Life! By Design_ 6 Steps to an Extraordinary You - Laura Morton [79]
He said, “I don’t like it when I’m in the backseat of the car while you’re driving to my basketball practice and you make me say, ‘I’m a great rebounder and I play great defense.’” It felt like Michael was suddenly mocking me.
“I don’t like it when you force me to do them, Dad. But I have to tell you something else. I’m really happy that you do because when I need them, they’re there.”
My heart was again full of love and joy. Later that night, I called my wife to tell her that we were doing a really good job with our kids. I was thrilled to know that my ten-year-old son was more prepared for life than the average adult is by age forty. This was an extremely proud moment for me as a father and the ultimate example of “Do the thing and you will have the power.” It was extremely satisfying to know that my kids reinforce their positive thoughts on a daily basis.
By now, you might be asking yourself, “Does this guy ever sleep?” I’m sure many of you are convinced that I must still be on drugs to operate at this level and live this lifestyle. But I’m not. If you’re feeling the pressure of how do I fit all of this in and do all the things you’re asking me to do, one of the reasons is because you probably lack the energy required to get it all done. I know I am not the first, nor will I be the last to say to you, “Healthy body, healthy mind.” But be clear: If you want to sustain a life By Design, your health, vitality, and mental and emotional toughness are a must.
Most people get stuck in their lives because they lack the energy and vitality to push through. They get complacent, lazy, and lethargic, and have no stamina to endure the day. These conditions are all effects of a much bigger cause. They didn’t properly fuel their body by eating right, doing the emotional work to give themselves the boost they need throughout the day, and getting enough rest to recharge and reinvigorate.
Having enough energy is a choice. You can either submit to a lack of stamina and excessive fatigue or you can do something to improve your overall vitality. A buddy of mine is extremely successful, one of the top executives in his field, and was, by most people’s standards, living an extraordinary life. The only thing holding him back was his weight—over 350 pounds. His health had become so compromised and he had become so uncomfortable that he could no longer sleep with his wife. After years of emotional and physical neglect, his wife filed for divorce. By professional standards, my friend was hugely successful. But was his life successful?
This is why choosing to take care of your body is as important as nurturing your mind. Everything we do starts with our health and vitality. My philosophy on health is based on doing whatever we can to not only bolster but maintain a high level of energy throughout the day. I am talking about a supreme level of energy from the moment you swing your feet onto the floor first thing in the morning until you fall back into bed at night.
When you don’t feel good, your attitude is off and your actions are subpar, which means your results will be less than satisfactory. Therefore, you will be farther from what it is you want. You want to do things for your body that make you feel good about who you are. It doesn’t matter what you weigh. It only matters how you feel. If your clothes feel light and good on you, you feel great. You’ve got an air of confidence about you. But if your clothes feel tight, if you feel scrunched by your waistband, you’re uncomfortable and aware of that uneasiness. If you are at all spiritual, you understand that your body is a gift from God. Are you treating it that way?
There are ten things you can do right now that will instantly and effectively