After creating the small change Toolkit two years ago, I played around with a few slogans and decided on “Be Well, start small," which aligns with my purpose and my small change logo. I’ve since begun signing personal cards, notes, and letters with the words "Be Well. " It’s my way to bless the recipient.
So, what does it mean to “Be Well?” While there are various interrelated definitions of health, wellness, and well-being, here's my take: to “Be Well” is to be in a state of balance and inner harmony that allows you to live life to the fullest, regardless of the circumstances. It's an evolving process that takes time and requires a shift in how you think about health and what impacts your well-being.
How do you shift the way you think about what impacts your well-being?
· Make the decision to take charge of your health and stop leaving the responsibility to your clinician
· Let go of old medical and cultural beliefs that health is the absence of disease or only the results of what happens to the physical body
· Embrace a new way of thinking by first accepting that everything you do, think, feel, and believe ultimately impacts your well-being
· Adopt the holistic approach to health and wellness that addresses every aspect of your being - the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual components
· Be willing to make lifestyle adjustments that nourish each component
· Enjoy the vitality and feeling of well-being that results from making positive lifestyle adjustments, one small change at a time
Can a person have a disease and still "Be Well? Yes. Being well doesn't necessarily mean being free of medical conditions or illnesses. I’m living proof. I've lived with progressive cervical spine stenosis for 15 years and managed to "Be Well.” It hasn't been easy, but it's much better than the alternative - accepting suffering as my fate. Instead, I decided to maintain wellness habits that include walking 3-5 days a week, eating a balanced diet and taking the best herbal supplements, daily spiritual rituals including journaling -my most powerful ritual, and managing stress regardless of the circumstances. These small change strategies have kept me well for well over two decades.
Can a person who has never been diagnosed with a disease not "Be Well?" Yes. They may be living a miserable life due to lifestyle choices or underlying mental or emotional issues that negatively impact their overall well-being. Health is more than being free from disease.
So here's the bottom line: To "Be Well" does not happen by accident and it is no quick fix. It's an inside job that begins with a commitment to making wellness a daily practice - one small change at a time. It's holding yourself accountable. And lastly, it's a way of expressing gratitude for the only vehicle you have to experience life as you know it – Your Body!
Until next week, Be Well, start small! Need help getting started? Contact me at smallchange@myrtlerussell.com.
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