In his recent podcast, Erwin McManus delved into the art of comparison and its potential to uplift individuals. He highlighted a crucial distinction between approaches—one focused solely on outcomes and another centered on identifying an essence worthy of emulation. According to McManus, the latter is the path to true elevation and goal achievement, as it involves a profound transformation of oneself. This perspective beautifully frames the pursuit of health, emphasizing the importance of focusing on essence rather than mere outcomes.
This concept resonates deeply with me, especially when considering the vital role dialogue plays in our journey toward a healthier essence and life. Engaging in conversations about our goals serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it opens the door for our trusted community to provide encouragement and hold us accountable in our endeavors. Secondly, dialogue serves as a powerful tool through which we invite others to witness and participate in the transformation of our mindsets and postures toward positive change. Moreover, dialogue is the ongoing expression and reflection of our personal development of essence. Through conversations with others, we articulate our values, beliefs, and intentions, shaping our understanding of ourselves and our aspirations. In essence (pun intended), dialogue serves as both a catalyst for accountability and a platform for the continuous refinement of self. By sharing our goals and engaging in transparent conversations, we not only harness the collective wisdom and support of our community but also deepen our understanding of ourselves as we navigate our aspirations. Let's embrace the power of dialogue in our journey toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.
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Erwin McManus, a renowned author and out-of-the-box pastor, emphasizes the transformative power of taking up responsibility through his podcasts and sermons (check out "The Genius of Power"). McManus believes that embracing responsibility is key to empowering individuals. He argues that when individuals take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and circumstances, they gain a sense of control over their lives. Rather than being passive victims of circumstances, they become active participants in shaping their destinies. I find this a particularly relevant concept for women as the message of "empowerment" has garnered a significant hype but without much structure on the mentalities that lead to an empowered individual.
McManus suggests that responsibility not only empowers individuals but also pulls them into an internal narrative that fosters personal growth and development. When people take ownership of their lives, they are more likely to learn from their mistakes, adapt to challenges, and pursue their goals with determination. This is a hopeful message and call to action to the multitude of women who encounter added layers of imposed expectations and barriers. Furthermore, McManus highlights the importance of responsibility in building trust and credibility. By demonstrating accountability and reliability, individuals learn the respect of others and establish themselves as leaders in their communities and workplaces. Whether you are a woman pursing lofty goals in career or personal, do not underestimate that society is much more open to a responsible spirit than a talented know-it-all. In conclusion, Erwin McManus advocates for the power of taking up responsibility as a means to empower oneself. Through his genuine words and articulated thoughts, he inspires listeners to embrace responsibility as a pathway to fulfillment in life, and in the process offers women a tool for navigating and overcoming the specific challenges we face in society. Many women experience chronic pains or ailments that are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. This leads to a frustrating quality of life for the individual and illuminates the disparity around women specific health issues. Thankfully, there is a growing awareness and call to arms toward addressing the gap in women's health. At the forefront of change are doctors like William Bird who have become pioneers for a larger revolution in the framework of healthcare. A UK doctor and founder of the organization "Intelligent Health," Dr. Bird provides a shift on the framework of health through his Resilience Matrix approach that promotes the individual's cultivation of resilience across physical, mental, and social dimensions. According to Intelligent Health, resilience is defined as "The ability to receive a successful outcome in face of adversity" and this ultimately comes through the mental vehicle of learning how to rewire our brains. When our brains are wired in unhealthy patterns, we are more likely to experience feelings of loneliness, lack of safety, and low self worth. These become the root for poor habits, weak immunity, and chronic disease. Avoiding or ending the spiral into physiological turmoil lies in the profound understanding of the interconnectedness between physical health, mental fortitude, and the environments that impact both. Examining the Resilience Matrix, we see three pillars of context connected with three pillars of perceived experience. The relationship between these six elements generate the framework of understanding and consequential medical decision making for Dr. Bird's revolutionary healthcare schematic. For our purpose, I will highlight three mental rewires that can be applied towards building resilience in your personal mind and body starting today. Rewire #1: Embrace Your Community
Building resilience begins by leaning into your community. Belonging is essential for not only relational wellbeing but is at the epicenter of determining the quality and longevity of a person's life (check out Blue Zones series on Netflix!). Thus, it may be time to be bold and take the first step toward your community. This can be a simple hello to the neighbor, joining local activity groups, signing up for a trial group fitness class (I recommend pilates) or even texting that one friend or family member back to set a time to connect. It doesn't have to be a full social marathon out the gate as that is not reasonable or sustainable for anyone. Yet, it does require some ownership and initiative on your end. Give people the opportunity to show they care for you. Give yourself the opportunity to show how much you care for them. Community isn't just about securing an ear (or more) for ranting on those awful days, though that has its utility. It's more about creating a relational network that offers grounding and a multitude of opportunities to expand your understanding of others as well as yourself so you can garner the strength to approach life head on. Rewire #2: Feed Your Curiosity Part of an individual's ability to get through the uncertainty and unimaginably painful moments in life is having a purpose. For some women, they find that purpose in serving their family and/or tending to their children. For others, it comes through their contribution to their community or mission driven work. For even others, it's a combination of the priors or a totally different motivation overall. Either way, pursue meaning through something outside of yourself that capitalizes on your talents (as small as you think they may be) and areas of enjoyment. Don't know how to do that or where to start? Get CURIOUS! Here are a series of questions you can ask yourself and others. - "What do I enjoy doing? Why does this interest me?" - "What is a gift or strength you see in me?" - "If there was one area of growth you would love to see me invest time into, what would it be?" - "Why did their behavior cause me to respond that way? Am I proud of my response?" - "What is a potential area of my life I overcomplicate? Is there one way I can simplify it?" As you ask yourselves questions, you'll notice your understanding expand while the grip of damaging thought-traps begins to release its hold on your mind. Rewire #3: Find a Place of Beauty I realize not everyone lives in the breathtaking fields of the Switzerland mountain landscape. In fact, many people barely find a patch of grass a definitive part of their environment. Nevertheless, do not underestimate the power of finding a place that carries a seed of wondrous beauty, a place that gives you pause in your life and allows you to process the significance and magnificence of the seemingly ordinary moments. Perspective is everything and lots of the time, we need a place to be able to find that. So, go on a walk in your area and see if you can find a botanical spot, a bench, or even just a lovely bush to call your place of beauty. Once you find that place, return to it regularly. If it's close, daily is wonderful! If a bit further away, then weekly or whatever is sustainable. But keep it consistent and sacred. Let yourself be caught up in the magic of that place ... who knows, you may just find a whole new world as you find a new perspective! |
Author's NoteMind Shift #3 Your mental and emotional frameworks significantly influence your health more than any other factor. Archives
April 2024
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