How active are you in your body, spirit and soul? Continuing my seven simple strategies for keeping free and focused in life, today’s is Fitness. Once again, this strategy undergirds the previous blogs, which considered Boundaries, Decisions, Beliefs, and Rhythm.
Keeping active and improving fitness in all three parts of ourselves – body, spirit and soul – benefits not only our ability to be effective and live freely, but our relationship with God and others.
The Freedom Strategy, Martina Davis
What do you mean, fitness in body, spirit and soul? We are created with a body, a spirit, and a soul. The body is obvious; our spirit is inside us, being the place from which we connect with the Spirit of God; our soul comprises our emotions, mind, and will. All three affect one another. An example would be chronic pain in our body, which affects how we feel in our mind, will and emotions (our soul). It can also affect how we feel about our connection to God (our spirit). In writing my series Equipping Unexpected Warriors, I talk about this and offer stories from my own life. the whole series is connected by my analogy of different parts of our spine – equating the body’s spine to our ‘spiritual backbone’ – and how to strengthen it.
Isn’t it selfish to make this time for myself? Every time I have allowed this lie to touch my mind and affect my actions, the impact has eventually been felt in every part of me. The seasons when I have been forced to step back and see to my own health in every area, have always led to increased fitness and ability to cope with circumstances, energy to address my work and obligations, and rest and sleep in order to overflow. In fact, they have forced me to grow. They have been gifts of grace to me. There may be changes to be made that require courage, challenges ahead that need overcoming, there will be discipline involved in keeping up new habits, but start small and keep to your chosen lane. You will influence wider than yourself, and help others also to live well.
What are examples of keeping fit in these three areas? Body: we need movement, flexibility, strength and cardio-vascular fitness. Last Spring I had a sharp reminder of this, and over the time since then I have built a new programme with the initial help of a physiotherapist. At almost 62, I currently hike or trail-run for an hour each morning (choosing hilly areas), but include focused weight training three times a week to prevent age-related muscle loss which had been causing chronic pain. I also stretch with some daily Pilates moves. Yes, this take time – and perseverance, which is the next strategy! Spirit: I take at least two half-hours each day for contemplation – complete silence and stillness using just one word. Obviously this is just one example of my spiritual practices. It creates deep connection spirit to Spirit with God. Soul: An example for each area. I read and study for my mind; practice letting go to God for my will; check out my emotional atmosphere daily – both using my God-given emotions but also stabilising myself where necessary.
Remember, this is an overview. And we are in this together. It isn’t a question of perfection, rather of looking for the light and living in it, then enjoying the journey. Where physical fitness is concerned, it is important to follow medical advice for your own journey, then work with that.
More in my next blog, Seven Strategies: No.6 – Perseverance. And do look up/purchase my first two books at this link: Equipping Unexpected Warriors , and you can find reviews here: Books .
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I am currently writing the third book in my series Equipping Unexpected Warriors, called The Freedom Strategy – and blogging an overview of my seven strategies on this website. You will find all the blogs on Home . At the same time, I am working on an entirely new book, whilst experiencing the joys of being a new Grandma!
Martina Davis Studio 