Be Well, My Sisters

Being physically healthy is not necessarily the same as being well. A woman’s personal well-being impacts all aspects of her life. Being in good health also includes your state of mind, how you view yourself, and your feeling of self-worth.

We are a nation of people in search of. In search of what, you might ask? In search of whatever it will take to make us believe we are whole. We have all heard or told ourselves the lies that keep us in the bondage and prevent us from feeling complete. “If I lose weight, I would like myself better.” “If I had more money, I would be happier.” Oh, and of course, “If I had a man, I would be satisfied.”

Instead of harping on the things you don’t have, you should thank God for some of things you have been blessed with. Make it a daily practice to note the things you appreciate about your life. If you need a reminder of how blessed you are, remember when situations were worse. Reminiscence about how you made it through a storm you thought would never end.

One day, I was watching a television show that featured the most extravagant home I have ever seen. The woman of the house being interviewed said her husband, who had amassed the fortune that supported her opulent lifestyle, had committed suicide. Suicide?.How could someone with all of that money commit suicide?

The show made me reflect on all the talk shows I had watched where rich celebrities confessed to their use of drugs, alcohol, and whatever else they could get their hands on. I heard their disorders were referred to as simply, “The problems of the privileged.” These people had all of the frills of success and still felt incomplete. They had what many people spend too much time envying and worshiping.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with acquiring rewards for our labor, but we must ask ourselves what is enough. What will it take for us to be happy, and what are we willing to do and/or sacrifice to acquire it?

I once posed the following question to several women during an interview: “What are some of the biggest financial mistakes you have ever made?” All of the respondents stated their financial disasters resulted from making purchases driven by their need to establish a certain image in the eyes of people that they wanted to impress. All of my respondents ended up far more miserable than they were prior to being motivated by the desperate attempt to live up to other people’s expectations.

If you think none of this has anything to do with being physically well, I beg to differ. A dysfunctional frame of mind that distorts your decision making should be given the same attention as aches and pains that are obvious signs of illness.

Stop doing things that aren’t really working for you. If something or somebody is chipping away at your soul, release them. If too many burdens have taken a toll on your spirit, address them once and for all. Learn how to say “NO” and alleviate the guilt and anxiety that comes from being afraid of offending someone. Learn how to live with decisions that may be unfavorable to other people who simply benefit from your insecurities and vulnerabilities.

Some of you may need some guidance from a professional in achieving your goal of wellness. Don’t confuse asking for help as a sign of weakness. It is actually a display of empowerment. Make wellness a priority. If you do, you will see a significant change in the quality of your life.