‘Vitality’ is an interesting word. Where does it come from, what is its origin?
The first four letters as the root, describing ‘force’ or ‘energy,’ gives it away somewhat. For example, the pre-fix ‘vita’ as it appears at the commencement of many words, such as the word ‘vita-mins’, is often an addition favoured by food production companies when naming many biscuit type items, professing to be of benefit to the human body by supposedly offering a source of renewed energy that could potentially result in an expected rise in vigour, exuberance and physical strength… or perhaps even sharper mental capacity.
But my feeling is there is much more to this ‘vitality’ caper. My own experience of many years of oscillating energy levels would declare that there is oftentimes a missing link so to speak – something that is more ephemeral but solidly known within the particles and cells of each one of us, if only we would take the time to connect to that deeper well of wisdom within.
It seems to me, as a consequence of my own past wayward choice of experiences, that in order to build this vitality in my own body there needed now to be a deeper connection to my own awareness of my being, more honouring of my body and a greater appreciation of the depth of my sacredness and divinity. This is achieved by my being more in alignment with the energy of Love, which to me is the reflection of God’s grace, not only to be found through a deepening connection within, but also in the all-embracing energy that surrounds each and every one of us.
On reflecting on my previous ways of living within this life, I have often wondered whether or not there was vitality in evidence as I regularly and vigorously walked between the tufts of sword grass on the undulating dunes and down the sandy path on my way to a wild ocean at Tallow Beach, without any true connection to my body. Or whether the man who seemed to enjoy his set routine of jogging up and down, back and forth, relentlessly, while spitting over his shoulder as he strove to master the miles, was actually displaying vitality.
Indeed I then wondered whether there was more evidence of vitality in the sparkling eyes of a dear old soul I sat with recently as she lay in a hospital bed, accepting her moment in time in connection to God. And it became strikingly obvious to me there was more vitality/Life/Light evident in those precious moments of connection that we experience than on any vigorous beach walk or jogging track that is void of any true connection whatsoever.
My reflection on this scenario would beg the question then, is vitality the evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us, rather than a ‘force’ that displays how fit we are physically? Could it be that the vitality, that is the life within a seed that causes that seed to flourish, indicates that this element of vitality is more than a thing, per se? Is it possibly the evidence of ‘being’ – being in connection with Truth and Love and indeed, with all things of the Universe?
In our current era it would appear that some of the essentials to support this reconnection to our very being-ness is the choice of our lifestyle, the choices of our food and basically whatever it is that passes between our lips, including even the tone of what and how we express.
As I edge towards the end of my 70’s decade and embrace my ageing with the joy of this newly revealed re-connection, I can offer that even though the body displays a wearing out if you will, as does a daffodil display at the end of spring, there is a well of divine life held within the bulb as there is within us all, for the new season or incarnation revealing the potential (if we are prepared to connect to it) for true vitality all over again.
By Roberta B. Himing, Student of Life, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
Related Reading:
Celebrating International Day of Older Persons – What is there to celebrate about getting older?
Ageing – to be feared or lived?
The Joy of Ageing, Esoterically
The Truth about Serge Benhayon 
Could this be how we support our vitality, ‘This is achieved by my being more in alignment with the energy of Love, which to me is the reflection of God’s grace, not only to be found through a deepening connection within, but also in the all-embracing energy that surrounds each and every one of us.’
When we exercise to be Soul-fit this is all about connection first and staying focused on our breath and movements?
I can honestly say, I cannot ever remember a runner that their face did not express pain and misery. In a gym with bodybuilders, Is there joy or disapproval on their face when looking into the mirror? In our pursuit of vitality, are we running away from ourselves because we believe we are not enough? Have you ever seen a runner, in the cold or heat with a twinkle in their eye?
Vitality is an all encompassing way of life.
Everywhere we look around life is about vitality, of keeping our bodies going when it only requires our connection to ourselves and that vitality is there. Has the whole word and it’s meaning been bastardised and linked to physicality?
I know when we are connected, the true version of vitality and joy presents and in this, the fitness is to life in other words, we have the vitality to continue to serve humanity without any hesitation.
Have you ever started a fire with flint and steel? You strike the spark into a bed and then need to gently put breath into it to nurture the flame that resides within. Is not vitality the spark that lives within all of us and the fire that we and others can feel the warmth that emanates?
