From the Chaplaincy

Wellbeing and Happiness are Natural

Last Friday the student Wellbeing Team presented to the Senior School. Here are some of the quotes they started with:

"But in the end it’s only a passing thing, this shadow; even darkness must pass.” 

Sam – Lord of the Rings

"To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings."

Mary Baker Eddy – Science and Health

Jesus regarded good as the normal state of man, and darkness, sickness and fear as the abnormal. So why do health and happiness sometimes seem unusual, or too good to be true? 

If we understand man’s true essence as wholly good, expressing the intelligence of Mind, the purity of Spirit, and the substance of infinite Principle, then our goodness, health and wellbeing can seem natural, normal. Speaking to the Wellbeing Team we discussed two topics - stress, when things get too much, and forgiveness, when we are wronged and can’t forgive. Can we look at these differently?

When a situation, such as exams, relationships or family become too much we often attach the label of “anxiety” or “stress” and this can have negative impacts, both emotionally and physically. Yet on camps and excursions, students are put outside their “comfort zones” and relish this experience, as it helps them to grow. Imagine the thrill of overcoming the apprehension of that first ski run on ski camp, or the high ropes course on the Year 8 camp.

Several years ago, we witnessed a student overcome her phobia of water by heading out into the small waves at Point Leo. As Samwise Gamgee, the fictional character in J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, says darkness is a passing thing, not our true experience. In Psalms 23:4 “..I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..” I don’t stop in it, and it is only a shadow, not our reality!

Now what if we are wronged, surely that is a time to feel hurt and sad. Recently, I had a bicycle stolen. I decided not to let the loss build up any resentment. Instead, I immediately forgave the offender and decided I would not let the event spoil the great day I had planned. Mary Baker Eddy reminds that the weight of resentment can be worse than the wrong done us. "The Christian Scientist cherishes no resentment; he knows that that would harm him more than all the malice of his foes. Brethren, even as Jesus forgave, forgive thou. I say it with joy, — no person can commit an offense against me that I cannot forgive." What an amazing day I had. Once I spoke to the Police and my Insurance Company I will, in fact, end up with a replacement bike better than the old model taken.

The more we embrace challenges, forgive and not harbour resentment, the bigger the blessings we will have, and wellbeing will become more natural.

For those who want to better understand the values that underpin those of Huntingtower’s you are invited to attend this lecture sponsored by the Christian Science Church Mt Waverley:

From the Chaplaincy