Only a year ago, I used the September Newsletter as a means of communicating the danger of isolation, and the importance of being aware of just how much precarious situations can create stresses on our mental, physical, and spiritual health. What a difference a year makes…NOT! If anything, this past year has given cause to dig even more deeply into the many aspects of our health.

One facet of health that has come to the forefront this past year has been that of mental health, often described as our ability to process all the information we encounter. Of course, a little-deeper dive informs us that it is not just about the “how” of processing the information; it is about how we feel about the information we are processing. I suppose that is also why it is relatively easy to see, hear, and read about the angst surrounding the massive amounts of information, misinformation, and disinformation that has become available to anyone with a TV, computer, smart phone, or the time to drink coffee at a restaurant, or stop in the frozen food aisle at Walmart. 

It is because of this that I am choosing to address the tricky territory of emotional health; and some of the stronger emotions of Joy, Anger, Fear, Disgust, and Sadness. Interestingly enough, there is a not-so-serious resource that I encourage you to use – the Disney-Pixar animated film, Inside Out! It is one of those movies that left me with a this is a movie intended for a WAY bigger audience than kids sort of feeling. In short, it is a movie that touches on the emotional health subject in ways that surprise us, inform us, and even entertain us. You can read more about additional resources in another part of this month’s newsletter.

I hope you find a way to join with us in this series. And be sure to invite others to join with you. The thing about processing the dynamic of emotional health is that it is better done in community. Here’s to moving forward in an emotionally healthy manner.

Pastor David