Religion, spirituality and finding meaning
Norm passed at a time that I expected would be a turning point in our relationship. He had just turned 50. The spring before Norm passed, my mother-in-law had passed away. We had a substantial role in her care, and we felt that it was now our time to focus on each other. Well, that didn’t work out. The church was essential in overcoming this difficult time. Norm and I had always been heavily involved in the church, so it was comforting to be surrounded and supported by people that knew our circumstances. Involvement in the church also gave me something meaningful and familiar to do to fill the empty space. I went to church regularly on Sundays, was the treasurer of the church women’s group, and planned many fundraisers. The church was such a constant in my life that anytime I got in the car and wasn’t paying attention I wound up driving to church.
– Betty
Older adulthood can be a time of pain and hardship. Suffering can arise from dealing with personal health issues, but also from leaving a beloved home or dealing with the death of a loved one. However, it can also be a time of joy and greater appreciation and peace than ever before. Suffering and joy are seen by many as experiences best understood in a spiritual context. Occupational therapists are educated to appreciate the spiritual nature of everyday activities.
What is spirituality?
Spirituality is a personal matter. For many, it’s intimately tied to religion, while for others, it lies outside of formal beliefs or practices. Two issues are commonly understood as an important part of spirituality: connection and meaning.
Connection is generally considered at three levels: connection with ourselves, connection with others, and connection with all of creation.
I was crossing the street when I was struck by a garbage truck. I was in complex care for months following the accident. I spent a lot of that time reconciling my relationship with God. Initially, I questioned God a lot. ‘Why did you leave me here? Why didn’t you take me on that street? Who wants to live a day like this?’. But I began to consider the possibility that everything that happens is a part of God’s plan. I had to allow God to heal me. It taught me to trust him completely, more than I ever did before.
Today, I am content with my life. I’ve had a full life. I’m enjoying life for whatever time I have left. My life has not been in vain. It was rough at times, but at eighty-four, I can sit back and say, ‘I am good, I am great’, but I know I didn’t get here by myself.
– Rosina (story gathered by a student occupational therapist)
It is easy to see that these connections are often lived out and given meaning in our daily activities. We learn about and develop ourselves by engaging in activities that are particularly interesting or important for us. For example, we may make music, follow politics, perfect recipes, or tend a garden and experience a sense of contentment and growth. Through our valued activities, we connect with others. We may sing in a choir, discuss important regional issues with our neighbours, share recipes or advise on planting. As well, in our valued activities we may connect with larger parts of creation, or the Creator. We may continue to play or enjoy music from other times or places, carry on the work of ensuring a safe and welcoming community, share recipes handed down from our grandparents or, as others who have worked the land, marvel at the beauty and tenacity of a butternut squash.
The activities and connections that we value arise from who we are, where we have been, and what we want to do with our lives. When illness interferes with these activities, we may feel a loss of connection and meaning. Occupational therapists are trained to help people engage and re-engage with valued activities that contribute to connection, meaning, and joy.
I can sit here with a pad up here, a pair of pliers and screwdriver and I can tinker about with them all day
– Mr. Stevens, talking about his enjoyment fixing electrical appliances, something he enjoys doing alone, or with his sons.
How an occupational therapist can help
Meaningful activities can be disrupted by a major life change such as retirement or widowhood, or by an important change in health.
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– Mrs. Patel |
– Jon, a newly retired man |
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An occupational therapist may help you figure out new ways to do a meaningful activity. This may involve changes to the activity, such as using special equipment or directing helpers. Here are two examples that involved re-engaging with personally valued religious activities: To help re-establish meaningful activities, an occupational therapist will begin by getting to know you – your valued activities, hopes, wishes, and concerns. An occupational therapist will listen carefully as you recount your valued activities, how they are done in connection with others, and the meaning they hold for you.
I had a patient who went to daily mass before his stroke. He had stopped because he was so afraid he would drop the Eucharist because his hand did not work as well as before. We practiced the action, then did a community reentry session to daily mass. That was quite a beautiful event.
“I went to a ritual bath with a patient. We enabled him to go down the stairs, into the bath, up again, and get dried off. These were some very physical things, but very meaningful for him. If we hadn’t addressed the bath he would have accepted not addressing it, but we would have lost opportunities for good rehab within the context of who he is.”
— Larry, occupational therapist
Thompson, K., Gee, B. M., & Hartje, S. (2018). Use of Religious Observance as a Meaningful Occupation in Occupational Therapy. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 6(1), 10.
Alternatively, an occupational therapist may help identify new activities that help us maintain connection, meaning, and joy in our life.
An occupational therapist can also work with community groups, businesses, or regions to create community-based activities that are more welcoming and manageable for us, particularly those of us who are experiencing disabilities. For example, occupational therapists at the Four Villages Community Health Centre in Toronto worked with seniors to promote community changes that facilitated better mobility and safety.
When you may need expert care for spiritual issues
Occupational therapists are educated to consider the spiritual aspects of connection and meaning as they relate to personally valued activities. Some people who have difficulty engaging in their personally valued activities experience depression. If you feel this describes your situation, it is a good idea to speak with your family doctor or nurse practitioner.
Other people may be thinking more about issues related to their religious beliefs. They may be struggling with feelings of guilt or shame. If this is your situation, it is a good idea to speak to a religious leader or a pastoral care worker.