May 31, 2015, I received a health alert of something the doctors advised me is genetic. The alert caused me to take note of what I needed to begin doing differently to take better care of myself so that it wouldn’t become more serious.  There have been many changes and more to come — some easier than others, but all necessary to live the lifestyle that is important to me.

At times change can be very difficult. The desire to resist change is evident in all of us. We’d like to believe we are more flexible then we really are. Perhaps I’m speaking for myself, but if you’re like me, you like variety in some things but routine is welcome in other areas of your life and once we get into a routine we don’t typically welcome anything interfering that will require major changes.  On the anniversary date of the health alert from last year I’m  making another change with more MOVEMENT, REST and added FUN. Why is that important Lisa? I’m so glad that you asked. I have been a hard and smart worker since I was 14 years old with my first job. Strong work ethic is a part of the core of my family passed on from my Grandparents. That is why you only see three areas capitalized for emphasis — MOVEMENT, REST, and FUN. Those are not areas I grew up seeing modeled in my family. I saw commitment to God, other people, hard work, strong integrity and a servants heart modeled by my grandparents and strong work ethic also modeled by my mother.

I just revamped my schedule to allow for more movement in my early mornings. I used to workout but a bad knee and heel eliminated that for some time. Getting that under control has permitted me to hit the pavement again and power-walking is now in my routine and I love it.  In addressing sleep needs we often view what we need to do to stay asleep but I have taken a different approach now, I am more focused on what I do to prepare to go to sleep and what I permit to be my focus. In addition, I have greatly added more fun to my very busy schedule.  I shocked my family recently when I engaged (very competitively I might add), a try-to-take-the-ball from Grandma game with my almost 9 and 8 year old grand daughters. What a blast we had as my husband watched with laughter. They all thought Grandma didn’t have the goods any more to run, throw, tag and grab that ball with the level of fervency I presented. And yes, Grandma won! 🙂 They all cheered!

Why am I sharing a small portion of my private life with you? Because I believe that we need to take better care of ourselves. As women we wear so many hats: wives, single, mothers, grandmothers, homeschooling moms, business owners, ministry leaders and lay persons, caregivers, nurtures, students, teachers, pastors, business women, volunteers and more! Whew! I’m tired just typing some of the categories of rolls we walk in.

If you took 100% scale and divided it among the categories above, we probably spread 100% throughout the categories with nothing left to take care of the WOMAN part of us. Yes, the part of us that needs spiritual growth, mind renewal, physical fitness, emotional strength, fun time, refreshment and rest. Why do we forget about that woman? At times it’s cultured into us to put the needs of family, ministry, work and others before ourselves. For some, they’ve been taught that it’s prideful or selfish to consider yourself. While we want to have the right motivation in all that we do, giving attention to yourself is not prideful or selfish. As a matter of fact, my husband, adult children, grandchildren and people I serve in ministry and through my business would tell you that I’m at my optimal best when I take better care of me, that in turn makes me better to meet their needs as well.

Here’s a few areas for your consideration:

1. What are you currently doing to take better care of yourself?
2. What can you begin to do differently to be your best self?
3. Do you have a sleepy-time process to unwind at night or do you find yourself in bed with your cell phone checking social media, texting someone or reading emails? It may be time to put the cell phone away from the bed.
4. Do you allow fun time in your weekly schedule or is every moment taken with family, work, ministry and other areas of importance to you?
5. If you could change one thing today to avoid receiving a health alert or unfavorable diagnosis, what would it be?

It’s not too late to make some much needed changes. I’m reminded of a powerful passage in the Bible that says: 3 John 2 “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”  What a beautiful passage and desire God has for us to prosper in all areas. So friends, take care of yourself. We need you here to fulfill your purpose. Start or join the conversation below by leaving a comment. I hope you’ll engage the five questions above. If so, let me know.

Cheering you on!

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