I know I fell off the every Saturday update, but we've had quite a busy weekend from apple picking, exploring hiking trails and state parks, to clearing out our apartment for our big move... I really didn't have time to sit down and write. And frankly, I didn't see anything to write about. I didn't get the writer's itch, or an inspiration of something I wanted to share, and that was worth sharing. So, a short disclaimer: I don't want to come off as "influenc-y" or tell you how great my life is and how you can "do better". Rather, I want this blog to be a space where we learn and grow together. Where I share bits and pieces of my life - the good, the bad, and the ugly - and my journey of growth and healing. I love sharing people, books, and podcasts that have helped me along the way, and maybe they too can help you.
Yesterday, I was listening to a podcast where they were speaking to a woman who created a health program with classes and other things (your basic thing). However, something that really struck me was this: her focus is on reformation; on healing the body, mind, and soul as one. It's not a focus on "eat this, not that", or "do this, not that", or the "here's how to 'fix' yourself", but rather, a guide to help you put Christ as the center of your life and watch everything else fall or fill in place. She said, it's more important that her clients have a prayer life rather than a fit body. It's not that she doesn't care about them being healthy in their body, it's that the center of our lives should never be anything else but God. Her plan: keep Christ as the center, and always draw back to that. If you build a strong relationship with God, you can then ask Him where and how you should heal the rest of your body (emphasis on YOU). If we listen, He speaks.
Our bodies were created in the image and likeness of God. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. If we change our mindset from what foods do I eat that are healthy, to what should I feed my body as a temple, we can heal. Everywhere you turn, you see adds and channels/accounts and so forth of people advertising how to be healthy, get healthy, and live healthy. Everyone has the perfect fix. They've learned and they've mastered - I'm not saying some aren't right, but so often it's just a focus on food and working out. You can learn so much from so many people and it's always good to research (keeping in mind, your body is different than someone else's); however, if our inner soul is disturbed and out of order, how are we going to really, fully, and completely heal? Whenever I went on sprees of eating well and losing weight, I always observed that when I was most joyful in my heart I did the best. A heavy, broken soul held me back from healing. I know there is hormonal and medical reasons that can cause this, but frankly, I was never in a good place in my prayer life. When my relationship with God was weak, I was weak. When my relationship with God was strong, I was strong.
And so, today I want to take a new approach to my wellness journey. I don't want to obsess over what I eat, how often I workout, how much weight I've lost, but rather... how often did I pray? Did I take time each day to sit in stillness and the quiet with God, to really hear Him? To hear what He has for me? To listen to His guidance? I don't want to be fit and thin, I want to have well rounded health, where I am healthy in mind, body and soul. I want to reform my life to be the life God has for me. To grow: happy, healthy, and holy.
Take care of your body as if you were going to live forever; and take care of your soul as if you were going to die tomorrow.
A wonderful quote to reflect on from St Augustine of Hippo, a beautiful reminder of how our wellness journey should proceed.
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