Daily Necessities

A few weeks ago my doctor told me (based on blood work) that I'm now officially "pre-diabetic." What it means is that I'm insulin-resistant, and that if I do nothing, I'll definately develop full-blown diabetes (type 2) within ten years.

BUT...

If I change my diet, exercise regularly, and avoid certain foods all together, I can keep Type 2 at bay indefinately. I may even be able to avoid this horrid disease completely. But only if I do what I need to do...everyday...for the rest of my life.

Since my diagnosis, I've exercised an hour a day, six days per week. I've cut white sugar, white flour, white rice, white potatoes (basically anything "white" or anything made with anything white), and highly-processed foods from my diet completely. I'm eating only whole grains, loads of veggies and fruits, and low-fat proteins and dairy products. The only sweet things I eat are sweetened with artificial sweeteners (Splenda or Equal).

And I'm doing this everyday.

And I feel better than I've felt in years.

I've gone on a number of healthy eating kicks and exercise regimines in the past, but they never lasted. I knew when I started them, whatever the latest kick was, it wouldn't last.

But this time it's different. It even feels different. If I want to live, and live healthfully, I have to do what I'm doing now. It's non-negotiable. Period. I don't want to end up blind or toe-less. And I want to grow old with my husband.

I want to stay healthy. So I'm doing what the doctor told me I have to do. Sure, it takes time, discipline, and effort; and it's keeping me from doing other things. But it's a must. I never realized how time-consuming all this could be until now. But it's worth it.

The same could be said for my spiritual life. My long-term spiritual health depends on the little things I do daily. If I want to grow wise and muture and old in the faith, little things like daily devotions and regular prayer and feeding my soul with healthy things make a huge difference.

Again, it takes time. But regular disciplines and spiritual habits will keep my soul healthy. And I'll be a better teacher for it.

My recent diagnosis has been a wake-up call for me, physically and spiritually. For too long I'd been lulled into an illusion of health.

Now I'm faced with reality in both my body and my soul.

So it's back to regular disciplines for me for my physical and spiritual health.

How about you? How's your spritual health these days--especially now, during the summer, when we tend to relax and play more?

I pray this summer will be a time of health for you, and growth, and soul-nurture. Even in the little things.

'Til next time,
Joan