The Facets of Life

There are 9 facets of life that are the foundation for living. When in balance, the Facets of Life allow for a more authentic and whole experience. The Facets are spirit, body, connection, mind, time, environment, finance, intellect, and work. These elements of life are dependent on each other and connected in intricate ways. Because finance is dependent on social connections, those two facets are inherently related. Spiritual life flows into every detail of life. When the environment that surrounds you is beautiful, functional, and organized, there is more time to nurture the mind and body. These are just a few ways that each facet of life supports the others. Finding balance within this framework creates harmony, ease, and abundance.

Spirit

Spirituality is foundational to The Facets of Life. According to WebMD “Spirituality influences many decisions that people make. It encourages people to have better relationships with themselves, others, and the unknown. Spirituality can help you deal with stress by giving you a sense of peace, purpose, and forgiveness. It often becomes more important in times of emotional stress or illness.” (Brennan, 2021) Those of us living a spirit-led life know that it is so much more. Finding the unique spiritual practice and dedicating time to it establishes a sense of genuine identity. Spirituality can be found in the simplicity of nature, journaling while reflecting on the day, lighting a candle, and sitting down to meditate, or listening for a message. Allowing time for spontaneous adventure is a great way to bring some spirituality into your life. Practicing gratitude is a method of divine cultivation. Faith, when exercised, grows in strength. Having a reverence for diversity shows spiritual maturity. Music and art are extensions of the spirit. A sense of responsibility and self-discipline is evidence of balance in spiritual life. This is the first and most important Facet of Life.

Body

Movement, food, conscious choices, and comfort are all part of caring for the body. Being at home in your physical existence is empowering. This is interwoven with a positive body image and the vision each of us has for the shape and form of the body. Healthy sleep allows for restoration of the body. Nutritious and nourishing food is a form of healing, and maintaining a healthy diet is beneficial in a multitude of ways. Cultural views of food are deeply influential on decisions about nutrition. Taking full advantage of the healing arts and needed medical treatments is crucial. Seeing an acupuncturist, chiropractor, massage therapist, and physician is such an advantage for the physical body. The body is a temple for the spirit. Caring for it allows for a fuller expression of authentic identity.

Connection

A supportive sense of community and connection leads to a whole life. Having a mixture of chit-chat friends and close relationships is a fun way to socialize with a variety of people. A quick “hello” with at the post office or grocery store may lead to a longer life. According to Stanford Medicine "...people who are socially connected are happier, healthier and live longer." (The Unsung Longevity Factor of Social Connection, 2020) Prioritizing social life is prioritizing life. This is like many other “hygiene” habits. Practicing “positive small talk” is a fun way to connect with a lot of people. Understanding your emotional intelligence, and the emotional intelligence of others is important. Family time can be a healthy way to engage in community. Cultivating a romantic connection is heartwarming. Knowing your social style and sense of style and presentation and fully embracing it creates more genuine connections.  As with anything, balance is needed and spending time reflecting alone is also important.

Mind

Developing a routine for mental health hygiene that is supportive to you as an individual is an advantage in life. Habits like meditation (which can also be spiritual but does not have to be) and solution focused thinking can provide ease in life. There are many practices that can enhance mental and spiritual health, but they do not always overlap. The mind is part of the body, after all, and there are some simple practices that are meant just for those physical synaptic connections. Listening to and understanding your mindset opens the door for cultivating positivity and busting any beliefs that no longer serve you. Knowing yourself and then loving yourself is the groundwork of mental health. Mental health practices ease the way for spiritual practices and are often closely linked. When there is mental health, spiritual expression is much simpler and easier. Seeing a mental health therapist for a yearly “checkup” is a wonderful way to stay on track.

Time

Managing time creates more peaceful space in life. Peaceful space is the fertile ground where the good things in life begin to grow. Scheduling and time blocking are tools for understanding the flow of a day into a week. Tracking how the hours of the day are spent can be a great way to respect and utilize time. Savoring each moment deepens the understanding of time. For some, the sun and the moon guide the utilization of time more accurately than a superimposed Gregorian calendar. Observing a more natural ebb and flow of time can provide a sense of rhythm in life. Rhythm and time and interchangeable in music and in life. Exercising a sense of divine timing takes life to a new level.

Environment

It is said that “When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower”. This is a testament to the importance of the environment. Where you live and work matters. The first and most simple step to creating a beautiful environment is to keep it clean and organized. This allows for spaces to be functional. Accessibility matters. An environment, especially your home environment, is meant to create ease and comfort for basic activities and more. Aesthetics and design add a regenerative effect in the home. Working in the psychology of color can add a layer of comfort. Adding art that speaks to you will add to your space and your life.

Finance

Finance is about having resources to create your life. Being resourceful can add infinite financial value to life. Reducing waste is a great way to create abundance. Bulk shopping can ultimately reduce the cost of items that are used often. Choosing the right side of retail by shopping at suppliers rather than retail can save a lot of money and sometimes increase value. It is important to understand what kind of recurring and one-time costs you have. It is even more important to understand passive and active sources of income. Understanding markets, and how inherently social they are, is a one path to abundance. Finding opportunities for mutual benefit, reaching the right people, and bringing them joy is the path to financial freedom and a genuine life.

Intellect

Intellect is about depth of knowledge. This comes from researching topics of interest. Reading for pleasure is a sign that intellect is healthy. Journals and periodicals provide interesting ways to cultivate intellect. Spending time in libraries and watching TED talks that are interesting and thought provoking bring more intelligence into life. Educational institutions, schools, and colleges, allow for growth in this area. This is a practice of study that goes beyond the basics. A passion for a topic will lead to a natural hunger for knowledge.

Work

Work in The Facets of Life refers to the life purpose of a person. This is more than what we do for active income. Our work is what we would do regardless of income. It is a calling. This often requires training and education. It always requires inspiration. It includes working creatively and with intention. When work is healthy there is growth and joy. Work has a style and presentation just as any part of connection might have. Work serves others in some way and brings them value. This could be direct or indirect. Work is best when it is an expression of our genuine desires for the world around us.

It is these 9 Facets of Life that allow us to move through this human experience with a foundational sense of authenticity and engage with our greater environment with both stability and flexibility. This is the path to a life well lived. Each topic interacts with and relies on the next with interdependence. Working through each Facet with balance will support the life you truly wish to live.

References

Brennan, D. M. (2021, October 25). How Spirituality Affects Mental Health. Retrieved from WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/balance/how-spirituality-affects-mental-health

The Unsung Longevity Factor of Social Connection. (2020, August 11). Retrieved from Stanford Medicine: https://parkinsonsblog.stanford.edu/2020/08/the-unsung-longevity-factor-of-social-connection-webinar-notes-winter-2019/