Finding Importance...

Some of you may wonder why so much of my writing has to do with "thought" when this is supposed to be a HEALTH newsletter. Simply put, this was never meant to be simply a "health" newsletter. There's plenty of those. The title of this newsletter, and its slowly developing website counterpart, is INDWELLNESS meaning "LIVING (to indwell) in Wellness". You can have knowledge of every good thing for your health, but what makes it work is your daily second to second thought processes. In other words...LIVING the Principles of Maximized Living. Your thoughts ultimately determine your actions, therefore HEALTH begins with thought.

So I was thinking today about how peoples health has a LOT to do with the thoughts of the people surrounding them. If you've seen the movie "Patch Adams" you've seen how your attitude affects health in a very REAL way. It's impossible to be physically well while being emotionally sick. You CAN HELP. Every person you come in contact with depends on you to lift them up. In a time where MILLIONS of children and adults are on ADHD, Depression, and Anxiety drugs it has NEVER been more important for us to take regard of those all around us. Even when you cut somebody off in the street you measurably affect their blood pressure and cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Have you thought about that? If you want the EASIEST way to affect someone's emotional health, find what is important to them. For my two year old Jalen, it's watching him throw a beach ball up to himself and catch it instead of writing this newsletter. It was worth taking a break to watch him and to do another important thing to him, read his books before bedtime. He will be emotionally well translating to physical wellness because of it. For my wife, she enjoys being pregnant so taking a moment to feel the baby kicking is important to her. These little things that we get caught up not paying attention to, though they may not be important to you, are important to others. Take the time, listen, and react accordingly because you are making a very real impact on that persons "wholeness", emotionally AND physically.

PARADIGM SHIFT

Random acts of Kindness

This week perform a self test. Without taking YOURSELF into consideration (i.e. what's in it for me?), make it a point to make ONE random act of kindness each day. The earlier in the day the better. Evaluate what you feel like before, what you feel like after, and most importantly what that persons reaction is. The second level is taking a situation that make YOU angry, recognizing it, then making a random act towards that person. Again evaluate all parties involved before and after. Please share your results...

Childlike Heart...

Today on Easter I was reminded in a unique way of the importance of having a "childlike heart". I realized it has major implications on your health.

Today we were invited to spend the afternoon with some friends. Do you remember when you were a kid and the days seemed so long, because you didn't have long to do lists and responsibilities to manage? You didn't have to ask the question "how in the world will I get everything done?" Instead, you asked simply "what do you want to do today?" (How's that for stress relief?) We had that opportunity today for the first time in YEARS...literally. We ended up spending the afternoon playing kickball, hide and seek, tag, and many other games I probably haven't played since middle school. It was GREAT! Was it childish...absolutely! But while "children" run around burning calories and building lean muscle, the "adults" usually sit around in lawnchairs, drinking coffee and eating cake, while they race to see how quickly they can pack on pounds and develop disease (hence the "hide and seek" picture above). Getting past the "humiliation" and developing a shameless "childlike heart" is likely the best way to cut stress AND get enjoyable exercise. You should try it!

PARADIGM SHIFT

Who is it that you are embarrassed in front of? God wants to see you in a JOYOUS state. What is it that keeps you from just having fun? God gave you an incredible body to do so. Where is the code of conduct written as to how an adult is supposed to act? The bible tells us sing, dance, and be thankful.

Those that play STAY. Those that stress PRESS towards death.