WELCOME this Wednesday, 08 September, 2010
to our Summer issue of WELL

IHELPED MY SISTER CELEBRATE a significant birthday recently. We did not, however, celebrate the occasion as a birthday but rather as a 'celebration of life'. 70 to 80 people packed her home to join with us in being thankful; to celebrate with us this gift we call life. A number of years ago my sister was told by four different doctors that she probably only had two years left to live because her health was in such disrepair. Sometimes we need to be told when a spade is a spade and such news motivated her to do something about her health. Walking, running, stationary bike work, watching carefully what she eats and visiting a personal trainer at least twice a week is what it took and continues to take to make a big difference. Like most people who make significant changes to their health, she says she will never go back to the way she was — not surprising!

If you had been a fly on the wall at the party, you would have witnessed a woman who doesn't look her years, who is trim and fit, who chooses her food wisely and, who just six days earlier, had run another half marathon. You would have seen a woman having fun with all of her friends because she feels like she has been reborn. No longer is she dragging around an extra 100 lbs of weight; no longer is she wheezing at the top of a flight of stairs. She now has a zest for life and is proud of the work she has done and the difference it has made in her life.

I shared this quote with her from George Sheehan, “Success rests in having the courage and endurance and, above all, the will to become the person you are, however peculiar that may be. Then you will be able to say, 'I have found my hero and it is me'.”

Is there a lesson for me and perhaps for you? Yes, and it is this: Don't be satisfied with being out of shape and over weight. Do something about it. It may take many small steps and many weeks and months to see the improvement you are after but it will be worth it and you will love yourself for it. But don't stop there and backslide — keep going. Have someone in your corner who can help and encourage you and keep you accountable to your goals. Find a way to be an encourager yourself. It is not any easy journey you have embarked upon. There may be setbacks and that's okay. It is more about the journey. In the words of Ursula K. LeGuin, “It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end.”

So have fun. Enjoy the process for what it is ... for 'To miss the joy is to miss it all!'

Once again (and never to be overlooked or taken for granted), I want to thank all of those people who have contributed in one way or another to this issue of WELL. I want to encourage all of you, our readers, to think about how you might contribute. I am sure there is a wealth of knowledge, experience, pictures and stories to share. Lastly, welcome to our new subscribers. We trust you will find our newsletter informative and enjoyable as you chart your own journey to wellness. If so, tell a friend or two.  Be well :: Peter Mason