere, at any time or place. But then there’s a whole lot I don’t know about how the Great Spirit works… However, that doesn’t stop me from asking for and hoping for healing and all good blessings.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Gosh, even when you are down and out, Wynne, you manage to write about such important themes. There is so much wisdom here! Thanks fo making me think. 😊 And P.S. I’m glad you’re feeling better.

    Liked by 1 person

  16. “If people are out of reach for human assistance, is it hard for God to help them too?” Good question, Wynne!

    Maybe so, because God is probably sending people our way (yes, I’m including myself), and our pride often blocks those opportunities, making it harder for God to help us. Thanks for asking this question.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. All good wishes to the Leon crew! The last sentence offers one of those inescapable questions for anyone thoughtful. The answer determines whether you have faith, doubt God, and all the places in between.

    Liked by 2 people

  20. I do think that getting sick, makes us slow down, it humbles us, makes us vulnerable. and we even have to ask for help at times. (which is still hard for me to do). I’m glad that you all are on the other side of this, but you are right about how it makes you stop and think, and reset things

    Liked by 1 person

  22. I’m sorry you guys were sick. And I hope all of you are feeling much better now. This post shows your inquisitiveness, how you can find wisdom in aspects of life. Good food for thought, indeed! 🌞

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Sorry to read you and your family were down for the count last week. I agree, it is no fun being sick. Especially as a teacher when you still have to have a plan for what goes on in your classroom when you are absent. I was sick in February and I was gone for four days, when I returned I felt better, but my class was so far behind. But I caught up and we figured things out as a class and as a me. This morning I got a reminder that the school year started eight months ago today. I am going to finish strong. Keep making your days count!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. I don’t think you’re ever short on food for thought. ✨ Hope you’re fully recovered. Being under the weather a few months ago reminded me of how fragile our lives can be. Thank you for the share.

    Liked by 2 people

  25. I remember a doctor once saying the purpose of being sick was to remind you to be patient, hence the word used to describe you when you are sick. Sorry you and the gang were sick though.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Hi Wynne, I’m reading this and nodding my head, I’ve been under the weather too, and haven’t had the energy to process my thoughts on illness in a post–yet! I especially love this thought, “If people are out of reach for human assistance, is it hard for God to help them too?” I’m going to have to chew on that for a while. Hope you are feeling better my friend and the kids have recovered. Sending love and prayers your way, C

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Sending you all lots of healing and love to get you on the other side. It does make us appreciate getting to the other side when we reach it which is the gift. I . We are there! 🩷🩷🩷.
    Heal🩷🩷🩷

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Your dad is very wise. Totally agree that those who are doing well both financially and physically don’t have a need for God. There are exceptions, but sad that so many reject God and the relationship He offers.

    I do hope you feel better. Our bodies are designed so incredibly. 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Oh, man. At least you all took turns. It would be so hard to care for the kiddos when you’re down yourself. I hope they were able to take care of you a little, while you were sick.

    This line: At least when I was sick and didn’t feel like eating, I had plenty of food for thought. Haha. Both funny and smart! Hubby and I recently discussed, when we get really old, which would be worse: losing the function of your body or your mind. I think it would be humbling to lose control of my body, but I’d rather the humility of that to losing function of my brain. All that to say, glad you could still think clearly! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You have such a good point to at least having brain function! Right – I think it would be harder to lose the mind as well.

      Hope you all are well given how sometimes these things travel between our families! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Indeed about the traveling. My daughter was sick for like a month with what we think was bronchitis. But we all seem okay now. Instead of crossing my fingers, crossing my internet wires. 😉

        Liked by 1 person

  33. Hope you are feeling better, Wynne.
    A good question is, “When we are doing well, do we remember to tend to the beliefs and practices that see us through tough times?”
    I think so. As the Almighty saw us through rough times, we should be thankful for our good times.
    Lots of love

    Liked by 1 person

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