You know what I’ve been realizing recently? Lots of sentences trip off my tongue with ease, but aren’t actually or entirely true. In fact, my (awesome) editor (hi, Liz!) recently sent back my manuscript with her suggested revisions and I often found this note in the margins: this sounds good, but what does it really mean? And sometimes Liz adds a smiley face so it softens the blow. 🙂 (<—See? Happy!)
It’s so easy to fall into cliche, bumper-sticker living without even realizing our words are filled with smoke and mirrors. I know I talk about battle a lot, but I do believe one of the things that most quickly cuts through the platitudes of life is a really tough fight. Battle refines our belief system and boils all those spinning words down to the syrup: the sticky, substantive truth of the matter.
Here’s one I’ve heard and said myself: “If you have your health, you have everything.”
Really? I understand this is a statement of gratitude, but it isn’t true. In the course of our fight with health issues, I’ve met dozens of people who have their health and yet I wouldn’t want to trade places with them for all the beer in Bend (my local equivalent of tea in China.) You can have your health and no purpose. You can have your health and no home. You can have your health and no happiness. And, saddest of all: you can have your health and no love.
One way to quickly expose the folderol in any statement is to flip it around and see if the opposite is true: if you don’t have your health, you have nothing. Nope, that doesn’t work. I might be sensitive to this one because of our current situation. I am watching a man living out exactly the kind of diagnosis that pushes this cliche from the lips of those who are (rightfully) grateful not to be facing ALS. But I also know how purposefully he’s living. In fact, I see several areas in the life of Steve Stern that are healthier without his health than they were with it (does that make sense? You know I’m not saying “thank goodness, for ALS”, right? Because I’m not. And will never.)
Maybe it’s more accurate to say: If you have your health, you have the potential for everything else. But I’m not even sure that’s true. We humans simply need more than a stout heartbeat for true satisfaction. Because our bodies, in the end, are only as good as what they house: a soul and a spirit – and it’s actually the health of those two things that is the real, true game changer.
So, question for you today: how’s your health? Is your body healthy? Are your dreams healthy? Are your thoughts about yourself and others healthy? Are your words healthy? Are your memories healthy? Is your relationship with God healthy? It’s only when we look deeper than flesh and blood and bones that the the statement becomes true: if you have your health, you have everything. And that truth, I’m convinced, will set you free.
Wishing you heaps of health,
Bo
A line very similar to this has been in my head this week. I was told by a family member that they only want to surround themselves with good vibes and be happy. After laughing, yep we did that, my husband and I have been talking about it all week. How silly that whole thing sounds. We would all love to be happy all the time, but it just isn’t realistic. And what is your life going to look like if something negative does happen? I agree in turning such phrases around and asking ourselves the many questions that come from that. I am blessed beyond measure and would change nothing at all.
Bo!
this might be one of my most favorite of your recent posts!
it might seem complex and hard to wrap a mind around… but for me and my heart (and my life) on this Friday, it’s PERFECT and wonderful and encouraging and convicting in all the right ways!
love and miss you so!
“If you have your health, you have everything.” One thing for sure about this statement, if you have your health you are probably going to get to experience life here on earth a few more days than if you didn’t have your health.
Bo, It’s sad but true, and I am victim of the fact that when we have our health and the trimmings that go with it, instead of being “others” focused we often look to advance self. Why when we have much do we give little?? Those forced to look at the other side through trials often have the softness, character, and giving heart perhaps because they see best the true angles of life. For some of us it takes a trial to refocus. Please pray I will learn fully now, while in good health, to live a selfless life, which can be a very rewarding as the good Lord tells us it is better to give than to receive. As I pray this more I know He will open my eyes to see the needs around me and have compassion to make a difference.
Why do I feel so cheated? I took pride in going to the gym and being able to do things that other people refused to do. A year and half ago was running 3 to 4 miles daily and lifting weights. I look around and see people making excuses why they can’t keep in shape or learn something new, I’m dealing with ALS and started learning computer programming just in case I live the next ten years. This disease has not given me time to adjust, it gave me a wham bam thank you mam attitude, and for some people it goes through slowly while others it’s rapid. Apparently, I’m dealing with the latter and it is hard to stay positive. It’s funny being on Medicare at 43 and don’t qualify for senior discounts, I’ll take health without anything at least I can be productive again.
So now I’m thinking, “what is health, anyway?” … How does God define it, I wonder.