If just for a moment I asked you to be honest with YOURSELF, how would you respond (emotionally and rationally) to the following questions?
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How often do I think about my NEEDS vs. how often do I think about my WANTS?
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How often do I think about whether I LIKE or DISLIKE the person I’ve become?
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How often do I say “NO” to others because the request would interfere with my ability to accomplish MY NEEDS?
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How often do I think about whether or not I’m in CONTROL of my life?
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How often do I LAUGH vs. how often do I CRY?
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How often do I CREATE ACTION PLANS to help me achieve my goals?
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How often do I FOLLOW UP with my action plans by evaluating my progress to see if I’m on target?
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How often do I CHOOSE meals rather than seeing what “fits in” with my schedule?
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How often do I THINK ABOUT exercise?
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How many hours a day do I devote to ME in a beneficial manner?
I provide a lot of helpful information to those of you who read my blog site. In addition, I provide REALISTIC METHODS of application to help people transition from unhealthy lifestyles and pathways to healthy ones. With over 1000 people following my site, why hasn’t EVERYONE joyfully shared their wonderful experiences enjoying healthier more meaningful lives? Because, this is NOT REALITY! In most cases I think it’s quite simple to explain. To a large extent, many of us consider our lives nothing more than:
AN AFTERTHOUGHT!
.
We function; we attempt to handle the responsibilities we face in life and then seek refuge. For some it is television or reading or video games or EATING! It is not so much we ENJOY these “things” but rather a necessary event we use for SURVIVAL. For a short period of time, it permits us to exist in a CONTROLLED interactive environment without FEAR or ANGER of retribution. This existence demonstrates how insignificant we see ourselves and reinforces the concept that our lifestyles are no more than:
AN AFTERTHOUGHT!
.
This would explain why people cast aside essential necessary life enhancing activities and behaviors in favor of unhealthy activities and destructive behaviors that create TEMPORARY IMMEDIATE GRATIFICATION.
Turning this TRUTH into a new reality first requires the individual to recognize and accept the fact they see themselves and treat themselves as:
AN AFTERTHOUGHT!
.
Such a great post. Such a great reminder.
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Thank you Kathy. Sometimes people just need a little reminding! Hope you and the (BIG) pup have a wonderful week. 🙂
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Thanks so much. You too! Keep those posts coming..Always a good read.
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Amen. I’m printing this one out and putting it up on my bathroom mirror so I see it everyday.
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Reinforcing a positive message makes it more REAL and more likely to happen! I appreciate the sentiment of your comment. Thank you so much!
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This is a most excellent post!!
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Thank you Sarah and Choppy. I like the way the two of you discuss your blog readings prior to commenting. 😀
Seriously, thank you very much for such a nice compliment.
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🙂
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Yes, even if you make yourself a priority ONE time, you reap the benefit. It’s a process, we ‘re pretty conditioned to put others first.
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Change is rarely easy; embracing it sometimes makes the experience less daunting and more fulfilling.
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You make such excellent points. Making an overall change in my lifestyle for the better, has caused me to simplify my life. To put myself in the front of the line. I’ve gone for year’s pushing myself to the back and not attending to my needs but rather everyone else’s. I felt guilty to consider my needs before my family. It’s amazing how caring for yourself in one area opens the door for you take care of ones self in every aspect of life, better than you ever have before.
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It takes courage to take that “leap” but the benefits (as you describe) are soooo worth it!
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Wow this one hit me right in the heart for sure! I love it when that happens! I am now my first thought each day and it feels amazing….like coming home! Now this is my new favorite post by you Jonathan! 🙂 ❤ 🙂
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You need to call Fibro support groups and share your story IN PERSON! People need to see just how far people can transform their lives. You would provide enormous inspiration.
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Oh my goodness! what a super nice thing to say! I would love to do that…I havent had much luck with the people at that gym or the pool even though I try to go easy with them. I think my enthusiasm for life in general makes them feel worse some how about themselves and their choices. I just tell them of the simple changes I have made over the last 6 months and the results are now truly paying off. Its not like I did all of it at once but I wonder if its just overwhelming to think about for some people. They will fight the change but suffer, endure and put up with the sleepless nights and constant pain? My daughter and ppl closest to me can see a huge difference and even better than that is I myself can…simple steps Jonathan you know just what I mean they all of a sudden one day add up! XO! thank you so much for always being so supportive to me you are a good friend to have! 🙂
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It is our responsibility (and more importantly a natural desire) to help each other. “Giving” (money, time, support) for those who need it winds up being the kindest GIFT we give ourselves.
Thank you as always for your very kind words. 🙂
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Yes I believe you are right about that for sure! As always you are very welcome!🎃
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most of us are interested in what we want and not what we need
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I believe Eve expressed this same sentiment to Adam. You can see the path that lead to!
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[…] via AN AFTERTHOUGHT — All About Healthy Choices […]
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Thank you for sharing this message with your readers.
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A great thinking post…thanks I will spend some time reflecting on your questions…most the answers were easy…but a couple stumped me and made me scratch my head….thank you….we all need a swift kick in the brain every now and then…LOL
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I told my wife your comment about “needing a swift kick in the brain,” so when I wasn’t looking, she kicked me in the head! I don’t feel any smarter, but I am a little dizzy. 😀
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Hahaha doc, I think you didn’t need that l kick then because real kicks should propel action and not make one dizzy lol
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🙂
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Now to this post, I think I’ll give you a medal when next I come to the US lol. When I started going radical in my life for my own holistic wellbeing, I planned and worked out how to navigate from a people pleaser to a self server. I knew if I get to self, I could eventually try finding a balance. It takes hard work, emotional, physical, mental and even spiritual work. Not as easy as just buying you some drive thru and renewing a Netflix subscription etc. Maybe that’s why we may sometimes only be able/willing to only think about our life, whine and wish???
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I know of few things in life that are truly worthwhile that don’t require HARD WORK. It amazes me that people have so little SELF VALUE and are willing to sacrifice the quality of their lives to self destructive behaviors that satisfy immediate gratification. If people only realized this is how ADDICTS approach life. Contemplating this concept just might help people reconsider the CHOICES they make.
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