"I figure that something's going to get me anyway
so I'll just eat what I want.
I want to die happy."
This was a comment made during our lesson in Relief Society on the Word of Wisdom. Now I know the woman made this comment mostly in jest. She's funny, but it got me thinking. The 'do nots' of the Word of Wisdom are not a problem for me. I'm not tempted to drink alcohol, smoke, drink coffee, etc. But the overall spirit of the Word of Wisdom is to have healthy bodies. Over the past couple of years I've thought a lot about how to find healthier versions of things we like to eat. Our bodies, while we have a way to go, are healthier because of it. I still really need to work on the amount of healthy food that I eat... and getting my body moving more. The whole point of keeping this commandment has to do with the bigger purpose of doing His work. If our bodies are unhealthy, it gets in the way of our ability to serve. When I see the pounds coming back on, it depresses me and it distracts me. How can I focus on more eternal things when I'm preoccupied with how my clothes are fitting?
I think that in general we know that obedience to all commandments bring us happiness. I might be bummed to not be able to eat as much goulash or cake as I want- because I'm capable of eating those day and night! But feeling healthy and not being distracted by my physical body is a much better feeling. Commandments are not given to us to make us miserable. They are given to us to guide us through a life with happiness. So yes, I do want to die happy so I will do all I can to follow the guidance given to us from our loving Father in Heaven.
15 comments:
I don't want you to die
So true Nikki! Thanks for giving us your perspective on this! I really love your word for the year and look forward to reading more posts about it! :)
Good perspective on the Word of Wisdom. I don't think of the do's enough. When you're not necessarily worrying about weight you don't always think about eating healthy but you can be thin and unhealthy. Derek and I walked to the cemetery to visit family today and we were feeling it...sad. I need to start a walking group here.
I too love your word of the year and this post. I have been thinking lately on how I can better take care of my body so I can more fully enjoy life. Thanks for your thoughts!!
Thanks for the good reminder to keep ourselves healthy! I have been so bad with this pregnancy! I eat way to much sugar everyday!!!
I love your new background for your blog! It's adorable!!
Happy March and I hope you have good week :)
This is an issue I feel strongly about b/c I think a lot of people think they're doing well when they avoid alcohol, smoking, etc. but yet they don't take care of their bodies at all. I feel sorry for people who really have the attitude of that woman b/c what kind of life are they really going to have when they eat whatever they want? It's not good. My father in law has Type 2 diabetes and he is always exhausted, is losing feeling in his toes, and has cataracts all b/c he eats whatever he wants and doesn't listen to his doctors. Totally avoidable. (Sorry to rant!) I've been thinking about this alot b/c Larry Miller (owner of the Utah Jazz) just died and he basically ate himself to death. So sad. Forgive my novel!!!
You know my dad always used to say you can die fat and happy or thin and depressed. But since he got type 2 diabetes he has lost 65 pounds and I think he likes it. I think he feels better and he still has a hersey kiss or two a day. So maybe happy and thin are not mutually exclusive.
Excellent post Nikki and such a good reminder. I have no problem with the Do Nots of the Word of Wisdom either, but could definitely improve on the Dos. I know I'm distracted by how I look and feel and those things affect my attitude and ability to serve and be happy.
I really think we CAN eat what we want (within the confines of the Word of Wisdom) as long as we don't eat it too often, or in large portions.
At the same time almost everyone can do more - eating more vegetables, getting more exercise, etc.
"If our bodies are unhealthy, it gets in the way of our ability to serve." I never thought about that before. It's a true principle.
Good post! ;)
i am glad jill turned me on to your post (your blog backround is darling by the way!)
amen, amen, amen to everything you said!
i have thought about this with wanting to serve a mission someday with Jeff, I feel my goal to stay healthy is so we can go somewhere cool and dangerous.
Oh boy did I need this post today. Thanks Nikki.
What a great post, so glad I jumped over from Jills!
That's my daughter. =)
God bless you.
I agree....I think the better we are to our bodies the better it will be to us. And lest face it... we have to keep out bodies happy for a good 80 years!!!!
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