A Balanced MIND |
A Balanced BODY |
A Balanced SOUL |
A harmonious life breaks down into 3 equal parts: mind, body, and soul. The mind is the core of every other element - one can not improve his/her body if the mind is corrupt, and the same applies to the soul.
The brain is an infinitely expanding organ which science can never seem to outrun. With stress, responsibilities, media, sociality, extraneous joy, sorrow, & recovery, it is easy to see how the mind can become unstable. The question is, how do we counterbalance these everyday factors to keep ourselves at peace? The answer: never-ending effort. It is human nature to be cynical and feel threatened in life. We expect situations to occur the way we play them out in our head, and that is often not the case. When these situations provide us with challenges, our instinct is to place blame, or to act ignorant - this is where the problem begins. While it is natural to feel ALL emotions, even bad ones, the key is to preserve your negative emotions for necessary situations. I am in no way condoning the "bottling up" of your feelings - it is important to express your thoughts. Where my encouragement stands is in facing the sunshine... But what does that mean?! We have all been in the sun for too long; it is so beautiful and full of vitality, but often when we try to look at it, we have great difficulty, or it burns our skin. We can not be in the sun all the time, but if we make a conscious effort to bask in its rays as often as possible, these rays are infinitely beneficial. The same holds true with positivity - if we deliberately redirect our minds to think on the brighter side of any situation, our existence will be exponentially prosperous. Back to never-ending effort... As I said, it is in our nature to want to dismiss any challenging circumstance. In order to correct our mentality, we must correct our outlook. There is beauty in every day. Your car got a flat tire? Feel gratitude in having a vehicle to transport you anywhere you need to be. Stuck in traffic? Take the time to meditate, play your favorite song and jam out, or think ahead and mentally prepare a yummy meal for later. Going through a breakup? Think about the 7 billion people on this earth. There is bound to be one person who knows exactly how to cheer you up - so seek them out and cry on their shoulder. Emotions are a GOOD THING! But we must focus on the daily reminders that we are alive and able, WHICH YOU ARE, rather than the minor annoyances which can so greatly contribute to a corrupted perspective in this enchanting, confounding life. |
It is no secret that people want to be physically attractive. Media today highlights the luxuries of such a facade - great clothes, attractive suitors, and jealousy emanating from one's peers. This portrayal, however, is causing society to wish to be thin, rather than healthy and fit. While the situation is improving, it will never be permanently extinct. Unfortunately, countless people feel they will never be entirely content with their physique.
This is unnerving, and at times a bit infuriating. The human body is a beautiful entity - a work of art to be cherished, nourished, and loved. We, as a society, need to STOP body-shaming. Body-shaming of any kind is irreparably BAD. This type of bullying is not limited to mocking someone for being "overweight." It includes entitling someone as too: fat, skinny, tall, short, dark, light, curvy, flat, muscular, weak, etc. It is also important to keep in mind how undeniably unhealthy it is to body-shame yourself. Never never never stand in front of a mirror and analyze your body to the point of feeling flawed. You are not flawed. There is a story behind every body and a reason why you look the way you do - and the way you look is beautiful. Rather than dwelling on cellulite, which is genetic, tell yourself you have two beautiful, strong, capable legs that are allowing you to live your life. If your tummy does not have washboard abs, remind yourself that it is okay and you have been created and refined to look as you do. Your pant size has NO correlation with your value as a person. If you want to improve, not change, your body, you must first fall in love with it. You are in for a daunting journey if you try to transform your physical being before you learn to appreciate yourself; however, if you DO want to undergo a metamorphosis of the body, I applaud you. This kind of change takes pure dedication and resilience. That being said, as you burn more calories, you must ensure you are adequately supplying your body with NUTRIENTS and energy to not only function, but thrive! Balancing your body begins with acceptance, leads into transformation, and is boundlessly rooted in confidence. |
The body is a frame, whereas the soul is the essence of your being. Mending the soul is one of life's most difficult tasks; it is a continuous challenge and needs regular attention.
This is an area where MY advice may not be beneficial to you. We are each so unique and extraordinary, and I am unable to tell you what your personal soul is like. It may take a lifetime to figure out how to nourish your soul, but the journey toward this goal is incredible. I can, however, tell you how I tend to my soul, and maybe enlighten you to practices you may want to try! Personally, my soul needs sunshine, friends, food, yoga, and music to feel whole. If one of these key elements is missing, I am unstable. Sunshine brings vitality and rejuvenation to my skin and my soul. I feel so lucky to have lived at the beach, where I could simply bike to the shore and soak up masses of vitamin D. I need friends to balance my moods - I am constantly anxious, hyper, and indecisive, and having good friends helps mellow me out. Good food is a must for my soul. I nourish my body and eat the foods of the earth, but also understand the necessity of indulgence. These "soul" foods literally brighten your mood and are some of life's little joys. Strict dietary limitations make for a broken soul. Yoga is pure bliss for one's spirit. After yoga, I am centered and ready to take on anything the world has to offer. Everyday I am grateful to have found a practice that is good for the mind and the body alike. And finally, I need music. A harmonious melody paired with passionate lyrics are the food my soul thrives on. Music is ever-changing and dynamic, full of every emotion imaginable - something this vivacious is absolutely euphoric. |
All advice, strategies, and opinions on this page are of my own, and are what I have personally gained through experience and research. I have cited all sources used when appropriate, and understand these views do not reflect those of society as a whole. If you have any concerns about your physical well-being, consult a medical professional for further assistance. Melanie Bower (2016)