The Journey to Peace at Soul Begins

January 20, 2018

The Journey to Peace at Soul Begins

There's a Kurdish saying that goes:

"The root of all health is in the brain. The trunk of it is in emotion. The branches and leaves are the body. The flower of health blooms when all parts work together."

Brandon Green

Nowadays, a lot of people are becoming very health conscious, and are beginning to invest more into their fitness...which is great! However, there's often a lot of emphasis only on physical fitness: losing weight, gaining muscle, toning up...which leads to a consequent neglect of the mind and spirit. And as the saying tells us, for optimal health, not only the body, but the mind and spirit should also be nourished.

And trust me...I know how hard it gets. Being a software development engineer myself, I understand how difficult it is in today's world to get everything done that we'd like to do. My job is heavily sedentary, and studying part-time makes it even harder to find the time for myself. Health food is also often expensive and hard to find in Trinidad, and all the frustrations of day-to-day life makes relaxation seem far-fetched.

However, I hope that this blog can inspire you to live a more all-round, healthy, fulfilling life. I will be sharing lots of tips and advice on how you can help nourish your mind, body and soul. Here are a few things to keep in mind as we embark on this journey:

1. Find your pace

Being healthy should be a permanent goal, not something to pursue temporarily. This means not just picking up a few healthy habits, but rather leading an all-round, healthy lifestyle. Remember everything takes time, and it's better to make small, gradual changes which are easier to manage, than to be overwhelmed by too much at once. Challenging yourself is good, but be careful not to go past your limit so much that you become discouraged.

2. Persistence is key

A lifestyle change is a big step, and nobody is perfect. It's okay to make mistakes or slip up sometimes, but don't quit! As you adjust, it will become easier to stay on track. Remember too that results don't come overnight, so don't be discouraged if things don't turn out how you expect right away.

3. Enjoy yourself

At the end of the day, the journey to a healthy body, mind and soul should be something you feel good about! You shouldn't have to force yourself to achieve those goals. So if something doesn't work or feel right for you, then there might be an alternative that suits you better. Switch things up from time to time. Usually exercise in the living room? Why not try going outdoors sometimes? Hate grocery shopping? Try syncing up with a friend so you can both shop together. Find what works for you, enjoy yourself and be happy.

And remember, as one of the world's first yoga teachers and founder of the Iyengar style of yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar, said:

"Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open."