la haim - to health
I'm sure you've raised your glass to another person, in a bar or at a dinner party, and said "cheers", in a toast to good fortune or otherwise reveling in celebration. In the Hebrew we raise our glass to toast and say "la haim", which when translated means "to health". Do you consider yourself healthy? Your initial reaction to this question might be "of course I am, that's a silly question". Many people consider themselves healthy, or at least in average health, regardless of unhealthy lifestyle choices they might intentionally make (or mind, body, for spirit). Many others take their health for granted, and even their own breath, which is a gift, as your breath sustains you. You are likely not hooked up to an oxygen tank, therefore awareness of your breath is secondary, if not completely dismissed from your thoughts. You instead might focus your thoughts on work, family, home responsibilities, social life, or even fixate on imperfections you find in others, and allow any of these things to "take over" your life or cause you undue stress. Many people claim they don't have time to work out, travel, or get outdoors into the fresh air, they say they are too busy, have no money, or otherwise speak negative or self-destructive thoughts over their circumstances. I have even heard people go as far as to say they don't have time for a friendship with someone, and they don't even care about another human being's health (physical, emotional, or spiritual), discrediting the beliefs or lifestyle choices of healthy people as "not good enough" for them, or invalid altogether. They prefer to fixate on their own negativity and speak negatively of others rather than to embrace friendship or even act cordial to other humans.
Take a few moments to consider which kind of person you are, healthy or unhealthy? If you claim to be a healthy individual, what parts of your daily lifestyle contribute to your good health? Do you go to the gym, practice yoga, hike, or go for walks around your neighborhood? Do you travel frequently, to explore your world, get out of your little box, and experience other cultures, cities, and countries? Do you eat healthy foods, raw vegetables, natural proteins, avoiding processed foods, bleached carbohydrates, and deep fried fatty excess? Is your weight at an ideal for your age, height, and bone structure? Do you take time to consciously recognize that the spine and core muscles protect your inner organs? Are all your organs in good working condition? How do you know, if you cannot see them? If yes, for how long do you project they will remain that way? Do you smoke, drink alcohol excessively, or use illegal drugs, or abuse any of these substances to the point of addiction? What about other addictions? Do you watch violent, bloody, gory movies, television shows, or play video games containing violence, promoting death and destruction? Do you think that as long as its fiction, then it has no effect on your real life? Did you graduate from high school? Were you active in sports, class council, or receive any honors or scholarships? Do you have a college degree, Bachelors or Masters? Do you read to enhance your personal life, challenge your mind, or increase your knowledge? Do you believe everything you read, hear on TV, or hear from other people, whether you know them well or not? Do you go to church, believe in God, or practice a religion or spiritual path? Do you embrace basic human principles such as "the Golden Rule", treating others (even strangers) with respect, or at least with some ounce of kindness and decency?
Life is a journey. Regardless of where you live in the world, what you do for work, how many children or siblings you have, and what kind of education you have chosen to obtain. As humans, we are all pilgrims on our own journey through life. One wrong choice can lead us into addiction, disease, or even an unwanted child (as if life itself were unwanted) leading to a negative mindset about some aspect of our health (mind, body, spirit). As humans we are also all created as spiritual beings. The simple act of respecting other humans shows that we have an evolved awareness and decision-making process beyond that of a non-evolved species, such as a household pet. Although I've met men who act like dogs, eat like pigs, and treat women like trash. If you have fallen guilty of that, please take some time to reflect on the above paragraphs, and consider the way you treat women - or disrespect them - as a part of a unhealthy lifestyle.
In this journey of life, wherever it takes you, Israel, Mexico, Japan, or the United States, coexistence with other humans is essential. When natural disasters strike such as have recently in Japan and the United States, connecting with other humans, respecting and caring about their lives, and even coming to their aid, is one outward way to demonstrate that you are a healthy person - you care enough to care about someone other than yourself. If a man-made disaster such as violent clashes in Israel and other parts of the Middle East, or acts of terrorism in any part of the world, we may suddenly find ourselves victim to the violence, in which case we can only hope our lives will be spared.
As for our own spiritual connection to the life journey, most people do believe in a higher force of life, a creator or a guide, whether a God, a prophet, angels, and also demons. The energy of the Universe suggests a greater life force, as evidenced by the vast creation of the earth, sky, stars, moon, sun, and planets. Choosing how or what we believe about these tangible aspects of environment as well as foundations built on faith, require a healthy mind, to work in tune with a healthy soul, or spirit. Just as the God of Israel led the Hebrew people out of the wilderness into their own homeland, He too can lead you to safety, out of and away from unhealthy lifestyles, unhealthy "friends" (who may support your unhealthy lifestyle while simultaneously making equally unhealthy choices of their own) just as He continues to provide a safe haven for the Jews despite violent clashes in their homeland.
