Every new year brings the proverbial “new years resolutions” out of people as they attempt to change or improve something about themselves. More exercise equipment is sold during January and February than any other time of the year.
Speaking of exercise equipment... between Christmas and New Years this year, I was tasked with cleaning out the basement of stuff we didn’t want or need anymore. Why does this happen? It happens to all of us... frequently. Isn’t it obvious... to make room for more stuff we’ll eventually not want or need... but won’t know that for a few more years. So I hauled three really nice pieces of exercise equipment up the stairs, and out to the front lawn near where the dumpster sits for the next morning trash pickup. I placed the pieces in a row near the edge of the lawn, near the curb. I knew there was no way the trasher hauler guy was going to take those three exercise machines... too big, too bulky. But they were really nice pieces. Really nice, hardly used... no nicks or scratches. I hoped, some nice folks with “new years” resolutions on their minds would stop by and snatch the equipment away, saving me the hassle of figuring out how to dispose of it. Sure enough, before the sun went down, the exercise machines were gone! Yippie! The new owners... they would have needed a pickup truck to move all the stuff at once. Thank you folks... whoever you are!
I hope they keep their pickup truck and watch our yard for more really good stuff they might want to have... stuff we like now, but won’t like... someday.
News Years Resolutions sort of make sense, but I don’t know many people who ever really stick with what it is they want to change or improve. Especially losing weight and getting in shape. Actually... most all the things we would like to do for personal self-improvement and even helping others is very simple. In fact, God expects us to make these self-improvements a daily commitment... part of our daily routines.
God expects you to take good care of yourself in mind, body, heart and soul. He has given you the essential tools to do just that everyday of your life. You don’t need fancy equipment, self-improvement videos or books... just common sense.
It starts with this axiom: Live your life... immersed in God’s Word... be in prayer constantly... be in fellowship with like believers. Care for yourself well in mind, body, heart and soul. Slow down... the pace of your life!
The following rules will help improve your overall physical and mental health and outlook on life. Keep these rules handy and review them often. Follow them and small, almost imperceptible changes will accumulate into big self-improvements. Your life will change.
Taking Care of You
Drink plenty of water. God loves water... He used it to make the human body, which is about 70% water!
Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper.
Eat more fruits and vegetables and eat less that is manufactured in processing plants.
Avoid eating food that is handed to you through a window.
Live the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
Play more games... watch less TV.
Read more books than you did in 2009.
Sit in silence for at least 15 minutes each day. Why not pray?
Sleep for 7 hours.
Take a 20-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile and talk to yourself.
Your Outlook
Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
Don't overdo. Keep within your physical limits.
Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
Dream more while you are awake.
Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
Forget issues of the past. Don't remind others of their past mistakes.
Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
Learn a new word every day.
Smile and laugh more.
You don't have to win every argument.
Your Relationships
Call your family often.
Each day give something good to others.
Forgive everyone for everything.
Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
Try to make at least three people smile each day.
What other people think of you is none of your business.
Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Your Life
The worst promise you can break is one made to God.
Always, always, do the right thing!
Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
You don't have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body.
However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
The best is yet to come.
When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.
Seek Contentment and Peace. Follow it all the days of your life.
No matter how you feel, get up and show up.
A Final thought...
Not everyone has a relationship with God. Many simply don’t trust Him or care to surrender their lives to His will and authority. Many claim God, but don’t live their lives in a way that suggests they really care about His leadership in their lives.
If you know someone like that... share these rules with them. Cut & Paste them into an email or send them a link to this BLOG. Send to a friend, colleague or acquaintance. It is a simple and easy way to encourage someone and the benefits will bring them lasting contentment.
God... is at the center of all these rules for healthy living.
