Spiritual Health

Its that time of year again when we make promises to be better and do better and live better lives.  Those pesky New Year's resolutions, which we inevitably leave by the wayside, remind me of the constant struggle to attack some of the bad habits that I have and take an inventory of where I currently stand.  In and of itself, setting a New Year's resolution isn't a bad thing.  Its always great to take some time out for reflection, and what better time than when a fresh new year is sitting ahead of us.  What I don't like about New Year's resolutions is the feeling that I am inevitably setting myself up for failure.  I know that dieting will only work for as long as I stay on the diet. And I know that I’m not going to pass up chocolate cake forever. I know I need to work out, but I also know there will be some mornings where sleeping in will be my priority.

This year I am resisting the urge to set a number based weight loss goal (20 pounds by April). Or even some ridiculous number based work out goal (get up at 5 am 6 days a week). Instead my goal is to feel good each day about the skin that I’m in, about my relationship with God, about my own mental health and about progress on this life journey. I pledge to bring the principles of my spiritual journey into my fitness journey: love, forgiveness, patience, kindness, presence and hope. This year I am striving to intentionally integrate the cultivation of spirituality into health, nurturing and strengthening the physical body in ways that will inevitably support and bolster my spirit. Is it possible that physical fitness will get me closer to God? Only one way to find out...