Foster children’s spiritual nature
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Editor,
Wow.
This TV interview hit my hot button. The guest was Lisa Miller, PhD, Professor of Psychology at Teachers College Columbia University. Miller is the author of “The Spiritual Child. The New Science of Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving.”
Miller presents “the next big idea in psychology: the science and the power of spirituality.” She explains the clear, scientific link between spirituality and health and shows that children who have a positive, active relationship to spirituality are 40 percent less likely to use and abuse substances; are 60 percent less likely to be depressed as teenagers; are 80 percent less likely to have dangerous or unprotected sex; have significantly more positive markers for thriving, including an increased sense of meaning and purpose; and have high levels of academic success. In the interview, Miller said this, which really captured my attention and stimulated my thinking: “All babies are born spiritual.”
So, what is being spiritual? I immediately thought of how many times Rev. John Payne of “journeyBe” uses the acronym SBNR — Spiritual But Not Religious. We then all talk about why is church attendance dropping? Why are our young people shying away from many of our organized religions?
During the TV interview I immediately thought of our youth in Mission Valley. The essence of the message in the book is so needed right here. The opportunity for just such a parenting experience by being a part of the Kids Co-op, a division of Montana Co-op in Polson, is exciting, is possible, is so needed.
There is, in my view, no greater community service we adults can provide than to offer our youth the most comprehensive growth experiences possible. When we think of all the many youth challenges and choices that cover over their true spiritual nature, the powerful knowledge that “all babies are born spiritual” is dynamic.
It is possible that each child’s spiritual nature can continue growing and guiding their lives. Let’s help our kids, our future.
Bob McClellan
Polson
