“You will always find those who think they know what is your duty better than you know it. It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Each day, are you becoming healthier? According to the mind/body model of wellness as outlined by The Wellness Book by Herbert Benson, the pursuit of being "well" expands as you continue along the road to self-discovery and what the author calls "self-wholeness." Think of it this way, according to the mind/body model of wellness; you are in a constant process of becoming "whole" and healthier as you learn to become more and more of yourself. Therefore, if you're not even sure where you are on this continuum or if you need a push in the right direction, these three steps will help you tap your continued health and wellness potential.
1) Create Your “Loves” List
Discovering your wellness potential begins by identifying yourself. To begin, make what the author of The Wellness Book calls your “10 Loves List.” This list is easy to create. Choose 10 things in your life you love to do that do not involve risking your physical or emotional health. Next, rate these items in terms of importance and decide if you've been spending enough time doing them. No need to think deeply about this. To make things simple, jot down your first instincts.
For example, your list could look like mine:
Write, read, exercise, meditate/journal/listen to music, listen to guided imagery tapes, watch movies, pet the cat, spend time with friends and family, and make jewelry.
2) Uncover Your Missing Pieces and Create a Long-Term Goal for Your Health
Next, decide what images this exercise brings up for you. If the premise of wellness is gathering or "re-membering" your missing pieces to create wholeness, what activities are you missing in your life or not doing enough of? Usually, your mind and heart will provide the answer to this question. Now, ask yourself how you can change your life to include more of what's missing?
From this jumping-off point, you should now be able to create a long term goal. This goal should be challenging enough to be exciting yet not troublesome or burden you. It should also be a goal you feel you can accomplish within a year. This list should conjure up the notion that you can expand your mind and health by bringing forward what you consider your gifts to the world. Continue to examine your list and decide what you can contribute.
3) Create Monthly Short-Term Goals and Begin to Re-Member Yourself
Next create a month's worth of short term goals, based on time constraints. To summarize, define short term goals as "specific, realistic, measurable and behavior-oriented," according to the author. For example, if , like me, your goal is to write a book, set the goal of writing five pages each day for five days each week.
After you've defined your short term goals, make a genuine commitment to them. If you need to, create a contract with yourself, sign it, date it and put it in an envelope. Plan to revisit this goal chart at the end of the month. This simple, effective exercise relies on one idea—it only takes 21 days to create a habit. If you are consistent and work through a month of short-term goals, chances are you will be successful in reaching your longer goal. And as The Wellness Book author says, this passion work will reap dividends on your health and wellness.
Identifying Your Wellness Potential, In Conclusion:
Each month continue to renew and recommit to your long term goal by retooling your short term goals as you move along. Also, continue to re-explore your "List of Loves" and see where you can apply them into your life. According to the author, you will soon find that what you focus on expands and you will create more space for in your life. As a result, you will then be on your way to re-membering all the lost pieces of yourself and to enhance your health and longevity. You'll wonder why you didn't strive to become more of yourself sooner!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura M. Turner, journalist, author and Certified Natural Health Practitioner is the creator of the Body Talk eZine: Nature's Anti-Aging Treasures Website. She invites you to join her "10 Years Younger" Campaign and to learn more about living younger, healing yourself and those you love with quality retail or wholesale Young Living essential oils and essential oil-based products. Visit today and begin a healthier tomorrow.
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