A Little Health from My Friends

Living well. What does it mean? Since I usually write what I want to know, I've penned reams on the subject. Yet, there is always new inspiration to be found for living a life of health and wellness. In this article then, I've opted for a new slant. Here, I've compiled some of my favorite ideas and helpful hints from a few of my favorite "masters." It is my hope they help deepen your understanding of yourself, as well as keep you inspired on your continued quest for wellness. And on the subject of "living well" here's what they have to say:

Master One: Carl Jung and His Psychic DNA Theory

Carl Jung attributes health and wellness to a theory he calls "Psychic DNA." What's that? You may be asking. According to him, our health begins at the unconscious level of our mind. From his perspective, every individual holds within them a specific map or "blueprint." This map, although unique to every individual, contains a code of "behavioral patterns."

Moreover, these behavioral patterns unravel across the course of a lifetime. Therefore, when the body assumes a state of "illness" or disease we can assume (according to Jung) a person can make adjustments by consulting their own intuition. It is at this deep spiritual level, according to Jung, that when the intuition is not followed, the body and mind become detached and do not act in harmony with the intrinsic map. In short, when seeking to live well, Jung asks us to check in with ourselves: Are we acting in harmony with our own intrinsic blueprint?

Master Two: Dr. Bernie Siegel and His 10 Steps For Living Well.

In his book: Peace, Love and Healing, Dr. Bernie Siegel offers 10 steps to living well that are well worth review. This is just a guess, but I believe we could all do well to make his 10 steps part of our daily practice.

1.) Do things that are fulfilling and bring you joy and self-worth. See life as your own creation and aim to make it positive.

2.) Pay attention to yourself. Take care of yourself by tuning into your needs.

3.) Let go of negativity, resentment, envy, fear, sadness and anger. Always let your feelings out and always forgive yourself.

4.) Keep positive images and goals in mind. Then, when fear arises, use them to invoke feelings of joy.

5.) Love yourself and everyone else. Give loving relationships primary importance in your life.

6.) Create fun, honest and loving relationships which allow for creative expression. Learn to heal past relationships.

7.) Make a positive contribution to your community through work or service.

8.) Commit to health and well being by developing a belief in total health. Develop your own personal healing program. Draw support from experts, but do not become a slave to them.

9.) Accept yourself and everything in your life as an opportunity for growth and learning. Be grateful. Learn to forgive yourself. You are always learning from your experiences.

10.) Have a sense of humor.

Master Three: Chiropractor Jeff Rockwell and His Symptoms of Inner Peace.

These great insights for inner peace can also be found in Dr. Siegel's book Peace, Love & Healing. They, too, are well worth mentioning. Rockwell asks us all to check ourselves for these symptoms:

One who exhibits inner peace is:

1.) Spontaneous. They also think and act from the present moment and not from the fears of the past.

2.) Able to have the ability to live in and enjoy each moment.

3.) Free from self-judgment.

4.) Lacking conflict with the self and the world at large.

5.) Lacking judgment of others.

Master Four: Louise L. Hay and Her Ideas For the Ways One Must Be Willing To Change In Effort To Enjoy Health and Spiritual Freedom.

In her gorgeous book: You Can Heal Your Life, Louise L. Hay outlines three changes we must make when desiring health and spiritual wellness. When seeking our highest self she encourages us all to keep and open mind and look for ways in which we may need to:

1.) Change our ways of thinking

2.) Change our ways of speaking

3.) Change our ways of expressing ourselves

According to Hay, when we "clean our closets" healing can occur. This involves cleaning all closets of our being: mind, body and spirit.

When changing our way of thinking Hay encourages us to remember: we must always be willing to change our thoughts, first. We do this by policing them, then trading old voices of negativity for gentle, positive self-encouragement.

When changing our way of speaking Hay reminds us: our words put thoughts into action. Therefore, in effort to make changes in a healthy fashion, we must also police our words. Here, we can replace negativity and judgment (of ourselves and others) with positive, gentle self talk.

When changing our mode of self expression, Hay reminds us: our life evolves out of our intensions. Therefore, we must change the way we express ourselves to invoke positive desirable outcomes.

In short, Hay's words reinforce the idea, the body is a temple. We must feed it well, exercise it and always carry it forth with optimism!