‘in order to build this vitality in my own body there needed now to be a deeper connection to my own awareness of my being, more honouring of my body and a greater appreciation of the depth of my sacredness and divinity.’ There is a vast difference between pushing through in life, believing yourself to be fit because you go to the gym regularly and pay a little attention to what you eat, and gently nurturing, which is also done through exercise and food but done in a way that is responsive to where the body is at at any one time, whilst also paying attention to how we express, how we acknowledge and honour our feelings, engage with others and how we work and rest.
I can recall pushing my body at the gym and it was great at the beginning and yet, I couldn’t link that demand on my body to the frequent colds/flu’s I often experienced. Vitality, like you said, is responding to the body’s call as that is what is required at that time. It is forever changing.
Despite being ten years older I have far more vitality now than I did years ago – all to do with changes in my choices in many areas of my life, I also have more joy and contentment. And still more to come! It feels like I’ve had many incarnations in this life – let alone what’s to come in future lives. .
All garden bulbs have such an amazing potential that lies dormant until they flower – just like us!
I agree that vitality comes from a connection to one’s Soul and not how many laps one does or the food they do or don’t eat. Yes, certain foods can make me feel tired, heavy, etc. but it’s also further separated me from connection. Our physical choices aren’t just physical, they are energetic and as such come with an energetic result as well.
There needs to be a degree of separation in order to eat foods that numb and dull. Being even one degree off is not on the money and can therefore take us off at an angle that can become quite steep if we don’t arrest it. We need to be more aware of the severity of the energetic consequences of our choices that you talk of Leigh.
What we are choosing and how we live impacts our vitality, ‘is vitality the evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us, rather than a ‘force’ that displays how fit we are physically?’
Roberta, your gorgeous ways with words do so bring alive the text you write. Thank you for this picturesque way of expressing yourself and the sharings you have from the wisdom you have lived.
“there is a well of divine life held within the bulb as there is within us all” – this really says it all, as it is not what we do but who we are that brings the vitality when lived in full.
Beautiful Roberta – I was recently with someone very ill and what was inescapable to me was that despite their physical state, there was a quality in their eyes, their smile that was deeply beautiful and full of life. It made me realise that this vitality you mention isn’t a healthy thing so much as a connection to our light within – it’s this that makes our heart sing.
Yes, we need to say enough so we can walk a way that shows others there is another way. No need to do any fancy courses or get letters after our names, simply a willingness to bring honesty to what our body is sharing with us in a moment by moment way.
I absolutely love the concept of dying with vitality and feel the way to make that concept a reality is the way we walk to that moment.
A taboo subject brought to life with such a true way of expressing and so it reveals that no matter what we are dealing with if we have a connection there will be a true purpose to anything that we do, be that working or playing or approaching death and dying.
And why wait till the end of life, what if we don’t know when that will be so at the close of each day we have the same focus?Completion and letting go of attachments would leave both us and others more free to express without expectations and we could all move on with less baggage.
Dying with vitality – not commonplace! What a way to go! As you say how we live is how we will die – and return – our choice.
We can bring changes in at any moment that support our vitality, ‘It seems to me, as a consequence of my own past wayward choice of experiences, that in order to build this vitality in my own body there needed now to be a deeper connection to my own awareness of my being, more honouring of my body and a greater appreciation of the depth of my sacredness and divinity.’
Yes. And I understand this to be both the embracing and honouring of the light inside as well as taking responsibility for staying fit and well (taking care of our bodies).
…’is vitality the evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us, rather than a ‘force’ that displays how fit we are physically?’ That is a yes from me and when I hold this fact in my interactions out in the world I can sense this light in everyone. And when I do I understand equalness. This is a great foundation to build on.
Your analogy of the daffodil to describe the potential that is inside us to live is a really simple but effective one. Not only does it record the ‘well of divine life held within the bulb’ that we can relate to but it also perfectly encapsulates the cycles we live in..no sorrow at the flower’s passing as we know it will return in abundance the following year.
Vitality is more than just function – it is a quality that surpasses function providing a vibrancy and celebration of life that function alone does not have or evoke.
When we feel vital we have access to joy.
And with joy we feel more vital – more vital, more joy. more …….
Love this Jonathan! It’s a win win – simple formula but effective…
How we live, the choices we make all affect our vitality, ‘In our current era it would appear that some of the essentials to support this reconnection to our very being-ness is the choice of our lifestyle, the choices of our food and basically whatever it is that passes between our lips, including even the tone of what and how we express.’
As I see all the daffs now dying down and the older people in my family wilting somewhat I love the truth of this line, ‘there is a well of divine life held within the bulb as there is within us all, for the new season or incarnation revealing the potential (if we are prepared to connect to it) for true vitality all over again.’
