Restoration

My recent Journey Into Health event emphasised the need to treat health in a holistic manner addressing Mind, Body and Soul. In this way we can live joyous lives appropriate to our age and fill each day with wonder and fascination at the magnificence of creation. I called for a shift in perception such that we would break away from the cultural norm of our Sick / Not Sick existence in which we are stalked by illness that finally overwhelms us, to one of living optimally well every day. As a simple framework for health I liken it to a stable three legged stool. To be optimally healthy we need to Stop Getting Sick, Remove Accumulated Toxins that keep us sick and then to Use Best Building Materials to restore the health we deserve. It’s often useful to think of the Journey Into Health as a restoration project on a dilapidated house. The first requirement is to seal the roof, fix the windows and clear the drains to stop any further damage from the elements. Secondly any damaged floors, walls and ceilings need to be removed to prevent the spread of rot. Finally the house is ready for the craftsmen to move in and work their magic. As owner of the property there has to be a driving force to make you undertake the work and to commit the necessary resources to the task. You also have to engage your imagination to visualise the end result. However similar the exterior of our house appears to those around it, it is in the decoration and furnishings that our unique character is displayed. Do we keep our curtains drawn and the TV on? Or do our curtains and windows open regularly to let in sunlight and fresh air? When they do, do we set about cleaning our house of the accumulated trash of daily life? Until we let the light in we’re generally unaware of how the dust has built up. It’s often necessary for us to see our house as others do for us to get the work done. Isn’t it strange how we’ll often dash around tidying things up before a friend’s visit? Why wouldn’t we choose to keep house properly for ourselves? It is the contents of our living quarters which reflect what’s important to us in this temporal existence. We may all have somewhere to prepare our meals, a washroom and bed but these functional items seldom bring the same smile to our faces as the family photographs, the treasured musical instrument or a favourite book. So I invite you to indulge yourself in some personal restoration ‘Because you’re worth it’. What would you want your home to look like when your best friends visit? How do you want to look and feel each day in your life? What puts the sparkle in your eyes and the friendly smile on your face? Does your physical diet reflect a strong respect for your body? Does your mental dietary intake stimulate your best self and your best interests? Do you marvel at the Glory of God (of your understanding) in the people you meet, in the joy of music, in the abundance of nature and in the stillness of your soul? Before undertaking your restoration, seek the counsel of your ultimate architect to ensure that the design uses everything that you are and displays your talents to best advantage so that you naturally give your best performance in your home, your community and on the larger stage of creation.