Wholeness: Body, Mind & Spirit

Over the last few weeks we’ve been looking at the topic of health. And just today, I remembered an interesting quote from a seminar that I facilitate on “Life Balance”. It echoes what Ruth has been discussing about this topic– the concept that health involves body, mind & spirit. (See recent blog entries)

“We [in the Western world] invented the notion that “biology” and “physics” and “psychology” and “psychiatry” are separate. If we want to deal with health, and we’re looking only at the chemistry or the emotional state, we have an imperfect glimpse. The patient sitting before me brings with him or her not only chemistry, but also family, relationships, emotions and character. The distinctions we bring to a hospital in terms of mind and body are abstractions that we make. The patient is still a whole person, and to help him or her get better, ideally we would deal with all of these aspects – the balance of a person’s life.” Dr. David Eisenberg – a Chinese trained physician.

Sometimes I get the sense that the concept of wholeness – that we are mind, body and spirit and that each aspect affects the other - is something that we may understand intellectually, but not practically. It reminds me of the apostle Pauls’ honest confession, “I don't understand why I act the way I do. I don't do what I know is right.”

Can we afford to be this way when it comes to our health?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

~ Wendy

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

Soul Food

The checklist continues to our last consideration toward optimal well being: our spiritual life.

Spiritual
Do I make time each day to feed my soul? Am I starving for something deeper, richer and more satisfying?

I've discovered in the summer when I'm not in a routine of regular Bible study, I often feel listless, restless with no sense of direction. An hour walk, while reciting a few Bible verses inspires me, helps to get me back on track. The disciplines of prayer, fasting, Bible study, memorizing and meditating are essentials to a healthy spiritual life but many of these great exercises have been forgotten. Once applied, however, their results won't be.

How about adding just one of the above to your daily routine for this month? (it only takes twenty-one days to develop a habit) Then add another until you are filled up and overflowing in your spirit.

Looking after our bodies is not a new thought but is expressed in scripture in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NAS, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not you own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body."

As we bring our talk on health to a close, remember the three 'T's': Toned, Tough and Triumphant.
TONED physically,
TOUGH mentally,
and
TRIUMPHANT spiritually

Now how about taking a few minutes to talk to me about your health? I'd love to engage in a conversation where we can learn from and encourage one another as we embark on this journey of quality living.

Thinking on the Right Things

Now that we feel a little better physically (see last week's blog post), let's move on to the mind.

Mental
~ Have I read a good book lately?
~ Or taken a new course to keep my mind alert?
~ Am I thinking on the right things? (Philippians 4:8 Let your mind dwell on these things: whatever is true, honourable, right, pure, lovely, excellent, worthy of praise- wow! That's a lot of good thinking).

Although I'd never consider drinking chemicals, when I dwell on negative thoughts (called “stinkin' thinkin'” by Zig Ziglar), I'm poisoning my mind. That can lead to depression, sleeplessness and subsequently fatigue. In our computer age, we know “garbage in, garbage out”. GIGO. The opposite is also true. Positive thoughts in, positives out. PIPO

Let me know what keeps your mind active.

Is it Sudoku, crossword puzzles or something else?
How do you maintain a positive attitude?

Talk to me and share your ideas.

Enjoy the fresh air of fall!

Jim Rohn states." Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." What a great proactive statement reminding us of the importance of looking after ourselves. As women, we love to make sure everyone else is looked after. However, if you are like many people, including me, sometimes our health doesn't get any attention until we are in a crisis. So as summer leaves and autumn comes, let's spend some time thinking about our health.


To get started, let's answer these questions:

Considering your own health, what comes to mind?
a) an energetic, vibrant woman enjoying life
OR
b) a woman inflicted with headaches, stiff muscles, allergies and fatigue?

Considering all aspects of health...body, mind and spirit,
a) is one area more important to you than the other
OR
b) have you found a balance of the three? If so, how have you accomplished this? (I'd like to hear from you)

Since we are made up of body, mind and spirit, in order to achieve optimal health, all three areas need our attention. During our time together over the next few weeks, let's look briefly at each of the three parts of our health and answer a few more questions.

Physical
~ Am I eating healthy foods that will energize and sustain? Could I cut down on sugars and caffeine? Don't tell anyone (Shhh) but I'm a binge eater so I really need to work on this area. When I do, I feel so much better.

~ Do I get enough exercise and fresh air? I've walked for years and love it. However, a few years ago my sister challenged me to "run", having started her running later in life. Reluctant at first, but wanting to keep up with her new adventure, I began. Walk half a block, run (okay... it was a slow jog) half a block. Little by little, increasing, oh so minimally, until on October 13th, 2007, I ran (jogged) my first 5km and raised nearly $1200 for Haitian orphans. What a great sense of accomplishment! Walking is great but if you need a little extra, why not lace up your runners and go for a RUN? Or if running sounds too ambitious, what about walking a little faster or longer, swimming, skating or skiing?

Let us know what works for you to keep in shape!

**Please note- I checked with my doctor, had a heart echo and purchased high quality runners before starting to run.

Lord, You Know My Heart

The onset of fall tends to bring a rush of activity. Activities, practices, small groups, and the like all swing into full gear come September. It can be difficult to find time to spend with God. Indeed, as women we must make time....and sometimes that means scheduling it in on the calendar.

The past week was even busier than normal and I was feeling mentally drained. My usual time with the Lord had been getting cut short and my attitude reflected it. I knew an intervention was needed immediately.

So last night, I purposefully set aside two hours to spend with Jesus and rest in His presence. I prayed He would refresh my weary soul and bring restoration. I poured out my heart in repentance for the sin that had tarnished my reflection of Him.

Then, completely unexpectedly, He used the first line of a song I had never heard before to penetrate my heart. The opening lyrics? “You know my heart…”

Hearing those words – the specific prayer that has become like breath to me for over a year, “Lord, You know my heart” – I fell to my knees with tears streaming down my face in thankfulness to my wonderful, powerful, beautiful Redeemer.

He knows my heart. He knows my weaknesses, strengths, joy, and fears. He knows when I’ve tried to take things into my own hands, and the times when I’ve let go and trusted His arms to carry me.

Make time today to rest and be refreshed by His Living Water. He knows your heart too, dear sister!

Acts 3:19 “The times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

Goal Setting: One Step at a Time

One of the most important questions I have ever been asked is, “What did you do this week to move towards what God is calling you to do?”

It’s a question that requires reflection and honesty.
Our dreams and God-given goals can often seem unattainable. That’s when you know it’s God – because without His strength, they would be impossible. It’s humbling, exciting, and terrifying all at the same time! We need to seek God’s direction for how we can be developing our gifts and serving Him right where we are, today.

Personal growth happens when we daily put one foot in front of the other, following where God is leading.

If God has given you a heart for the elderly, contact a local long-term care facility and ask about volunteer possibilities. Pick up the phone; don’t wait for someone to call you. Have a passion for photography that captures the beauty of God’s creation? Start honing your craft by taking classes at a local art gallery or college. Dream of being a wife and mom, but a husband has yet to enter the picture? Offer to spend an hour a week helping a neighbour mom prepare a meal or take care of her children for hands-on training.

Set goals to keep track of your progress and start a prayer journal to record how you see God at work along the way.

Tell us!

• What are you dreams?



• What will you do this week to move towards what God is calling you to do?

Can't wait to hear from you!
Michelle