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Chaplain’s Corner

”Keep your face to the sunshine & you cannot see a shadow”
Helen Keller

Another incredibly wise lady who managed to live positively with what could have been such a debilitating disability and go on to uplift and inspire others.

It’s not always easy to look towards the light and to find positive thoughts to hold on to; but how true it is that when we manage it we feel lighter physically as well as emotionally. That’s something that’s long fascinated me, the connection between our mental and our physical well-being and how much our thoughts can influence our physical state.

My faith definitely helps me personally to find something positive to hold on to even on the grim days when the world seems to be conspiring against me and I’m surrounded by grief, yet I know that for some people that can be the very thing that causes them to lose faith and break their spiritual connection.

We are all so very unique and individual in our thoughts, beliefs and humanity, there is no one size fits all approach to spirituality and well-being. Yet there is within each of us a well-spring of hope that sometimes becomes the tiniest of trickles. If we find a way to reconnect to it, the well-spring bubbles and surges so readily.

Keeping our face towards the sun so that the shadows fall behind us can, even momentarily, help us to tap into a physical sensation of well-being. That physical sensation can then influence our thoughts and in turn that influences our physical state and suddenly hope bubbles up even if we can’t pinpoint why. What gives you that sensation of peace and well-being, however fleeting? Is it something that you can recognise and build into your day?

I’m always happy to swap thoughts on this on most Thursday lunchtimes somewhere within the Engine rooms. Look out for my blue chaplains fleece and please come say hello. It’s not possible for me to wander around in the Engine Rooms due to social distancing but I’ll try to find an obvious space where it will be easy for you to stop and chat to me a little on your way in or out.

You can also email info@mitechaplaincy.com where you can request a call-back, or you are very welcome to call or text me directly on my mobile: 07526 378529 either to chat or to arrange a time to meet. We also have a range of resources on our web-site including some that are more specific to the Covid-19 outbreak and some that help in dealing with stress: https://mite.org.uk

Find us on social media at:
Facebook: @mitechaplaincy
Twitter: @mitesthwarr