Being nice to yourself is not selfish

What is the point for our existence? Is it to suffer through life and just “suck things up” until we are lucky enough to have happiness? I am reading Jillian Michaels’ book Unlimited. In the book, she point blank tells the readers to get up and seek out their own happiness by making the choices to make life happen for them, not to them. As a result, I have put her words to work in my own life. Small changes of course, because you can only move forward one step at a time. We are here to enjoy our lives, not suffer through them.

First, I ditched the excuse that I was just “too sore” to work out. True, my joints have been a little sore. However, they do not impede me from exercising. In fact, all the reading up on any potential joint malady I may have can only be improved by regular exercise. Second, I reflected on things I used to do back when I “had time.” I remember practicing yoga, and loving it. Well, why can’t I do that now? I don’t have time? Right. I didn’t have time for it because it was not important enough for me. I changed that thought. I found two classes I can attend each week that are part of my gym membership. We make time for the things that matter to us. For me, the peace of mind and relaxation I feel from yoga is important enough for me to fit in a class at 8:00pm on a Tuesday night. It feels good to take care of me.

Taking care of me also means taking care of what I put in my body. For years now, I have wanted to become vegetarian. I tried it in college, but had the wrong focus: it was a diet, not a lifestyle. I feel strongly about the treatment of animals for our food supply. I am sickened by the abuse these creatures endure by both the handlers and the chemicals/ hormones they must ingest to make them plump and fit for eating. I worry that the chemicals and bacteria found in our food supply is not healthy for our consumption. I do not believe that the FDA is altruistic with their labeling. They are lobbied just as much as any other political office. Artificial food, additives, and processing strips food of its nourishment and negates the very reason for consuming it. I also believe that our mind/ emotions can be affected by what we eat. If we focus on a pure and natural diet, we will be more emotionally balanced. Being vegetarian is a lifestyle, not a diet, not a fad. I plan to embrace the lifestyle, one step at a time.

Coming to these few revelations has already lifted a burden off my shoulders. Being true to yourself and the needs you have can remove unnecessary stress from your life. After all, it is your life you have to live…no one else can do it for you. Move, then, towards your own happiness one step at a time.