Having A Healthy Attitude

What’s the first thing you think about when you hear the word, “health”? My mind immediately jumps to food (but we’ll save that for another discussion). I picture fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, REAL food…you know, the kind your grandmother told you to eat. But other things at the top of the list might include exercise, vitamins, supplements, perhaps even getting enough sleep or simply the absence of sickness or disease. All of these things are aspects of our overall health and we would do well to give them proper attention.

But there’s another aspect of health that is definitely recognized, but doesn’t always share the limelight with the list above. (I was going to tell you what it is…but just keep reading) You’re probably familiar with the expression “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone”. Well this has been a powerful lesson to me in several circumstances of my life including sickness. Personally, my most dreaded ‘run of the mill’ illness is the stomach flu. I am the biggest wimp imaginable when it comes to nausea. I’m pathetic, really! But the upside of having it (I can’t believe I’m actually claiming there is an upside to the stomach flu) is that when the nausea finally passes, I am reminded how good it is to feel good! I am thankful beyond measure. I could practically break into the Hallelujah chorus right there in my housecoat.

So, I try to lock it in – the attitude of gratitude – so that I will never again take my well-being for granted. I am reminded, however, that I am to “give thanks in ALL circumstances”. So, I guess I’ve got some work to do. I need to adopt the “attitude of gratitude” all the time, not just when I’m feeling 100%. The interesting part though, is that a positive, thankful attitude actually promotes well-being – another key to good health. Thoughts of gratitude reduce our stress and bring us into a better mental space. There’s a real link between the way we think and the way we feel. The wisdom of Proverbs points out that “A merry heart doeth good like medicine”. And it sure tastes better than Buckleys!

~ Wendy