Upgrade to First Class

I remember the first time I heard someone quote Stephen Covey with this passage: "We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey". Wow! It had quite the impact on me. It shifted my whole focus and sense of existence. My view of the mind-body connection and how I couldn't imagine separating one from the other clicked when I heard it.

From there, I started thinking about my body as the precious container and carrier of my soul. Anything valuable that needs to be moved will be put in a special box or vessel and great care taken during the passage or excursion. Think about works of art that are transported from one museum to another. They're not just popped into a mailer and sent on their merry way with fingers crossed! I'm also reminded of the Crown Jewels of England and how they are nestled in beautiful velvet, behind shatter-proof glass and with an alarm system set up around it all.

My soul, my spirit is my treasure, even more important than the Crown Jewels (to me, anyway!). I would think that yours would be, to you, too. It seems that its "packaging" and transportation should be exquisite, also.

If you've ever flown on an airplane, you've probably noticed the difference between First Class and Economy. While the seats in Economy are cramped and there's limited space for bags, First Class seats are large and the whole area feels luxurious. On long flights like California to Australia, First Class has actual beds for passengers to stretch out and sleep, allowing them to arrive rested and relaxed. That's pretty different from being crunched into a small area that barely reclines for 14-16 hours. Passengers "up front" eat off real dishes with metal utensils and glasses and the food is often good. Behind them, people are dealing with plasticware and poorer quality offerings, often having to pay extra for them! The bottom line is, First Class beats Economy as a way to fly in comfort.

How can we offer that experience to our soul? Here are a few suggestions:

Take care to eat well. Think about "nourishing" your body, not just filling or feeding it.
Stay fit. At the very least, keep moving. As the saying goes, "Move it or lose it" and "A body in motion tends to stay in motion".
Monitor your mood. This means, if you find yourself starting to see the world in a very negative way, pay attention to your day-to-day thoughts. Look for ways to laugh more and see the humor in things.
Hang out with people that help you feel good.
Keep an eye on when you need to rest or sleep. Go to bed on the same day that you wake up, if possible.
Notice what makes you feel good and what doesn't and indulge in the first while minimizing or eliminating the latter.
Create more space in your life, not only by decluttering, but also by re-evaluating your "obligations". Notice if there are times you need to say a polite, but clear "No" and only say "Yes" to what you want and what you feel you can do. It's always good to under promise, leaving room to over deliver, if you choose.

Flying First Class can sometimes be outside our budget, but giving our soul a First Class experience is affordable and essential for a life well lived.