It’s all about Balance

​        My friend Logan Sutt was on my Lily Dale radio show “Enlightening Your Way” just before the holidays where we talked about grief, depression, sadness, and suicide. And now, I sit here this evening, writing this column on the Anniversary of my brother’s suicide. The overwhelming response that Logan and I received on my show as well as the same response received on my Facebook post today in memory of my brother, shows and reaffirms to me just how important it is to talk about these uncomfortable topics openly and honestly. Sadly, being raised as a strict Catholic, this despairing act of suicide by my 17-year-old sibling, was at the time, considered a horrible act that would deem going to hell forever.  The thought of this now really makes me cringe.  What God would ever deem such a desperate act worthy of hell. My family hardly spoke about what really happened. I was told if anyone asked what happened, to tell people it was “an accident”.  When I left home at 17, I left the Catholic Church and never looked back. 
     I have considered it my life mission to bring awareness, knowledge and education to the mental health crisis and epidemic of suicides. I believe it is imperative to hold a balanced wellness of mind, body and spirit that includes our mental, physical, and spiritual health.
     I am thrilled that our church has been incorporating these concepts, thoughts and ideas into informative wellness workshops and circles that will help us all find the ever so important balance in our life to help us live the best and finest life we can. 
     The stark difference between Spiritualist and most of the other religions of the world, is that we believe the doorway to reformation is never closed to the here or the hereafter.  This calls upon us to take personal responsibility for the care of our souls, aided by the guidance of those that have gone before us, we are able to help others and be of service to each other and the world.
With Love,
Nameste
Nancy Lombardo
 
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