I've heard, read, whatever, a lot about how the mind helps heal the body. It's a good thing, and I'm glad that healers are paying attention to that connection.
But I've been thinking about the reverse. When your body's got issues, it's awfully hard on your spirit and your mind. When I'm tired I find it nearly impossible to be nice, to face challenges, to be patient, to give God- or anyone else- even the time of day. When I'm sick, I feel so discouraged and beaten down. It's hard to have hope when you're in pain.
This summer I started swimming laps pretty seriously, and going running on the days that I couldn't get to the pool. I started doing it to fight depression. I really think it's working. Which is weird, since I hate exercising. I don't mind doing things that involve exercise, but just plain exercising- yuck.
I did some other things (reconnect with my friends and husband, for example) that have helped my dark cloud of gloom, but I really think that getting a healthier body is helping my spiritual life. I was just thinking yesterday as I was swimming that it wouldn't be that hard to get up 15 minutes earlier so that I could both pray and exercise. It really seems doable. I'll get back to you.
2 comments:
yep. i definitely agree with your theory. (no surprises there). i'm even still considering joining the Y sorta near here so i can more easily do the same - that free child care thing is the best thing they have going i think.
Doing something that benefits only you tends to make you feel better. Which sound selfish and wrong, but really is quite good. It's great to be a giving, thoughtful person... but you have to take care of yourself as well. Otherwise you don't have the energy to be giving and thoughtful - or you do things with the wrong mindset. (Not YOU, Tonia - but "you" a person in general) Anyway... yeah. Exercise - good, praying - good, taking care of yourself - good. Sounds like you're on the right track!
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