process . Meanwhile , all types of community contribute to wellness . Community is a critical ingredient without which we can never be whole and well .
7 GROUNDING AND NATURE
“ Remember you are dust , and to dust you shall return .” The concept behind this popular biblical quote ( from Genesis 3:19 ) predates the Bible , and it is corroborated by modern science . We are part of the earth and the earth is part of us . Embracing practices that help us reconnect with nature and that protect and honor Mother Earth can help improve our health . The seventh wellness practice reminds us that we are not far removed from our ancestors and that we are an integral part of all life . By fostering , in simple ways , our connection to nature , we reclaim our rightful state of wellness .
THE KEY TO SUCCESS IS PREPARATION
I remember when I went out on my first real date as a teenager . I was so anxious and eager for it to go well that I spent hours preparing and anticipating every detail of the outing : my outfit , my hair , my mannerisms , even my smile . I rehearsed conversations , coming up with dozens of potential scenarios and practicing anecdotes in my head to make sure I sounded smart , witty , cute , funny , sexy . Maybe you had a similar experience ! I got advice from my friends , who coached me on how to behave , what to say , what not to do . Developing a new wellness lifestyle can be just like anticipating that first fancy date . We have to prepare for the known and the unknown to ensure that we are as successful as we want to be .
Typically , pursuing wellness means changing bad or unhealthy habits and replacing them with better , healthier ones . I know from experience how challenging this can be . Change always seems daunting , but it doesn ’ t have to be . In fact , our bodies are used to change : We are basically a new human , with new skin , bones , hair , and cells , every few weeks . The rotation of the earth and its orbit around the sun ensure that our environment is constantly changing — daily , monthly , quarterly , annually . Change is as much a part of us as the air we breathe . If we embrace change as a positive , it can become as easy as the passing clouds in the sky . That said , when changing habits , it helps to prepare and make changes slowly .
Preparation is the key to success . I can ’ t stress this enough . No one succeeds in a goal without some form of planning — and in some cases , like a first date , quite a bit of planning . Often when we start something new , we are excited and eager for the experience . We imagine success : charming our date or getting into better shape with revitalized energy . But will our initial excitement , our good intentions , be enough to sustain us along the bumpy road ahead ? Do we know what we really want ? Do we know what our goals are ? Do we know why we ’ re doing what we ’ re doing ? Are we emotionally ready for change ?
Excerpted from the book from Reclaiming Wellness : Ancient Wisdom for Your Healthy , Happy , and Beautiful Life . Copyright © 2022 by Jovanka Ciares . Printed with permission from New World Library — www . newworldlibrary . com .
WISDOM & SELF-GROWTH
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