There is much discussion about what is healthy for us, what will increase our survival and how to live life on purpose. From new dietary guidelines to recommendations for exercise. We’re told how to spend or save our money in a way that will bring financial order to our lives. A good number of us attend local places of worship multiple times a week to hear another teaching on how to increase our spiritual health. With all of these resources, are we achieving a good overall state of health?
A great way to measure the health of any area of our lives, whether it’s our relationships, health, finances, or any other area, is to ask ourselves two questions:
- Do I have the ability to survive?!
- Do I have the ability to make a meaningful and purposeful impact in my current state?
The answer to both of these questions is always yes. We have the capacity to do all things. However, if you are questioning your survival or ability to make a meaningful impact in life, take action by implementing this process.
Honesty. The first step to making any change in life is to be honest about where you are. I heard a speaker say recently that if you don’t have a truth-teller in your life, be your own truth-teller. Another good truth-teller is the Word of God; it is timeless and has been calling us on the carpet since it was etched on tablets (of stone, not your iPad or Kindle Fire). Is your physical body beginning to speak to you through tight buttons or pain due to weight gain? Are you drowning financially? Is your marriage simply something documented on paper? Are you depressed from a situation that caught you off guard and you’re having trouble moving forward in life? When you become honest about where you are, it opens the door for growth.
Assessment. Are you making an accurate assessment of your current situation? Is a professional necessary to assess your situation? Historically, men are more reluctant to submit to assessment whether it be for their health, money or relationships. They would rather fix it themselves or if they don’t see it as broke, they “ain’t gonna” fix it. But women are guilty as well. Determine the severity of your situation and make the adjustments, seek the appropriate professional to assist you with assessing your situation.
Education. We perish if we lack this. We also perish if we get this from the wrong source. Taking advice from a person who is not qualified or skilled in your area of need is a dangerous situation. Nowadays, information is literally at your fingertips. Some information requires an expert, seek education from a professional if necessary.
Consistency. They say if you do something for 21 days then it becomes a habit. I don’t know the validity of that claim but the point is you have to discipline yourself and keep working at the changes you are making. If you make a mistake, don’t condemn yourself and quit, keep moving forward.
Accountability. It always helps to have a cheerleader on your side or that truth-teller that has no interest in making you feel good, they’re more interested in seeing you be good. Don’t take constructive criticism personally. If it will help you reach your goal of living a healthy life, take it and use it to improve yourself.
Being healthy in every area of life is necessary in order to make a meaningful impact on others. Ultimately it’s what we do for others that make our lives full of purpose. Whether it’s meeting the needs of your spouse, giving to a local charity, or being a listening ear in order to give an encouraging word; we have to have health in our bodies, our thoughts, our spiritual walk and finances. Endeavor to take an honest look at your life and assess if your current state of health in the various areas of your life is sustainable and can you impact others in a positive way. Educate yourself, be consistent, and find a safe person as your accountability partner.
Florencia C. Robertson is a devoted wife and working mom who has authored 2 blogs focusing on the functional application of the 31st chapter of Proverbs and the daily rush hours for working families of 5-9am/pm. She aspires to complete her first fictional book in the near future. Her previous works can be found at byFlorencia.com. You can follow on Twitter @byFlorencia. Florencia is a native of Maryland and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Great applicable sound advise we all can use and grow from! Thanks for sharing:)
Enjoyed this!