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Healthy spirit can give 'bounce'

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Maj.) Linda Olson
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Do you remember bouncing a ball as hard as you could just to see how high it would go?

Ever remember trying to bounce a flat tennis ball or basketball?

What happened to that flat ball?

It lost its resilience.

Under our new Comprehensive Airman Fitness initiative, we are focusing on the word resilience and, for chaplains, its spiritual resilience. What does this mean and what does it have to do with bouncing a ball?

People have a certain amount of resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from difficult times, ill health and life's struggles. Sometimes, however, we get overwhelmed by more than one issue at a time which can creep up easily in our lives -- new job, new base, money too tight, arguing with a spouse or significant other. Throw in a deployment, sickness or loss of a loved one and -- you are the one that feels flat!

You can lose your resilience with too many things happening that are out of your control or that seem out of your control. However, a strong spiritual life can help. So what is a strong spiritual life?

We find a strong spiritual base to be in people who hold deep beliefs that their lives have meaning beyond the moment and purpose beyond their own needs and wants. Strong spirituality is seen in someone who has a sense that they are not alone, that something or someone bigger and with strength beyond their capabilities is there to help. This strong spiritual base may take different names, but for all it is a source of resiliency. For others, it is a deeply held belief that all will be well regardless of circumstances simply because they believe and don't assign that help to any deity.

So what do you believe about yourself, about your higher power, your god? Are your beliefs focused in a life-giving positive manner or do you carry a burden of struggle, pain and lack in your heart and mind?

Let's build some healthy spiritual resilience by paying attention to our deepest beliefs, taking time to ponder and explore life. Your words and your actions tell what you really believe. Once you know, you can make changes to renew and refresh your heart with life-giving beliefs. Then you'll be certain to get your bounce back!