New Year's Resolutions & Setting Goals

"All that which ye potentially possess can, however, be manifested only as a result of your own volition. Your own acts testify to this truth."

- Baha'u'llah Gleanings, p. 149

  Whether you spent the last three weeks thinking about adjustments you'd like to make in your life or whether you already have a list of health goals that you want to achieve, now is the time to map out a plan of action! The first and (in my opinion) the most important step in achieving your goals is motivation: why do you want to achieve that goal? Pretty much everybody wants health for themselves and their loved ones but how many of us actually know how to go about making that a reality? In determining why you want to make achieving better health a goal, it's helpful to spell out why your health is a priority. Here are some quotes from various religions that stress the importance of your health:

"...dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." [1]
- Christianity  

"Say: lawful unto you are (all) things good and pure..." [2]
- Islam   

"You should not neglect your health, but consider it the means which enables you to serve. It - the body - is like a horse which carries the personality and spirit, and as such should be well cared for so it can do its work! You should certainly safeguard your nerves, and force yourself to take time, and not only for prayer and meditation, but for real rest and relaxation." [3]
- The Baha'i Faith

"Between material things and spiritual things there is a connection. The more healthful his body the greater will be the power of the spirit of man; the power of the intellect, the power of the memory, the power of reflection will then be greater." [4]
-  The Baha'i Faith

"I hope that thou mayest attain a perfect insight, an inflexible resolution, a complete health and spiritual and physical strength in order that thou mayest drink from the fountain of eternal life and be assisted by the spirit of divine confirmation." [5]
- The Baha'i Faith


The third quote compares the human body to a horse which carries the personality and spirit. I believe that a similar analogy can be made to a modern day car (unless you still use a horse for transportation, in which case please ignore the car analogy :D). You wouldn't consider spending time or money on car maintenance and repair to be self-indulgent and wasteful, would you? The major difference, however, between a car or horse and our bodies is that we can't go out and buy another one when the one we have goes bust. So taking care of the only vehicle for our souls for the duration of this earthly life is that much more important. In fact, you could just as easily see this time and money spent on your health as your real primary health care.

I know this seems daunting but that's why I started this Health Devotional & Workout Group (and the blog) - to help you in your journey and provide much needed information, support and encouragement along the way. Don't be afraid to ask for help from God, from your family, friends, and your fellow Health Devotional & Workout Group participants! That's what we're here for. :D
   

[1] The Bible. The New Testament, 2 Corinthians 6:17-18, 7:1
[2]  The Koran. 5:5
[3]  Shoghi Effendi  Letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual, 23 November 1947
[4] 'Abdu'l-Baha Star of the West, vol. 8. no. 18, pp. 229-30
[5] 'Abdu'l-Baha Baha'i World Faith, p. 376