We are not merely physical beings, spiritual beings, or emotional beings. We are human beings. And by this, I mean, all aspects of our being make up who we are. They can not be separated from one another.
Our physical being influences our spiritual being… our spiritual being influences our emotional being… our emotional being influences our physical bodies.
Have you ever tried to think straight when you have a terrible cold? It is very difficult. Similarly, emotional wounds can often reveal themselves in unhealthy physical habits. Why? Because all aspects of our being mingle together to form who we are on any given day.
Becoming Minimalist is a website dedicated to helping others discover the life-giving benefits of owning less. It calls each of us to recognize the empty promise of consumerism and live wholly for greater pursuits.
Our lives are short. And all those things we’ve always wanted to accomplish with our lives? We should go do them.
But when we do, it is important to remember the importance of caring for ourselves in all regards.
We need to care for ourselves emotionally and mentally and physically and spiritually. Healthy habits in each area are essential. We are connected beings and one aspect always affects the others—both positively and negatively.
We must care for ourselves physically in both diet and exercise.
We must care for ourselves mentally with both rest and personal development.
We must care for ourselves intellectually by reading and growing and seeking challenge.
We must care for ourselves emotionally with proper self-awareness and healthy relationships—seeking help if necessary.
We must care for ourselves spiritually with solitude and meditation and a worldview that considers the universe bigger than ourselves.
Those who accomplish the most with their lives seek to implement wise and healthy habits in all aspects of their being. (tweet that)
Is there any area you have been neglecting recently? If so, what might be your first, small step in the right direction?
Johnny Stein says
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Marya says
Excellent and beautiful.
Shonquinta says
I’ve been neglecting myself physically. Can’t get a handle on the nutrition and exercise. I’ve isolated myself from others because I got tired of being hurt and rejected when I’ve tried to reach out. The first step I’m going to take is to try those productivity experiments I read about in an article once. I love challenges and learning new things. So I’ll start there.
Amy Axelson says
Shonquinta, I have been all over the board with nutrition and exercise. Years of dieting and not eating enough really messes with metabolism. So healing metabolism as a major issue. So now I focus on keeping my energy levels up. I don’t diet anymore. I let myself eat what I want which works great because when no food is off limits, I feel free to choose and binging is no longer necessary. Focusing on my energy level means sometimes eating anything just to get some food in me (if I only allowed “perfect” foods then it makes not-eating more likely for me), this helps in beginning to heal metabolism–this topic seems to be ignored by a lot of experts. Check out Matt Stone. Walking is the perfect exercise, to me. 5 minutes of walking is something. Stretching is important too. One minute of stretching is something. In a society of admiring unrealistic appearances, we do best when we turn off the images (tv, magazines) and focus on caring for, being gentle with, ourselves. Two books I highly recommend: _The Power is Within You_ by Louise Hay (I got it from the library on CD and listen to it about 3 times.) and _I Need Your Love, Is That True_ by Byron Katie (she also has lots on youtube, but still get the book). Feel free to contact me. Bless you, beautiful lady.
Lois Smallwood says
Bless you..you’re not alone…x
Judy says
Thank you, Joshua. I need to eat better. My work always has donuts and other sweets sitting around and it’s so easy just to grab a quick goodie. Afterwards I feel awful—both physically and emotionally. I hate putting things in my body that offer no nutrition, just useless calories and sugar. I planned on making it my 2015 goal…but guess what? I start today…and I’ll be 3 weeks ahead of the game! :)
I feel better already.
Anita Lim says
Thank you for a wonderful timely post for when people are rushing around in preparation for the festive season! I have recently visited my chiropractor & had been putting it off due to the cost involved. However, I became aware that my physical condition was affecting so much more & I am so glad that I finally went. After reading this post, I have also just booked a shiatsu as I find that it’s great for both physical & emotional stuff.
Vivian @Indonesia says
Hi Joshua, thank you for your article. This is an affirmation for me that I also have to pay attention, do make time and do spend time and energy, do enhance the other aspects rather than the basic physical aspects. I understand that I should not confuse anymore how to arrange my life, the other aspects of my life other than physical has the same importance for living the better quality of human life. In many cultures and countries, not many people realize the necessity that women also need enhancements and advancements of other aspects such as personal growth etc rather than basic physical being. I hope we can do our part that this particular conditions could be better for women and then their families and community.
Alison says
Thank you for this reminder, especially in the holiday season.
Also, not sure if you had seen this article in The Boston Globe, but I thought it was a beautiful expression of minimalism, love, and charity:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/12/08/widow-drops-sentimental-donation-salavation-army-kettle-her-wedding-rings/IlFjWZx6D3AuyobGSiOaXL/story.html?event=event25
Have a good evening!
JF Moreau says
Thanks Joshua!
That is an excellent summary of what we’re doing at Revive – Restructure (space), Refresh (body), Rethink (mind) and Reconnect (relationship)!
Keep rethinking simplicity, we all need that!
J
F
Daisy @ Simplicity Relished says
Could not agree more! I think many people only focus on one aspect of health– whether it’s emotional, spiritual or physical– and tend to neglect the rest. The key is knowing that all these things are connected, and all of it was created to be cared for.
Ronald Huber says
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