Courage to Live Well is how I defined living intentionally healthy. It’s not easily defined by words but rather actions. Courage in this context is “the ability to find strength to live well despite all the adversaries in our environment.”
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Creating a lifestyle that keeps your body healthy goes against the mainstream of eating, dining and entertainment. When you feel alone in your health journey check out The (Health) Road Less Traveled for tips and encouragement.
I have to say this is one of the more difficult posts to write. It’s hard to put into words what “Courage to Live Well” actually means. For me it’s more defined by our every day actions and decisions.
Do you know of people that like sickness and unhealthiness? No one comes to mind for me. Who truly likes illness or finds an unhealthy lifestyle agreeable?
Every year millions of people set goals or resolutions to live healthier than the year before. “To lose weight or get in shape” is the second most popular resolution in 2018 (second to “save money”). People desire to live healthier.
Why Courage?
Courage by definition means to muster the ability to do something that frightens or intimidates a person.
It does take courage to live each and every day healthy. When we’re intentionally healthy about each day it takes will power, time, mindfulness and even knowledge. I would say making that commitment to yourself takes COURAGE.
Four areas to keep in mind;
- Change takes courage
- Intimidation factor is real
- Remember courage does not equal perfection
- Lastly, you will find the courage to live well!
Change Takes Courage
It takes courage to make a change. Whenever a friend talks about making a change in their lifestyle or eating habits, you can sense that fear. We all fear failure on some level. No one likes to back out of a commitment they have made to themselves. It does take courage to make that change.
Intimidation Factor
Just using the word, “healthy lifestyle” intimidates people. We have so many questions, and one common question is “what will I eat?!” It’s intimidating moving from already prepared food to preparing meals from scratch. Many find it equally hard to find time and energy to exercise.
- How will a healthy lifestyle fit in my week?
- Will I even like my own nutritious meals?
- How do I make this a long term lifestyle change?
- Is it possible to make a healthy life affordable?
It takes courage to get past intimidation!
Courage is Not Perfection
The goal is not perfection, but improvement, taking small steps in the right direction. You must start with making healthy decisions to incorporate today.
Holistic Healthy Living defines it this way:
“According to the World of Health Organization, Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Healthy living is the steps, actions, and strategies one puts in place to achieve optimum health. Healthy Living is about taking responsibility and making smart health choices for today and for the future. Eating right, getting physically fit, emotional wellness, spiritual wellness and prevention are all apart of creating a healthy lifestyle.” Healthy Holistic Living
You will find the Courage to Live Well!
About Living Well………know that you’re not alone in your desire to take small steps towards healthy!
- Is it preparing yourself and/or family nutritious meals?
- Organizing your day so that you are not over committed and totally stressed out?
- Attempting to fit exercise into your already full life?
- Quitting unhealthy lifestyle habits, like smoking, drinking alcohol, and consuming too much sugar?
- Incorporating natural remedies into your lifestyle?
- Reducing toxins in your food and home environment?
Living a life that is intentionally healthy is full of adventure, challenges and brings great rewards!
Remember, change takes courage, face the intimidation factor, courage is not perfection and most of all, you have the courage to live a healthy life!
I enjoy hearing your thoughts on the connection between courage and wellness.
In what way(s) have you used courage to live well?
Pursing Better Health Together,