You have certainly heard the term “human spirit” but just what are we referring to? Is is something we all possess through being human?Something we can work with? Or just another concept we came up with to describe a universal condition?
The human spirit is a component of human philosophy, psychology, art, and knowledge – the spiritual or mental part of humanity.
While the term is often used with the same meaning as “human soul” I tend to think of that definition as limiting in a way. I personally tend to think of the human spirit as a reference to the impersonal, universal or higher components of human nature. Yes this can include universally shared concepts which refer to the ideas of ego and understanding. Its our ability to not only see the many points of our human existence with some clarity but also to CONNECT them.
The human spirit includes our intellect, emotions, fears, passions, and creativity. Human spirit is considered to be the mental functions of awareness, insight, understanding, judgement and other reasoning powers. It is distinguished from the separate component of psyche which comprises the entities of emotion, images, memory and personality.
On a grand scale we could say that our human spirit is a social construct used to represent the qualities of purpose and meaning which are bigger than our biased interpretations. We could say that human spirit is the ability to face the uncertainty of the future with curiosity and optimism. It is the belief that problems can be solved, differences resolved. It is a type of confidence and it can be enduring and timeless in the right framework. It can also become fragile, blackened by fear and not knowing.
So shine your light of of unbiased wisdom on the darkness of the unknown. Grow through your moments and use the gift of your insights to develop a real vision and purpose moving forward – That is the human spirit.
Peace and Love, Jim
