Natalie's Spirit Writings Wednesday the 7th of April 2008

Good morrow! 'Tis me, your enthusiastically lecturing spirit, Humphrey.

So far we have been traversing the wonderful path of success, laying the brickwork for the house of happiness, choosing the thread for the tapestry of joy and many other happy metaphors, but today I wish to bring in the key to all. The map for the path, the foundations for the house and the cloth for the tapestry. I wish to lecture about YOU.
 
Yes, you specifically! For you see, I wish to talk about self, and there is NOTHING in this lecture that will not apply.
 
Self is the most overlooked part of business, of family, of hobbies, of exercise, of anything. Self is such an easy thing to take for granted, but it's the most important thing of all. Without self, all those aforementioned things cease to exist, but should any of those AFOREMENTIONED things cease to exist, self remains.

What a curious statement, you might say... You see, self is the most important part of those things. One can not run a business without self, not have a family, what is a hobby without someone to indulge, and exercise without self is a stationary bicycle.
 
Self isn't just the most important piece of any endeavour. It's also the most important key to success in any endeavour. Happy, functional, comfortable self will do well. Tired, stressed, upset and miserable self will almost always fail. (What an irony, for the miserable self's failure will just make you more miserable)

But how does one measure what makes happy, functional, and comfortable self?
 
Sleep. Food. Exercise. Stimulation. Play. Purpose. Water.
 
Not an easy set of steps, for, in all cases except sleep (8 hours) and water (2 litres), these things differ greatly from person to person. But ah, i love a challenge! So let us tackle things head on!
 
FOOD was, in my life, a great vice. I admit I was a corpulent man and i did love to indulge. BUT THAT WORKED FOR ME. I was happy, and even at an old age, where my girth made movement difficult, i loved food far more then i love my movement (As I spend much time reading, writing or sitting on my ample bottom and lecturing)

I'm sure your modern dieticians, exercise therapists and health professionals would do a collective gasp of horror at this sentiment, but if being overweight and indulgent makes you happy, be overweight and indulgent. Just be aware you WILL have health risks. If a shorter, but merry life of food and drink is bliss, then do it. But if it is not- you need to find something else.

I know in your world of glossy magazine books and television advertisements body image is important. And if you love to eat, but hate the person that looks at your in the mirror, then you need to find a different balance.

I would never condone sacrificing cakes and fish suppers for good, oh no, no, no. But perhaps you may need a little guidance. Are you having a cake with every pot of tea and a take away meal once per week? Are you even aware how often you eat? I suggest the purchase of a small book. Eat normally for a week or two and copy down what you eat. Perhaps you are indulging more then you thought! Keep with book with you and cut back little bits at a time (so you do not feel as if you are paying penance or missing something) and supplement with other things. Perhaps instead of a fish supper you can purchase some fresh fish and some oven chips? Look at your situation and be innovative.
 
If you are a person that enjoys a large bowl of crispy salad, a banana and a sliver of chicken breast for dinner and are happy with your slim and trim body, more power to you!
 
 
EXERCISE seems like a bit of a dirty word. In my life, I enjoyed a casual stroll in the evenings, until i became too sore with age. Possibly not the best amount of exercise, but it always DID make me happier. And that's what exercise should be about, enjoyment.

Enough with these grueling sessions that make you miserable and sore along with that endorphin high, you will more then likely quit, or find excuses to avoid it.

 
So find something enjoyable. If you dislike those institutionalized gyms, then don't go. Think of something else. What did you enjoy when you were younger, skipping, football, cricket? Look around for things to join, go for a swim if you love the water, join a circus training group if you love to bend stretch and swing through the trees. If you love to dance, find a class near you, or fight? There are plenty of boxing or karate classes for adults. NO ONE is ever too old to learn or begin. No one will laugh or mock you- inface you have it on my word that, should you be an older man or woman, people will admire you MORE.

Find exercise that borders on play. Play with your children or your pet. buy a small trampoline. the possibilities are endless, just USE YOUR IMAGINATION!
 
STIMULATION is something I tended to overindulge. I enjoyed a good book and a good debate. I loved to solve problems and have a good, analytical discussion. Basically, Stimulation simply means making your brain work. To some of you, that will be as dirty a word as exercise. Books may not be your thing, debates make you angry and problem solving makes your head hurt and discussions leave you feeling ignorant. I suggest games, games that in some way challenge you. I do not refer to nasty video games where you simply have to shoot or run over everyone and everything. I mean games that involve a little bit of strategy. And there will be video games that do that. Board games too, if you have a family, even card games with your friends. Perhaps you want to build a model of something, do a puzzle? Find something that wakes your brain up, makes you ponder, doesn't have to be big problems or life's mysteries. 

PLAY is unfortunately something I cannot give guidelines to. Each and everyone play’s differently. Some shop, some watch DVDs. Some play tennis, others read. As you can gather play often overlaps with stimulation and exercise (it's most valuable to self) and I'm sure each and every one of you know what constitutes 'play' to you. 
 
PURPOSE- is a lecture in its self, and something I shall cover at a later date... 
 
 
I hoped you gained enlightenment and shall ALL work on these areas of your life. I shall provide guidelines as to incorporating each one of these in your week in a later lecture, as this has been a long enough lecture as it is, and my young host is getting weary.

I thank you all and wish you happiness. Humphrey.

 

End of Lecture