The Gift Of Health

Every day, every minute, every moment is an opportunity to choose and recreate. It all begins with a single thought. Awareness of your thoughts is of vital significance. To be conscious of the thoughts we think is to deliberately create the experiences we will have. Positive thoughts create positive experiences. Negative thoughts create negative experiences. Healthy thoughts create a healthy body.nn Healthy thoughts about the self are the single most powerful motivator to a life long commitment of exercising and eating healthy foods. As a group exercise leader and personal trainer in the fitness industry for twenty years, it is my experience that unless the mindset of healthy thinking is present, it is extremely difficult to adhere to a healthy regimen. To be a size 6 or the validation of others provides at its best, short-term motivation. To think, “If I look like a super-model, I will be lovable to myself and (to) others” is a set up for frustration and disappointment. Implementing a new exercise program and healthier eating based solely upon on “I should” also is not enough to sustain a life long discipline of healthy choices. n nNegative thoughts rob us of our energy. If our thoughts of ourselves are critical and limiting in beliefs about who and what we are, it is difficult to gather the energy to do much more than what is required of us by our families or employers. When our thoughts are nurturing and positive, the energy and the motivation to take care of ourselves by exercising and eating properly are there for us. Negative thoughts come in many different disguises such as judgments. How frequently are you judging yourself and others throughout your day? When you take notice you may be surprised. We learn judgment early in life. There are always those holding us accountable to their standards or comparing us to others. It is, of course, a great advantage to strive for a higher mark, whether in academics, relationships, physical performances, emotional experiences, etc. There is no advantage when there are so many judgments in the process. We say over and over “Oh, this is good” or “Oh, this is bad” and “I am good” or “I am bad”. “They are wrong” and “I am right” or “They are better” and “I am worse”.nn Move through your experiences, the so-called good and the so-called bad with awareness to how you are feeling. Choose the thoughts and experiences that give you a sense of freedom and joy. Let others choose what thoughts and experiences bring them the feelings they desire. Releasing the judgments and simply experiencing gives us our energy back. Negative self-talk can occur with the idea that you are never enough! We put such undue pressures upon ourselves. Do your best each day and know it is enough. Some days your best may seem better than others. But knowing that you are enough does not have to be based on how much is accomplished on a daily basis. Each day you are simply enough! Everyone is created with their own special gifts and talents to be expressed. It does not matter what gifts others have. Focus on your gifts and know they are enough. Remind yourself that you are enough and it will increase your energy. Thoughts of limitation will certainly lower our energy. When you find yourself desiring a new experience whether it be a new career, relationship or place to live, notice your “Yes, but…! Release the “Yes but…” and replace with “I will…!” Feel the difference in these two thoughts. Which thought gives you a feeling of empowerment vs. disempowerment? Choose the thoughts that empower. Restore your energy! Your physical body is an amazing vessel. It will, however, after years of negative self-talk, improper nutrients and lack of physical exercise show signs of abuse. Diseases can take place such as heart disease, diabetes, depression and other emotional disorders. We are energetic spiritual beings inhabiting our physical bodies. We all arrived on this planet with a unique and special blueprint. Our individual lives have great value to the collective whole. It is our responsibility to be kind and nurturing to ourselves.nn Choose healthy thoughts that restore and replenish your energy. Carefully chose the foods that support and nourish your physical body. Choose to keep your body strong and flexible by exercising. n n Begin by making the decision to nurture and be gentle to yourself each day. Replace negative self-talk with kind words. Talk to yourself as you would talk to your best friend. Know from the bottom of your heart that you are a beautiful, worthy person just because you exist. Find the physical exercise that you enjoy. Whether it be aerobic dance, hiking, tennis, power walking, yoga, do something you like. When choosing the foods you eat stop and ask “Is this food honoring my body? Is it giving it the nutrients and energy it needs to be supported and function properly?”nn All input affects your overall well-being! Carefully choose the books you read, the music you listen to, and the movies you watch. Choose to associate with others that uplift and inspire. Every day, every minute, every moment is an opportunity to choose and recreate. n