How do you define 'health'?

When you hear the word health, what comes to mind? Absence of illness? Size or weight? Exercise? Diet?

The word health is so broad and big - almost abstract. What seems or feels “healthy” to one person might be very different to someone else’s picture of health.

Why is this significant? (and why I am I asking so many questions?!) The significance is that health is something that ALL of us want. We want to be free of pain, to have energy, to be able to carry out daily tasks with ease and so on. But sadly, our “vagueness” around what health looks like to us individually can actually prevent us from getting there (wherever “there” is!).

I struggled with this very issue in January of this year. With a milestone birthday approaching in the Spring, I had a personal goal to be “in the best shape of my adult life” by my birthday. The only problem was - I didn’t know how to turn that goal into a plan. My goal was abstract - and without having a clear idea of where I wanted to go, how could I expect to get there?

The fact is that we cannot do that which we cannot imagine. We need a clear picture of our destination in order to plan the steps to get there. Imagine a building that did not first have a blueprint. How would the builder know where to begin? A well thought out plan is half the battle.

So, I’m wondering...What does healthy living look like to you? I’d love to hear!