I love this consideration of vitality. I used to be so active (or I could say agitated) I couldn’t sit down for long. I could surf or jump up and down for hours dancing. But this wasn’t vitality it was a deep dis-ease with life that fuelled me to never pause, a tension I tried to numb out.
Now, when my energy levels aren’t so great, I look at how I’ve been living – have I absorbed the disharmony of a situation? Have I tried to resolve something that is for another to learn from? When I do live from discernment I get to feel vitality and it’s glorious. And this is possible even when physically I maybe unwell.
Staying with me – and my body – and my own particular ‘daffodilness’ enables me to feel less tired at the end of the day. Its daffodil season here in UK – a great reminder!
” I can offer that even though the body displays a wearing out if you will, as does a daffodil display at the end of spring, there is a well of divine life held within the bulb as there is within us all, for the new season or incarnation revealing the potential (if we are prepared to connect to it) for true vitality all over again.” I love this analogy with the bulb – and all its hidden energy just waiting to bloom again.
So true and can be witnessed in the elderly who maintain their vitality rather than ‘giving in’ to getting old.
I love the reincarnation of daffodils and hadn’t considered how much of a reflection they offer us.
I’ve got a real appreciation of vitality and of daffodils from reading this. I love how whatever part of the cycle of the daffodil, it’s always vibrant even in it’s bulb stage as that is just a state of repose for what is to come. Sometimes, when we think nothing is happening it actually is.
Yes, it is a great symbol and reflection that ‘repose’ is not passive.
To come to know that my vitality comes from within and not from endlessly pounding the pavement or pushing excessive weights brings a whole new light and understanding to my life. It shows me that when I am connected to me it is the light which shines from within me that has the power to brighten someone’s day, just like the beautiful daffodil when its time to shine comes around again.
I once worked as a reflexologist and treated an elderly lady in her eighties. She had been very unwell for some time, yet she had the clearest and most sparkly blue eyes that emanated a joy so huge it was impossible to miss her underlying vitality and joy for life.
‘…there is a well of divine life held within the bulb as there is within us all…’ what a wonderful truth. So for all those days when I’m not feeling so vital and for all those people who seem very far from vital, there is this always within us. And what I’m discovering is that it doesn’t matter what’s on the outside, it’s there. I’m learning to not give my power away to the ‘to do’ list but listen within and move from there and much does get done without fuss or procrastination. I cannot deny this learning.
I have definietly noticed that the more I surrender to a quality of stillness which is my natural inner essence or way of being, the more vitality I have and the less exhausted I am at the end of the day.
Vitality feels physical, but that doesn’t feel like that is all there is to it. And feeling into this word, I get a sense how what gets put out via our physical body feeds back to us, and how that is not always what nourishes us.
Yes I agree Gill. When I bring my attention to the quality of vitality I can feel its natural presence and its willingness to bubble up and be a constant foundation in life.
I love this exploration of true vitality. I can feel it on a cellular level, my body loves it and then it is up to my choices in the day whether I nurture, care for and develop this or hinder it. Simple and very cool.
A comment was made to me about how people often see the daffodils at this time of year and this imbues them with optimism (and consequently numbers of people seeking counselling go down). It’s amazing how nature can reflect to us aspects of what’s within us so we can reconnect to this. But if we think that it’s only in what’s reflected and not ourselves that these qualities lie, then we will rely on what we see and not look within.
As the world gets more and more crazy and behaviour gets more and more extreme, I find myself coming back to the reliability of nature and the reflection it offers. I have not come across bullying in nature or one flower trying to mock and belittle another flower. This is the foundation that I can see offers a more solid and consistent foundation.
How can we lose something that can’t be measured? But, we can ignore what we all have and dull down its outward appearance.
‘…in order to build this vitality in my own body there needed now to be a deeper connection to my own awareness of my being, more honouring of my body and a greater appreciation of the depth of my sacredness and divinity. ‘ I can really appreciate this call in myself. I’m feeling how, by appreciating the space that I live in I get a greater sense of spaciousness and can allow myself to be which naturally allows myself to feel the sacredness and divinity within.
What I gathered from this blog is that true vitality can never be calculated by the historical physical measurement systems that we have used. Instead, it is like the flower bud that is so full that it is ready to burst open any second now, because it can’t wait to show the world its joy and beauty.
Great gathering ✨
We need to re-examine what we have thought vitality to be. Roberta, you do a great job with this blog to bring greater awareness on this subject.
So many of our ways of life to day mimic our true vitality, something that only becomes evident when we re-connect to our inner spark and/or witness it in another.
