Soul Addition

Soul addition, what a concept. I am sure that I am not alone in my ability to mindlessly rattle off several of the usual culprits and conditions that famously subtract from the soul. [Deleted is my quick list that offers nothing constructive--ugh!] But to list ingredients that actually add to the soul ... now that is tough. And if I have difficulty in thinking of soul-health-additives, then how precarious is my soul at the edge of malnutrition.

With the season of summer, the *sigh* in the middle of the year, and the blessing of vacation, I want to be about soul addition. Brainstorm with me--what adds to the soul? And more specifically, what adds to your soul? My list is just an impetus. Add your own edits.

*Silence adds to my soul (in limited doses)

*Natural beauty and grand, non-industrialized landscapes add to my soul

*Laughter, music, coffee, and art add to my soul

*Tears for someone other than myself (admittedly rare) add to my soul

*Companionship can add to my soul, but not to the exclusion of solitude

*Realizing my incredible smallness in comparison to the current in which I swim surprisingly adds to my soul

*Fresh-fruit smoothies and the Sunday comics must make this list of soul addition

*A sharp pencil with a good eraser and a blank sheet of paper adds to my soul

*Deliberate "pausing"--being intentionally unproductive--adds to my soul (but I cringe each time)

*Exercise adds to my soul, especially hiking on new-to-me trails

*Fireflies at dusk and dragonflies at noon add to my soul (not mosquitoes, however)

*Experiencing the bliss of my wife and children when they are finding soul addition adds to my soul

*Crumbling up this and all lists adds to my soul...