Soul Of Louisville Speaks

One day you are born. You learn to walk. Then talk. You begin to grow. Get taller. Speak better. Walk Faster. Start kindergarten. Head to Middle School. On to High School. Then College. What will you do when you graduate? Are you going to get married? How many children will you have? Are you ready for retirement? How about death?

We have a tendency to look ahead from the moment we are born. The adults around us rush us to become toddlers (sitting up, crawling, taking steps, etc.) and the cycle began. We have been living for the next moment every since.

I was speaking with a friend recently regarding what he was hoping for in his future. We discussed it. As my friend shared his thoughts, he finalized his statement with these words “but in this right now moment” and that phrase has stuck with me from that day on. Every time I am about to think too far in advance or worry about things that have yet to take place, I remind myself that for this “right now moment” I am going to focus on this (whatever the “this” may be)

How are you doing at staying in your right now moment? The concept of wellness relates to the idea of achieving balance in your mental, emotional, physical, social, environmental, intellectual and spiritual life. Many of us are at our wits end because we are so busy planning, living and reacting to the future we have no idea how to focus on and even enjoy this present “right now” moment.

The levels of stress that our society encounters have taken on a life of its own and are now the source of many of the diseases that attack our bodies. Increased stress levels can result in sleep deprivation. The sleep deprivation can create physical responses such as fatigue and headaches.

What is the solution? Well one simple adjustment is our attitude, through your new phrase for the week – “This Right Now Moment.” Start living for today. Start enjoying the moments and slow down just long enough to actually be where you are. I have been guilty of being at the next destination in my mind while teaching a fitness class. But I find that when I stay in the “right now moment” I learn knew things about myself and about others. When I stay in the “right now moment” I am able to relax just long enough to realize, not everything is as urgent as it seems. When I stay in the “right now moment” I am better prepared to face the next moment…..my new “Right Now Moment.”

Next week I will continue this conversation by addressing the negative ways we cope with stress and how it can hinder our connection to the current moments. We will also explore it impacts on our health and why we need to change it.

Remember Wellness Works! Until next time Be Blessed Not Stressed in your “Right Now Moment.”

 What is the Foundation of Spiritual Wellness in Your Life?

Throughout our lifetime we face many challenges: Where to live, where to work, where to go to school, who to marry, what church to attend, and the list goes on. As we begin to make the decisions we believe best meet our needs and desires, we will find that opposition is usually sure to follow, specifically if you are moving in the direction of your destiny.

The key is not to worry about being shaken, but don’t allow life to negatively stir you up. Don’t let life get the best of you. No matter what obstacles may come your way, stand firm on your beliefs, turn to God not when there is no where else to turn but before there is no where else to turn (“Seek ye first” - Matthew 6:33). And you will find that every time you may be shaken, but never stirred off course.

This truth was never more real for me than on one Sunday Afternoon. As I shared my experiences of spiritual challenges with a friend, the devil stood by and listened. He took up residence in an individual near by and proceeded to work his devilish magic. I shared with the member how the Lord must really have something big in store for me, and my blessing must be really close. I stated this because the level of turmoil and mental anguish I had experienced over the past few months had been extreme. She agreed and proceeded to give me instruction on how to prepare and strategize for what was yet to come.

Within minutes of this conversation, Satan was busy and went straight to work. He found the best scenario to negatively stir up my spirit and proceeded to put the plan into action. What Satan had forgotten however, was I had just been coached by one of God’s angels and God was not too far from the situation either. Satan succeeded at pushing my buttons, but God controlled my response. God walked me through the entire situation. He let me see the truth and conduct myself with the utmost composure.

Yes it may have created a new level of challenges for my life, but I was shaken, not stirred. I was able to turn to the only One who could help and He came through excellently.

Forget 007, I have the Trinity.

What is the foundation of your spiritual wellness? How is it impacting your journey to complete wellness Mind, Body, & Spirit? Check out this link for some interesting insights http://www.create-health-and-wellness.com/spiritual-wellness.html

Remember Wellness Works!

Be blessed.

Remember life is not a destination, it’s a journey!   So keep moving!

When it comes to wellness it is a constant rededication to healthy living mind, body, and spirit. Personally, I find that I am always reflecting, refocusing and resuming my goal in life of living well. So my question to you this month is “Are you improving”?

It is obvious that we are far past January when I encouraged you to set goals and plans for your New Year. We have passed the months of February and March when the previously dedicated typically lose their momentum toward Health & Wellness. We are well into spring and soon Memorial Day will mark the half way point to December 31^st. Oh my goodness!

So I ask you again. Are you improving? Many of you may respond “May be, May be not” and this is because progress in the eye of the beholder, it’s all in how you look at it. I am confident that many of you have improved far more than you have given yourself credit for. Answer the following questions.

• Have you noticed your clothes fitting different (looser)?
• Do you have more energy, feel less sluggish?
• Are you more aware of what you are eating?
• Are you feeling less stressed?
• Are you spending more time with your family?
• Have you learned how to say NO?
• Do you have a better idea of what you need to change about YOU?

If you answered yes to even ONE of these questions you have made progress! If your issue is not on this list then find your accomplishment and say it loud, say it proud. You are making progress and the best is yet to come.

So join me as I reflect, refocus and resume 2008 ready to make Wellness Work in my family, in my career, and in my life purpose! I am going to keep you Motivated in May!

Are you wondering if you can actually set a goal in May and achieve it by December? Are you wondering if it’s even worth trying all this exercise and eating right again? What is my response to you my friend?

May Be May Be Not, but you must get started to find out! Remember life is not a destination, it’s a journey! So keep moving!