Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 27, 2025
BODY MIND & SOUL
The personal and professional training I received placed an emphasis on strengthening the connection between the body – mind -soul. Each one of us has positive individual characteristics. It is when we have a lifestyle of all three, balanced and coordinated, we are at our most healthy and well selves.
And yet, over decades and the crash of life events, the practice of a coordinated, flowing, and harmonious body – mind- soul inclusive world has weakened, become more separated, pulled into individual gyms. seminars and meditation retreats.
I did not invest enough time and effort in my body of youth, now slowly losing elder strength and balance. Most of my working, professional life, I led and practiced staying in my head or mind. The soul or spirit came later in life, more powerful than body or mind. I look for the Sacred in deaths of Mystic Camp, in the intentional starving of children in Garza, and in noise and emptiness of a Senate Confirmation Hearing.
What has been your reading, what have you learned about body – mind – soul? In what ways have your beliefs and practices changed or shifted over time? What is your current practice regarding body – mind – soul? What adjustments might be important to you in the remaining days of 2025?
Beth and I are old enough for family watching of the Ed Sullivan Show on Sunday evenings. I had not remembered Sullivan’s dedication to introducing his mostly white audience to Black singers, performers, sports, and movie star. Sullivan was brought up in the Harlem of poor Irish workers, fighting for better living and working conditions. As Harlem changed, Sullivan and his talented team found and gave mostly unknown Black performers opportunities on Sunday night television from 1948 to 197. Netflix gives younger ones an opportunity to know of Sullivan’s contributions in the film SUNDAY BEST. Highly recommend.
Beth brings so many joys in her positive life-view and friendships with so many, both near and far, Beth will author the Sunday Letter next Sunday, August 3. For me, and you the reader, another joy, another way of allowing us to learn from her values and her interests.
Roy, believing in the wholeness of body – mind – soul
There is a connection between body, mind and soul and truthfully I have neglected one of those. I have never cared to exercise in my entire lifetime. There were times I attempted to set up a routine but a good book came calling or laundry or children or any excuse I could think of. I neglected that leg of the stool. I worked my mind and fed my soul but I skipped over my body. Now at 79, I realize that was a mistake. My balance is often compromised and my strength is waning. If I had it to do over I would focus on all three and take much better care of my body. Never too late, chair yoga is my go to now!
I join you in wishing for an earlier body image and fit.
You have balanced so much for so long, all done as well as possible.
I am grateful for you and our threesome……….
Thank you for this topic! I agree with Maurine body, mind and spirit are like a three legged stool. Life manages with only two and a rickety third leg until, until…for many of us we have an opportunity to be more balanced. This is not New Year’s resolution time it is real no matter your age! I think I will keep this image of a stool as a motivation and ask myself which leg is too rickety and then the choice is mine! 🙏🏼
Good words….one other okd image is that of an egg. The outer shell, the yolk, and the fluid holding all together.
The challenge of togetherness always present.
Good words to create thought and motivate actions. And a great teaser for next week’s letter. You two are amazing communicates and filled with “good trouble”. Keep it up! Love to you both.
Life is so complex. We continue to hone our skills throughout life, sometimes tripping in the process of getting it “right”. We stumble and maybe we learn. The treasures of human connections helps each of us find and mold who we are as we pause along the way give a helping hand to others. Each of us are unique. We each have an opportunity to make a difference. In this mindful and loving community of ours we can help each other blossom as their God Intended Self as we nurture our mind, body, and soul together.
Friend Peter…
We each have a story, story to be told, a story to be heard by others.
You are indeed in full blossom which is wonderous to see and hear.
You be special……Roy and Beth
You and I both are eager to read and learn on August 3.
We are all made-up of our stories, travel, bridge game, and favorite bench……Roy and Beth
thanks for this letter Roy.. body, mind, soul, always striving for the proper balance..
the body is shifting from performance to maintenance . the mind is just not quite as sharp and learning new ways to accomplish as sharp as possible.. the soul has been more focus on daily discussions with God.. not as sporadic as my younger years..
looking forward to 8-03 as well.. Happy Monday to all. md
you are too young for this enail.
cold plunges….3 day bike rides
yes the spirit side does come forward as with us botb.
I am doing kitchen counter presses, leg swings and kneee clift.
then 20 rising a chair……….more.
It is interesting to me that I have always worked on my body and mind. I realize now that all 3 – body, mind and soul are integral to longevity and health. The last decade has seen me re-dedicating myself to all three. However, as a nurse I do know that neglecting our bodily health has a significant impact on everything.
Good thoughts from one of wisdom and life experience.
When do we cease striving for balance to somehow include all the parts of us back in the box.
whatever we do we do best together.
Gail and I also enjoyed watching the Ed Sullivan retrospective. I would watch at my grandparents on Sunday evening with family and like you, I did not remember how many new black performers he introduced. It was good to see this reprised.
I think many of us were lucky enough to be able to take our bodies for granted in our youth, but alas, no more. Even though I am still able to remain very active, it is a constant struggle to nurture an aging body. I have found that a yoga practice has been helpful in integrating body, mind, and spirit.
Yes to Yoga practice, plus weekly meditation group.
Many of us took body for granted as we skipped along our vocational and family path,
Now, each solid step appreciated, as are you both.
Martial Arts and animal companions nurture my body, mind and soul. So often people remark about Martial Arts mistakingly thinking we are fighters. It would be a disgrace to start a fight. But it is good to know how to defend yourself should you need to. The very first thing we learn is: Tai Kwon Do begins with Respect and ends with Respect. When we bow in and salute the flag, we then do a brief meditation before beginning our practice. My horses give their gigantic presence in a way that is gentle and soothing with a welcoming nicker when I come to the barn. They are powerful beauty with generosity of spirit. And the pups—well, you and Beth have spent plenty of time with them, giving freely of their emotional integrity. Body. Mind. Soul. All take tending and mindfulness. Which one needs the most care today?
And we two bow to you, your vested experience, yuour wisdom, and yoyr personal power to move in multiple directions.
You bring others to the table though personal values and a sense of goodne3ss.
Carry on …. do and be your best..never alone.