So being vital and living vitality has nothing to do with how much exercise we do, our age or even our health but instead has everything to do with our inner connection and if we are in tune or aligned to the innate spark within. I have seen a woman with terminal cancer give an interview from her bed and the absolute spark in her eyes, joy and love that that was emanating from her was so very tangible that yes I can see this makes absolute sense. So we have a lot to learn from this then.
Each and every flower makes a statement about Heaven. It’s colour, it’s shape, it’s scent, all flowers are divine and each individual flower brings a specific quality to our earthly existence.
I love to consider my own vitality and how much I care for my body supports my vitality. It never ceases to amaze me how vital I am at this point in my life.
I agree and I love the fact that this relationship with vitality and taking care of ourselves re-writes the accepted rule book on getting older.
I’m asking myself what I’ve come to understand about vitality. It used to be an image of being able to surf for hours, be super positive and have an exuberance for life. I tried this, I really did.
I know I’m not vibrant all the time but my understanding has taken a deeper meaning, one which is true. It’s seeing all that there is in life, the ugliness and the beauty beneath that shines through. It’s feeling this in me, accepting this spark is me and living from this so all I do has a certain quality.
It makes absolute sense to me that we are not meant to live in exhaustion which has become a widespread epidemic at present. Surely we need not accept it as our norm consuming copious amounts of coffee each day to keep ourselves awake but question what is actually going on and what we can do to change our ways.
No matter what there is a ‘well of divine life held within the bulb as there is within us all’. Knowing this there is never a reason big enough to give up on ourselves as we always have this divine spark we can nurture.
A loving reminder that while many a thing comes and goes in this physical world of ours, God is an invisible constant that keeps on expanding, an infinite and all knowing source of Joy.
God’s magic is certainly all around us and when we appreciate the love we are held in then everything in life is an absolute joy.
Vitality is a connection to our inner beingness and is far removed from the drive of temporal life. As you have questioned Roberta ‘ is vitality the evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us’ – we surely go within to connect to our essence and everything about us that is divine, and held in the atma of God.
Daffodils are underrated, just because they are not 100s of pounds in the shops. But if we buy a bunch and put it anywhere we get a reflection of absolute joy that brightens the room without a doubt.
A colleague put a small vase of daffodils in my classroom for parents’ evening – the difference to the room this made was pretty incredible. Whilst they are not my favourite flower, whenever I see them I light up – they herald in the spring so beautifully. Yes – they not only reflect joy but help to bring it out.
For me much of the joy that daffodils bring is as a result of their colour. Yellow is such a joyous light colour, it really is. Colour is so incredibly important to all of us but we have yet to really understand the true depth and significance of it’s meaning in our lives.
What a lovely gesture, I am reminded of the many parents evenings when I sat in my classrooms – a bunch of daffodils would have been a gorgeous addition.
Ah totally! I used to feel they were rather brash but now I’m loving their no compromise style! And I love this with people too. People who just express in all their glory – no different to anyone of us. How they say if you’ve got a problem with that then look at not choosing to embrace the glory in you. I love the radiance of this reflection and the inspiration.
Absolutely, just like kids who can never play enough.
I often see people running. I can’t remember seeing someone run looking like it was vitality in expression, indeed the other day someone looked like they were forcing a dead weight along the pavement. I used to do lots of exercise from a huge lack of self worth. I was not vital. For me vitality is the natual love of life that’s expresses through our movements, our eyes, our smile that lights up the whole building.
I see people running too… they seem to be in quite a bit of pain, discomfort and yes quite exhausted. Whilst, we do need to exercise and know how good this for the body… to overdo it and place strain on our muscles and joints can’t be good for us, especially if we are actually making ourselves more tired?
I can remember training quite rigorously for a long sponsored walk, and while the training got me fit, it contributed zero to my true sassiness and vitality.
The cycle of life beautifully presented. Nature’s cycles constantly reflect our own and we’re at our most powerful when aligned to them.
In my experience I feel vital when I flow in life responding from my essence to what comes to my way, so I could say that vitality is very related to the connection I have. If I move myself or do anything without connecting first to my innermost, then I soon feel drained, whilst if I first consider everything at play, including me, I feel energised, vital, clear and ready to respond. Big difference experienced from the same body.
Roberta, I have many times noticed the vitality of children, particularly young children, I see the aliveness in their eyes and the joy and love of themselves, others and of life – this is beautiful to see and feel and is something that often does not seem to carry on into adulthood.
Yes the joy, the aliveness and playfulness in young children is beautiful to feel and witness.
