Living without a net Published July 6, 2009 By Ch. Maj. Philip Llanos EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- This summer, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus will be at a number of locations around the Los Angeles area. The circus has been a part of American tradition for over 137 years. Circus attractions can include extraordinary animal performances, captivating clown escapades and daring high-wire and trapeze acts. Often to add to the sense of danger and suspense, high-wire and trapeze performers may be working without a safety net. Most of the time, no accident or serious injury occurs. However, there have been occasions where serious injury or loss of life has occurred. Although working without a safety net may add to circus suspense, living without one can be dangerous. As we look at the Four Dimensions of Wellness, July is Spiritual Wellness month. Unlike the Social, Emotional, and Physical areas of wellness, the Spiritual Dimension of Wellness is often like a safety net. We concentrate our attention on living life above the net. It is possible to not even think of the safety net until an accident or fall. A plane crash, sudden death of someone we know, serious illness, personal or financial problems can cause us to lose our balance and fall. Like a safety net, our Spiritual Wellness must be maintained and kept strong. When is the last time we did a Self-Assessment of our Spiritual Wellness? What better time than July - Spiritual Wellness Month.