Originally posted on December 3, 2024

(Wholistic wellbeing post #1)

Hello, I’m Grant and welcome to a substack journey, which I hope will draw us all closer to the wisdom in us that produces a life of wellbeing… a good life!

This didn’t start with me and it won’t end with you

I get very excited when discussing wellbeing, whether the discussion centers on physical, spiritual, intellectual, financial or any other context of wellbeing. I’ve decided to go on a journey of greater discovery of wellbeing and if you are reading this, I’m inviting you to join me. I’ve been privileged with an amazing family (parents, siblings, spouse, children, etc.), unique opportunities, great health, financial blessings and many other benefits that have offered me the space to contemplate the principles and practices that impact my life on a daily basis. In the very same life, I’ve experienced poverty, illness, intense difficulty, disappointment and failure. I’ve been taught by, ministered to, lifted up and carried through by my community, which is why I say this didn’t start with me. I’m confident that if I embark upon a journey toward wellbeing and you join with me, you will be sure to share what you learn and experience and thus, the blessings won’t end with you.

What is wellbeing?

Wellbeing is about being healthy, creating capacity and cultivating strength in any area of our lives. In all cases wellbeing emerges from a blend of factors beyond one’s control and the results of one’s behavior. For example, there have been times in my life when I’ve derived certain benefits from a periodic practice of running for exercise and I’ve come to speculate that I’m a “naturally decent runner (if such a thing really exists).” As such the wellbeing benefits I receive from running could be the result of both good-fortune (my genetic make up) and well-intentioned action. I pursue wellbeing first by developing an awareness of my state of being. I find it healthy to acknowledge the barriers as well as the privileges that impact my wellbeing. I get in touch with my desire for greater wellbeing. I pursue knowledge and tools that will help (internal as well as external). I apply the knowledge (and use the tools) and finally, I assess the results. I love this process and I have SO much room to learn and grow. Perhaps the process is unideal and there are much better processes for walking in wellbeing. There are certainly many other approaches and I’m sure many are just as effective if not more effective. I’m sure some effective processes are more organic (and may not seem like processes at all) and some are more scientific. It’s all fascinating to me!

What isn’t wellbeing?

Wellbeing is not about shame, blame or creating general standards and it for damn sure isn’t about comparison! Instead, it's a journey of self-discovery and growth, guided by one's inner voice and divine wisdom.

mm kay.. so how’s this gonna work?

For the past couple decades, I’ve done a lot of thinking, reading and experimenting (in my own life) within the realms of physical, financial and spiritual wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of the mind. I intend to post one topic at a time about a particular idea, practice or puzzle within these various realms. See “coming soon” for an example:

Coming soon:

“Nurturing a spark” or something like that… I’ll be sharing a bit about the intense fear I experience when I have an idea that becomes a vision and I get discouraged. I’ve been exploring ways to ‘nurture the spark’ of an idea and getting past the blocks that keep me from seeing the idea through. I think this fits into the realm of spiritual wellbeing and I’ll explain why once I post.

Until then…

Be well,

Grant

Welcome to wellbeingGrant - Part I