The title is silly wordplay…or is it? Death is defined as “the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain an organism.” Death of the soul then means the lack of that which nurtures one’s own soul, but luckily it’s not irreversible. How do we turn the tide and keep that from happening? My story and my journey are mine alone, but I think there’s much here for anyone to learn and benefit from my path.
The gateway for me was writing. Back a few years after Hurricane Katrina when I decided to give it a real shot to see if I had the steady consistency and unique voice to be a writer, I discovered something unexpected. At that time I was involved in a wide range of projects. But I found as I was developing my writing craft that it was far more satisfying to me than anything else I was doing. I greatly enjoyed it. All of this was expected. It helped my brain make sense and fit perfectly with my personality.
Of course it did. Why? Not only am I a person who digs in deep, almost obsessively, but I was the kid who wrote books, made covers, and bound them with yarn. It just didn’t get cultivated, so that innate drive had disappeared and gotten covered up with life over the years. Makes complete sense that the adult-me experiences the same satisfaction as the kid-me did.
It struck like a proverbial lightbulb, as simple as it is profound--If this is the case for writing, then what other things did I love to do as a child? What else did I gravitate toward naturally? Specifically, which activities that fit into body, mind, and spirit.
What I found changed my life. It also greatly simplified everything. These aren’t “things I do.” This is who I am. From looking through old photos, talking with family, and working my memory, I was able to identify that, 1) Body—I loved to run, fight, and wanted to take martial arts lessons but wasn’t able to, 2) Mind—I loved to write books and learn about different cultures around the world, and 3) Spirit—Though I grew up Baptist and that core of Christianity will always remain in me, the questions I asked even as a child were far more those akin to Eastern philosophy. Plus, I loved collecting stones.
The adult version was simple—do fitness, learn martial arts, continue writing, learn foreign cultures & languages, attend a church that challenged me (did this until the pandemic), and build better understanding of Buddhism & Taoism. Plus, rediscover stones by way of gemstones.
After all, rediscovery is the best way of describing what this is. I wasn’t introducing anything new into my life. It was more like a sculptor cutting away at the clay to find the true form that was in there the whole time. In doing so, I found that as long as I keep to these body, mind, spirit pillars, it keeps me happy, balanced, and maintains a sense of well being with myself and the world.
The only key addition/rediscovery made in the last couple of years is the necessity to spend time in the woods. I know I loved nature as a kid. I know I would occasionally go hiking in the forest by my grandparents. But yet, I’m still discovering as an adult what must’ve thrilled my soul as a child, and I suspect I will undercover more about kid me’s interest in that one day.
Here’s the great thing about this—all of us had childhood interests that have dropped off, if not been totally forgotten. They are unique to each of us, but I suspect that anyone can see their life changed for the better by active rediscovery the same as I did.
Now, this will be my last Zellomania post of the year. Thank you for joining me on this journey over the past few months. If you’re new to the page, then consider coming along for the ride. Get ready for much more, including a new interview series called “Mark My Words” featuring culture bearers from New Orleans and the world.
I wish you a Happy New Year’s and all best for 2024.