Increasing your health today may be easier than you think, starting with this one step.

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you thought you simply could not be happy until you have it or achieve it?  The process goes something like this…

Once I reach this goal, or live this way, or weigh this much, then I will be happy, successful, etc.

When we think this way we inevitably set ourselves up for unhappiness, or at the very least, ongoing dissatisfaction with our everyday life.  The future is no guarantee.  And I’m sure you, as I, have already experienced the ups and downs of life to know that things get in the way.  Our journey through life weaves and winds and sometimes takes us to places we would never expect to go.  And many times that journey redirects us away from our original goal.

What then?  Are we doomed?  Is the ability to be happy gone?

Health depends on more than just live, clean food and water, physical activity and adequate, restful sleep.  Health is also affected by stress, environment and our thinking and beliefs.  And to this end, our thoughts and beliefs can be very powerful in how they impact our health and well-being.  The more we believe in and love ourselves, the better care we take of ourselves and ultimately our health.

So here is my challenge for you this week.  Take the time to look at your life, as it is now in the present – because your only guarantee is the present – and determine what it would take for you to be happy today.  Not next month, next year or five years from now.  Start with the premise, if what you have right now is all you ever have, what can you do right now to be happy now?  Make a list of at least one thing you can do this week to make your life happy now.  I’m not telling you to flush your long-term goals down the toilet.  Instead, I encourage you to start loving and enjoying life now because that’s what you deserve.

Why should you do this?  Have you ever set a goal with the intention that it will bring you something you desire, only to get there and find the outcome you expected did not occur?  What was the goal?  What was the effect you were looking for?  If you reached the goal, did your life become everything you wanted it to be?  Was it worth waiting for?  If you answered no to any of these, I urge you to try a new way by being happy now and leaving the goals as icing on the cake.

Yours in Wellness,
Jackie