In Newcastle, Co Down, the first morning of the year is bright and sunny. It’s easy to be joyful on such a morning and to think positively of the year ahead. Standing on the bathroom scales at 9am confirmed that my first resolution had already been broken but I am undeterred. I do not subscribe to the ‘Make them to break them’ philosophy with its attendant guilt and feelings of hopelessness. Rather I see worthwhile achievable initiatives as stepping stones to optimum health, reflecting conscious lifestyle choices.
Until my hospitalisation I had not experienced the linkage between body and mind. I had not felt the powerlessness of being unable to concentrate for more than a few seconds. At a time when I could not walk, I couldn’t think either. Three years later I can better appreciate this linkage and see that it extends far beyond the immediate situation of being totally incapacitated. It pervades every aspect of life. Previously I might have equated being healthy with not being sick. Today I see optimum health and sickness as being poles apart. I now seek health in mind and body through a balance of stimulation and restfulness, nutrition and exercise. With body and mind in balance we are best able to meet the challenges of life, to develop our talents and to cooperate with others to build community.
Life experience helps us to build resilience. The young sportsperson masters her event through long hours of practice. The scholar masters his subject through study and inquiry. It is through dedication and application that real progress is made, not on the stopwatch recording of a single event, the scoring of a class assessment or the one off reading on the bathroom scales. Establishing appropriate metrics is certainly valuable to help us improve our awareness and levels of performance but let our goals serve our development as members of the human family rather than drive us to seek personal aggrandisement. Both success and failure bring learning. Success builds confidence and independence. If we’ll let it, failure broadens our perspective and brings humility.
My wish then, for 2012, is that I am receptive to the nutrition that will build both body and soul. Physically I won’t get closer to the Olympic Games than my TV set, but I will be enthralled as the athletes set new records for human achievement. Neither will I be close to CERN as the scientists further our understanding of the universe. My task this year, and for life, is to be uniquely me and to fully play my part in society so that after my time in this world it is at least as healthy as I found it. To help me I’ll seek balance and understanding in my eating habits, I’ll exercise intelligently, read avidly, join with family in both celebration and sorrow and knit myself into the community through the music of my labour.
I hope you will join me in the quest to become optimally healthy and that you too will be undeterred in your resolve when setbacks occur. I wish you health, happiness and serenity on your journey.
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