In my late forties, I experienced the opposite of vitality – fatigue. I took a long and honest look at how I was living and begun the journey back to health. Almost twenty years later, the feeling of fatigue has long
left my body, replaced by a quality that is light, steady and regenerative. Proof that with commitment and love, vitality can be re-connected to and is unrelated to age.
That’s amazing, Kehinde. From your experience you highlight that we don’t have to get less vital with age, in fact you show quite the opposite and show what is possible.
We have fixed on the idea that when we get past a certain age it is a downhill trajectory in terms of our health and wellbeing. To know that as we age we can actually feel more vital and joyful and it is something a number are achieving, supports with the understanding that there is so much more than simply being in a physical body in the empty function of life.
Vitality is the ““evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us” simple, clear and true.
Vitality describes our soul well.
We can all feel or sense vitality – it is something that just beams off someone no matter what their physical body may look like or may be going through.You can also see it in the sparkle in someone’s eyes.
Love daffodils, love vitality and love the learning
‘…is vitality the evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us…?’ Yes and thank you for posing the question. I love this article and its symbolism, bringing my attention to the magic that is in life.
When life is lived in the way that it was intended to be lived, it is magical, it really is. When we interact with it and understand it then it becomes something that we are able to be actively involved in, a rather magical two way relationship, rather than being the confused recipient of it.
Aiming for physical fitness alone does not equal vitality. Vitality springs from an inner well, a quality that imbues our attitudes, tone of voice and body movements with a light hearted grace and joy, a living connection with the immense source of Love within us.
“A light hearted grace and joy”. Such a delightful sequence of words.
When out and about generally I see so many people looking exhausted, sluggish and down. Living with vitality is something we seem to be deeply missing in our lives across the board.
I adore daffodils, they are a springtime flower from my childhood. Their emergence was accompanied by the arrival of snowdrops, crocuses and bluebells. I carry the feeling of these flowers deep within my heart.
I am looking forward to the spring in the UK, when I can go out and buy some daffodils, and walk amongst the bluebells.
Oh LJ send me some photos please x
Our true vitality arises from a deep contentment in our Being-ness, one that requires nothing from the external world to fuel its infinite joy.
‘…is vitality the evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us, rather than a ‘force’ that displays how fit we are physically?’ a great question to reflect on! We have made vitality to be a physical fitness and a wellness and although, this is part of it, it’s not the full story. I have seen many a fit person be filled with an emptiness, lack lustre and no shine. It’s the inner joy that brings the shine, the glow, that special sparkle to make vitality complete. In fact, I have seen many a person with low physical health have such enormous vitality that rocks our current thinking. One of my friends, a few years ago, died of cancer, but her vitality was incredible… her joy and sparkle was the deepest of inspirations right up until she passed away. I know she wowed her doctors and she definitely wowed me.
Beautifully expressed Rachel. There is magic in true vitality that can transcend the physical and that quality is nothing short of divinity in physical form.
The vitality and robustness of walking in connection with our essence is something that we all should understand is so simple and is normal because of the way life can be lived.
Yes, I thought vitality was physical stamina eg being able to climb a mountain or doing a 2hr walk without getting overly tired. It’s interesting that the truth lies within us and is reflected beautifully by the bright open yellow petals of a daffodil- reflecting theLight that dwells within each of us.
I know in myself that physical resilience and stamina are missing a huge piece of vitality. If we are gym buff without joy we are not vital.
I was a gym buff for twenty years and swore blind that I was joyful because of my level of vitality. But what I was full of was not joy or vitality but prana, a source of energy that masquerades itself as ‘the real deal’ but is not borne from truth. What this meant is that how I was feeling had no depth or roots and so there came a day when the plug was pulled pretty violently and pretty much overnight my supposed ‘vitality’ and ‘joy’ came crashing down and I was left sitting on the pavement wondering what on earth had happened. With the considerable support of Universal Medicine I now feel both vital and joyful and know that there’s no way that the plug can be pulled on these qualities as their roots come from a different source of energy, one that is borne from truth.
It is the joy and the sparkle that brings a true vitality but it’s a bonus when the body is strong and ‘fit’ though exorcise too. Together they work well! However, we do seem to focus on developing physical fitness way more than developing joy or being in joy… we need to add this as a focus to being fit and vital programs!
‘And it became strikingly obvious to me there was more vitality/Life/Light evident in those precious moments of connection that we experience than on any vigorous beach walk or jogging track that is void of any true connection whatsoever.’ In those moments of connection there is such a gorgeousness to be felt that really nothing else can touch it and no matter how much we tell ourselves we enjoy a vigorous walk, until we have the yard stick of that connection we won’t understand true vitality.
