Tip of the Week

Exercise your mind, body, and soul this week.

People who stay fully alive take care of themselves.  If you don't take care of yourself, you can become sedate and lose your "edge."  Remember that we are whole beings.  Taking care of one part of our lives can positively impact other parts of our lives.  Let me warn you, what I am about to suggest will sound very simple.  In fact you may look at this and immediately move on to another blog or website.  Yet so many people ignore and neglect self-care.

You might consider the following:

• Exercise your mind.  Do something that stimulates your thinking.  Read.  Read something (even the newspaper--paper or Internet) that relates to current events.  Watch a television program that causes you to think.  Read a good book.  Far too many of us become mentally lazy.
• Exercise your body.  Walk.  Run.  Work out.  I work out at the YMCA about four times per week.  Working out makes such a difference in the way I feel every day.  But don't complicate this.  Start by walking.  Some of us would do well to turn the computer off, put the book down, and get some exercise.  You might be very surprised at the difference this makes.
• Exercise your soul.  Look for an imbalance.  Maybe you serve people and are involved in several good works.  However, your prayer life and Bible reading are lacking.  Start by setting aside a short time each day that is dedicated for Bible reading and prayer.  (Many have found prayer books to be helpful as well.)  You might consider writing in a journal.  Some find that to be a valuable tool.

On the other hand, you may be doing the things I just suggested but you are not involved in any ongoing ministry.  To exercise your soul, you may need to get more intentional about putting your faith into action.  Start simple.  Consider doing something good for someone  who is really struggling right now.  Consider doing something good for someone who is sick, without a job, or in some way is going through a difficult time.  Maybe there is a service organization in the community for which you could volunteer.   The point is: Find a way to exercise your faith.

Comments

[Mike]

I wish you would stop writing practical posts that call for action on our part! Can't you just give us some mental gum to chew on so we don't have to actually do something with our Christian lives?

Give a brother a break, eh?

[Bill]

If I watch someone reading a book does that count for exercising my mind?
Actually, your third point really hits home. Thanks for the good reminder regarding balance. It is so important! -bill

[julie]

I needed this today.

[Jim Martin]

Mike, I laughed when I read your and Bill's comments. Thanks! :)

[Jim Martin]

Bill,
That's great! :) I'm not sure if watching someone counts are not! :)

Thanks...

[Jim Martin]

Julie,
I am so glad that in some way, this was helpful to you today.

[Scott Morgan]

Your wise counsel is always an encouragement to me, Jim. I guess I better go out and take that walk now.

[julie]

I just got back from the YMCA. First time in 2 months. I'm glad I stopped by this morning.

[Jim Martin]

Julie--Good for you! That is great. Your responsiveness is a reminder to me to be just as responsive when I need act.

[Jim Martin]

Scott, Thanks very much. I appreciate what you said.

[elizabeth]

I love how all three are so connected.

I work with stroke patients and it is amazing to see how much better many of them fare after a devastating stroke if they have spent a lifetime exercising their minds.

Great post!

[Jim Martin]

Elizabeth--Thanks! Thanks also for the observation about stroke patients. Isn't that interesting?

[Bobby Valentine]

Very thougthful suggestions. I have been attempting to integrate these into my life and God has blessed.

Shalom,
Bobby Valentine

[Dee Stewart]

I am going to print this out right now. Every day I'm sacrificing one of these things for my work and by the end of the week I am barely hanging on.

[Jim Martin]

Dee,
Glad this is helpful to you. Hope this is daily encouragent as well as a daily reminder.

So glad you stopped by.