Is there a difference between ‘wellness’ and ‘wholeness’ and does it matter?
Merriam-Webster defines ‘wellness’ as “the quality or state of being in good health especially as an actively sought goal”. Sounds good, no?
Cambridge defines ‘wholeness’ as “the quality of being or feeling complete”. Also sounds pretty good.
‘Wellness’ has been described as “the practice of nurturing wholeness”. Confused?
Using the yin-yang symbol may be the best framework for this discussion.
In Taoist philosophy the divided circle, with the two different colors and the corresponding dot, is a symbol of nature.
It is a symbol for everything.
Every thing contains both elements in the circle.
The two sides make up the ‘whole’.
However, the balance between the two is constantly changing and therefore some effort must be put forth to maintain stability.
It is that effort, or practicing of wellness, that moves us closer to the feeling of wholeness.
We are already whole and can be powerful creators of our own lives. Trust in yourself and be weary of those who try to make you feel less than.
Ultimately “wellness”, “wholeness”, and even “health”, are just words and words can be used or appropriated by anyone as they see fit. Explore your humanness, set boundaries, and respect that others are doing the same. You are one. We are one. Everything is one.