Nourishment
Photo by Vitaly Gariev on Unsplash
“There is nourishment in books, art, history, philosophies—in holiness and in mirth. It is in honest hands-on labor…And it is in the green world—among people, and animals, and trees for that matter, if one genuinely cares about trees.” —Mary Oliver
Do you pay as much attention to your psychological nourishment as you do to your physical nourishment? Most of us have plenty to eat, but we’re increasingly aware of the need to choose healthier options over empty calories. And there are plenty of books, articles and news stories to guide us along that path. We can usually sense when it’s time to eat something wholesome. We always feel it when physical hunger urges us to sit down to a hearty meal.
But what about nourishing the soul? Do we neglect our spiritual wellbeing? Do we feed our minds junk food? I can always tell when I’m not getting a diet that is good for my mental health. Just as I feel bloated and sluggish when I eat too much sugar, salt or fat, I feel despondent, listless or agitated when I don’t make good choices about what to feed my mind.
Of course, mental and physical health are inextricably linked. That’s another reason it’s crucial to take care how we feed our souls. Proverbs 4:23 tells us “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV). I invite you to join me in paying close attention to what we allow into our thoughts, minds and hearts. As Oliver points out, we have abundant resources to nourish our souls, and most of it costs nothing except our care and attention. Making time to focus on guarding and nurturing the spirit is an investment that always pays manifold dividends.
Defeat Despair 
Hey Julia, this is a good follow up to our thoughts on happiness a couple days ago. Nourishing the soul provides that spiritual depth required to find joy, or true happiness. So, how does one nourish the soul? I believe you are right about remaining cognizant of what we allow into our thoughts, minds and hearts. Phil 4:6-7 is a favorite scripture, and provides a path toward answering this question. …”but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Chris, when my Daddy was struggling near the end of his life with COPD, he told me he used to wake up fearful as it was so hard to breathe. He said that he would pray for “the peace that passes understanding” and urged me to remember that prayer in times of great trial or sorrow. He called it “the prayer that never fails.” And I am sure it is a true guardian!
I agree with that assessment!
Good morning, Julia!
I had a similar question about the music that we listen to. A music therapist told me that the “best” music is whatever a specific person may choose as their best kind of music. That would explain differences due to culture. For example, I’m thinking of Japanese music at the moment. It doesn’t bring me the same sense of tranquility that it might bring to someone raised with it.
I do think that lyrics are another story, however, where i align more with your thoughts above, that some words are “healthier” or “more nourishing” than others.
Susan, I agree that there’s a real difference between purely instrumental music, and the kind with words. I definitely think the words of songs penetrate our minds whether or not we are aware of it. When people tell me “I don’t ever pay attention to the words” I think to myself (and sometimes say) “Oh, but you do, and your lack of awareness may work against you in the end.” As to instrumental music, I think familiarity and the deep associations of memory are bound to make some music more appealing to us than others. But I also think there is wisdom in variety, and in occasionally listening to various types of music. Almost all of them have a unique approach and method, a different vibe that takes us to an unexplored land, and if we take the time to really pay attention, most might connect with us in some way. And of course, it might lead us to even greater appreciation of what we already love.