Holistic
Health
By Bill Ellis
SCOTT DEPOT, WV (ANS) -- Everybody
wants to be healthy and feel good every day. Is such a goal even
possible? Many of us have minor aches and pains. On one end of the
health spectrum there may be a group that suffers debilitating pain and
misery every day. At the other extreme there is another small group
that feels good and enjoys life at its best.
I would assume that most of us have to work at being healthy, strong
and feeling good. It is not something that happens without some
conscious effort on our part.
Health is associated with fitness,
well-being, vitality, condition, strength and vigor. We often refer to
it as "being in shape." That means having our weight under control,
eating a healthy diet, getting proper exercise and building muscle
strength. The exercise part can be accomplished, in part, by walking,
swimming, lifting weights, doing prescribed exercises, taking care of
the lawn and garden, walking up and down the stairs, relaxing and
getting plenty of sleep.
Mark Twain, a favorite writer, said
health is "To eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like and do
what you'd rather not." Like you and Mr. Twain, I also eat a lot of
things I don't especially want, drink some things I do not like and do
certain things that take effort. To have good health requires some
sensible exertion.
A word that has become increasingly
popular in recent years is "holistic." It is closely related to
holiness which Jonathan Edwards, one of the greatest minds of early
America, described as "A sweet, pleasant, charming, serene, calm
nature." That may be one of by-products of good health. Holistic
medicine appears more frequently on the health agenda than it once did.
That is looking at the entire mind/body relation. The totality of human
life -- body, mind, spirit and soul.
It seems like every week there are
one or more pieces of mail urging me to subscribe to another magazine
or letter dealing with my health. Other than The Cleveland Clinic Heart
Advisor, I glance and discard.
There are, however, two magazines I
read and find helpful and I think you would also. A bi-monthly called
"Vitajournal" and a monthly called "TriVita," TriVita, 16100 N.
Greenway Hayden Loop, Suite 950, Scottsdale, AZ 85260 produces them.
Check it out at www.trivita.com
or call toll free 1-800-991-7116.
Michael R. Ellison, who calls himself
"a wellness seeker" is the CEO and Co-Founder of the TriVita company.
On page two, along with his monthly column, he always mentions the "10
Essentials of Health and Wellness." These suggestions resonate
with me.
They make sense. I can do them.
These are "physical" things we can
all do.
(1) Breathe
Deeply.
(2) Drink Water.
(3) Sleep Peacefully.
(4)
Eat Nutritiously.
(5) Enjoy Activity.
The list continues with things
that are "emotional."
(6) Give and Receive Love.
(7) Be Forgiving.
(8)
Practice Gratitude.
(9) Develop Acceptance.
Last and most important of
all is "spiritual."
(10) Develop a Relationship with God.
That can be defined as "holistic
living." Jesus once encapsulated life at its best in these words, "And
you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your
soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength" and then He
added, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Mark 12:30-31,
NKJV).
Following these few suggestions may
help you as they have me to feel good and enjoy holistic health each
day. Every day of my life I thank God for strength, energy, freedom
from severe pain and a mind that works most of the time. May this day
be good for you and those whom you love.
| Bill Ellis is
a syndicated columnist, and
convention and conference speaker on every continent. He is the writer
of more than 1600 columns and widely known as a motivator utilizing
enjoyment of life and just plain fun and laughter while speaking to
high school, university and professional sports teams as well as to
business and professional groups of all kinds. His keen understanding
of human problems make him a favorite speaker for youth, parent, and
senior adult meetings. He is accompanied by Kitty, his wife, favorite
singer, editor and publisher. |
