One At a Time

I made it through microdiscectomy surgery just fine.  I love falling asleep and waking up to hear that everything is finished.  It takes a while to process that an entire surgical procedure happened on your body and you had no awareness of it.  I prefer it that way.

As I have been recovering I found myself being thankful again.  I am thankful for over 2 years of CrossFit that taught me how my body is supposed to move so I know exactly how to move in order to keep the pain away.  I'm thankful that I went into this procedure healthy and strong so that I will recover faster.

It was during these thankful thoughts that it occurred to me that health is something you acquire one choice at a time.  Each day, each moment, we make choices about our activity, our food, our social circles, and our spiritual needs.  It isn't something you have one day and is gone the next.  It definitely isn't something you don't have then wake up the next day with great health.  It is a long process spanning years that is simply created one choice at a time.

You have to make your own choices.  You have to find your own path.  Here is a bit of mine:

Since my girls were very young I chose to get up an hour before I actually needed to in order to begin my day.  I use that hour to enjoy my coffee and process my thoughts and feelings.  I might write, I might talk, I might sit and do nothing.  It is a precious time that is worth a little less sleep and it helps me begin my day with peace.

I surround myself with dear friends who are encouraging and accept me just as I am.  I am very careful not to invest myself in people who tear me down or who don't know me or don't want to know me.  I am blessed to have friends that stretch back to childhood.  I don't have to talk to them everyday, our friendship is that strong and secure.

I choose food that makes me feel good.  There is food we eat when we are down, comfort food, which we simply enjoy eating, but I a not talking about comfort food.  I choose food that actually makes my body feel healthier and stronger.  I know the doughnut will cause a headache and make my stomach hurt so as good as it may taste, I don't desire it because I won't feel good.

I choose exercise because, without it, I will be weak and more aches and pains will come that I could have avoided by training regularly, moving and getting stronger.  I choose to take time out of my day to keep my body strong, to gain energy so that I can enjoy life and I can take on whatever it throws at me.  My husband and I went to Ireland last year.  We were able to hike the Cliffs of Moher for hours.  I watched as people much younger than me were out of breath after just 30 minutes.

One choice at a time 
One day at a time
One moment at a time

Becoming healthy in spirit, mind, body and soul happens one little decision at a time.