Thoughts On Health

So many thoughts swirling in my head tonight, and I can't seem to get them out when I try to type them. At the moment, a friend's child is getting his second dose of chemotherapy for stage 4 cancer. Also, as I type this, our very own Muffin Top is at the hospital with her son, dealing with a potentially life-threatening situation. It seems like everywhere I turn lately, someone is sick or suffering.

I've noticed a trend in my posting lately. It's all very capre diem. I want to seize the moment; live for today. More than ever it seems like our time here is so fleeting, and I want to capture things as they are RIGHT NOW and keep them that way forever. Nothing is guaranteed, and it feels like everywhere I turn lately, someone is having the rug of their happy life pulled out from underneath them. It's heartbreaking. It's scary. It's led me to draw some conclusions of my own. All the things I've been thinking and wanting to write about today basically lead me to one sentence.

If you don't have your health, you don't have anything.

I could really end this post there because that pretty well sums it up. Careers, money, possessions, relationships, I could go on and on. None of it matters if you don't have your health. So every time I reach for a cheeseburger, or every time I skip a work out, I'm basically choosing a temporary fix over the thing that matters more than anything else. I'm disgusted with the years I've spent neglecting what's of the utmost importance.

The desire to take care of myself has trumped many a craving as of late. I'm constantly at war with my decisions. To eat meat or not to eat meat? Did I get enough fruits and veggies in? How can I make my kids healthier? It all seems like an uphill battle. What used to be a constant need for "skinny" has been forcefully replaced by something far more important. I need to be strong and healthy for my family. For me.

I made a decision this morning to give up meat for the next month. I'm not sure I can make it a permanent change, but I eat too much of it, and it's time to shake things up. Also, I'm going to hit up my green smoothies on a daily basis. I already had one tonight!

My priority is my health. Goal #1 must be getting (and staying) as healthy as I possibly can. I found several vegetarian recipes I'll be trying in the coming days and weeks, so hopefully I'll have some winners for you guys!!!

On a different, yet related note, I know not everyone is spiritual or religious, but if you are, could you pray for Muffin Top and her son tonight? I'm sure she'll be back soon to share her story, but for now, can everyone keep her in your thoughts and prayers?