I am constantly asking myself, "Is the life I'm living the life I want to be living?" As this question can be a bit existential and challenging to answer, that question usually morphs into, "Am I having the type of day I want to be having?" I find the times that I can answer "yes" are when I have done or am planning to do three specific things.
First, I've used my body to accomplish something. Be it making something with my hands, doing chores like mowing my lawn or vacuuming the house, or working out. Along with the innumerable scientifically proven benefits of daily physical movement, using my body every day reminds me how fortunate I am to be able-bodied. Be it a physical challenge or simple task, using my body is essential to having a good day.
On days when I'm running on little sleep or if it's rainy out, I find it particularly challenging to feel like the day is can end up being a "good" one. To ensure it is, the second thing I have to do is use my brain. Unfortunately, too many of us float through our jobs, schoolwork, and homelife without any true mental effort. We can mentally "check out" and still survive most of what everyday life throws at us. This can leave us feeling mundane, dulled, and ill-equipped to handle a more difficult challenge. To avoid this, its essential we use our brain to create, process, ideate, troubleshoot, or imagine every day.
Finally, If I find myself in a slump, unable to shake feelings of anxiousness, worry, or doubt, usually it's because I need use my heart. Sending a text to a friend, calling a family member, reading something emotionally captivating, or simply listening to my wife talk about her day, are all emotional investments that require the heart. Even if I use my body and brian, it's nearly impossible to have a good day without using the heart.
Our life is ultimately a collection of days. If we use our bodies, our brains, and our hearts every day, we can bet that most of them will be good ones.
Fact
Human beings have a nerve called the vagus nerve that runs from the brain to the gut, and it plays a key role in regulating our emotions, digestion and immune function.
Action
Choose your body, brain, or heart, and don't just use it today, but challenge it.
Question
Which of the three (body, brain, heart) do you neglect the most?
Quote
"There is more wisdom in your body than in your deepest philosophy." - Friedrich Nietzsche
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