Last week we revisited my goals shared in January’s posts.  But God is showing me that no matter how intentional I desire to be, I can’t fully pour into others unless I am healthy.

Being Healthy

I used to think health represented the number on the scales, how far I could run, or the number of apples that I ate in a week.  But in reading the book Soul Keeping by John Ortberg I learned being healthy is much more than my BMI.  Being healthy centers around my soul.

A soul is healthy – well-ordered – when there is harmony between the [mind, body, and will] and God’s intent for all creation.  When you are connected with God and other people in life, you have a healthy soul.

Below are a few ideas that are helping me in my journey to health – for my mind, body, and soul.

Mind

  Walmart Grocery Pickup

This may be a strange one to add to the “Mind” list but using the free Walmart Grocery Pickup has helped me mentally as it removes an hour long shopping trip from my appointments each week.  It also keeps me from having to take four hungry, tired children into a place filled with gadgets, sugary snacks, and stuff my children need.

Simply order online or use the Walmart Grocery app to add items to your cart.  The first time may be daunting but after you do it once, your favorites are saved for simple reordering.  Choose a location and time to pick up the groceries.  Pay with a credit card or Walmart card.  Then during the time chosen, go to the Pickup location and pop the trunk.  A Walmart employee with bring the groceries to you.  No getting out of your vehicle and tipping the deliverer is not allowed.  Use this link and save $10.

While I realize that not all areas have Walmarts on every corner like I do but I’ve heard other grocery stores offer this service as well (i.e. Kroger).

 The Road Back to You

Several months ago a friend suggested that I read The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron.  Hearing her describe this book about personalities and the Enneagram, I was excited to find the book at the library.  Half way in I knew it was a book that I wanted to own so I ordered a copy and began reading it again, this time with a highlighter in hand.

If you aren’t familiar with the Enneagram, personalities are numbered 1 – 9.   You may have seen the above image floating around social media.  (image from Wikipedia)  Each person also has a “wing” – kind of like a sub-dominate personality.

Unlike the free Ennegram tests on the internet, The Road Back to You shares the following points about each of the nine personalities.

• Healthy, average, and unhealthy attributes of each personality
• The deadly sin most struggled with
• Personality strengthens and weaknesses as a child, in relationships, and at work
• How the personality behaves under stress and in security
• Spiritual aspects and paths to transformation

Why is knowing your personality and the characteristics of others important?  I will let the author explain.

As long as we stay in the dark about how we see the world and the words and beliefs that have shaped who we are, we’re prisoners of our history.  We’ll continue going through life on autopilot doing things that hurt and confuse ourselves and everyone around us.  …Working with the Enneagram helps people develop the kind of self-knowledge they need to understand who they are and why they see and relate to the world the way they do.  …When that happens you can start to get out of your own way and become more of the person God created you to be.

…The first product of self-knowledge is humility.  …[The] more you grow in self-knowledge, the more you’ll become aware of your need for God’s grace.  Not to mention, you’ll have more compassion for yourself and other people.

…Once you know the dark side of your personality, simply give God consent to do what you’ve never been able to do yourself, namely, bring meaningful and lasting change to your life.

This book can be a little brutal to read as it points out your worst qualities.  But my Enneagram number doesn’t define “what I do so much as why I do it.”  This book has had a huge impact on my life as I work with other personalities and as I allow God to work in my life.

BTW – I am a textbook #1.  How about you?

  Be Intentional Planner

As I shared in last week’s post, a paper planner has helped me stay health.  Writing down activities and my to-do list has removed stress as I spend less time trying to remember the important points.  It also keeps me focused on what truly needs to be done.  The planner has helped clear my brain to Be Intentional with my time.  Order the new 2018 Be Intentional Planner for yourself and friends.

Are You Healthy?

How are you doing mentally?  Are you making healthy choices so that you are able to fully love those around you?

I don’t share the above products to add more “stuff” to your life. These are simply options that have helped me with the hopes that they will encourage you to take the first step.

But we aren’t done…In the next two weeks we will look at ideas to keep our bodies and souls healthy.

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