The more love we allow in our lives the more vital we feel.
That’s because love is fundamentally all there is and so the force that we need to constantly apply in order to not feel love is absolutely debilitating. Vitality is a very natural biproduct of not resisting love.
Vitality is such a great topic to consider at a time in our history when exhaustion is a plague.
Yes it has got to the point where exhaustion is almost accepted as normal along with consuming products to keep people going which provide a false sense of energy which masks the exhaustion but this is very different to the vitality discussed in this blog.
I love the graceful way in which you remind us of the perpetual cycle of life Roberta. The fact that although our physical bodies fade, we are constantly connected to a deep well of vitality within, a constant that we can connect to each and every lifetime in the cycle of re-incarnation.
I agree Rowena. I love the way Roberta has offered us the science of reincarnation through the symbolism of a daffodil.
Beautiful Roberta, I love the analogy of the daffodil here; ‘there is a well of divine life held within the bulb as there is within us all’. I love that we hold everything within us – the purity, the vitality; it is all within and it is simply for us to re-connect to.
Vitality is not a word we here much of currently … i am aware we hear the words depression, mental health, abuse, crime, suicide, low self-esteem quite a lot though, among many others. When are we going to want to change this? I mean truly change it.
This is because true vitality is such a rare thing these days. It has almost become abnormal to be vital.
There’s no ‘abnormal’ about it Andrew. True vitality is so rare it’s on it’s way to being extinct!
“This is achieved by my being more in alignment with the energy of Love, which to me is the reflection of God’s grace.” A return of the old way of living that feels fresh and new, true guidance in a world that has lost its way.
‘in order to build this vitality in my own body there needed now to be a deeper connection to my own awareness of my being, more honouring of my body and a greater appreciation of the depth of my sacredness and divinity.’ This is the blue print to greater vitality! It’s waiting for us all to connect to should we so wish.
Every living thing on this planet has a life cycle; some are short, and others are long. Spring flowers have a short life cycle and then are dormant for a year. I had a cactus once for about ten years that slowly grew in its pot. At seven years a stem grew fast and tall in just a few days. Then a beautiful flower blossomed for only one day and then closed and died. Everything in life has a purpose and a cycle to complete. None are more important than another, for everything is an essential part of the grand plan.
Roberta, I have never met you, but what I treasure I feel you are. I love the wisdom and experience of what you share… perhaps I might be fortunate enough to meet you one day!
I am loving the feel of the vitality I have and walk through my day.
“… a deeper connection to my own awareness of my being, more honouring of my body and a greater appreciation of the depth of my sacredness and divinity.” The true definition of vitality that brings a real purpose to all care and love we afford our selves, from exercise to food, relationships, work and rest time. When we make life all about appreciating our sacredness, it restores the inner sparkle to that brings back the sweet magic to everyday life.
Nature has always held the reflection of life for us if we open our eyes and see. Whether it be the daffodil or the mighty oak, both are just cycles that have a purpose, just like us.
Thank you Roberta for your reflection, particularly the analogy of the daffodil bulb and the divine life as with us all. Vitality is so much more than what we have previously come to believe it is.
What a gorgeous sharing about vitality… ‘here is a well of divine life held within the bulb as there is within us all, for the new season or incarnation revealing the potential…’ No matter what the outer shell is doing the inner can retain its glow.
I love how you share that vitality has nothing to do with exercise but more about the connection with ourselves and of course how we connect with others.
Sometimes when working, I feel this boundless quality inside, where nothing asked of me is too much. I’m given all (and more) to work and be with it joyfully. This to me is an aspect of vitality
True fitness for life and all that we are called to do. I agree, this sounds like vitality to me too, Kehinde.
“… something that is more ephemeral but solidly known within the particles and cells of each one of us, if only we would take the time to connect to that deeper well of wisdom within.” Distinctly captured in words Roberta, the way home to our infinite well of vitality is by taking a moment or two throughout the day to stop all the Doing and reconnect to our Being, thus giving us a tangible way to bring the ephemeral into everyday life.
I am finding that when I hold back from bringing my all to another the immediate impact is on me, however when I feel the impact it has on another it really does make me feel uncomfortable because I am not being truthful. That hurts and has the opposite effect to feeling the expansion and vitality in my body when I don’t hold back and move in a way that supports me and hence others.
To live vitality is to be aware of the movements that do not support me and to let them go… a constant refinement during my day.
Our inner vitality can be connected to at any age.