Make a conscious effort today to live a healthy lifestyle, in the best way you can. You can begin by treating others with respect (even if you feel they've wronged you), and don't speak evil or negative thoughts over them - as you likely don't truly know what has gone on in their life journey. If you feel someone has wronged you, go to them and ask their forgiveness, make things right, instead of living with a grudge against them. Ill feelings or negative thoughts can also contribute to health problems, with the internal organs, excess weight, as well as a clouded mind or figuratively, a hardened heart. Raise your glass to health - "la haim" - as you embrace the world around you and make a conscious effort to be a positive person, on your own individual life journey on this planet.
Take a few moments to consider which kind of person you are, healthy or unhealthy? If you claim to be a healthy individual, what parts of your daily lifestyle contribute to your good health? Do you go to the gym, practice yoga, hike, or go for walks around your neighborhood? Do you travel frequently, to explore your world, get out of your little box, and experience other cultures, cities, and countries? Do you eat healthy foods, raw vegetables, natural proteins, avoiding processed foods, bleached carbohydrates, and deep fried fatty excess? Is your weight at an ideal for your age, height, and bone structure? Do you take time to consciously recognize that the spine and core muscles protect your inner organs? Are all your organs in good working condition? How do you know, if you cannot see them? If yes, for how long do you project they will remain that way? Do you smoke, drink alcohol excessively, or use illegal drugs, or abuse any of these substances to the point of addiction? What about other addictions? Do you watch violent, bloody, gory movies, television shows, or play video games containing violence, promoting death and destruction? Do you think that as long as its fiction, then it has no effect on your real life? Did you graduate from high school? Were you active in sports, class council, or receive any honors or scholarships? Do you have a college degree, Bachelors or Masters? Do you read to enhance your personal life, challenge your mind, or increase your knowledge? Do you believe everything you read, hear on TV, or hear from other people, whether you know them well or not? Do you go to church, believe in God, or practice a religion or spiritual path? Do you embrace basic human principles such as "the Golden Rule", treating others (even strangers) with respect, or at least with some ounce of kindness and decency?
Life is a journey. Regardless of where you live in the world, what you do for work, how many children or siblings you have, and what kind of education you have chosen to obtain. As humans, we are all pilgrims on our own journey through life. One wrong choice can lead us into addiction, disease, or even an unwanted child (as if life itself were unwanted) leading to a negative mindset about some aspect of our health (mind, body, spirit). As humans we are also all created as spiritual beings. The simple act of respecting other humans shows that we have an evolved awareness and decision-making process beyond that of a non-evolved species, such as a household pet. Although I've met men who act like dogs, eat like pigs, and treat women like trash. If you have fallen guilty of that, please take some time to reflect on the above paragraphs, and consider the way you treat women - or disrespect them - as a part of a unhealthy lifestyle.
In this journey of life, wherever it takes you, Israel, Mexico, Japan, or the United States, coexistence with other humans is essential. When natural disasters strike such as have recently in Japan and the United States, connecting with other humans, respecting and caring about their lives, and even coming to their aid, is one outward way to demonstrate that you are a healthy person - you care enough to care about someone other than yourself. If a man-made disaster such as violent clashes in Israel and other parts of the Middle East, or acts of terrorism in any part of the world, we may suddenly find ourselves victim to the violence, in which case we can only hope our lives will be spared.
As for our own spiritual connection to the life journey, most people do believe in a higher force of life, a creator or a guide, whether a God, a prophet, angels, and also demons. The energy of the Universe suggests a greater life force, as evidenced by the vast creation of the earth, sky, stars, moon, sun, and planets. Choosing how or what we believe about these tangible aspects of environment as well as foundations built on faith, require a healthy mind, to work in tune with a healthy soul, or spirit. Just as the God of Israel led the Hebrew people out of the wilderness into their own homeland, He too can lead you to safety, out of and away from unhealthy lifestyles, unhealthy "friends" (who may support your unhealthy lifestyle while simultaneously making equally unhealthy choices of their own) just as He continues to provide a safe haven for the Jews despite violent clashes in their homeland.
Make a conscious effort today to live a healthy lifestyle, in the best way you can. You can begin by treating others with respect (even if you feel they've wronged you), and don't speak evil or negative thoughts over them - as you likely don't truly know what has gone on in their life journey. If you feel someone has wronged you, go to them and ask their forgiveness, make things right, instead of living with a grudge against them. Ill feelings or negative thoughts can also contribute to health problems, with the internal organs, excess weight, as well as a clouded mind or figuratively, a hardened heart. Raise your glass to health - "la haim" - as you embrace the world around you and make a conscious effort to be a positive person, on your own individual life journey on this planet.
posted by :: Lisa :: at 4:17 PM
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