Copy of Wellness: A Commitment to Wholeness

What is Wellness, Really?

 In our hustle-filled lives, we often confuse “health” with the absence of disease. But what about wellness? Wellness is more than just being “not sick.” It’s about wholeness—a dynamic balance across our physical, emotional, social, mental, and spiritual dimensions. According to Webster’s Dictionary, wellness is "the state of being in good health, especially as an actively pursued goal." The World Health Organization expands this to include complete well-being, not merely the absence of infirmity.

Wellness means we are actively nurturing the parts of ourselves that keep us aligned, joyful, and strong. It’s loving ourselves in action.

A Wake-Up Call at “Rise Up”

Recently, I attended a women’s coaching event called Rise Up!—a bold call to action. I’ll admit, the procrastinator in me didn’t read the details. I wasn’t feeling great, and I definitely wasn’t expecting the high energy that hit the stage. The presenter—who led us through simple exercises as acts of self-care and confidence—jolted something in me.

Then she asked us to close our eyes and go to our “happy place.” For me, that’s the beach. But I realized... I hadn’t been there, physically or mentally, in a long time. Life’s demands had taken over. Once again, I found myself in a season where everything else seemed urgent—except for me.

As a natural giver, putting myself first felt selfish. Especially when you’re a caregiver, a mom, a wife—someone who holds others together. But somewhere along my journey, especially during my husband's illness, I had completely abandoned my own goals, dreams, and identity.

A Divine Intervention

In my darkest moment, overwhelmed and treading water emotionally, a small group church leader—spoke into my life. With authority and grace, she told me my pain was real, but it didn’t have to be permanent. She urged me to seek help, held me accountable, and helped me take the first step toward reclaiming wellness.

That conversation ignited a turning point. I began to realize that self-care wasn’t selfish—it was sacred. It was an act of love toward myself and those I served.

Coaching, Compassion, and the Gift of Presence

We’re all used to asking or hearing, “How are you?” And the typical answer? “Good,” “Fine,” “Busy.” But what if someone said, “Actually, I’m not doing well”?

Would we pause and truly listen?

As coaches—and simply as people of faith—we have the privilege of walking with others on their journey of self-discovery, healing, and wholeness. We get to hold space, ask powerful questions, and lead people back to themselves and to God.

But we can't give what we don't have.

Wellness means showing up whole, even if that wholeness is still under construction. It means saying "no" to the things that drain you and "yes" to the things that nourish your soul.

From “Wellmess” to Wellness

Too often, we’re functioning in what I call a state of Well•mess—where everything looks fine on the outside, but we’re crumbling within. Wellness is about turning that around. It’s about boundaries, margin, peace, and presence.

During my healing, a counselor asked me, “What do you like to do? What brings you joy?” I had no answer. I was too exhausted to even remember. Quite frankly, I had lost my identity and I couldn’t remember who I was aside from the role I was fulfilling. 

She followed up, “What did you love before all this?” In an instant, the beach came to mind. That spark was all I needed to take action.

Healing doesn’t happen all at once. But small steps in the right direction yield powerful results.

A Call to Action

If you're reading this and feeling overwhelmed, I invite you to pause and reflect:

• What part of your life needs to get well?

• What have you been neglecting—your body, your finances, your dreams?

• What’s within your control to change?

Don’t just wish for wellness. Pursue it.

As the International Coaching Federation outlines, great coaches practice what they preach:

• They regulate their emotions.

• Reflect on their own growth.

• Stay teachable.

• Seek help when needed.

• Prepare mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the work ahead.

These are practices not just for coaches—but for anyone seeking to live well.

Start Here: Eliminate & Elevate

At the Rise Up! seminar, our coach started with this powerful reminder:

“Show up ugly. Endure patiently. Rise up on repeat.”

And she closed with two life-changing questions:

“What do you need to eliminate?” “What do you need to elevate?”

Let those questions sit with you. Journal them. Pray through them.

Wellness isn’t a destination. It’s a commitment. It’s loving yourself so you can love others better. It's a sacred, everyday act.

“You realize, don’t you, that you are the temple of God, and God himself is present in you? No one will get by with vandalizing God’s temple, you can be sure of that. God’s temple is sacred—and you, remember, are the temple.” — 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (MSG)

This powerful scripture reminds us that our bodies—our whole beings—are sacred. They’re not just shells we exist in; they are the dwelling place of the divine. That truth brings a powerful responsibility: to care for ourselves as an act of worship, stewardship, and service to God and His Kingdom.

I would love to hear in the comments how do you care for yourself or in what areas do you need support? Until next time beloved!