I am happy to once again post on MyHealthyCoach.  I wanted to share something with you that I hope may be of some value.

Just recently my dear bestie, DMS and I got an opportunity to spend 5 weeks together.  She came home with me after receiving a medical diagnosis which had us both stunned.

This incredible friend was always an enigma to me because throughout our 35+ years of friendship, she above everyone else, was an amazing steward of her body.  I’m talking kale shakes, whole grains, supplements and unheard of concoctions to promote health.  That’s why to all who know her, this is a real health and medical  mystery. If this pal of mine could sustain a diagnosis like this, what hope is there for the rest of us who are punctuated with questionable habits and a long distance frame of reality of “I’ll get to it some day”.

Since I’m not a ‘health professional’, my comments today are more oriented toward awakening the opportunity in all of us to seek healthier habits and to do it as soon as possible.

Some may say “what’s the point?  If someone as health-conscious as that can get sick, what chance do I have….so why bother?”

Well this is exactly the point.  You see…while this has certainly gotten our full attention on one hand, on the other hand, there is also a unique opportunity for optimism, learning, and hope .

Optimism…..in that whatever our circumstances are….no matter where we are on our health journey, there are opportunities to feed a healthy mind and allow ourselves to consider alternative thoughts that just may help us acquire a happier perspective and thus create more joy in our lives.  For many, we have such a resource already in place.  Use it….breathe it in….allow it.  If not, seek one from a trusted source.

Learning…….in that it may cause us to sit up and begin to realize that our days are not guaranteed to us.  We only have now….right now.  So based on that awakening, we may want to pay attention to what we do that can have beneficial or catastrophic outcome down the road.  Don’t know what to do?  Seek guidance….we can open our minds and choose a path that makes sense.  Don’t like that path?  Choose another.  Keep going until something resonates that we can put your trust in.

Hope…..in that where there’s life, there’s hope.  The hope that our pro-active measures can spark in us a sense of control over our choices.  We may not be able to control everything, but there’s an awful lot that we can control.  Can we keep cupcakes from flying into our mouths?  Can we take a 10 minute walk every day to clear our minds, reduce stress and support our digestion?  Can we turn off the TV well before we go to bed so we can have a full & restful night’s sleep?

When one’s current reality is something other than perfect (as most of ours are), we can think about what we ultimately want, really want, and then consider the action steps that will support what we say we want.  What drives the tension in this model, is our WHY.  Even though a person’s WHY has become a bit of a ‘buzzword’ in today’s culture, it is still the ultimate question we can ask…..and keep ourselves on the hook until we can answer it.

As for my pal, DMS, she is undaunted.  Still doing shakes, working with a physical therapist, and keeping up with and engaged with friends and loved ones.   As I wrote earlier, there are no guarantees for any of us, but while we are aware, mindful and present, we can read, interact and do as much as possible to not only maintain who we are, but to be a little more…and little better….fuller.