Attitude: Your Cornerstone of Health
During the past two weeks, I have been reading a number of articles in Tikkun magazine about various suggestions that the authors of these articles are making to President Obama. (Tikkun is a magazine developed by Rabbi Michael Lerner. Rabbi Lerner is very much interested in bringing peace to Israel and the Palestinians. He represents a balanced view about the situation in the Middle East).
In analyzing these articles, I have come to the conclusion that the biggest health challenge today has to do with the citizens of this country and throughout the world needing to change their attitude or way of thinking.
On the physical side, we are urged to select our foods more carefully, especially when we go out to eat. I have heard that over one-third of our citizens are now rated as obese and that another third are listed as overweight. We seem to refuse to change our eating habits and this has resulted in an increase of diabetes and heart failure, among other diseases. A great many of us just ignore these warnings. Perhaps, feeling what life is worth living for anyway?
This is very negative attitude on the part of a portion of our population. On the other hand, we have proven as a nation that we are interested in change; but are we really interested in change?
I believe that our emotional and spiritual health are determining factors in keeping us totally healthy. I believe that our physical health is influenced by our emotional and spiritual health. Dr. Deepak Chopra has signaled this in his many books on the subject. We have become a passive society where we are interested in having others entertain us either at the dinner table or at the movies or at other events.
We are also more interested in having others take care of our gardens and our homes. Now, I know that health conditions at times makes this care difficult, but when we have recuperated, we need to get at it again.
For the past four months I have been recuperating from obtaining a new kidney. I have been on kidney dialysis for nine years. I never gave up and knew that someday I would receive a new kidney.
On the 24th of August a new kidney came into my life via Sharp's Memorial Hospital in San Diego. I have learned that taking anti-rejection medications is only one part of recovery. There is the need to walk, first taking "baby steps" and then more. We don't need to go to fancy gyms or spas, but we can create places for exercise in our own homes.
I see some people in our neighborhood taking walks either alone or with their cats and dogs. This is good exercise and if we combine this with prayer and meditation, we can be on the way to living a health-filled life. It is interesting to note that most of the people that I see walking their dogs are not obese and few are overweight. I have gotten back to tending my rose garden and raking up the leaves around my home.
When we are faced with emotional challenges - the loss of a loved one through death, or divorce, which can be great traumas in our lives, it does take time for us to “right” our emotion ship of soul. Finding something to do is an important part of this “righting” our emotions. TV just doesn't do it. You must be creative.
Take courses offered at the University of San Marcos in Temecula or at other educational institutions in this community. If you must eat out, find those restaurants where you can find good healthy food (there are many good eateries in this area).
Cultivate health in your life. Bon Appetit!
Reverend Al Johnson can be reached at Unity Church in Temecula, (951) 676-0117 or visit www.unity-church-temecula.org.