Hello all,
Being aware of my strengths and needs, as related to wellness, required some thought and personal assessment related to rating my physical, spiritual, and psychological well-being on a scale of 1 to 10. I needed to connect my behavior and thoughts to the text reading and focus on the goal of living a healthier lifestyle. I would like to think of myself as pretty much well grounded and not needing much work. But the truth of the matter is, in honesty, we all need some work in one area or another because we are not perfect people. Or, at least, I am not perfect. In the physcial well-being area, I rate at 6 a little more than half the distance. This is based on not being obese or totally out of shape but needing some work. This work would require change in eating habits and exercising the body to return to a healthier weight and maintaining it. In order to live a more wholesome and healthier life, it requires everything working together. My goal is to improve in this area by rejoining a fitness club, not as a New Year's resolution, but rather as a new way of living. My spiritual well-being can be rated at 8. I am an Evangelist and very active in my church. I am involved in weekly Bible Study and an online prayer ministry. I attend church every Sunday and I am the Administrative Assistant to my Pastor. But work is needed in this area too. I have set a goal to begin taking a Sabbath rest weekly that will include a half day of no television, no telephone and no personal socializing from my waking time to 12 Noon on Fridays. Setting aside this time will allow me to read, meditate, have a talk with my Savior and hear from Him on a consistent basis. This time period can be considered as Preparation 3, silence and stillness, a toning down of outer activity, letting go of the unnecessary and trivial distractions in order to become more in touch with the primary source of my being. There is no doubt that my psychological well-being needs strengthening and is rated at 8 also. This is an area that needs more time and more commitment. I am a student, I am involved in church, I am busy, busy, busy. With all these things going on the mind needs down time to clear and recharge to skillful behavior as learned in Preparation 2, skillful action. My goal here is to put an end to behavior that creates an obstacle to my inner developlment. Being caught up in obligations and commitment diminishes the focus and robs me of time needed in other areas. A statement read in our text reading gave me more awareness of my need in this area -- "we must stop doing what hurts us before we can move forward". As a result of this, I am setting a goal of daily task assignments and devoting time solely to the items listed and not include other stuff thrown at me. This is big and will require work but I know "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". What do you think about my goals and plan to life a healthiet lifestyle? Share with your feedback with me and let me know. Thanks!
Happy Holidays everyone!
Dru Van Wright
Hello Dru,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to respond to my post and inviting me to read your Blog. What is it like to be an Evangelist? Is your church a large church? I was so uplifted by your Biblical quote from Philippians 4:13. That verse is one of my favorites and refer back to that daily. I really like how you are dedicating some time to the Lord on Fridays. I find it really hard to find time, but you are so right we need to take time for our relationship and our health. If we do not just take the time then will we ever have time and put those things important to us first. Thanks for your Blog, it has got me thinking and definitely processing my priorities.
Thanks, Emily
Hi Emily,
DeleteJust getting back to you. I was away at a Church Growth & Evangelism Seminar in Memphis, TN. I am back getting caught up on my school work and posting. Thanks for reading my blog and I am glad I helped to get you thinking. Some times it takes hearing from someone else what is needed to make things a little better in putting priorities first. Keep me posted how you make out and if I can be of any help.
Dru
Hi Dru,
ReplyDeleteI found your post to be very insightful and uplifting! Like you, one of my biggest obstacles is taking time for myself...that quiet time needed to recharge our mind, spirit and body. I found the reading very interesting...especially the part of taking unnecessary obstacles out of the way so we can focus on ourselves. When I thought about it, there are activities that are unnecessary that I attend to...makes my days more hectic for no reason.
I think the goals you've set for yourself are on point! It is important to take time to take care of yourself...only when you are okay can you help others. This is something I'm working on myself. I cherish my quiet time...meditation is something I'm not good at just yet, but when I do it, I feel relaxed and better deal with life circumstances. How are you with meditation? Do you find it relaxing?
Manisha,
DeleteThanks for responding and it is good to read your post. It is amazing how many people have things in common. Moving the obstacle is one part and doing something with situation once it is moved is the other part. But, I am going to work to put both together to work for my good. Meditation for me is sitting quietly, feet elevated, eyes close for 15 minutes then reading the Bible and listening to soft music works best for me. Then, some times I just sit and unwind.
Dru
This a great post for this exercise and glad your setting goals to increae in all three areas of well-being. That is awesome you participate so much in your church. I need to make more time out of my busy life to go to church more but I have never stopped believing in God and living my life how he would want me to. What type of exercises do you plan on using to help increase your physical well-being and psychological well-being? What plan do you think you should make to reach optimal wellness?
ReplyDeleteHey Aaron,
DeleteHappy New Year. I was away in Memphis, TN. I wanted to respond to your questions and see if you have any suggestions.
Physical well-being - I am joining a gym and plan to workout at least 3 days weekly.
Psychological well-being - eliminate some of the unnecessary commitments and obligations. Learn and practice saying "No" to man made obstacles.
For optimal wellness - change old hindering habits; eat better; exercise; meditate, pray and read the Bible more. These are just a few but a good start. What do you think?
Dru
Awesome Goals Dru,
ReplyDeleteI think that your goals are very realistic and obtainable, and yes you can do all things thru Christ who strengthens you so stay focused and you have the victory! I too am a active member in my church so I know how busy things can get sometimes, I also have a 4 year old and planning a wedding! A lot on my plate, however God gives grace,as far as the chances your making do you think that taking that extra down time can also help you to focus more on the motivation that needed to be consistent in your goals? How could that help others?
Hi Shevy,
DeleteThanks for supportive comments. You really do have a full plate too. When is the wedding?
More time would allow me to become more of a people person rather than a pretender and yes it would give me more motivation to focus and be consistent in my goals Time would allow me to help others help themself and live more healthier.
Dru
Hi Drucilla,
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that you get this comment because I have not been too successful in posting. I really enjoyed reading your goals and objectives and I also was happy to see that even in doing the work of the Lord that we all must learn balance. I used to be so busy in church that I was not taking the opportunity to enjoy just living - feeling the sun, taking in the beauty that God creates on a daily bases. It is really hard to sometime live in balance. I am hoping that this will be a take-away for me from this class.
Hi Barbara,
DeleteYes I received your post and was glad. You were one of the first person I tried to blog with and was not sure posting was successful either so I added a few others to my list. Yes, I love serving the Lord and it is quite a task juggling school and church commitments. The blessing is that I do not have children or a significant other which makes it a little easier. But the real task is now focusing on balance and this class is quite a good start with this endeavor. That is why I could focus on setting some goals and objectives. Now it is working them into my routine and becoming as committed to them as I have other things. A mentla workout will be a new endeavor for me as will the goals and objectives I have set. I will check out the website you suggested and if you have other information, let's share.
Dru