The Nurturing of the Soul
The Soul of a human being is an amazing and astonishing entity. It is defined in many ways; ancient Greeks believed that the soul manifested in our dreams and revealed “an award of joy or sorrow drawing near”. Socrates considered the soul to be, the “spirit or essence of a person” whose existence was “eternal”.
Psychologist Thomas Hillman believed the soul to be that “which makes meaning possible, deepens events into experiences” and “is communicated in love”. Many religions believe the soul to be “the innermost aspect of humans, that which is of greatest value in them, that by which they are most especially in God’s image”. The definitions surely do not end here, but one recognizes the esteem with which many view the soul.
Surely, this most mysterious and inanimate aspect of human existence has been an ongoing enigma as long as Homo Sapiens (thinking man) have walked the earth. Though the definitions of what the soul is, or is not, may vary slightly, the recognition of just exactly what it is when one is fortunate to witness it, is of little doubt.
Consider the soul of one young boy, 10 year old J.T. Mills of Sturbridge MA, whose actions embody the very “spirit or essence” of who this person is. Young J.T. was about to celebrate his 10th birthday and as he contemplated his party and formulated the list of gifts he would like, his thoughts drew towards the struggles of Sturbridge seniors and the challenge they faced in staying warm this coming winter.
The desire for video games, electronic devices, or money for his little billfold were of no consequence or consideration for young J.T. as his big day drew close. Instead, “the innermost aspect” of who he is, as mentored by his parents, directed his thoughts to those things that were of greatest value to him, those things being, his concern for his neighbors.
Thus, J.T. understood that his birthday provided him an opportunity to “deepen his experience” and participate in something that “makes meaning possible”. So rather than request gifts for himself, which surely and understandably would have provided a great deal of excitement for him, this young soul chose instead to “ask each of his friends to make a donation to the REAS Foundation”.
J.T’s birthday celebration was held at Laser Zone in Marlborough, MA and each of his 13 invitees excitedly arrived for a great game of laser tag. Each attendee proudly and happily arrived at the celebration with a gift for J.T. - a check made out to the REAS Foundation for the sole purpose of helping Sturbridge seniors, just as J.T. had requested. In doing so J.T. and his guests raised $260.00 to support the energy needs of Sturbridge seniors.
J.T. and his friends chose to celebrate his 10th birthday in a manner that “communicated their love” for their neighbors, whose daily lives are all too commonly challenged with choices between heat, food, or medicine. J.T. and his friends chose to demonstrate the magnificence of their souls while providing us with a power of example that emulates exactly what this community is at its core.
Yes, J.T. and his friends chose to demonstrate the character with which they have been mentored by their parents, their grandparents, and perhaps even the amazing teachers we find in our school system. It’s been many times quoted that, “It takes a village to raise a child”, but now and again there are those occasions when a child, all by him or herself, can actually raise a village.
Over the last several weeks we have been witness to some amazing demonstrations of soul from our children here in Sturbridge. We’ve have experienced the resilience of Boy Scouts collecting cans in sub-freezing temperatures, Brownies amassing 16 carriages of food, resulting in the deliveries of 3 bags of groceries to 30 different Sturbridge seniors, and finally a group of amazing boys who turned a birthday party into a labor of love for our seniors.
There is little doubt, as the Irish poet Oscar Wilde noted, that “Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot; for in your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you”. Young J.T. Mills, his friends, as well as the Boy scouts and Brownies of our community, have clearly demonstrated this. Each of this at the REAS Foundation are grateful for the lessons we have learned from these “souls”.
Thomas R. Creamer - Executive Director