Good health is true wealth
Urijah Faber
When was the last time you took some time for yourself to focus on yourself? When was the last time you noticed yourself? Can you recall the last instance of you listening to what your body was trying to tell you? Making time to care for yourself should be a priority, but not just physical health. My lesson for this week is the importance of taking care of the first person that you see in the mirror.
The above quote was made by MMA fighter Urijah (YOO-rye-uh) Faber. A multi-time champion within the octagon, his physical conditioning and health is important to his success. There are lessons that we can learn from someone like Mr. Faber that ring true in our own lives. For example: taking time to do activities that promote wellness and health for your temple. Prior to my knee replacement surgery in 2019, I would workout 4-5 times a week doing different types of weight lifting, cardio and high intensive interval training (HIIT). There was times I pushed my body too far and I think my limits as a 30 something year old man trying to do workouts that I could easily do when I wore a younger man’s clothes (shoutout to Billy Joel). Since my surgery I have started listening to my body more. When I am tired, I rest. When I am hungry, I eat. When I want to move, I move (albeit not as fast as I once was, but I still try). These days, I don’t do much more heavy lifting and HIIT but more cardio exercises like long bike rides (like at minimum 7 miles) and yoga (a good 30 minute session and my body is on fire!). Whatever the activity is, do not ignore what your body is telling you physically.
In the same breath, I implore you not to ignore what your body is saying mentally. In recent years, there has been a very much needed push in the mental health community for taking care of the brain. And rightfully so because if the brain is not healthy, then it is impossible to do anything else at your full strength. The point of taking care the brain has been hammered on time and time again, but it is worth repeating that mental health is health. Unfortunately, many people carry around trauma and baggage that has never gone addressed. In a world where bad news can be accessed as simple as opening an application on a phone, too much exposure to bad news can mentally erode your brain. There are people in their late 50s-early 60s still scared by events of their teens and 20s. Without the proper help and guidance, those baggages unknown to us start affecting the people we love and interact with. There is no physical health without addressing mental health, I cannot repeat that enough. Talk to a licensed therapist, keep a journal, meditate/pray, deep breath whatever you need to do in order to keep your mind sharp. We all go through trials, that is part of the human experience, but there is no reason to bear those trials alone.
Below I have included some resources for mental health. Please make sure to address and take care of your mind. It is too important to let it go by the wayside.
Mental Health Resources
http://www.homeprojectmilwaukee.org/uploads/4/0/9/8/40983311/mke_county_mental_health_services.pdf
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/treatment
Take Care!
Your First Black Friend
Your First Black Friend 