An Invaluable Gift | A Gift that Continues to Give

As we're exiting the Christmas holiday and approaching the dawn of the new year, I'm sure many of you are already thinking of your New Year goals. Many have been enjoying the many indulgences in the foods over these past few holidays to celebrate the joyous occasions, and that is completely okay! There is absolutely nothing wrong with feasting and enjoying yourselves. As I skimmed through social media and the internet, I noticed that people have taken many different approaches over the holidays, from going all-in on holiday foods to completely skipping holiday feasts altogether. Both approaches, and anything in between, are acceptable depending upon the person's individual goals.

 As we move forward into the new year, let's think about a gift we can continue giving ourselves, our families, loved ones, and our friends. Our health.  By being the healthiest version of ourselves, we can continue to make spiritual, personal, and social commitments.  We can continue to get healthier while being there for one another and helping each other. Think about all your personal and social activities you complete within a day. I'm sure you have people in your life who depend on you, in some capacity, whether it's your parents, siblings, children, friends, work, co-workers, or neighbors. There is someone that you serve continually, and it's your health that will give you the ability to continue those commitments. You owe it to yourself and the people around you. Taking care of ourselves allows us to be present for our loved ones, contribute effectively to our communities, and pursue our passions with vigor.

This gift may not be wrapped in shiny paper or decorated with bows and ribbons, but it is far more valuable. By prioritizing our health, we become more resilient, energetic, and capable of facing the daily roles and challenges that come our way. It's an investment that yields intrinsic and extrinsic dividends, not just for us, but for everyone we interact with each day. As we wrap up the holidays, let's consider our health as a gift we can continually give to ourselves and others, and commit to continuing this giving by becoming the healthiest versions of ourselves.

 Be true, be balanced, and be well.