At the time of writing it is Mental Health Awareness Week. It’s such an important issue and something we need to be mindful of throughout the year, for ourselves and for those around us. It seems that ‘we’, nationally and as a society, have lost our way, especially when it comes to our individual needs. Our society is very much driven by financial success, and all about immediate results/delivery.

The demands, stress and strains this puts on our time, energy and wellbeing, as well as the knock on effects it has on our own family life are at tipping point. As a society our health, both physically and mentally, is out of balance – we’ve forgotten what’s important and what real success actually is. The very root as to what defines success is happiness & fulfilment. But how do you find this? Where do you draw your strength from in times of adversity and challenge? How do you stay true to what makes you happy?

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27

The house is a symbol of protection and safety. Our refuge. It also represents the foundations we put in place, our hope and faith. Jesus’ words and commandments are about love; compassion and understanding in action. How we live our daily lives in the community where we are. Here, using our own unique gifts, skills and talents given to us to serve others we’ll find happiness and fulfilment in abundance.