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HEART MATTERS
by Suzanne Rose Lubkowski
February, 2000
February is a month that speaks of the heart! We pass aisles of valentines, cards, flowers, and gifts and may wonder where all the romance has gone in our lives especially if we have little ones tugging at our pants legs! As days of flowers and hearts gone by for many of us, we can reassess what we as families can do to nurture and celebrate this season of love! Priorities in our lives change, and I would like to offer some ideas we as families can look at this month.
Celebrate the family! Are there things we can do in today's busy life of commuting, often two parent working, our central family living away? It is often more challenging, but I feel critical for health and wellness. Take time to listen! What are our children, our spouses, our parents telling us? Do they need something we aren't giving right now, perhaps more time or just a smile or hug. Are there subtle or maybe not so subtle signs that we have been missing by being busy! I had a major wake-up call with my son when I was working full-time at my church as a youth education director. My son who was very well behaved in school and even usually at home would act up embarrassingly at every church event! It took a few times before I realized the message he was sending me that the church work took me away from him. That was a new beginning for me in learning more balance in my work and home life.
Are our children getting to know their grandparents, especially if they are long-distanced? Perhaps finding creative communication might be a fun and exciting way to keep the lines of communication open. Are their grandparents on e-mail? Many seniors are today and are surprised at what a joy it is to communicate with their children and grandchildren. If not, find a way to touch a heart long-distance! Regular cards, pictures, drawings are always welcomed and enjoyed on the grandparents refrigerators!
One of the key things we can do to create a healthy heart is to create a priority list! What are the things truly important to our family? What do we value? People and our health usually come to mind as our biggest priority, and often they are what gets lost in the hurry up world we live in.
And while we are on the subject of health, let this new year be one we take charge of our health! There is so much health news today that we are truly in denial if we choose not to look at our health as a priority. There are steps we can take to bring a 'healthier lifestyle' for ourselves and our families! Moms and dads want to be around for grandchildren; so what can we do to do our part to create this for ourselves! Obviously, there are no guarantees in life and even if we do everything we can, something can happen! But statistics are proving that we can make a difference -- so let's make that difference! Let's look at a few positive health steps we can take:
(1) If you smoke, make a commitment to stop this year! Your heart, and your children's health and even your budget will thank you!
(2) Create a space for yourself to become more active -- walk once a day - climb steps, dance, get a videotape - just MOVE that body! We don't need expensive exercise equipment or membership in a spa to make a commitment to MOVE! Exercise helps our heart and our stress levels! The endorphins help get out us out of 'the funks' and teach our children the value of exercise. So MOVE THAT BODY!
(3) Cut down on fat, white flour and sugar products! Sugar and white flour also make us feel low energy! Eat more fruits, fiber and veggies every day and it is surprising how we begin to crave healthy choices.
(4) Supplement -- doctors and the scientists are telling us that our food supply is not supplying us with adequate nutrients; they just aren't in our soil any longer. Choose a 'bioavailable' nutrient that breaks down and gets into your system. The studies are showing the most essential nutrients we need more of are a good multivitamin, vitamin E, vitamin C and b-complex. It is true -- if we don't have our health, we can't enjoy life at all.
(5) Nurture and nourish yourself and others. Tell others you care - don't wait till tomorrow -- hug your kids, hug your dog, hug your spouse and be good to yourself!
February is a time for being heart-smart! We can reassess our priorities and bring more balance and joy in our lives through a few simple changes. We can begin today -- one at a time and know we are on our way to not just a more nurturing month of February but through the whole year!
©2000 Suzanne Rose Lubkowski. Used by permission of author.
Contributed by Suzanne Rose Lubkowski, Wellness Consultant
Integrative Wellness
Contact zannrose@aol.com or visit
http://www.shaklee.net/integrativewellness
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