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Recently I came across an article titled, “How To Care for Your Cashmere” . . . And I thought immediately, why am I surprised that it is not soul? I actually thought I was going to read “How to Care for Your Spiritual Self” or “Your Faith”.
I then thought that a “how to care for your soul” post should be written. This was around the same time that Chris Pratt gave a speech that went viral – perhaps you saw it?
Chris Pratt video (“9 rules from Chris Pratt”acceptance speech)
Pratt gives a great speech. He combines his silly sense of humor with a very serious topic. He said a lot, but here are some of the wise words he shared:
He stated,
“you have a soul, be careful with it”
“If you are strong, be a protector and if you are smart be a humble influencer . . .”
“reach out to someone in pain . . . it’s good for your soul.”
“God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do.”
“Learn to pray. It’s easy and it is so good for your soul.”
“Nobody is perfect.”
“Grace is a gift . . . don’t take it for granted.”
So how can we “be careful with our soul”?
Here’s my advice.
How to Care for Your Soul
1. Acknowledge that you have one.
About a year ago, I wrote about the soul and how it used to be more acknowledged in our culture (Soul Searching). I noticed in the movie Titanic
At one point in the film, after the ship hit the iceberg, there is a scene where the Captain realizes the fate of the boat. He asks a fellow crew member how many people are on board. The officer replies, “2,200 souls on board, sir”.
His response really struck me. He didn’t say passengers or people, he said souls. He referred to the people on board as souls.
I thought, how rarely do I hear anyone refer to a person or people as souls. At least while they are living.
Using the term souls to describe a group of people is rare these days. I personally love how Chris Pratt said so bluntly, “You have a soul, be careful with it.”
We are so publicly health conscious. There are so many people out there advocating for exercise and eating healthy (I personally should be listening and taking their advice more) – but, when it comes to our souls, there does not seem to be a concern.
When we acknowledge that we have a soul, we can then make taking care of it a priority.
2. Pray.
Ask Our Lord to send you the wisdom and the courage to do His Will and to do whatever it is your soul needs you to do. Pray alone and pray with others.
Go.to.church.on.Sunday! If you are Catholic, participate in the Sacraments – especially the Most Blessed Sacrament!
As Catholics, we have a very concrete way of caring for our soul. Receiving Holy Communion is the greatest way to take care of your soul. This article, Holy Communion Nourishes Your Supernatural Life, from the Catholic Exchange is excellent. In it, the author explains:
Holy Communion is a sign of nourishment; hence, it is meant to bring to the soul the graces of spiritual nourishment. Holy Communion is meant to do for the soul what material food does for the body, and that is to preserve life and protect it. Material food enables you to continue living and protects you from fatal disease; Holy Communion preserves the spiritual life of your soul and protects you from the spiritual disease of mortal sin.
The same article explains in much detail how “the soul needs grace and that the chief means of increasing grace are prayer and the sacraments.”
Jesus is the bread of life. Pray and feed your soul.
For your physical health, eat right and exercise. For your soul, receive Holy Communion and pray.
The Holiness of the Blessed Sacrament is rooted in Scripture. It is Biblical. Years ago when I was taking a theology class or researching the faith on my own, I read that when the Church Fathers picked out the books that would become the New Testament they had certain parameters that had to be met. If a Gospel was to be a part of the New Testament, it had to have the teaching of the Holy Eucharist. All 4 gospels speak of the importance of receiving the Eucharist.
Do you go through times when you just don’t want to pray? Check out this post over at CatholicsOnline.net 9 Ways to Pray When You Just Don’t Want To (read it now or Pin it for later)!
3. Do Good.
I love how Chris Pratt, who is not a Catholic, says this. We often debate with other Christians on the meaning of good works. We know that good works alone does not get us to heaven. But all Christians know that doing good works is great for the soul.
Fulton Sheen once stated:
“We lose our souls not only because we do evil things, but because we neglect to do good: the buried talent, the unmarked second mile, the passing by the wounded. How often in the Gospel condemnation follows because we do nothing.” Archbishop Fulton Sheen (Those Mysterious Priests)
Are you on Facebook? I’d love you to join me for a “Holy Happy Hour”! Last week I discussed this topic Holy Happy Hour on Facebook – Chris Pratt and Your Soul;
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Thank you for these great tips!!!
Love this, Amy! I too was really struck by Pratt’s speech and glad he used that platform to share the good news. Such an inspiration!
Great piece, Amy! A perfect follow-up to Pratt’s speech.
This is a great piece! I’m glad you wrote it!