I couldn’t help but think of all the generosity we show in the wake of disasters.
The interesting thing about giving is this, it’s not just giving something up, it also letting go. This is where the power comes from. It’s an opportunity for us as individuals to become less attached and make sacrifices sometimes beyond what is comfortable.
The same concept must be applied to your health and fitness. You must give to yourself. You must see your health as something bigger than your immediate appetite for pleasure. If you do not learn to do this, you will begin to see your health decline and you turn inward living more selfishly. It’s a slow fade.
You are worth more than that. Your body is worth more than that.
Little by little you can change the way you think and the way you act towards yourself. Instead of multiple acts of self-pity leading to more despair, you begin to grow and become strong. This is the power of giving whether it’s to others or yourself.
A few things you may be able to do:
- Call and lift a friend up.
- Look for some small way to give and not think of it as detrimental to your own well-being.
- Volunteer a few hours of your time.
- Find a way to treat yourself to a healthy meal.
- Make some sacrifice to the exercise more often.
- Take a moment to think of your values.
Generous people are in much better health. Being able to step outside of oneself and give is an essential ingredient for happiness.
I think it’s OK to practice generosity knowing that it is beneficial to ourselves as well as to the recipient. It’s not selfishness, it’s an honest recognition that love and generosity creates an exchange of positive energy, and fuels further love and generosity. Especially when the recipient is YOU.
