The events of the past few years have given me much cause to think about how we define wellness. What is most disturbing is the extent to which humans worldwide are living in poor health, either by circumstance or by choice. Humanity as a collective is not in a state of good health.

Yes, there are countries and cultures where poverty dictates the level of health possible. However, in richer countries we see how people are overfed, sedentary, and spending too much time on their computers and phones. These all lead to physical states that make them vulnerable to many diseases.

And who is waiting in the wings with their “magic antidotes”? Big pharma, that collective of corporations who make gargantuan profits from our illnesses. Do you honestly think that generally speaking they have our wellness in mind? We live in a system that reacts to illness, rather than proactively promoting good health. These two positions are light years apart!

Good health is not merely the absence of disease. There Is a vibrancy to wellness that cannot be derived from anything but taking good care of ourselves. All of the good things that we’ve known keep us well still apply. Fresh air, nature, nourishing food, physical exercise, adequate rest, playfulness, companionship, friendship, doing what we love. Oh yes, and the big one, simply LOVE in all of its forms and connections.

How often do you see any of that being talked about in mainstream media? “Seldom” would be an overstatement. Rather we are fed a constant thought diet of dire predictions. Do you notice in the news of late that we keep hearing about the next pandemic around the corner? When you consider the connections between mind, body, and spirit, these messages alone are damaging us. They create worry and fear, which are very low vibration states. Negative thoughts and a low vibration make us vulnerable to physical illness.

In my opinion, wellness is just one of the ways in which our societal systems need a complete overhaul. All change begins with new thought. We need to change how we think about wellness, and develop a new vision for what is possible. A completely new philosophy is in order to move to a new paradigm.

We don’t need to wait for the system to change. We can make the change(s) ourselves (anytime, not just at a new year), and our thoughts, actions, and vibration will ripple outward to influence those around us. It is a “bottom to top” approach of change. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to incorporate more fresh vegetables and fruits into my diet every day, because I get busy and forget to eat them. (Whoosh! There goes another day where I could have nourished my body better. Overall I eat healthy cooked whole foods – not overly processed destructive calories – BUT, there is a high vibration to fresh uncooked vegetables and fruit that cannot be substituted by anything else.)

Another resolution is to get even better at not treating myself like a work robot, too much focused on tasks and performance. As with the high vibration foods, I don’t schedule enough time for high vibration play. I have made progress in this area in the past year, and our two cats are helping me to get even better at it. I take more breaks now to simply be and PLAY with them.

Today I urge you also to embark on a path of personal holistic wellness, if you are not doing so already. And if you are, congratulations because it takes some self-discipline and determination to create and stick to good health habits. Please think about taking it further by encouraging someone else to do so when you see they are asking for help.

By disconnecting from the media negativity, embracing what feels good and resonates with our souls, by listening to our bodies, minds, and spirits, and seeking joyfulness in life, we as a collective can move forward into a much different human experience. Let’s together make 2025 the year to choose true wellness!

Inspirational Quotes:

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“There are many aspects to success; material wealth is only one component. …But success also includes good health, energy and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, emotional and psychological stability, a sense of well-being, and peace of mind.” ~ Deepak Chopra