For those of you who did not receive my e-newsletter yesterday. Enjoy
At the end of 2007, I took the time to carefully and thoughtfully review the year that was – both for me and for those around me. I realized that although there was inspiration all over the place, from motivational speakers, self help books, fitness gurus and remarkable role models – I could not help but notice the LACK of people preaching and leading by example the dire importance of self empowerment and one’s health. It seemed that many life coaches and self help best selling authors were hell bent on seeing society change for the better, but very few expressed the true need that in order to be all you can be and accomplish everything you have ever dreamed of – you need to be in good shape both mentally and physically in order to successfully do so. I mean what’s the point of having everything you’ve ever wanted, landing that dream job or building that highly sought after company if your health takes a brutal beating along the way. There may be a point for the short term, but long term, one cannot truthfully say that it’s the right choice or move. Remember it’s the integrity of the journey – and your integrity should include and forefront empowerment and health.
A few weeks ago I was reading a very interesting feature in INC. magazine. They were reviewing all of this century’s legendary entrepreneurs that left our world, passed away in 2007. These very wealthy business builders were not just successful entrepreneurs, these people were people with passion, a vision, guts and a revolutionist mindset. They blazed the path for many to follow and inspired millions along their journey. The interesting thing that I noticed about the majority of this elite group was their age at the time of their death. Many of them were in their LATE 80’s and some even in their early 90’s. Keep in mind that these people had seen it all – blood, sweat and tears all over their hard work and dedication. The sacrifices they made, the commitment to their dreams fuelled through their passion and beliefs. The majority having failed countless times before hitting that game winning homerun – the ups and downs as they learnt from their own trail and error, experiences and mistakes. The one thing that stood out as I researched deeper into these remarkable human beings, was their understanding and ability to incorporate into their astronomically busy lives, self empowerment, sensible nutrition and physical activity. The true kings and queens of these brands and businesses survived the devastating storm of emotional and physical pressure, wear and tear by improving their mind and body as they trucked along the road to success.
How many of us do this in even the most minimally ambitious life? How many of us see and understand entirely the true advantages and benefits of making the right choices on a daily basis in the pursuit of rightfully maintaining and progressing our mind and body? Far too few I am sorry to say.
If you don’t aspire to be or do much in life or with your life, I believe you have simply, temporarily lost focus of what is important in life. What life is really all about. As down as things may be and as hopeless as they may seem – NOTHING is impossible and nothing is unachievable. If it were the case, we would have remained a people that still walks around clubbing our food and living in caves. The brutal reality is, as we advance, technology and luxuries afford and enable us to move less, expect more for nothing and want more of what we already have. We have become lethargic with priorities all out of whack. Our heroes are in rehab, our role models DUI. Money seems to be all that spells success and fit is an unhealthy-skinny. And if success and fit cannot be achieved right away, we accept jobs we don’t want, eat food that our body does not need and throw up our hands and yell the words I give up on life. Why? What’s the point? Like my great friend always says, “you can fool me and you can fool them forever, but how long can you honestly fool yourself for?” Great words. For how long can you honestly say you are reading the right words, eating the right foods and making the right moves to enhance and progress your life!
The most successful people I personally know – and believe me they are a rare few who are the true gems of our planet – are those who concern themselves about money only when its to give to others. Their integrity, vision, passion and mission are what truly drive them. They do what they love and make sure that they feel good while doing it. They stay true to themselves and realize that doing what they are passionate about will open the gate to anything they truly desire in life. Anything short of passion will unable them to ever achieve more than the status quo. Do what you love and you will never be hungry. The money will follow, the rewards will pour in. For some results will appear quickly, for others it may take almost a lifetime – just never lose sight of what matters most to you. Realize that its what you do with your time hear on earth that dictates your legacy long after you are gone.
But none of this can ever be enjoyed or executed to its full potential without a healthy mind and body. The best of the best want more. More of what is good for their most valuable asset while here on earth – their health, their wellbeing. Without, one is only enjoying and experiencing only a fraction of what could be.
