Wholeness

I have been searching for one word that I can can use as my theme for the year.  I have seen others do this and I like the idea.  I like the idea of focusing on one recurring theme throughout the year.  When I read this quote I knew what my theme must be . . .



“I actually attack the concept of happiness. The idea that - I don’t mind people being happy - but the idea that everything we do is part of the pursuit of happiness seems to me a really dangerous idea and has led to a contemporary disease in Western society, which is fear of sadness. It’s a really odd thing that we’re now seeing people saying “write down 3 things that made you happy today before you go to sleep”, and “cheer up” and “happiness is our birthright” and so on. We’re kind of teaching our kids that happiness is the default position - it’s rubbish. Wholeness is what we ought to be striving for and part of that is sadness, disappointment, frustration, failure; all of those things which make us who we are. Happiness and victory and fulfillment are nice little things that also happen to us, but they don’t teach us much. Everyone says we grow through pain and then as soon as they experience pain they say “Quick! Move on! Cheer up!” I’d like just for a year to have a moratorium on the word “happiness” and to replace it with the word “wholeness”. Ask yourself “is this contributing to my wholeness?” and if you’re having a bad day, it is.”
-Hugh Mackay


WHOLENESS

To me, achieving wholeness means to accept things and embrace them as they are, and then with faith and prayer look toward the future with hope.  Wholeness takes the body, mind, and spirit.  I am looking forward to pondering this concept in the year 2013!

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