Stay Positive and Be Healthy

Our attitude in life has a strong bearing in our health. If we entertain negative thoughts, our attitude will be affected and so is our health, according to a  research. If we have a positive attitude, we can survive all odds, and enjoy a healthier life.

There’s a native Indian parable: “One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes inside people. He said, ‘My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.  It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.’ He continued, ‘The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going inside you and inside every other person too.’

“The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, ‘Which wolf will win?’ The old Cherokee replied, ‘The one you feed.’ ” 

Which wolf are you feeding in your life? If we want to be happy in this world and be healthy, then we choose the second wolf. If we want to be pessimists and be miserable, and have illness, then we opt for the first wolf.

If we choose the second wolf – to be positive in our thoughts and outlook in life, Dr. Willie Ong in his book, “Stay Younger, Live Healthier,” says: “A lot of diseases that doctors encounter have been aggravated by anger, envy and other negative thoughts. You might think, “What if I have cancer? What if doctors find something wrong with me?

“Well, let’s look at the problem another way. Stress and anger are known to be contributing factors to heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure and many other illnesses. If this is so, then the opposite scenario should also be true. If you have less stress and less anger, then you can have less illness and pain, and consequently become healthier.”

Dr. Wong advises a technique by renowned writer Dr. Norman Vincent Peale: “List down your blessings on a piece of paper. For example : (1) I have a supportive e family: (2) I am talented in my profession;  (3) I am surrounded by good friends; (4) I have a good mind; and (5) At my age , I am healthy enough to enjoy life and help others.”  Make your list. Look at it and you will realize how many blessings you have. You are not really that sick or that unlucky as you think. Looking at the positive side makes you thankful to God for all these things.”

As a final word, Dr. Wong relates, “Someone once said, ‘The facts before us are not important. What is important is our attitude towards these facts.’ You may have some difficulties, but once you decide that you can face it, chances are you will beat it. And, believe me, people will support you all the way… Be positive even if others are not. Continue with your faith in God, faith in yourself and faith in others. If you work on these constantly, you will be happier and healthier.”