My mom would always say that, without your health, nothing matters, and neither fame nor fortune were as important. As a child, I associated that with physical health. 

As an adult, I now know that the framework is larger. Mental health is also essential to quality of life. Recently, I was reminded of that while on vacation in Nashville.

And, it was all because of Johnny Cash. In fact, I haven’t been able to get him off my mind since I returned home. Sounds random, right? Not really…I can’t get him – and what he represents – off my mind and heart. A case of fame and fortune not being enough…

While in Nashville, we spent time at the Johnny Cash museum and the sights, sounds and stories about his life made such an  impression on me…a true testament to his life and career, his successes and his struggles…and it both touched me and weighed on me. Such gifts and such suffering. Talent and torment…

So, is this really about Johnny Cash? Ostensibly yes, in reality no…because it’s not just a one-off story. I’m sure we can all think of people who, seemingly, have it all yet still suffer.

Apart from the influence of genetics on our brain chemistry, so much of our mental health is connected to our lived experiences and the way in which we process them. Coping skills. Belief systems. Narratives. Family. Culture. Social influences. Support systems. Some, or all, inspire us or compromise us, push us forward or hold us back, lift us up or pull us down…

To one degree or another, we all have struggles. The question that runs through my mind so often is this: How much of our potential is realized or lost because of how we confront or avoid these struggles? It’s that powerful combination of Ability and Willingness to tune in, figure out what’s working and what’s not and find a healthy way forward (on our own or with help).

Harkening back to my mom, she was always ready with a suggestion of how to take care of physical health. To that, I’d add that we can contribute to our mental health by how we treat our mind. That may look different from person to person but the through line remains the same: Both body and mind require nurturing for all else to be possible.