Healthy Mind #2

RENEW YOUR MIND

There can be no growth without renewal. If we don’t learn to renew our minds; we are destined to repeat past mistake, past failures, past hurts. But what does it mean to renew our minds, in a practical sense. The first essential step is to acknowledge the need for a renewed mind. Do you feel stuck? Are you tired of constantly being caught up in the drama of life? Does your mind get on a loop of worry, offence, anger, self-pity…? If any of these questions resonate, maybe, just maybe, you are willing to begin to make changes.

The Dictionary.com definition of; RENEW – To Restore, Replenish, Renovate, Refresh. In the Bible, there is this great passage that says, we can “be Transformed by the Renewing of the Mind” Romans 12:2b NIV. That is the power of Renewal, it can be Transformational!

But how to start? We start with the understanding that this process of renewing is ongoing. Renewal is a journey, not a destination. This practice of Renewal requires us to become willing to challenge our current way of thinking. To become honest with ourselves, judging our motives and intentions. To ‘Renew Your Mind’ is to examine our thoughts, examine our choices, examine our language, examine our actions. Hopefully you have noticed that to renew, is an inside job.

And that’s exactly why is it so powerful. Renewing our Minds does not require our outward circumstances, or the people around us to be any different. But what is does require, is for us to be willing to take personal responsibility, truly understanding that we are in control of how we respond to any and every situation.

Transform Your Thoughts, Renew Your Mind! It’s up to you…

Healthy Hint #4

TAKE A BREATH

This is your reminder. Take a breath. Yes. Right this minute. Stop. Close your eyes. Take a nice, deep, calming breath. Fill your lungs. Relax your shoulders. Exhale slowly. Releasing the stress. Just for this moment. Breathe… And now, do it all again. Remember to repeat as often as necessary. Just Breathe.

Healthy Choices #1

IT’S YOUR CHOICE

Do you sometimes feel like you never get time to catch your breath? To live life on your own terms? Time maybe, to enjoy the simpler things. Free to embrace peace.. Why are we, as a society, unwilling to be still? What are we running too? Or running from, for that matter?

As I ask you these questions, I ask myself also. The answer that resonates deeply with me; if one desires to live a simple, quiet and peaceful life, then it must actively pursued. For Peace and Quiet are definitely not the norm these days. In our current age, there seems to be this insidious undertow that’s silently dragging us along. Go, go go. Don’t stop, even for a single moment. If you’re not active, if you’re not frantically running from here to there, if you’re not filling your days to overflowing, you are not living life to the fullest. What is it called? FOMO, I think.

But, again, I come back to why? Why are we unwilling to be still? Why can’t we just slow down? What would happen if we chose to pursue a quieter, more peaceful life? What would happen if we simply started choosing; *to say ‘no’ sometimes to either people or events, *to step away from social media, *to switch off the television, *to listen to music or read a book, *to actively make the time to rest, *to nurture our minds and our bodies with the preparation of nutritious whole foods, and *to take time to enjoy and appreciate those nourishing meals. Intentional conscious choices, moment by moment.

My own journey to live simply, quietly and peacefully is the journey of a lifetime, with much tweaking and adjusting, as the path continues to meander into the unknown future. What does your journey look like? Are you actively choosing the life you are now living? Or are you allowing yourself to be dragged by the undercurrent? Every day, you are presented with new opportunities to make new choices. Each morning starts fresh, the beginning of a brand new day. It’s never too late.

Healthy Mind #1

CATCH THOSE THOUGHTS

Life is full of choices. Will you have eggs or oats for breakfast. Will you make your lunch today or grab something to eat at the local coffee shop. Will you do this, or will you do that.. You get it, right?

These are what we’ll call conscious choices, decisions that are made knowingly, consciously. You are deciding what you choose. But what about those thoughts that are slipping into your mind, moment by moment, unguarded, unconsciously. Thoughts, maybe of self-doubt, unworthiness, self-condemnation, fear (fear is always in there) and the list goes on and on.

Many times we don’t recognise the power of those thoughts, until they begin to effect our physical body. Anyone who has ever had an anxiety attack, knows just how powerful thoughts can be. But what can be done?

Firstly, stop letting those thoughts barge through your mind unchecked. There’s a good old book that reminds us to ‘Take every thought captive’ 2 Corinthians 10:15 GNT, so practice catching those thoughts. This takes a bit of time and effort, but it is incredibly empowering. Second, make the decision to no longer freely accept every thought that comes into your head; choose to challenge it. Is this true? Is it helpful? Can I use this to grow? Is this for my betterment? Or is it a straight out lie?

Finally, it is your choice what you do with that thought, based on your mindful evaluation of the information. Acknowledge it, use it or cast it aside, it’s up to you. You have that power. Always remember, it’s your mind, you get to choose what you keep and what you throw away.

Healthy Hint #3

READ A BOOK

Want to supercharge your brain? Then read a book. According to a recent article in Newsweek, reading can improve your brain health. How? Apparently, when you read, your brain activates the neural pathways which help with improving your memory, thinking and even mood.

Here are just a few benefits for your brain when you read a book; Improved concentration, reduced anxiety, increased creativity, expanded vocabulary, and slowed cognitive decline as you age. So get to it. Pick up that book and read yourself to a better brain. Whether you read fiction or non-fiction doesn’t matter, just start reading…

Healthy Hint #2

DRINK MORE WATER

Again, not rocket science, but the truth of the matter is the majority of us don’t drink enough water; which is crazy when you consider that around 70% of our bodies are made up of water.

Every cell, organ, muscle, and especially our brains rely on our water intake to function efficiently. Water is the primary way that nutrients and oxygen are delivered throughout our bodies, and how all that toxic waste is removed.

So drink more water, and your body will thank you for it. Remember not more, soft drink, cordial, coffee or tea, just simple pure water. If you need to add a bit of flavour, pop in a slice of lemon, lime or orange, even a strawberry or two, and enjoy…