FIREFIGHTERS WHO INCREASE THEIR SPIRITUALITY
HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE SIGNIFICANT RESULTS IN THE FOLLOWING:
Reducing depression.
Decreasing stress.
Living longer.
Lowering blood pressure.
Deepening social connections.
Firefighting can be a highly stressful and intense profession that requires individuals to confront danger and chaos on a daily basis.
Firefighters may find that their work leads them to explore deeper questions about the meaning of life, their place in the world, and their relationship with a higher power or sense of purpose.
Firefighters around the world have found strength through various expressions of spirituality, allowing them to draw meaning out of challenging situations and providing guidance for decisions both on and off the job.
5 BELIEFS
THAT STRENGTHEN
SPIRITUALITY
Religion and Spirituality are two forces that are related but also very different. Is being one better than the other? Is it possible for a person to be religious and not spiritual? Can someone be spiritual and not religious? Can a person be both?
Religion often involves an outward expression of rituals and accepted practices, while spirituality is usually more defined as a personal, inner journey of self-awareness and understanding. Both spirituality and religion have components that bring themselves into everyday practice: faith, values, belief systems, and community connections.
The nature of religion is typically more structured and therefore is more easily measured. On the other hand, when talking about spirituality, it doesn’t necessarily require any specific set of prescribed exercises. How, then, do we measure our spirituality? Do we even need to worry about measuring our spirituality? While the goal is certainly not to quantify spirituality, the benefits that come from being spiritual require that a person be able to assess their spirituality and have an understanding of what they can do to strengthen their spirituality.
Studies have shown there are 5 core beliefs that strengthen or increase spirituality:
Belief in a higher power.
We all have different ways of making sense of the world we live in. For many, this means believing in a higher power that can provide guidance and strength. Believing in a higher power is not always associated with organized religion — but quite often has roots there. People tend to look beyond themselves for comfort, direction, or understanding that they may not find anywhere else. This belief recognizes there is something greater than us, making up everything around us; the good, bad, and ugly alike.
Belief in a deeper part of your existence.
Often referred to as a soul, it’s a word we use to refer to something intangible yet incredibly powerful. Believing in the deeper part of human existence means believing that each one of us can connect us to something beyond our physical bodies that allows us to experience life with more depth and meaning. The concept of having a deeper part of ourselves is less about having an explanation for everything—and more about feeling deeper connections to what’s around you.
Belief that your soul can communicate with a higher power.
Prayer, meditation, and mindfulness are powerful practices, giving us the opportunity to express gratitude and ask for guidance. Those who are new to this form of communication, or have never given it much thought, may feel lost when approaching it. When you communicate with a higher power, the most important part is that it comes from your heart. Prayer, meditation, and mindfulness can be done anywhere at any time and are great avenues to explore and strengthen your relationship with a higher power.
Belief that you have a greater purpose.
Philosophers, prophets, and psychologists have been pondering the purpose of life for centuries. It's easy to get bogged down in life's daily tasks and obligations, but it can be incredibly refreshing to take a step back from the everyday minutiae and consider your ultimate purpose. The temptation is to try and find a purpose that is temporal and tangible. While those can be helpful in their own right, the ‘ultimate’ purpose being discussed here is the purpose for your soul that is supported by your higher power. Tangible goals and aspirations can come and go, but when you discover your soul’s purpose, that purpose, never leaves you, regardless of your temporal status.
Belief that the connection between souls is important.
An important indicator of our spirituality is believing that the deeper part of our existence is vital to connecting with the souls around us. We thrive when we’re surrounded by people who love and accept us for who we are—each with our own unique traits and personalities. The bond that forms between two or more individuals is one of the strongest forces in life. By connecting with others, you form meaningful relationships that support growth both mentally and spiritually.
If you believe in just one of the ideas above, you can be spiritual. If you believe in all five, the benefits of being spiritual will increase, regardless of how you may define each belief.
Beyond the number of core beliefs you choose to give credence to, the only way to measure your spirituality is, to be honest with yourself about how deeply you believe each one. There is no amount of outward expression that will accurately describe your level of spirituality as much as your inward commitment to what you believe.
Remember, spirituality is not gained in one single moment or transformed overnight. It simply begins with a desire to be spiritual and is built, day upon day, by exploring, thinking, and acting upon your beliefs.
Peer Team Chaplain: Brent Ho
Born in Boise (June 1970).
Raised my entire life in Treasure Valley (Boise & Meridian).
Graduated Meridian High School in 1988.
Attended Boise State University 1988-1992.
Career in the Boise Fire Department from 1989-2020.
Married to my wife (Christy) in 1994.
Two children; Kaila (25) & Tyler (23).
Moved to Cache Valley in 2021.
Member of Gospel Peace Church (meet in the Whittier Center on Sunday at 10:30 am).
I am being allowed to function as the Chaplain to the members of the LCFD and Cache Valley, I desire to;
1) Respond to an emergency and perform as requested by the IC,
2) Reduce the level/amount of stress to the best of my ability with prayer,
3) React with a calm manner directly proportional to the level needed,
4) Reply to all questions and requests humbly and lovingly according to the bible
and
5) Replicate the same results in future interactions, whether at an emergency scene or otherwise to the glory of Jesus Christ my Lord
PODCASTS on Spirituality
NEWSLETTERS on Spirituality
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