Introduction
Spirituality plays a critical role in the lives of human beings on earth. It includes transcendental consciousness, ambition, and connection to the realm of the spirit for the purposes of developing a greater understanding of a person’s role on earth (Adedoyin et al., 2021). It can also be thought of as a connection between people and temporal realities that endures indefinitely (Adedoyin et al., 2021).
Spirituality is the awareness of a sensation, sense, or belief that there is something bigger than myself. It is the acute awareness of the fact that there is more to being alive than the sensory experience and that the larger whole to which humanity belongs has cosmic or divine characteristics. The knowledge that human lives have meaning beyond a routine biological existence is an essential aspect of spirituality. It also entails the cultivation of an awareness that humanity has a crucial role to play in the universe. Spirituality is an essential tool for the determination and identification of meaning in life.
Spiritual Nourishment
Even though not all of life should involve extensive, in-depth reading and thought, it is vital to dedicate some time to nourishing spirituality. But because of the superficial nature of society, the pursuit of self-sustainability, and independence from others have been prioritized rather than dependency on God. I regularly set aside time to read inspirational books by renowned theologians, philosophers, and saints because they have a profound influence on my outlook on life, spirituality, and way of living. Spiritual nourishment facilitates the contemplation of complex concepts such as guilt, shame, and the meaning of forgiveness.
Shame, Guilt, and Forgiveness
Shame and guilt are two different and often confusing concepts. Shame refers to a perceived inability to live up to one’s ideal self, while guilt suggests a perceived ability and willingness to injure others or go against one’s moral ideals. Healthy shame helps individuals feel a sense of remorse when they have done something wrong. Healthy guilt includes making apologies and changing behavior after admitting to making mistakes. Unhealthy shame occurs in instances of substance abuse and self-harm, and unhealthy guilt occurs when one feels guilt for imaginary things or events beyond a person’s control and is often characterized by feeling low.
The experience of having low spirits occurs quite commonly in daily life. It is a state of mind marked by a forlorn demeanor, a lack of activity, and a pessimistic attitude. Having low spirits is different from being sad or depressed because the former condition is not as extreme as the latter condition. There is no clinical criterion for low spirits, given that the experience is highly subjective. The feeling is often brought about by unresolved internal conflicts as a result of mistakes with which I am unable to reconcile.
I believe there is a need to forgive myself as often as possible. This is because when I forgive myself and let go of disturbing thoughts associated with guilt, I often feel better, which is important for my self-image. Numerous studies have shown that persons who practice self-forgiveness have lower levels of anxiety and depression (Arslan & Coşkun, 2022).
Self-forgiveness is a process of controlling emotions that entails taking ownership of one’s actions, tolerating unpleasant emotions, and gradually replacing self-centered ideas, feelings, and actions (Arslan & Coşkun, 2022). Through self-forgiveness, negative emotions towards oneself and the psychological and bodily repercussions may be purged (Arslan & Coşkun, 2022). Self-forgiveness, therefore, has the potential to reduce guilt, self-blame, and self-resentment while also promoting more self-worth and self-compassion (Arslan & Coşkun, 2022). It is worth noting that forgiveness from others also has a similar impact on an individual’s psyche. The ability to forgive is essential for the identification of meaning and the experience of hope in life.
Meaning and Hope
Life is a never-ending journey filled with important experiences that mold our personalities and worldviews. One experience that stands out for me is the first time I volunteered at a nearby homeless shelter. This incident altered my perspective on the meaning of life. I did not expect to see happiness in the faces of people who were living in abject poverty. One of the happy homeless men told me his daughter had reached out to him after five years of isolation. I realized that it is not the things you have in life but the people in it that matter. Therefore, I am hopeful that my contributions will impact people’s lives.
There are certain times when I lose hope and feel depressed as a result. I usually maintain hope by reframing negative thoughts and reminding myself that I still have control over certain aspects of my life. It is important to cultivate the notion that my actions and choices can positively impact my life and have a positive effect on the world around me. Finally, I acknowledge the true horror of the situation in order to get a real sense of the issue by seeking honest views from reliable friends and family, who remind me of my value.
The primary source of my sense of purpose and meaning is my volunteer work. Helping people in need is cathartic, given that it boosts self-esteem, life satisfaction, and self-confidence. In addition, providing services to people in need in vulnerable communities provides a natural sense of accomplishment. Finally, volunteer work is inspirational and gives me a sense of pride and identity, which are critical in the cultivation of meaning.
When looking for inspiration, openness, honesty, and a readiness to share and consider different viewpoints are crucial. It is vital to note that an individual’s social settings can have an impact on the development of inspiration. I also find that scripture, spiritual literature, and sermons are highly inspirational. The internalization of complex concepts from authoritative sources that contextualize ideas and viewpoints is necessary for the experience of peace and the appreciation of the opportunities in life.
Gratitude
There are a number of things that I appreciate as a human being. I am most grateful for my good health and strength. I have encountered individuals who have been ravaged by disease to the point where they are unable to care for themselves. I believe that I have the strength to create change and impact the world positively in a way that many others are incapable of doing. I consider my good health a blessing in a world characterized by suffering caused by a lack of humanity and the persistence of greed.
All human beings must adhere to a set of values that emphasize their decency. My most cherished ideals are humility and service to humanity. I believe that humility, which is the attitude that an individual has no singular trait that makes them better than others, is essential in life.
Porter et al. (2022) note that while it may be simple to own one’s limitations in low-stakes circumstances, humility is less common in situations where the stakes are high. In such situations, many people cling rigidly to their preconceived notions and fail to recognize and respect the perspectives of others (Porter et al., 2022). Humility is especially important in service to humanity because ensuring that people in need get the services they require is vital. All human beings must be alive to the suffering of others and work towards ensuring that every person has the opportunity to lead a decent life.
Questions
It is meaningful for me to be in this world because of the value I can bring to situations involving service to humanity. The alleviation of suffering is a fundamental principle that defines an individual’s humanity. Every person should be capable of recognizing suffering and contributing to its elimination. I believe that my purpose in life is to help people lead meaningful lives and become active members of society.
There are specific deep questions that arise from this situation. For instance, what is the role of suffering in human life? Are pain and anguish a necessary part of the human experience? The aforementioned questions have arisen as a result of my exposure to human desperation and poverty. Addressing the needs of individuals in vulnerable communities prompts one to contemplate the meaning of life and the value one attaches to human experiences.
Conclusion
Social work is intended to help vulnerable communities and individuals lead decent lives by providing them with opportunities to contribute to society’s growth. Spirituality is an essential component of social work, given its ability to influence perspectives and viewpoints. The incorporation of spirituality in social work can be accomplished by recognizing the spiritual needs of the communities in which a practitioner operates.
It is vital to recognize and respect beliefs and structure services to align with predominant viewpoints. In every social work setting, it is crucial to acknowledge that life is more than just basic biological experiences. Spirituality facilitates the amplification of the desire to help people in need by addressing their most pressing concerns.
References
Adedoyin, C., Moore, S., Copeland, R., & Folaranmi, O. (2021). Integration of faith and spirituality in social work education. Social Work & Christianity, 48(3), 288–307. Web.
Arslan, G., & Coşkun, M. (2022). Social exclusion, self-forgiveness, mindfulness, and internet addiction in college students: A moderated mediation approach. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 20(4), 2165–2179. Web.
Porter, T., Elnakouri, A., Meyers, E. A., Shibayama, T., Jayawickreme, E., & Grossmann, I. (2022). Predictors and consequences of intellectual humility. Nature Reviews Psychology, 1(9), 524–536. Web.
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