Resolutions…

A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out.                                                      Proverbs 25:28 (The Message)

I talked yesterday about making resolutions, and I said that there are some simple rules that help the process. Resolutions should be practical, measurable and achievable, as well as easy to remember. I also suggested that we should plan for resolutions on three basic levels of health that must always be considered- physical, spiritual, and mental/emotional.

For example, one might consider walking at least 15 minutes/day. A brisk walk, done regularly, enhances both physical and mental health. Exercise has been shown to be effective in reducing stress, anxiety and depression. Further, the physical benefits of exercise are too numerous to mention in a brief blog. Trust me when I say that exercise pays off far beyond the effort that it takes to do it.

Spiritually, there are so many practices that we can consider- meditation, prayer, reading, uplifting music, etc. The point here is the regularity of it. We need daily realignment of our spirit to be emotionally healthy. If you are like me, we look for ways to multi-task on this. Praying while walking is a great practice, and it aligns all of our being in one dedicated practice.

Finally, and certainly you have noticed this, our mental and emotional health is enhanced as we practice the other disciplines. They are all interconnected and affected by one another- for good or ill.

Just some ideas for resolutions.  Remember too that good self-esteem is produced by keeping promises to ourselves. To the extent that we keep those promises we make to ourselves, and thereby enhance trust in ourselves, the better our confidence and esteem becomes.

Prayer: Lord, you have given us all the tools for health. Help is to use them regularly and wisely, Amen