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Does it ever seem like you were dealt a lousy health hand, while others around you seem to thrive and avoid physical ailments? Well, here�s a recent book that we highly recommend in your quest for fabulous health. It�s called �Choosing Brilliant Health,� and it was written by Rick Foster and Greg Hicks, along with Jen Seda, MD.
Foster and Hicks� previous book, �How We Choose to be Happy,� was an exploration of the commitments and practices that lead to happiness and satisfaction in our lives; they traveled all over the world to identify the habits of people who were happy. What Foster and Hicks found in their research for this book was that these practices led not only to great emotional health, but to excellent physical health as well. They have become internationally known for their work, teaching and consulting with physicians and hospitals as well as patients and businesses, from the Mayo Clinic and the American Heart Association to Wells Fargo and General Electric.
So what�s the magic in their approach to �brilliant� health? Foster and Hicks outline the nine basic practices of people who are happy and healthy:
- They are intentional; that is, they set an intention to be well and to follow the health and emotional practices that are needed to live within that intention. This is done not only on a moment-by-moment basis, but also with long-term vision. They also live in integrity with their deepest core values.
- They are accountable, that is, they take ownership of their lives and the challenges therein; they are determined to be well and disciplined about their health practices. They give up blaming anyone or anything for their circumstances.
- They identify those things that they love and are passionate about, that bring them joy, and they give them their detailed attention.
- They practice centrality, meaning they live their passion by actively doing the things that bring them joy, by providing a central place in their lives for the things that they love.
- They recast the difficult events in their lives, including illness, meaning that they accept and acknowledge that difficult emotions and events are a part of life, and then they look at them as opportunities for growth and action.
- They look for new options; they believe that multiple new opportunities are always around the corner and they stay open to those opportunities; they give up thinking that life is supposed to look a certain way.
- They committed to appreciating everything in their lives in the present moment, including the miraculous ways in which their bodies work every day.
- They live lives of service, generously give to others - giving their time, their support, their love � and they allow others to give to them.
- They are honest with themselves and others; they live by their personal truths, rather than living by �shoulds�.
If this all sounds Pollyana-ish to you, you might use that particular thought as a starting place to examine your own attitudes and sense of optimism, and then to assess your own physical well-being. Although these practices may not cure disease or lead to a permanently stress-free life, we are certain they will enhance your health and happiness while also leading to much more satisfaction in your life. We encourage you to try it. Besides, what have you got to lose other than pessimism and pain? We wish you joy and happiness on this journey!
For a great read, check out their book: Choosing Brilliant Health by Rick Foster and Greg Hicks, with Jen Seda, MD, Perigee Books, 2008.
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