Take care of yourself

Jim Rohn, in one of his numerous inspirational news letters, points out that the key to helping others is to help yourself first. The echo in those words speaks to the need of taking care of the most important asset that we own: ourselves

We must have an effective strategy to live a long, long life and to contribute to this earth so that we leave it a better place than we found it.

We must aim to be an asset to all those around and about us, so that we are pleasant company as opposed to being a huge burden around their necks.

We must stand guard to the gate of our minds. All negative thoughts should be discarded the moment they make themselves known. Negativity aids the development of stress which in turn comes along with all sorts of darkness.

We should expose our minds to uplifting reading. We should be around people who lift us up as opposed to tearing us down. We should avoid relationships that are toxic in every sense of the word.

We should take care of our emotional health.  Engaging in positive mental conversation is a sure way to handle life in all its twists and turns.

Listening to good music that soothes the soul will lift our mood. Reading the Bible will lift our hearts to the heavens. Empathy will guide us onto the path of those we relate to. Love will open our hearts to our passions.

We should be responsible for all that we do. You are the only person who is answerable to your thoughts, action and habits. If what you are doing is contributing to the toxic cloud over you, it is better that you change it before you are overwhelmed by it.

We should take care of our bodies. Your body is a first rate machine and it therefore requires first rate fuel.

Eat right. Exercise daily; we should endeavour to be the fittest person that we know. Have adequate rest. Drink 2 ½ liters of water every day, if you are a woman and 3 ½ liters if you are a man. Your body will thank you and perform at a peak level for a longer time.

With all these things in place, sickness will be a thing of the past. We will energetically perform to the beat of our passionate drums. We will dance to the tunes of our grand children.

In our ripe old age, we will be an asset to ourselves and most importantly, to those around us.

Start today. Take care of yourself.