As people indicate New Year’s resolutions, these are commonly things that they want to do such as lose weight or save more money. From the Bible to psychology, we are told that our thoughts drive our actions and that what we are on the inside drives what we do. We can hide what we “be” for a time through our actions. But sooner or later, the real person will come out – usually at times of stress or crisis.
There are several areas of life in which we could resolve to BE in a better way that would ultimately strengthen the success of what we do. These areas are our Mind, our Body, and our Spirit.
In our minds, we are what we feed into them. We remember knowledge gained from past formal learning and from life experiences. The old saying of “garbage in-garbage out” applies still. As adults our learning continues to come from experience and also from what we read, see, and hear. If we feed on fake news, we think the sky is falling or that uncle Joe will save our world. If we find ways to feed on the truth, we can then take action to support truth in living.
Our bodies are also a result of how we feed them and care for them. Much like a vehicle, preventive maintenance serves us better than repair work at the doctor’s office or hospital. The practices of healthy food, enough water, exercise, and good sleep do wonders for our bodies. Such bodies hold up well into later life. While such practice does involve doing, the body that results will support continuation of living well.
The strongest area of being is spiritual and actually impacts the other two areas significantly. Our spiritual component of being relies on divine help rather than just our efforts. If we so choose, we can have the direction and intervention of all-powerful God in who and what we are. As humans, we are stubborn and want to live it “our way.” Often it is only when a person’s life hits rock bottom that he will give God a try at running things. I have found that life is so much better if I just go ahead and “let go and let God” – totally.
