Spiritual Rehab Helps Restore Self Worth and Vitality

Today, psychotherapist and guest writer Julie Rudiger offers another post on Spiritual Rehab and how to move toward a values-driven life.

At a fundamental level, Spiritual Rehab is the process of restoring the alignment with our basic self worth.  In this process, we reclaim our self esteem, our life force, vitality.

When you decide to enter SR, and you begin eliminating your misery stabilizers. Now, it is time to ask yourself some basic questions.

Start with this one from Five Wishes, written by Gay Hendricks.

If at the end of your life you felt it was not a success, it is because you didn’t_____________.

Or ask yourself to identity 5 primary values that you want to represent your life, overall.

For example, you may have a value of community and/or public service. Or perhaps you value your faith or spiritual life.

Then evaluate your life and grade yourself. Identify where you are living out your values and where you are falling short.

These two exercises can get you started on Spiritual Rehab.

After you come up with a basic primer for how you’d like your life to be – the values you’d like to live by – you can take steps to do so.

If you value your spiritual life, for example, you may want to begin a regular practice of prayer or meditation. Or you may want to sign up for a spiritual retreat or begin a faith-based study group.

These choices often get waylayed by our busy lives, because they are not essential to our daily functioning. Yet, people who live by their values make value based activities part of their routine. Unlike others who just do what needs to be done each day, and are left feeling drained and unsatisfied.

By taking actions in support of your values, you are on the road to Spiritual Rehab and a more fulfilling life.

Julie Rudiger, LCSW, is a licensed psychotherapist practicing in the Denver area. She specializes in couples/relationship issues, and adult mental health.