Spirituality may be thought of as that which gives meaning and a feeling of vitality to one’s life. When people connect with their spirituality, they feel centered, calm and energized. Spirituality is a powerful aspect of the human experience that can help fuel one’s efforts to achieve wellness in the face of life’s challenges and obstacles, including a diagnosis of MS.
Religious beliefs may or may not be central to a person’s spirituality. For some,
religion is the driving force or organizing principle of their spirituality. For others, spirituality is reflected in their connection to nature, other people, art forms, or anything else that gives their lives particular meaning.
Many times in life people become aware of being on a spiritual journey, most often when confronted by a major shift or crisis. The Chinese character for crisis consists of two characters, one being for
danger and the other for
opportunity. Each crisis brings fears about the uncertain future but also opportunities for growth, including:
- Becoming more self-aware
- Discovering inner strengths and resources
- Finding meaning in the challenge
- Discovering greater balance, harmony and purpose
- Changing feelings of powerlessness into feelings of creative strength
- Finding opportunities for personal growth and increased resilience
- Deepened, more meaningful relationships with others
If you imagine life as a path – and crises or challenges as detours along the way – the following resources can help you navigate the journey.