Spiritual Anchors for Stability in a Changing World

In this increasingly challenging world of social upheaval, economic transitions, and an ever-faster pace of life, is it possible to remain stable?

- CHARLIE HOGG

I think it is. As I look around, I come to three conclusions.

Firstly, there is no turning back, no matter how often we wish there was a way to go back to 'the good old days'—that is not going to happen; we have to navigate our way through the here and now.

Secondly, we need a new approach to the world. Unless I have a new approach, then all of the things that are happening globally, locally, and within my own family circle are going to impact on my well-being. The most important realization we can have is to understand that despite the fact that we are all trying to mentally control what is happening in the world, we cannot. We may be able to influence things in a small way, but the only thing I do have control over is my reaction to what is happening.

Spirituality is when I start to take responsibility for myself, my thoughts, reactions, and behavior.

The third conclusion is—we need a new wisdom. Intellectual wisdom is needed to understand the world, to develop a career, to provide for my family, but when I feel anxious and the darkness seeps into my being, intellectual capacity does not help very much. Emotional wisdom may be the foundation of building rich, loving, sustainable relationships, but what happens when I am rejected or someone does not like or value me—do I have resources to deal with that?