Three Essential Professionals

The word “professional” has shifted in meaning in the last few decades. It traditionally referred to anyone whose job required an advanced degree beyond college – typically, a Ph.D. or an M.D. More recently, it has come to be used for anyone expert in a field. We once had tradesmen. Now we have professional plumbers, electricians, and coffee roasters. I believe in professionals. They help us in all areas of life – professional nutritionists, massage therapists, math tutors, cabinet makers, landscapers, structural engineers, pet trainers.

Most of the professionals we use are for a specific need or project. We need a deck built or repaired, our vehicle maintained, the old house rewired, our backpain relieved.

There are three professionals I consider both essential and ongoing. Three professionals I use regularly, not just periodically. They are essential because they care for the three aspects of who I am. I am, like all of us, physical, emotional, and spiritual. To be a fully functional, well-rounded person, I need as much physical health, emotional health, and spiritual health as possible.

Three Essential Professionals:

1. My family physician, whom I see at least twice yearly. She listens to me, observes me, reviews my history, watches my medications and my weight, and refers me to specialists as needed. She cares for my physical health and wellbeing.

2. My therapist, whom I see weekly. He helps me explore my psyche, relationships, discover my authentic self, navigate painful memories, and grow into authenticity. He cares for my mental health.

3. My spiritual director with whom I meet monthly. She walks with me as I walk with God, guides me into a deeper, fuller, relationship with God, and helps me connect with the universal creative life-force. She cares for my spiritual health.

Spirit, ruach, pneuma, breath, essential life force, that deepest part of us capable of connecting with the divine and all of creation.

Psyche, mind, emotions, thoughts, ideas, intellect, feelings, that inner intangible part of us that determines all our relationships and reactions.

Body, sarx, sôma, flesh, bones, nerves tissue, the sacred tent in which we live.

The whole person needs attention and care.