All of us, regardless of our age, color, or beliefs, want to be healthy and happy. The challenge for all of us is how to get there!
Companies ruthlessly exploit our desire for health and well-being by offering to sell us products that will make us happy and or healthy. While it is true that some material resources can make us more comfortable, or can contribute to our health, or enjoyment of life, most of us realize that it is not material goods that make us either happy or healthy.
Our circumstances also can impact how we feel. However, we have all met wealthy individuals who are miserable, and people who are poor and sick, who are capable of great joy.
It is true that there are many things we do not have control over. But where we do have control, we can make choices to be both healthy and joyful.
Victor Frankel, who wrote the marvelous book “Man in Search of Meaning “was a Jewish psychiatrist who suffered greatly in the concentration camps. He said “The last of the human freedoms in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way”. He spoke about choosing freedom and dignity, inner freedom under the most painful and humiliating of circumstances. Let those of us who have freedom choose to do what is good and right for ourselves and for others
How do we choose our attitude? One thing that is helpful for me is how I start my day. I start my morning with prayer, Bible study, coffee, and whenever possible, sitting on my back porch, enjoying the beauty of nature. It’s important to start our days with beauty, inspiration, and I find a particularly important to give my concerns and stresses to God. There are so many things that I can’t do! but I can trust that Jesus who loved me so much that he died for me will help me in all my circumstances. I continue my day with community and prayer. Every morning at the healing center we start the day by praying for our own needs, the patients that are coming in that day, and the needs on the prayer list. It is amazing how many prayers we have seen answered! The Bible tells us to “ be transformed by the renewing of our minds” (Romans 12:2) and science supports the wonderful ability of the brain to heal and form new thought patterns and even new neurologic pathways. So look for what is good, beautiful, excellent, and add these thoughts and relationships to your life. Our counselor Ricardo Triani uses a wonderful therapy called Accelerated Recovery Therapy to help people transform their thought life.
Another thing that I find helpful is starting my day with exercise. My days are very busy, and almost always stressful. I’m too tired to exercise when I get home, so my husband and I start every day with a walk! One of my patients shared a quote with me “there is no such thing as bad weather, only on suitable clothing quote. This is variably attributed to Alfred Wainwright, and also to Danish early educators. Whoever said it was right! For those of you who can’t walk outside for health reasons or safety reasons, find a way to exercise inside every day. Many studies support the positive impact of exercise on physical and mental well being. Exercise and touch stimulate the brain, and can help us have a sense of well being. Our massage therapist Jennifer Jubinville has had some wonderful success in helping people with broken bodies and broken spirits feel whole again.
Another key to health, and well-being is what we put in our body. How everybody processes food is a little bit different, and of course, we all have different flavor pallets. But all of us need plenty of fruits and vegetables, plenty of protein, plenty of water. None of us need junk food! A lot of people wander around with toxic attitudes because they are eating toxic food. Fried food, alcohol, and sugar all may taste good at the time, but in excess, they can poison our bodies, and distress our spirits. There’s a great book that I have recommended to many of you. “ The Good Mood Diet.”which discusses the relationship between nutrition , energy, mood and stamina.
Sometimes we all need specialized help with choosing health and wellbeing. Sometimes we need medication, sometimes we need surgery, and choosing to embrace these with a good attitude can help us. Being grateful that we have these resources and employing them wisely can make a big change in our circumstances.
Life is hard. Our circumstances are often challenging. But we can grow, and enjoy our lives by choosing wisely.
We all have choices. Choose health! Choose joy ! Choose life!
