This week I have been reminded of the value that the humanities, aptly named, bring to our lives: art, music, literature, drama, dance, language, philosophy. I am also reminded daily, in this bucolic island atmosphere in which I live, of the profound sense of connectedness to be found in both nature and community.
The humanities ground us and also allow our hearts to soar. Nature similarly gives us a sense of both depth and expansiveness. And community — family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, society — balances our solitude, both critically important to our well-being.
Each day without fail I include some form of art. Each day I renew my connectedness with nature and with my community. And in so doing, each day I am reborn.
Dr. Anne Hilty is a Cultural Health Psychologist with a focus on the interplay of Eastern and Western theories of mental health as well as the mind-body connection. Her grounding is in the fields of cultural, transpersonal, and health psychology; she is additionally influenced by classical Chinese medicine, somatic psychology, and Asian shamanic traditions. Originally from the city of New York, Dr. Hilty lives on bucolic Jeju Island in South Korea, having previously lived in Seoul and Hong Kong.
