…just as poetry is forgotten unless it is often repeated, so instruction, when no longer heeded, fades from the mind. To forget good counsel is to forget the experiences that prompted the soul to desire prudence: and when those are forgotten, it is not surprising that prudence itself is forgotten. - Xenophon
Rhythms of life are where progress happens. We keep ourselves physically fit through a consistent, planned exercise routine. We sustain our most important relationships through deliberately setting aside time for that purpose. We keep our teeth strong and healthy through regular hygiene.
But what about the soul?
It is easy to neglect the rhythms that strengthen and sustain our intangible souls. We can see our physical progress that results from regular exercise, and we are rewarded for our relationship investments through our positive interactions with the other person. However, even though the benefits of soulcraft may not be immediately tangible, it is foundational to these other areas of growth.
A healthy soul perceives the need to keep oneself fit to better serve others and so contributes to our physical fitness. A healthy soul also understands the value of those we are close with and so motivates us to prioritize them with our time, energy, and resources. In short, to neglect the soul is to undercut every other area of progress.
Just as with physical fitness and relationship building, soulcraft looks a bit different for everyone, depending on their unique attributes and goals. But, in my opinion, the two elements that are common to all successful soulcrafting regimens are reading and companionship. Both of these involve engaging with the thoughts of another whom we have chosen to spend time with because they have something at a spiritual level that we recognize we need.
We should continually reassess how we spend our time and energy by asking ourselves, "Am I spending my time on what I want to become?" For example, am I reading a book or listening to a podcast by someone I respect and admire and want to emulate, or am I allowing myself to be rage-baited online by someone whose opinion should mean nothing to me? Perhaps having an ebook reader on the homepage of my smartphone loaded with soul-nourishing books rather than social media apps is the first step to correcting the rhythms of my life.
Whatever the ideal rhythms look like for each of us individually, it doesn’t take long to experience the positive effects of purposeful and diligent soulcrafting, and every bit of progress motivates us to pursue what is good even more passionately.