An ecosystem is made up of many different interrelated parts. And a change in one part of the system will naturally have a ripple effect on the rest. The same is true when it comes to our souls. And understanding our ecology of the soul equips us to truly care for our inner world.
To be sure, contaminated water, an invasive species, or removal of an apex predator will have a profound disruption on a local ecosystem. And it’s generally insufficient to only care for one element of an environment without also caring for the whole.
Our souls tend to function in a similar way.
For instance, part of our soul thrives from meaningful work. Our relationships and sexuality also hold significant territory. And while we can name these as separate parts, they’re also interrelated and influence each other.
For example, when things are not going well at work – this frustration, insecurity, or the like will flavor how we show up relationally and sexually. And the reverse is also true – when we’re feeling good about our sexual life, this can boost our confidence at work.
As such, our soul care cannot be limited to just addressing one part of our life. We must take a holistic approach. But this is not always easy to do.
It’s easy to think in compartments and assume one part of our life is not connected to the rest. And this is why simply trying harder in one area can leave us feeling so depleted and hopeless. It’s likely we’ve done all we can in this area, and what’s missing is addressing the other parts of our soul’s ecosystem.
In the end, your soul is a complex ecosystem of interrelated parts. Seek to understand and diligently care for this interconnection to experience a holistic well-being.
Photo by Frances Gunn on Unsplash
