TOV, The Sabbath, and Integrated Health

I recently taught a module on Integrated Health in the Texas Health Presbyterian Nursing Program. In our society, "Health" has come to mean the absence of disease. I see people who exercise, pardon me, "religiously." They eat right, take vitamins and herbal concoctions and that is wonderful. But, something seems to be missing in many cases, and I believe it is feeding, nourishing and nurturing their spirits.

We live a "McXistance" -- we run from work to, school, to childcare, to projects, to networking, to home, and even to the gym. When do we slow down or when do we find a moment "to be still?" Doing the same thing every day, all the time without a boundary leads to a complete breakdown of our humanity and spirituality. Are we not worthy of what in Hebrew is called, "Shalom?"

 Shalom means more than Peace, or Hello/Goodbye –

Shalom means Completeness, Wholeness and Well-being.

While being a "ME" is so important, let's remember that humans are communal creatures. Even with all the isolating technology, we are marked by our interdependence on one another. Real human strength comes from the existence of a "WE!"

The Hebrew word TOV (Good, Life Protecting) occurs 7 times in Genesis 1. The first time we find something that IS NOT TOV, is in the next story of Adam and Eve, where we learn -- it is not TOV for humans to be alone. There is strength, meaning and purpose that comes from being with others. It can uplift us and help recharge our spirits.

The last part of the material in the module was called, "Keeping Sabbath," an article written by a Christian minister. He talked about the fact that in the last 30 years, Sunday has been eroded to being like every other day. The result, he said, is a dangerously fatigued nation. I never quite got the prohibition of work on Shabbat. All rabbis in pulpits "work" on Shabbat and the Holidays. Ministers, priests and pastors have to do the same. After a while, I realized that it's not necessarily the day, but making "Sacred Time," a time and a shrine, to decompress, to study, to eat a satisfying meal, to be grateful, to review all our Blessings and to share these things with others. Shabbat is a “ME” and a “WE” thing!

I always encourage people to create a "spiritual life" for themselves. It is part of Integrated Health to care for mind, body and spirit. In teaching the TOV Standard and TOV Values, “keeping a Shabbat (Sabbath)" has great significance. Many religious authorities argue "their" way is the only way to keep Shabbat. I never pay attention to them anyway, because I live in the real world. Notice I said keeping "A Shabbat." That can mean a lot of things to different people. In the story of TOV in Genesis, a period of Time is a Living Creature. The Creator Blessed a period of time like the Creator only Blessed living creatures. It had a special function unlike any other period of time.

The Shabbat was also a sacred place, entered by those wherever they are, even in the midst of darkness. Shabbat, is a sacred time and sacred space when we cease our normal activities, gather together, acknowledge the Creator (God, The Force, Our Highest Self, Whatever...) view our blessings, feed one another's souls with the Highest Wisdom, rest and recharge.

One day is not too much to ask, for the renewal of mind, body and spirit. Just a day to let your Creator (however you may understand that) speak to your spirit and allow you to take in the wonder of life!

Do TOV - Choose Life! 

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

PS – Would you like to join with me and help?

(1) Go to the TOV Center Facebook Page and “Like It” -- click here  

(2) Share this blog with others on your Facebook Page, Twitter, Email, etc.

(3) Support the TOV Center by contributing – click here.

Seeing TOV In Action

Last Sunday, the business section of The Dallas Morning News had a great article that provides a model for using TOV principles – protecting life, preserving life, making life more functional, and increasing the quality of life.  

Autistic Workers Bring Sweet Results is an article about a small bakery owner who hired a group of autistic workers and how they are helping her business grow. A non-profit called Have Dreams, which provides services to people with autism, partnered with her and Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, to track their productivity and answer this question: “Did it make good business sense to hire someone with a disability?”

The answer was a resounding "YES!" They received a $125,000 grant from the Chicago-based Colman Foundation to track the productivity. If the bakery program succeeded, the data could be used to persuade other businesses to hire people with disabilities. This program targeted high-functioning people with autism. How does working make the participants feel? One person said; "I'm working 20 hours a week, which my parents are very happy about. It feels as happy as can be." Participants are also learning life skills -- how to work as a team, independence, initiative and communication, as well as other basic social skills.

This is a picture of TOV in action, especially the TOV Principles of Increasing Functionality of Life & Increasing the Quality of Life. Using the TOV Standard and TOV Values provides Win-Win results, in business, in the community, socially and individually.

Every time you go shopping, pay attention to employees that are helping you. Some may be "Challenged" in some way. Think how important the job is to them and how good and useful it makes them feel. Acceptance is a primary TOV Value and to “have a place in life” in which one can have contact with others and be accepted is a Basic Requirement of Life.

I believe we have a moral responsibility “to reach and give a hand to the weakest and most vulnerable people, especially those who need immediate care.” This is giving them a "hand-up," a way for them to become self-sufficient, and they will become important contributors to the community. This is the true power of TOV, bringing people together with Common TOV Values, not only to accomplish what needs to be done, but building a "WE" in a society of "ME's".

The bakery owner said, "This is a good business decision, it just so happens that it's also a really good social decision and a good moral decision too."  The ideas expressed here articulate the concept of creating TOV in every phase of our lives. The results benefit all involved making our world and our lives more functional, more productive, safer and more peaceful.

Do TOV, Choose Life! 

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

PS – If you think this is information that needs to be seen and considered by others –

        do something to join with me and help. You can begin by doing these:

(1) Go to the TOV Center Facebook Page and “Like It” -- click here  

(2) Share this blog with others on your Facebook Page, Twitter or by Email.

(3) Support our work financially by making a donation – click here.