Travelling well

Wellness is not just about avoiding sickness. It is about functioning at your best, and maintaining a sense of balance in your life, even when inevitable challenges come your way. It is about recognising that you are a whole person: physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual and relational. So keeping on track and being able to go the distance in regard to your health and wellbeing is part of being engaged in all aspects of the journey.

Travelling purposefully

Taking care of your self is a decision. Self care is about checking you are best equipped for the task at hand. Self care is not about navel gazing and hoping for the best, it is about taking positive proactive steps toward better health. In his book Going the Distance for a Lifetime of Ministry Peter Brain writes: ‘Clearly, to know the importance of self care, and even to have strategies in place, is vital, but these need to be planned, practised, pursued and persevered in’.

Self care enables you to be equipped to take on the challenges of leadership, to make decisions with a clear mind and to cope with change when it comes.

What’s in your suitcase?

What are the raw materials you have packed for the trip, the personal things that will impact on your health and wellbeing?

> Your Genetic makeup
This can definitely influence your future health. Is there a family history of certain types of cancers or a predisposition to depression?

> You are blokes
You naturally will have a higher risk of some diseases such as heart disease. Men are more likely to ignore messages about their health… but keep reading anyway.

> Your lifestyle
The foods you eat and the amount of physical activity you do. A western diet which includes plenty of high fat processed foods, added to a sedentary lifestyle and mixed with high stress will definitely cut your trip short.

> Your BMI
Your weight in relation to your height (BMI) and where you carry your weight. It is better if you are shaped more like a pear than an apple.

> How you approach a challenge Your resilience, ability to adapt and personality type will all influence how your life’s journey may go.

> Social connections
Family and friends can be a great source of strength or an incredible drain on your energy levels. Good quality relationships are worth their weight in gold.

The journey

As a priest you are on a journey that is different to many. You didn’t pick the corporate ladder with the big mortgage and a wife with 2.3 children. So what are some of the unique challenges and rewards that come with choosing the alternate route and avoiding the tourist bus?

• You have a role that has a high level of privilege and responsibility, in this life and for eternity.
• You are a leader and a role model who tends to be judged harshly if you fall short of others expectations.
• You are single and celibate so finding intimacy in relationships can be challenging.
• You are a public figure and so whilst many people may feel they know you, and some may even feel like they ‘own’ you, at times you may feel quite isolated.
• You have less distinction than most people when it comes to your living space, office environment and work responsibilities.
• Not many people use the term ‘vocation’ or ‘call’ these days so sometimes its easier not to try to explain ‘what you do’.
• Many of you cover great distances as part of your ministry and many of you have moved great distances, sometimes away from family and friends, for your ministry.
• You are often at your busiest when others are in holiday mode.
• The old saying ‘less is more’ doesn’t really fit when it comes to the decline in priest numbers. ‘Less do more’ and ‘more get older’ is a better fit.
• You have a unique opportunity to share in the journey of others, particularly in those life markers that are sometimes expressed with joy and celebration and at other times with loss and grieving.

Are we there yet?

It was my first year of high school, the year when you want to fit in and be the same as everyone else. The teacher had given us the assignment. ”Write about going on a trip. It can be to anywhere you want to go’. So here we were in class and the teacher chose one after another to share their story.

We heard about people going to the Gold Coast, a trip to the country, a visit to grandparents and some even dreamed of a journey to faraway places… such as New Zealand. I sank down in my seat but it was too late and I heard the teacher say, “Cheryle can you read about where you want to go?”

“The rocket ship took off; we were heading into the unknown”.

We may not be there yet, but while you’re on your journey, choose to travel well, be prepared, look after your companions and remember to listen to your tour guide.

It’s the trip of your lifetime!

Cheryle Davies
Clergy Healthcare Coordinator
Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane /
Mt Olivet Hospital