Wellness

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Angad Kaur

Good morning.

A long time ago, I heard someone on a radio programme discussing wellness and making a point which has stayed with me.

I can’t remember the surrounding details, but I clearly recall the point she made: If you replace the letter “i” in the word “illness” with “we”, it becomes “wellness”.

For many years I’ve lived alone, in a very modest-sized flat on the river, which at times can feel like being isolated in a small cabin.

Since a child, I’ve never been uncomfortable with my own company. However, as I age, and especially through various life challenges and new things to navigate, I’ve noticed the impact of too many days in a row spent alone. A small mole hill of a problem can become the size of a mountain because there’s no-one to share it with who will give me perspective but mostly, call me out of getting pre-occupied with my own problem.

I’m naturally sociable and community is central to being a Sikh, so I’m noting with more awareness when a lack of human connection starts negatively affecting my health.

In these times of working from home which encourages the home alone syndrome, I’m taking a more active approach to avoid issuing myself a sick note. Alongside chanting God’s Name, I’m reviewing the importance of human connection - so offering support to a neighbour, getting involved with community projects or just going outside to exchange a smile with someone on the street, can be part of the daily medicine for staying well.

Dear God, may I keep remembering to check if there’s too much “I” happening and not enough “we” connection and that my relationship with You, always wanting the best for us, also comes through the connection to others, including through a very clear message from someone on the radio!

Sat Naam