Growing Whole: A Lifelong Spiritual Journey

by Gloria Crawford Henderson

Overview

This book is the story of one woman’s spiritual awakening. I was born into a Christian household, so I have always known “about” God, and for many of my early years I thought that was enough. I participated in the rituals common to my faith, and I engaged in activities of daily living much like other humans. I identified my life goals, and I diligently implemented the strategies to achieve them. I was taught that education and hard work were the tickets to happiness, so that is the direction I traveled. I became a wife and mother, and both roles brought joy into my life in ways I could not have imagined.

At some point during my middle years, though, it became clear that something important was missing. What started out as a faint feeling of emptiness grew into a keen awareness that the calling on my life included more than working long hours in one stressful job after another. There was a loneliness deep inside that I could not explain. By secular standards, I should have been happy and content. I was ashamed to admit my feelings of uneasiness to anyone because, in accordance with worldly norms, I was living a dream life. So, I kept quiet and went about my days as expected, all the while, I was hoping the disturbance in my spirit would subside. But it did not. Over time, I became more and more uncomfortable with the lifestyle I had settled into. I prayed for divine guidance, and, after much self-examination and soul searching, I got the clarity I needed. I came to the realization that knowing “about” God and “knowing” God are not the same. It was no longer enough for me to have a relationship with Him based on rituals. I needed a more intimate friendship. With this recognition, I set out on a lifelong spiritual journey of growing whole.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781664251489
Publisher:	Westbow Press
Publication date:	01/14/2022
Pages:	264
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.55(d)

About the Author

Gloria Crawford Henderson is a life coach whose specialty areas include personal growth and development, relationship dynamics, spirituality, wellness, and women’s empowerment. For more than forty-five years, she was a government manager and public policy administrator with the State of Florida. The array of her executive and legislative branch subject matter expertise spans corrections and criminal justice, public finance, health care administration and regulation, and substance abuse and mental health crisis services. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. According to Gloria,

The common denominator of my professional portfolio is the ongoing revelation that people hurt themselves and others in myriad ways when they lack meaning and sacred purpose. One of the strongest human desires is the need to expand and grow. When we are not in active pursuit of the highest and best version of ourselves, the agony of mediocrity is relentless. We are built for greatness, and when we, for whatever reasons, fall short of that universal urge, the insidious nature of “less than” attacks us at our core. Then, it shows up in the form of anger, bitterness, disease, and dysfunction. We act out in ways that disrespect our humanity, and we forfeit our God-given right to flourish. Greatness resides within each of us, and we must never stop growing!

Following a serious medical scare Gloria made a pivotal quality of life decision to make health and wellness and spiritual growth a priority. She set out on a journey of discovery that yielded amazing results. Life is far more enjoyable, and opportunities to encourage and motivate others abound. She now spends her time coaching, speaking, and training. She says,

Simple, whole-person lifestyle changes can alter the trajectory of our lives in ways we are just beginning to understand. People are living longer, and it is incumbent upon each of us to make the latter years better than the former. Life really does get better when we commit to the process of growing whole rather than simply growing old. We do this by actively pursuing life and all of its accompanying miracles through the lens of love and by treating spiritual transformation as the priority it should be. To grow whole, we must be authentic, awake, and aware. As we learn to live in accordance with our God-ordained plan, the true meaning of life and its sacred purpose are revealed in ways that elevate our energetic frequencies and offer riveting glimpses of heaven on earth.

With their years of experiential knowledge and understanding, elders are perfectly positioned for their important roles as wisdom teachers. As we do the inside-out work required to reconcile unresolved issues and heal our wounds, we model behaviors that serve the common good. We feel better, live happier and healthier lives, and offer the universe fruitful examples of lifelong wellbeing. Gloria’s mantra is,

With the blessing of a growth mindset and a positive attitude, I am poised to continue discovering and enjoying life to its fullest. This gift is so precious, and when we express our appreciation through the lens of grace and gratitude, meaning and sacred purpose thrive.