9 Characteristics of Euthumia

Euthumia is well-spiritedness. What follows are nine characteristics of a healthy human spirit.

1. Relative, overall healthiness: In my view, health is a sense of wholeness and ability. It is a process rather than a destination. Our sense of wholeness and ability is constantly challenged. It varies in integrity and strength. However, maintaining a basic degree of health is a characteristic of a healthy and mature spirit.

2. Desirous of life: When we desire to live and experience life in its fullness, with all of its pleasures and pains our spirit is healthy. Healthy, mature spirits do not seek to avoid or escape from life.

3. Free: While it is possible to maintain a relatively healthy spirit in oppressive situations, generally speaking a healthy spirit is a spirit that is free to live life as it chooses. 

4. Both unique and connected harmoniously with other living beings: When our spirit is healthy and mature we are able to be both our unique self and harmoniously connected with others. This does not mean that we love and have conflict free relationships with all other living beings. It does mean that we are both our unique self and in meaningful relationships with others. We both belong with others and maintain our own identity.

5. Self-supporting: Being able to sustain our own life and remain spirited in the midst of life's challenges is a sign of a healthy, mature spirit.

6. Willing and able to rise up to take on life's challenges: This characteristic goes beyond being desirous of life. When our spirit is healthy and mature we not only want to live rather escape from our life, we also naturally rise to take on the challenges we face as we live our life.

7. Creative, productive: When our spirit is healthy and mature we create. We produce services and goods of value to others. We create art. The stronger our spirit the more prolific we tend to be.

8. Successful: Healthy, mature spirits are generally successful. They are able to identify and attain their goals.

9. Respectful of others: Healthy, mature spirits also know that they are related to all other spirited beings and have a fundamental respect for all the living. They live their and do not interfere with others living theirs.