The natural vitality of children is a reflection of their natural connection to God and equally the lack of vitality in most adults is a reflection of their lack of connection to God. And in using the word ‘God” I’m not using it in the warped way that we have come to use it but in it’s true sense which is that God is Life and Life is God.
I love what you are saying here Roberta that vitality is far deeper and bigger than just our physical fitness. It includes how we are inside as beings.
Yes Andrew so true, there is a natural spring in a step when connected to our essence and when we walk as part of a daily rhythm in that essence our vitality is assured.
‘that in order to build this vitality in my own body there needed now to be a deeper connection to my own awareness of my being’ very cool. I have never seen vitality in this way but completely get what you are saying.
Thank you Roberta, I like what you share here about vitality pertaining to what lights us up from within, our inner essence and connection to our divinity. It makes sense that any belief that we are not divine would then attribute vitality to food, exercise and function. I know how vital I feel when I am connected to and expressing joy, love and truth within myself – I feel amazing.
When we have vitality it is a constant, not something that fluctuates.
I have to say that my sense of vitality does fluctuate. There are times when I feel incredibly vital, alive and on purpose and then there are other times, mostly when I am dog tired, when I have no feeling of vitality whatsoever.
With how you express it Alexis I agree. My feeling was and is that the quality of vitality, once connect to it, is a constant and it is our expression of it fluctuates, as with the daffodil. Would you agree?
Yep, same with love, same with truth, same with God, they’re all constants. It’s us that comes and goes.
“… is vitality the evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us” Undoubtedly so in my opinion too Roberta and one that does not rely on physical ability, age or gender, but on the re-connection to the love within us and the simple joy of being present in the world, eyes and heart wide open.
A car engine requires a spark within is vital, but it is never seen. The spark within us is seen in our eyes for all to see.
And an open heart as the most glorious reflection.
For me vitality is from the inside out – so it is not a doing but a being.
So true Roberta, as we provide fertile ground this life in the way we live in every interaction then that is setting the foundation for our next incarnation. You shall reap what you sow!
” is vitality the evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us, rather than a ‘force’ that displays how fit we are physically?” – These beautiful words rang true in my body when I read them, and for me that proves how we all know the truth when it coincides with the Light that we feel in our bodies. It became so evident when reading this blog just how much time and energy we waste when we try to develop an outer physical vitality without realising that developing a deep connection with our bodies and the stillness that is there to tap into will provide an endless well of vitality, unlike the temporary fixes like running, muscle building concoctions, and straining the body with excessive exercise.
We are like a car and if we only care about how the outside looks and not care about the engine that you can’t see, what is the purpose with no spark?
What a gorgeous sharing on true vitality and the deep recognition of the infinite flame that flickers in us all, regardless of age, physical fitness or the like. That twinkle in the eye is pure gold and what a huge gift to know it within again, as the petals start to fade and you begin to prepare your self for another season, aka life, knowing you will return full of the Joy of Spring.
Vitality is more than fitness; it is vastly deeper and founded on the connection with the body and its divine particles.
The daffodil is like a flower of the Sun – bursting with life – as we can be when we connect.
“it became strikingly obvious to me there was more vitality/Life/Light evident in those precious moments of connection that we experience than on any vigorous beach walk or jogging track that is void of any true connection whatsoever.” It is a long quote but this sentence really struck me as polar opposite to what we think will keep us vital and has given me much to consider.
Having fun with ourselves to me is vitality, that bounce in your step, that smile just walking your walk 🙂
The oh so beautiful daffodil flower fades and withers, dries and shrivels but there is indeed’ a divine life held within the bulb” the essence of which will be felt again next year and the next, as it annually grows up toward the light to dance again in the breeze, a continuing continuous cycle until it is no longer needed.
It is proof that our real beauty is more than the pretty exterior that can be fleeting?
I have never felt more vital in my whole life as I do right now and so much of that is because I have hauled my sorry arse out of my comfortable job and plonked it squarely in a role that is challenging it. I was going to say ‘challenging it to the max’ but the interesting thing is that I can feel that I am no where near my max.
I love the words you use Roberta to describe your relationship with your body, I feel that you have fallen in love with yourself and to me that has to be one of the greatest achievements of this century far more important than say putting men on the moon.
It’s strange in many ways how we triumph the fact that we are able to put men on the moon and yet when you really break it down there is very little gain for us as human beings from being able to do such a thing.
So true Alexis. All that time, effort and money spent on one brief victory and yet on mass humanity still does not realise just how amazing we are just Being on Planet Earth.
