Our purpose is to aim for upward growth. I define “upward growth” as the use of life experiences (that is, knowledge gained) to increase aura happiness. Your aura happiness includes yourself and everyone in association with you. It includes anything that you encounter. Life experiences is a broad term which could include travel, your education, day-to-day living, etc. Experiences are gained through both external and internal means. I encompass life experiences into three main categories: Mind, Body, and Soul (MBS). By developing each day your MBS, you will increase your aura happiness. This will lead to upward growth. So, how do we do this?
MBS is practiced every day.
Mind
The Mind entails anything that increases knowledge, awareness, and mental or cognitive strength. A few examples might include daily reading, playing music or creating art, mental games and exercises, learning a new language, and meditation. The idea is to use the brain to think critically and/or to build and create something. If you need structure to do this, then you should set aside 30 minutes or one-hour each day for your mind. I prefer the early mornings (between 5 am and 8 am), when my mind feels sharpest.
Body
Body practice includes daily exercise and a healthy diet. Exercise is essential to a healthy, long life. Exercise increases blood flow, oxygen movement in the body, and endorphin release that makes us “happy.” It also makes our muscles stronger and increases dexterity and balance, which enable us to perform life tasks easier and keeps us from harm. One should aim for 15 minutes to 1 hour of exercise each day. Exercise should include mobility training (stretching), cardio, and weights. Finding a sport that you enjoy and can do regularly is a great idea. Variety is key. Just stay active throughout your entire life!
It is true, “you are what you eat.” What we consider a normal Western Diet nowadays has only existed for the last 50 years or so. It is a diet created by marketing and processed food companies. Human-beings have not evolved with this diet. There are now many studies that show a low meat (mostly fish), fresh produce (vegetables and fruits), nuts and natural fats diet is extremely beneficial for us. This is something like a Mediterranean diet. However, other excellent options include vegetarianism and veganism. These options remove us from the ethical question of meat production (especially as an industry). Arguably, plant production has a far less environmental impact than the meat industry. Every person should try to know what they are consuming. Intermittent fasting has historical precedence and biological importance. The hunter-gather lifestyle with short to medium-length periods of food absence, have a much longer evolutionary influence on our makeup than modern day diets. Humans are used to going periods without food! There are also several cell rebuilding processes that occur after 12 hours of fasting. These processes help to keep us healthy and youthful.
Here are my rules:
- Eat less meat
- Supplement meat protein with plant-based products (pea, rice, soy, etc.)
- Avoid processed foods (stick to the outer parts of the supermarket)
- Visit your local farmer’s markets
- Everything in moderation
- Try intermittent fasting
Lastly, open the windows. Get some sunshine. It is a natural source of Vitamin D and, of course, it makes us feel better!
Soul
Never underestimate the importance of your Soul. Your Soul is your essence, your vibe, your state of being. There are several ways to work on your Soul. First, try meditation. A practice each day of mindfulness will develop the skills necessary for you to stop overreacting and help you reduce stress. Reduced stress loads in your body is important for your physical (healthier immune system) and mental health. Second, practice smiling and laughing. It feels good to work the other muscles in our face and there is also a physiological reaction to this. Simply put, when we smile and laugh, we feel better. Finally, Pay It Forward. A simple concept of doing good deeds for others will promote more good deeds being done, and so forth. The act of doing a good deed enriches the soul on so many levels. Pay It Forward.
The Mind feeds the Body and the Body feeds the Soul and the Soul feeds the Mind…