Intently connecting my body with my mind and my spirit has been truly satisfying in fulfilling my health needs. I've realized that creating a balance for myself must include paying attention to my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Committing to all four of these health components is crucial. Each part needs daily attention to strengthen and grow, and neglecting any area will have negative consequences.
When I first started sweating it out with my fitness journey, it was challenging physically and mentally. Dedication to exercising regularly throughout the week was time-consuming, sweat inducing and humbling. I began slowly building up my time and intensity with cardio training, increasing my resistance and repetitions with strength training, and gaining more balance and ease of stretching with flexibility training. Eventually, I started seeing physical results and feeling mental and emotional benefits, which motivated me to keep working. My nutrition plan became easier to follow with each step, and I noticed my mental clarity getting clearer, my energy getting higher, and my mood getting better. My body and my mind were working together to improve my health!
Running that race for years helped my body get strong, but I was still lacking something. My soul craved a deeper connection! Once I figured out that my spiritual health was lacking, and I included prayer, devotion, and worship practices, my overall state of health started to soar! I was on fire for more and feeling fantastic!
This process took a long time to discover, and I still need to dedicate myself to train in all areas. Lately, I've stepped up my game in forming habits and making small changes to keep improving. I have good days and bad days, but I'm more connected in knowing what I should do (no guilt allowed, but imperfectly progressing). I've scheduled out time for my spiritual disciplines, mindfulness activities, emotional outlets and physical workouts, viscerally connecting my mind, body and spirit. Relating to my positive inner feelings helps me stay mindfully present, determined, inspired and motivated.
A commitment to our health counts! It continues each day so we can be complete in our well-being. It will take sweat, sacrifice and suffering: muscle pain, chiseled emotions, and disciplined minds. ALL of it is worth every effort!
I've learned so much about myself through this process, and will continue to put forth effort everyday to keep learning, studying and engaging in healthy activities in all components.
Each day is a new day for me to commit to progressing forward, and celebrating WHO I am now, not looking back in the past. I have temptations that are hard to resist, but no matter the temptation, I can overcome knowing I'm not relying on my own strength. I'm committed not only for myself, but for my family, for my friends and above all, for Someone greater than me!
I'm challenging you now, to cultivate your confidence and commit to your whole self-your whole health. Make God your anchor point, breathe and live in the present moment, and move forward despite any obstacles!! You are in a pursuit of a goal; happy, healthy, healed and holy. What area of health do you need to give more attention to?
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