Putting men on the moon makes me wonder how wise we truly are as human beings for the reasons you say Alexis.
What’s the point of putting men on the moon if most of us struggle with being able to look into the eyes of another human being?
I feel as though you are onto something here Roberta that needs more attention to what we do and how we live
” is vitality the evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us, rather than a ‘force’ that displays how fit we are physically?”
I know someone who uses exercise to keep fit both mentally and physically and yet they look washed out, drawn and grey. There is no sense of vitality in their body yet they are very fit. So using this as an example I would say fitness has nothing to do with being vital in our bodies and I feel this is where we have gone astray by replacing physically fit with vitality and to me they are as different as chalk and cheese.
When I was very fit physically I was certain that I was also feeling full of vitality but what I mistook for vitality was a kind of manufactured buzz that came from adrenaline and caffeine. Now I feel truly vital and know as Roberta has so rightly expressed that it comes from the choices that I make in my day to day life.
We are taught to strive for vitality by overexerting ourselves, becoming the fittest version of ourselves, striving to be like an athlete and often falling short at the first hurdle but what if true vitality comes from within and can be accessed simply by building a relationship with our bodies. The inner connection we talk about is very simple, doesn’t require sugar, caffeine or alcohol to stimulate us, only a desire to go inwards and the benefits far outweigh anything that we can obtain from searching outside of ourselves.
Yes its strange that overexertion is praised and celebrated- witness exhausted marathon runners and Mt Everest climbers, who look drained and exhausted and are maybe missing a few fingers and toes – yet do it all again – egged on by fame and glamour. Such people may be physically fit but don’t show true vitality. Looking within and reconnecting to how our body feels is of far more value than searching outwards and ignoring the body’s signalling for rest when drained beyond its natural capacity.
The corrupted form of vitality that we are encouraged to seek actively counters true vitality. This process locks us into an almost permanent search to feel better but what appears to escape us is the fact that if we stopped employing false strategies to become more vital then this in itself would go a long way to solving the problem.
The vitality we seek is a constant that has always existed within us, one that naturally re-appears when we stop striving to find it and focus instead on building a relationship with the loving wisdom inside our bodies.
Vitality is life-force, not physical function.
Yes and also is determined by what type of energy we use as our life force.
love your analogy….. and my understanding is that in how that daffodil ends its life is a contribution to the energy within the bulb for the next cycle of its growth.
For me this gives such a meaning to this part of my current life, a pathway to the next
Yes and how we care for that daffodil bulb after flowering as its energy returns into the bulb will contribute (or not) to its next season of flowering. Reincarnation pure and simple!
One endless all encompassing life. No segregation, no separation. Just God in his magnificence.
What I am learning is that vitality simply means the deepening of love for self through my movements in the day. It is a consistent source of energy poured into me from the building and developing choices I am making in love.
Caroline your description makes me realise why so many people are lacking in vitality.
Such a beautiful blog Roberta- thank you. “…. is vitality the evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us, rather than a ‘force’ that displays how fit we are physically? ” A great point. Some very physically fit people I would say don’t have the vitality that I see in some maybe less ‘fit’ Universal Medicine students. We need to be physically fit – for sure – but that’s not the whole answer.
A beautiful unpacking Roberta showing how vital taking life lightly is.
Beautiful. Like the daffodil, we burst into life to share our beauty with the world and then the flower fades and the vitality is held out of physical sight until the next cycle when a fresh flower reappears.
Yes, there is something so beautiful and playful about this. An unapologetic growth to stunning glory by a yellow flower, that honours the cycles and doesn’t panic about lines or fading colour or a bit of stooping; only to complete the cycle and discover it is groundhog day as it starts the next cycle of unapologetic growth to glory! Love it.
Love the way you’ve expressed this, powerful and inspiring.
Who dictates the meaning of vitality? Is it the advertising agents, putting up pictures of physically fit, exhausted models? Or is it the feeling in the body? If it’s the first, we need to re-asses who we listen to.
Great questions Viktoria – and yes we do need to consider who we are listening to.
So many of our problems arise because we’re just not used to listening to ourselves. We listen to our parents, our teachers, our peers, the media, advertising agents, pretty much anyone apart from ourselves. And who is it that all those people are listening to? So what’s the original source?
I love how you have brought the reader into your pondering on vitality, as I found myself pondering deeply as I read. And without any doubt, and from the wisdom of life which I have accumulated over many years, I would absolutely agree that vitality is the “evidence and reflection of the Light that dwells within each of us”, and that light is what shines forth to others when we don’t hold back from who we truly are.